To theme, or not to theme!

[cshrecengost]

It's my question! By theme I mean something that you use the entire speech. Like at nationals a girl used star trek and she was like, "blast down barriers, beam out solutions..yada yada" or Taylor Misiak used ipods, "yada yada upload some solutions" So I was thinking of doing it this year but heres the question: do you you prefer/enjoy speeches with "themes" or not?

[cameronman]

it isn't a theme. it's a vehicle. it's what drives the speech forward. and yes, use one.

[born2question]

I personally do not like them, but they can be clever, as long as they don't sound too contrived. Also, I've seen some speeches refer back to their vehicle WAY too much, so just watch out for that.

[cameronman]

i think a good example of a solid vehicle is Brady Henderson's "America on the Rocks: Shaken, not Stirred." look it up. good stuff.

[cshrecengost]

Hm ok, so don't refer too much back to it. Gotcha, But I can't find america on the rocks

[cameronman]

http://captainnitro.tripod.com/cnspoo.htm

[cameronman]

http://captainnitro.tripod.com/cnspoo.htm

[cshrecengost]

thank you!