Christal Chen
2024 Informative Speaking Champion
Westlake High School
Solemei Scamaroni
2024 Original Oratory Champion
The Village High School
Informative Speaking
Informative speaking is an original presentation aimed at explaining or illustrating a topic to increase the audience’s understanding. While entertainment or persuasion may be included, they are secondary purposes. Audio/visual aids are optional.
Audio/visual aids in speeches are optional but should support rather than distract from the message. Electronic devices, live animals, additional people, costumes, or items violating local laws are prohibited. Schools aren’t required to provide equipment or assistance with aids, and quick setup and takedown are expected. If published images are used, they must be listed in a works-cited page but don’t require oral citation.
For State Tournament entry, students must submit a typed oration with the title provided during online registration. Quoted material, limited to 150 words, should be underlined or printed in red. A cover sheet with the title, student and coach signatures, and school name is required. Orations must be accessible for the entire tournament. The time limit is 10 minutes with a 30-second grace period; exceeding this disqualifies the speaker from first place, with additional penalties at the judge’s discretion.
Original Oratory
Original Oratory involves students writing, memorizing, and delivering a persuasive speech on a personal issue or problem.
Topics are chosen by students, though the speech must be their own work. Orations often address current issues but can also warn of dangers, inspire support for a cause, or honor a person.
Visual aids are not allowed, and TFA advises avoiding potentially offensive language or content, though judges have final say on rankings.
For the State Tournament, students must submit a typed oration during online registration, with quoted material highlighted and limited to 150 words. A cover sheet with signatures and school information is required. Orations must be available throughout the tournament. Speeches have a 10-minute maximum with a 30-second grace period; exceeding the time disqualifies a competitor from first place in that round, though further penalties are up to the judge.