Original Oratory and Informative Speaking
What to Expect
Students in the Original Oratory and Informative Speaking division will receive focused, event-specific instruction designed to help them build high-quality, competition-ready speeches grounded in research, structure, and delivery.
Event Foundations
Students will develop a clear understanding of:
- The purpose and conventions of Original Oratory and Informative Speaking
- How judges evaluate argumentation, clarity, organization, and delivery
- The differences between persuasive advocacy (OO) and explanatory clarity (Info)
Instruction emphasizes what actually wins rounds at invitationals, state tournaments, and nationals.
Topic Selection & Development
Students will work closely with staff to:
- Identify viable, original topics with competitive depth
- Refine a precise thesis or central question
- Avoid common pitfalls such as overbreadth, generic advocacy, or unsupported claims
For Oratory, this includes crafting a persuasive claim with stakes and urgency. For Informative, this includes framing complex material in a way that is accessible and meaningful.
Research & Evidence Integration
Students will learn how to:
- Conduct high-quality research using credible sources
- Synthesize evidence into a speech rather than listing facts
- Cite sources smoothly and ethically within the speech
The focus is on using evidence persuasively or explanatorily, not overwhelming the audience.
Structure & Speech Architecture
Instruction will cover:
- Effective introductions that establish relevance and authority
- Logical internal organization and signposting
- Clear conclusions that reinforce significance and impact
Students will workshop outlines and partial drafts, learning how strong speeches are built, not improvised.
Writing & Language
Students will receive feedback on:
- Language precision and rhetorical clarity
- Use of narrative, analogy, and explanation
- Balancing sophistication with accessibility
For Oratory, emphasis is placed on voice and persuasion. For Informative, emphasis is placed on clarity, accuracy, and audience comprehension.
Delivery & Performance
Students will practice:
- Confident, controlled delivery
- Purposeful gestures and movement
- Vocal variation, pacing, and emphasis
Delivery coaching is always tied back to content and intent, not theatricality for its own sake.
Practice & Feedback
Students will:
- Deliver portions of their speeches in front of peers and staff
- Receive specific, actionable feedback modeled after competition ballots
- Learn how to revise effectively between drafts and performances
The goal is not memorization during camp, but direction, polish, and momentum heading into the season.
What Students Will Leave With
By the end of the session, students will typically have:
- A clear topic and thesis
- A strong outline or partial draft with research support
- A roadmap for completing and refining the speech during the season
- A deeper understanding of how to compete successfully in OO or Informative Speaking
Divisions, Date and Pricing
| Section | Dates | In-Person | Commuter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Original Oratory / Informative Speaking | July 11-18 | $1,350 | $1000 |
Division Director
Meghan Clark
A Texas native who grew up in the Wichita Falls area and competed in extemporaneous speaking and Lincoln-Douglas debate for UIL; she placed second in extemp at the state level in both 2006 and 2007. She has coached speech and debate for twelve years, including seven years at Newcastle ISD, two years at Vines High School in Plano, and three years at Plano West. At Newcastle ISD, she coached multiple students to regional and state success in Lincoln-Douglas debate, policy debate, and extemporaneous speaking. At Vines High School, she coached students to an NSDA district championship, the semifinal round at TFA State, and the semifinalist round at Nationals. At Plano West, she has coached the champions at the Glenbrooks, UT, Emory, Harvard, and the TFA State Tournament; she also coached the second-place competitor in international extemp as the NSDA National Tournament. She enjoys reading, traveling, and spending time with family, and lives in the Frisco area.
Division Staff
Anika Cherukuri
Anika Cherukuri is a rising college freshman and is thrilled to be coaching Platform Speaking at MGC! She attended Plano West Senior High School where she was the captain of Public Address and finaled tournaments such as Harvard, the Barkley Forum, the Grapevine Classic, and was the Texas UIL state runner-up. She is excited to share her love for public speaking and help the next generation of students find their voice in this activity.