Mean Green Comet Debate Institute

Original Oratory and Informative Speaking

The Public Speaking session will offer classes centered around Original Oratory and Informative Speaking. During our time at camp, students will develop the fundamental skills to write an impactful speech on a topic of their choice, taking ownership in the writing process. In order to accomplish this, students will learn how to:

  • Identify a topic and develop a thesis
  • Identify universality
  • Implement effective research methods
  • Utilize clear speech structure to direct their writing
  • Develop strong presentation and delivery skills
  • Including VA tips and tricks for Informative Speaking

Our goal is to have students actively researching and writing throughout the week so that by the camp's end they will walk away with a completed manuscript ready for competition. In addition, students will walk away with fundamental skills to continue to develop their work throughout the competitive season and mentor others on their team.

Public Speaking is all about providing a platform to students to take their worldly observations and turn them into actions. What stories and experiences do you have to share with the world? What do you feel is important for us to learn about? How can we better connect with our communities? Find your passion and share it with others! Engage with your community, do the work, share your voice. This is the power of public speaking events such as Oratory and Informative Speaking. I look forward to helping you find and tell your story!

One-Week and Two-Week Programs – An Explanation

The first week will center around the writing process including thesis formation, research skills, how to use ChatGPT as a resource and not an endgame, and writing to reflect your own unique voice. We will also cover basic presentation skills in this first week.

The second week will focus on advanced presentation skills, memorization techniques, the art of the living manuscript, and the creation of visual aids. The ultimate goal of the two week camp is getting students to fully prepare either an informative speech or oratory and developing a draft of a second speech. If you aren’t sure that you can attend both weeks, that’s okay!

While the camp is designed for students to attend the full two weeks, students can also choose to only attend one week of the camp. Students who attend one week will develop one speech that should be fully written by the end of the program. Choose the path that works best for you!

Ultimately, what you will walk away with is: at least one completed Manuscript for OO or INFO, Memorization Techniques that work for you, Presentation and Delivery Techniques to help your speech come to life, Insight into creating Visual Aids for Informative Speaking, and Fundamental Skills to develop additional pieces throughout your speech career.

Director's Statement

Divisions, Date and Pricing

Section Dates In-Person Commuter Online

Original Oratory / Informative Speaking

June 30 – July 7

$1,150

$800

N/A

Division Director

Stefany Cambra

Stefany is a graduate from Drury University, where she earned a BA in Theatre and Communications, along with a myriad of minors in Philosophy, Religion, Asian Studies, and Global Foundations. She is currently pursing her Masters of Communication in Leadership and Organizational Change. She is currently the director of Oral Interpretation at Grapevine High School. She brings with her 21 years of experience in the activity - as a competitor, judge, and educator. She has coached numerous finalists and champions on the local, state, and national level, including the 2021 TFA State Champion in Original Oratory and Informative Speaking. Cambra believes that competitive success lies in a strong educational foundation - teaching students lifelong skills that will bring them success at competition and in their daily lives. In addition, she is the Artistic Director of Proper Hijinx Productions, an independent theatre company that focuses on producing original works by local writers in the DFW metroplex. Cambra works professionally as an actor, director, playwright, and occasional prop designer. She has a lifelong passion for all things communication and performance. If you ask what her favorite event is, she won't be able to just name one. "My favorite event is the event a student is excited about - I am ready to work alongside each and every student to help them discover the power of their own voice."

Division Staff

Matthew Stewart

Head Coach at Royse City

A graduate from the University of North Texas where he earned a BA in Communication Studies and is currently pursuing his Masters of Communication Studies at Sam Houston State. He is currently the head coach of the Royse City Debate team heading into this tenth year of coaching. As a coach, Stewart has numerous TFA State, UIL State, NSDA National, NIETOC, and TOC qualifiers across multiple events including the TOC and NIETOC champion in Original Oratory in 2018. Stewart enjoys the Speech and Debate community specifically because it teaches students to learn to utilize their agency and advocate for the change they wish to see in the world. The empowerment Speech and Debate provides for students is by and large the greatest thing educators can provide. Helping students find their advocacy and step into the power their voice gives them is what continues to drive Stewart’s work in the community. “Every student is capable of doing something amazing once they understand how amazing their voice is.”


Enroll Now!

Click Here to Enroll

MGCDI in now open! Follow the link above to reserve your spot in our 2024 summer program. The final deadline for all registration is June 9th, 2024.