ORIGINAL Advocacy
OVERVIEW:
Original Advocacy is a prepared speech. Competitors compose their own speech about an issue (and its legislative solution), memorize it, and deliver it. Speeches can be on whatever problem desired (as long as it is not vulgar or crude). Speeches may last a maximum of 10 minutes, with a 30 second grace period. 8-9.5 minutes is the norm. A maximum of 150 words from outside works may be included if properly cited during the speech. Scripts may technically be used in novice, but they are not recommended as they distract greatly from the speech. If you are a strong advocate of a certain cause, have an effective legislative solution in mind, and can write persuasively, this is a good event to try.
STRUCTURE:
OA’s consist of an introduction, body arguments, and a conclusion—again, somewhat similar to an essay (though it does not have to be). The introduction consists of an attention grabber, concise explanation of the issue and its significance, and a brief roadmap of the rest of the speech. The body arguments should have both a tag-line argument and evidence to support your claims. Facts, statistics, and stories of those affected by the problem are common and effective types of evidence. The body paragraphs usually explain the significance of the problem and then provide a legislative solution near the end of the speech. The conclusion should reference the legislative solution and provide a final say on what should be done and why. It should provide a sense of finality and motivate the audience to urge the government to execute your plan.
JUDGING:
Contestants are ranked against others in the room on both presentation (voice modulation, speaking speed, body language, etc.) and content. 5-7 competitors are usually present in 1 room. Most commonly, 1 judge is present at the preliminary rounds of league tournaments, with 3 or 5 at break rounds. Many OA participants simply state facts and then a solution--do NOT do that. Emotional appeal--e.g., anecdotes illustrating the problem's significance--are much more effective than solely an avalanche of statistics. Statistics can be very useful IF used in moderation and clearly related back to your argument.
EXAMPLES:
"How Are You Feeling Today?" (Flu; 2006 CA Champion): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MpYudkRAfL8
Original Advocacy is a prepared speech. Competitors compose their own speech about an issue (and its legislative solution), memorize it, and deliver it. Speeches can be on whatever problem desired (as long as it is not vulgar or crude). Speeches may last a maximum of 10 minutes, with a 30 second grace period. 8-9.5 minutes is the norm. A maximum of 150 words from outside works may be included if properly cited during the speech. Scripts may technically be used in novice, but they are not recommended as they distract greatly from the speech. If you are a strong advocate of a certain cause, have an effective legislative solution in mind, and can write persuasively, this is a good event to try.
STRUCTURE:
OA’s consist of an introduction, body arguments, and a conclusion—again, somewhat similar to an essay (though it does not have to be). The introduction consists of an attention grabber, concise explanation of the issue and its significance, and a brief roadmap of the rest of the speech. The body arguments should have both a tag-line argument and evidence to support your claims. Facts, statistics, and stories of those affected by the problem are common and effective types of evidence. The body paragraphs usually explain the significance of the problem and then provide a legislative solution near the end of the speech. The conclusion should reference the legislative solution and provide a final say on what should be done and why. It should provide a sense of finality and motivate the audience to urge the government to execute your plan.
JUDGING:
Contestants are ranked against others in the room on both presentation (voice modulation, speaking speed, body language, etc.) and content. 5-7 competitors are usually present in 1 room. Most commonly, 1 judge is present at the preliminary rounds of league tournaments, with 3 or 5 at break rounds. Many OA participants simply state facts and then a solution--do NOT do that. Emotional appeal--e.g., anecdotes illustrating the problem's significance--are much more effective than solely an avalanche of statistics. Statistics can be very useful IF used in moderation and clearly related back to your argument.
EXAMPLES:
"How Are You Feeling Today?" (Flu; 2006 CA Champion): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MpYudkRAfL8