Oratory Pet Peeves

[4n6queen12]

I saw this in the duo Forum and thought it would get a good response here. So let's hear it. Everything you hate in oratory.

[4n6queen12]

I can't stand orators who sing.

And I can't stand "oratory schools" who train their orators down to the very last turn of the head. They like choreograph every gesture and facial expression to the point where the orator doesn't even feel the words, they're just robots doing a speech their coach wrote. Who does this? AHEMMAPPLEVALLEYMMMMM

this may sound harsh but I just hate it when the 'winners' in oratory get reduced to the kid who does exactly what his/her coach says, and doesn't naturally just speak to the audience

[ncviking]

this may sound harsh but I just hate it when the 'winners' in oratory get reduced to the kid who does exactly what his/her coach says, and doesn't naturally just speak to the audience

So... I don't know who you are, and I really don't care that much. However, until you have met and formed personal relationships with the kids and coaches from Apple Valley (which, if you ever get over yourself and do, you'll see they are amazing people) or have won nationals in OO a bajillion times and made the NFL hall of fame like Pam Cady Wycoff has, you really have no buisness bashing Apple Valley on this board. The fact that they are so dominant speaks volumes about the training they recieve but ultimately if they were just "robots" they would fall flat, just like all the other technically perfect OO's that go nowhere every year.

[Aequaleis]

this may sound harsh but I just hate it when the 'winners' in oratory get reduced to the kid who does exactly what his/her coach says, and doesn't naturally just speak to the audience

So... I don't know who you are, and I really don't care that much. However, until you have met and formed personal relationships with the kids and coaches from Apple Valley (which, if you ever get over yourself and do, you'll see they are amazing people) or have won nationals in OO a bajillion times and made the NFL hall of fame like Pam Cady Wycoff has, you really have no buisness bashing Apple Valley on this board. The fact that they are so dominant speaks volumes about the training they recieve but ultimately if they were just "robots" they would fall flat, just like all the other technically perfect OO's that go nowhere every year.



I agree. I saw Sarah Koch from Apple Valley who won in 2006 and she was amazing. She was SO natural-the best speaker in the room. She sounded like she really cared about the topic and seemed inherently intelligent. Robotic? No way. Apple Valley just knows how to practice and has the best methods. Unfair? That's up for debate. However, in no way can anyone bash the performance of an Apple Valley member, because they have never disappointed me. From HI to OO back to DUO - it's marvelous.

[GFan]

I can't stand orators who sing.

And I can't stand "oratory schools" who train their orators down to the very last turn of the head. They like choreograph every gesture and facial expression to the point where the orator doesn't even feel the words, they're just robots doing a speech their coach wrote. Who does this? AHEMMAPPLEVALLEYMMMMM

this may sound harsh but I just hate it when the 'winners' in oratory get reduced to the kid who does exactly what his/her coach says, and doesn't naturally just speak to the audience

I sing. Got a problem with that? It helps with my message, fits my oratory and theme, and the point is to touch someone with your words. If singing can help with it, so be it. People are impacted and inspired by different things; it's just like learning -- some are auditory, some are visual, some are kinesthetic.

I would not bash Apple Valley. Their oratories are absolutely outstanding, and I enjoy watching them over and over again! :) For me, I actually cannot WAIT to watch Ellen Roos, Szuyin Leow and Jameka (forgot her last name) in action in oratory rounds at nationals. They're tough, and can only make you tougher.

[czmatthews]

I can't stand orators who sing.

And I can't stand "oratory schools" who train their orators down to the very last turn of the head. They like choreograph every gesture and facial expression to the point where the orator doesn't even feel the words, they're just robots doing a speech their coach wrote. Who does this? AHEMMAPPLEVALLEYMMMMM

this may sound harsh but I just hate it when the 'winners' in oratory get reduced to the kid who does exactly what his/her coach says, and doesn't naturally just speak to the audience

First, the students who apply the style that you do not like.....are actually using the style used in college. In math, english, and science, you are learn skills that will help you in college. "Choreographed" gestures are the norm in college. Get used to it. The whimsical style of performing may seem real at times, but may come across as unpolished. If it is successful, you have to ask yourself why.

Second, stating that a coach wrote a speech is pretty dubious if you do not have proof. Coaches help in manuscripts. It is our job.

Zachary

[4n6queen12]

yea I apologize. I was out of line. My bad. The oratory thread just seems so dead... was trying to bring back the life. Honestly, I take it all back.

[OO Storyteller]

I have done Oratory since "The beginning." I really dislike when an Oratory is packed with jokes left and right. Maybe 3 or 4 jokes are okay but...just get to the point!

[Irene Said Interp]

I get kicks time and time again after seeing everyone's own hint of pizazz to their oratories.

...Although, till today, I still never got around to appreciating people who break out in spontaneous tears during their speech...it's really awkward...

[sjscott12]

I have to admit, while I'm no fan of singing, I guess it has its moments.

[hookem168]

I cannot STAND the over-use of interp in OO (i.e. popping, acting out some ridiculous character, voice and all, etc). In a perfect world, Oratory would seek to imitate the great speakers of history. Lincoln and MLK would be disgusted by all the overly cheeseball "speechiness" that often consumes OO.

[OO Storyteller]

I cannot STAND the over-use of interp in OO (i.e. popping, acting out some ridiculous character, voice and all, etc).
I 100% agree! I hate it!

[hookem168]

yeah, and sometimes it just makes me roll my eyes, but sometimes I honestly feel bad for the competitor. Someone, be it a coach or an older teammate or whoever, must've told them at some point that that kind of thing looks good. It doesn't. They are sadly misinformed. Specifically at nats this year, I saw two very very talented girls who had full-on interp intros, with voices, postures, the whole nine yards. Sure, they made it to octas, simply because their speaking ability and overall content was above average, but I never saw them in quarters or semis. And look at Finals this year! None of them (thank God) had anything remotely like that.

[GFan]

yeah, and sometimes it just makes me roll my eyes, but sometimes I honestly feel bad for the competitor. Someone, be it a coach or an older teammate or whoever, must've told them at some point that that kind of thing looks good. It doesn't. They are sadly misinformed. Specifically at nats this year, I saw two very very talented girls who had full-on interp intros, with voices, postures, the whole nine yards. Sure, they made it to octas, simply because their speaking ability and overall content was above average, but I never saw them in quarters or semis. And look at Finals this year! None of them (thank God) had anything remotely like that.

I think I know one of the oratories you were talking about (the one that made it to octas, but none further). Was it "Batteries Not Included?" I watched that in the octas round (which also had Mario Nguyen, and Ellen Roos who obviously broke out of that), but it really was "different" compared to the other oratories in the round. I really enjoyed it although at times it was a bit "too much," but I can understand why she didn't break out of the round. I still liked it and she was in my Top 3.

[hookem168]

yeah she was sort of in-between. Like she didn't have any COMPLETELY over-the-top stuff, it was just...like you said.....too much, idk. But there were two that were even MOREso.

[GFan]

yeah she was sort of in-between. Like she didn't have any COMPLETELY over-the-top stuff, it was just...like you said.....too much, idk. But there were too that were even MOREso.

Ah, she was the only "interpy" one I saw. Still really liked it though.

I think interpy stuff is showy, and good if you "can" do it, but if you have too much of it, it really just seems more like a forced comedy sketch than an oratory.

[haitiansensation]

I cant stand...

Oratory. <event?>

[RayNesrym]

I think I know one of the oratories you were talking about (the one that made it to octas, but none further). Was it "Batteries Not Included?"OH MY GOSH!!!!I've seen that one!!!!!She was form Indiana! I went to watch oratory finals at State cause only one person on my team even broke semis (not finals thought :( ) anyways we were waiting for here to get here award so we could go, to and to kill time me and like three of my teamates decided to go and watch the oo finals, and I saw that person!!!!!!!!!!! Sorry if I seem a little over excited, this is just the first time I've actually seen a piece some one was talking about(after all there aren't that many hoosiers)!Just thought I'd share....

[HoorayForTheEconomy]

event?

Don't be silly.

[KrispyKreme]

I began Oratory my senior year in 2004... back then it bugged me when competitors sang or did any interp in the speech. I figured that wasn't in the definition of oratory.

However, as I have grown, I have learned that as long as you can provide a good reason, some things, such as singing, can add to the speech.

I still question interp in oratories... I have yet to see it pulled off successfully without me wanting to mark the performance down.

However, I believe we need to let go of these extremely strict definitions and just share the message. It is all about the message, after all.

[Aequaleis]

I began Oratory my senior year in 2004... back then it bugged me when competitors sang or did any interp in the speech. I figured that wasn't in the definition of oratory.

However, as I have grown, I have learned that as long as you can provide a good reason, some things, such as singing, can add to the speech.

I still question interp in oratories... I have yet to see it pulled off successfully without me wanting to mark the performance down.

However, I believe we need to let go of these extremely strict definitions and just share the message. It is all about the message, after all.





Beautifully (and simply) put.

[hookem168]

I agree, but interp dampens the message 99.99999999...% of the time for me. MLK would laugh at it.

To me, it always looks like you're begging for the 1, instead of just trying to persuade the audience. In other words, it looks like one's losing sight of the message simply for the sake of catering to the unfortunate norms of the event.

[KrispyKreme]

Which is exactly why I said that I've never seen it pulled off successfully... However, if one could indeed provide a valid (and very good) reason for doing so, I might consider picking that competitor up in the round. But the trick is... the competitor has to do so without explaining to me why he or she is interping in the oratory. It must just make sense within the performance itself.

It would be very very very difficult to do.

[cshrecengost]

Why yes I am bringing this ancient thread back, we'll call it recycling. Anyway, I have a question. In my oratory my intro is about how I found my dead hamster in the freezer and yeah...but I say, "there was Harold (my hamster) frozen in a pose that brought a tear to my eye..." and then I kind of pop into an extremely squished looking ugly face. Everybody that has seen me perform thought it was good and the judges often comment on how they like it. Do you think that it's still a "no-no"? Because I kind of want to win lol.

[iluvrascalflatts]

I think a touch of humor or interp when introducing an anecdote is acceptable and definitely interests and hooks the audience... but "a touch" is the key word-- a piece with any more than a bit should be shunted to the HI department... :)

[cameronman]

when they cheese it up. smiling is okay, but try and look like a human while doing it.

[cshrecengost]

well I kind of ust um...idk make an ugly face that looks like a squished human. for like 1 second too

[acon11]

i think that could work if you don't pop, but rather maybe go into the face awkwardly, then maybe coming out awkwardly, then like a short pause, and then continuing on with the speech just like normal.


anyway. my biggest oratory pet peeve. a small detail that i can't stand at all. sometimes, i'll watch an oratory and, at the end of every sentence, the speaker breathes in. but this isn't like a silent, small breath. it's an audible, rather larger-than-necessary gulp of air. every time. and it's surprising because it's not really that uncommon (from my experience). i see it more than i should. anyway, if i'm predicting the ranks in a final, or just watching a round, i will hardly ever give someone who does something like that the 1. i mean, very rarely. sometimes, the content will win me over, but it needs to be spectacular content. yeah. big pet peeve.

[cshrecengost]

Ok thank you yeah I don't pop I just like slowly transition into it

[meganpillow]

I don't like it when they sound mono-tone and sound like they are reading from a piece of paper. Its not common, but when I see it, my eyes glaze over. I like it when its alittle random, like recalling a story.

[cshrecengost]

One girl from our district basically whines out her oratory. It kind of gets annoying because she sounds like shes a mother who lost her child and nobody believes her so she keeps whining about it. I wanna commit suicide. Ironically enough its about teen suicide.

[Christisenjon]

I honestly Agree we have people take and do with it... I think Oratory is the best event to find your own vibe and way to perform... But I agree some teams go to far with every movement... But then when I practice I use my body language and movements to make my speech better... But eh I can't say much I am currently carrying our schools dynasty of being #1 in OO

[acon11]

Which school do you attend? Or do you mean you're the #1 orator at your school?

[mayday53]

i can deal with most oratories, nothing really bothers me too much... except for the phrase "we as a society." I'm pretty sure that 90% of the oratories i hear have that somewhere in their piece and it drives me crazy!
i don't know why, maybe its because its really hard for ANYONE to say without sounding like they are jumping on their words, but its like nails on a chalboard for me

[ecouch]

Oratories who use only jokes, yet have content that makes no sense. I really dislike people who skate by on humor, but for some reason, a ton of judges love it.

[JjulianSr]

I have many Oratory peeves. But none compare with these two words: "In Conclusion".

[CLT787]

Mentions about society....EVERYONE does it. Sadly, even I had to :/
"Quote fingers"
OOs about teens or prejudice
Depressing Personal examples
"Judge ready? Audience ready?" It just seems redundant.

Those would have to be my only ones

[tbgabby]

Awkward, or a lack of transitions.
Transitions should be in subtle and smooth.
I've seen many with just, awful, plain awful transitions.
Namely my own Oratory. xD

[cow]

when many people have speeches that all revolve around the same central focus. Its really boring when 4 of the 6 OO's are about the same thing. We need to be more original.

[tgjdlc]

I just judged OO at districts... one HUGE pet peeve...
(kinda two, but they are interchangeable)

"We as humans..." -- really? what else would we be? Leprechauns? Can I be a platypus?
"We as a society..." -- -- -- self-explanatory.

[nayapapaya]

Last year there was this ridiculous girl who gave an oratory on harsher punishment for rapists.
7 minutes in, everyone is getting bored, and she tells us she was raped and that her rapist then killed a 5 year old.
Even if that's true, I felt so uncomfortable, and as a judge... Idk, I would feel bad giving her the one because she sucked, but also inclined to give her the one. |: