Modern Oratory
In Modern Oratory, the sixth, seventh and eighth grade contestants will select
one of the topics, determine the critical issues in the topic, and acknowledge
both pro and con points citing support discovered in their research. Students
will choose a side they will defend and support that side with additional
evidence. Along with the skills of analysis, research, note-taking,
documentation, evaluation and decision-making come those of delivery and the
skill of memorization.
2013-2014 Modern Oratory Topics
Contestants must select one of the following topics for developing the
oration.
- Can Texas government solve the state’s water crisis?
- Will privacy concerns affect government use of electronic
surveillance? - Should college athletes be paid?
- Does career and technical education provide a viable path to high school
graduation and beyond? - Should companies be required to label foods that are made from genetically
modified organisms?
Students will deliver a three to six minute speech without the use of notes
on their topic. In the process of preparing for the contest, the student will
need to:
- define the problem;
- determine the pro and con issues;
- research the issue;
- look at both sides of an issue;
- reach a conclusion; and
- support that conclusion with documentation.
To achieve and maintain the educational goals of the contest activity, the
teacher and/or parent may guide the development of the research and writing of
the speech, but shall not be permitted to write the speech for the student.