This is a masterfully written speech. The introduction is just long enough to make the audience think about its relevance before a smooth transition to a very digestible thesis. The surfing metaphor is seamlessly woven throughout the speech. I learned something new from each of the points (our number of close friends, views on marriage, the shallows, Bethany, etc.).
Awesome speaker, love the way he starts by silently looking at this audience. His movements and expressions are engaging, and he moves at appropriate times. He's articulate, expressive, and he speaks with clarity and intelligence. He holds your attention with his movements. He also has a good sense of humor, and I'm impressed by his memory of books and quotes. And I like how he concludes.
The silent look is a way of making sure you judges are ready. In Idaho, we actually ask "Judges ready?", but in the east and south, one simply reads body language.
Honestly Todd, if your OO was so much better, than 1) you probably would have made it to Nationals, and if you did, then 2) you probably should have made it to finals, and if you did, then 3) the judges, comprised of people with MUCH higher qualifications than you, didn't agree. Think a little about the conditions for winning nationals, will ya?
Wow! This is a really in depth speech; he's definately not a hypocrite to his own word. You can really tell how much thought was put into it. I was suprised how much I fit into the picture he painted, how so many people do.
Omegersh- the Roadmap technique! I DID learn something from Public Speaking class! and I see where my own Oratory could benefit. -_- it's on like Donkey Kong.
He is a beautiful speaker and presenter. I love this oratory! My only criticism is that his personality, while present in his facial expressions, is not as present in his body movements and vocal inflection.
Original Oratories aren't really supposed to rely on humor. The anecdotes are only used to keep an audience engaged. So, no; his jokes aren't hilarious, but instead are intended to be relatable.
Hey I really enjoyed his oratory! I was wondering where you got this video from? I would love to get my hands on some footage from the national competition. great oratory
My only critique is that one or two of the jokes fell flat (Socrates to Snooki-tes; the Little Mermaid). I'm also not a huge fan of the last sentence...it's just another reference to surfing culture, and, since it wasn't used elsewhere in the speech, it's not a callback. Given how compelling the rest of the speech was, it comparatively ended on a whimper, not a bang.
