The Oratorical Contest is a public-speaking competition designed for youth, where participants write and deliver an original speech on a designated topic, chosen each year. The contest offers one of the biggest scholarship opportunities available through the Optimist International program — with more than $150,000 in college scholarships awarded annually.
Key Eligibility & Rules
- Open to contestants under age 19 as of October 1 of the contest year, who have not yet completed secondary school.
- Each participant may enter only one club-level contest in a given year.
- Speech must be original work written by the contestant; a limited amount of quoted or paraphrased material is allowed (max ~15%).
- Speeches must adhere to a strict time limit of 4 to 5 minutes. Penalties apply for under or over time.
- The first sentence of the speech must state the exact official topic or automatic penalty applies.
- Notes or podiums are allowed, but props, costumes, audience prompters, or revealing personal identifying information result in penalties or disqualification.
Judging Criteria
Contestants are evaluated on:
- Poise (10 points) – appearance, personality, and speech presence.
- Content of Speech (40 points) – adherence to topic, organization of ideas, use of logic, anecdotes, and visual language.
- Delivery & Presentation (35 points) – voice quality, volume, enunciation, gestures, eye-contact, expressiveness.
- Overall Effectiveness (15 points) – audience engagement, lasting impression, clarity of purpose.
Additionally, time violations, self-identification, misuse of material, or use of props incur penalties.
How to Prepare & Succeed
- Understand and interpret the official topic: consider its meaning to you, research, gather examples and personal experiences, then state your purpose (informational, persuasive, or both).
- Write your speech in a natural spoken style (shorter sentences, personal pronouns, repetition) rather than overly formal written language.
- Practice thoroughly: record yourself, refine your manuscript, and memorize your speech if advancing beyond the club level.
Why It Matters
The Oratorical Contest is more than a speaking event — it fosters critical thinking, communication skills, self-confidence, and leadership. Participants win recognition, and the winners can unlock significant scholarships to advance their education and impact their future.