What good decs did you see this year?

[jayh221]

Watching the final round of dec at catholic nationals was interesting to say the least. Personally, I felt that the girl who took sixth(Nikita) wasn't finals material and here's why, although she spoke well, she never varied her tone or seemed like she added a specific style that set her apart to her oratory. The girl who took 5th (Cassandra) was all over the place. Although her speech had jokes, it had almost no variation of tone, the speaking was okay, but she just wasn't any passionate in her delivery. The guy who took 4th(Shayan) I believe was very passionate and sincere about his speech. His speaking was great, but I do believe he could've varied his tone much more and be even more passionate since he had such a powerful speech. The guy who took 3rd(Noorjit) was extremely passionate, powerful, and sincere in my opinion. I particularly liked the kneeling of the gun part all the way to the climax, I thought the delivery was flawless. The guy who took 2nd(Adam) was hilarious. His speech was so well written, and the sitting down and the intro was very well delivered. However, I do feel as if his volume could've been higher as he discussed why risk is so important towards the end, and I do feel within those parts, he could've really been more passionate and powerful. The guy who won(Davante) was also extremely passionate. His delivery was powerful, passionate, and very funny at time particularly when he talks about jesus pulling up the pants of people, and I thought he left a lasting-impression on the judges being the last speaker. However, I do feel he rushed it towards the end when he knew his time was ticking down, and that his tone could be varied much more. Although it doesn't really matter, I ranked it Cassandra, Nikita, Shayan, Adam, and sort of a toss-up between Noorjit and Davante. Based on the delivery alone, I would give it to Noorjit, but because Davante was last speaker, had jokes which noorits speech lacked, and was also very passionate, I wouldn't have been bothered by either one of them taking home the gold.

[The Boss]

if youa re looking for a good declamation, that is very VERY controversial, look up the jim jones massacre. he was a cult leader in the 70s who convinced apx. 1000 poeple to mass suicide. his final speech that convinced everyone is also on recording and you can listen to it. pretty crazy, i wa going to use it my senoir year, but opted for duo and oo instead lol. it will take some cutting, but it is worth the time to cut. good luck!

[sjscott12]

That is a CRAZY suggestion! But I like it. Twisted, demented, annihilistic... The history of that speech is absolutely terrible, but as a forensics peice, it's virtual goldmine. WOW. I'm impressed! If someone does that, I'd like to see it on video.

[The Boss]

yea, my suggestion if anyone pics it up, is not to play "crazy" after all crazy people dont know they are crazy. just dead serious about what you are proposing to your audience. i find that it is easy to execute this given the material. he refers to it as a "revolutionary suicide" and really belives what they are doing is justified. he is a very persuasive man! just reading it i was like..."hmmm maybe he's right?" lol jk jk. no but talk about a silver tongued orator. its good....

[sjscott12]

Are movie monologues legit as decs?

[OO Storyteller]

I highly doubt it.

[sjscott12]

That's really too bad... Movies have had some of the greatest climactic speeches ever.

[theatrix04]

That's really too bad... Movies have had some of the greatest climactic speeches ever.

which is why movies work for DIs and DUOs at times.

No, movies are not legit. However, keynote speakers, commencement speeches, and so forth. In some states, you can use essays or written oratories for DEC too. I know they can be used in Illinois but not Indiana.