Oratorical Contest

2023-2024 Key Club International Oratorical Contest: Rules

1. The subject for all orations is to be predetermined and distributed to the clubs via general mailing and online correspondence.

2. The first-place orator from each of the organized Key Club Districts will be eligible to compete in the International Oratorical Contest. In the case a District does not hold a District contest to determine the first-place orator, the District may select an orator by other means and so certify him/her by signature of the District Administrator. Orators located within a non-Districted area shall submit DVDs containing videos of their speeches to Key Club International.

3. The subject matter of the oration and the presentation must be original and completely developed by each orator. Content and presentation will be considered equally in judging. 

4. Each orator will be allowed a maximum of five minutes for his/her presentation. Exceeding the time limit by 10 seconds or more will result in a penalty unless extenuating circumstances exist.

5. Each orator must be an official member in good standing with Key Club International. 

6. Judging and awarding points will be based on the following criteria:

• SPEECH–50 Points 

  • Clarity of message and projection of ideas - 25 Points

  • Depth - 5 Points

  • Originality - 5 Points 

  • Structure (including organization, grammar, transitions, flow, etc.) - 15 Points 

• DELIVERY–50 Points 

  • Presence (posture, gestures, and ability to engage the audience) - 15 Points 

  • Voice (tone, diction, effectiveness, pronunciation) - 15 Points 

  • Ease of presentation and intimacy with audience - 15 Points 

  • Attention of audience - 5 Points 

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District Oratorical Contest Rules

1. Any Key Club wishing to enter one of its members into the Oratorical Contest must submit the below entry form (coming soon) no later than Friday, April 5, 2024 at 10:00 p.m. in person at DECON or using the online submission form linked below. Each Key Club may only enter once.

2. Oratorical contestants will audition on Saturday, April 6, 2024 at a time listed in the conference program. Contestants who will not be present at DECON may audition over that time period via Zoom. The District will not accept pre-recorded videos.

3. Entries must include a completed Entry Form and be submitted using the below form by April 5, 2024 at 10:00 p.m.

4. The first place winner will be invited to deliver their speech during the recognition session on the Saturday of DECON. The speech delivered must be the same as the audition speech.

5. The District will video record the first place orator's speech during the recognition session and submit it to Key Club International for competition in the Key Club International Oratorical Contest.