Enterprise Oratory Competition
Theme:
“We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools.”
Purpose:
The University of Central Oklahoma Martin Luther King, Jr. Enterprise Oratory Competition is a campus-wide
initiative to celebrate the ideals and principles of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. while continuing to work toward
keeping alive his work and legacy. The competition brings together students from diverse ethnic and cultural
backgrounds to demonstrate through scholarly, creative, and artistic measures how Dr. King’s vision and
philosophy continues to impact us today.
Eligibility:
 University of Central Oklahoma Student Eligibility
o All participants must be currently enrolled students of the University of Central Oklahoma.
How to Enter:
Students must submit the Martin Luther King Enterprise Oratory competition form. The online
application must be submitted on OrgSync no later than Friday, November 11th. The link to the
application can be found at www.uco.edu/mlk
Competition Guidelines:
•
Theme
A. The theme of the Oratorical Contest shall be the general theme of the King Week at Central
celebration (unless otherwise instructed by the Martin Luther King Enterprise Oratory Competition
committee). THE THEME SHALL BE THE SUBJECT OF EACH ORATOR.
B. The theme this year will be based on the following Dr. King quote
“We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools.”
•
Organization of the Speech
A. The contestant must develop an original speech that falls between 8 and 10 minutes.
 A speaker will be disqualified from the contest if the speech is less than 7 minutes and 30
seconds or more than 10 minutes and 30 seconds.
B. No more than 150 words of the speech may be direct quotations from another speech or writing.
C. Speeches must be delivered extemporaneously (a carefully prepared and rehearsed speech that is
presented from a brief set of notes.)
•
Presentation/Judging of Speech
A. Contestants must address the official theme/topic.
B. All speeches entered must be the original work of the contestant. All speeches must have been
prepared during the current competitive year. Speeches which have been used in tournaments or
service-club contests in previous years shall be disqualified.
C. A double-spaced, typewritten copy of the speech with all quotations sited must be submitted. The
outline must follow the APA style guidelines and must include a "works-cited" page, or shall
include a disclaimer from the student indicating that the composition was accomplished without
access to or use of any published sources.
D. No visual or audio aids or manuscripts shall be permitted in the contest rounds.

Evaluation of the Speech
A. Poise – overall appearance, charisma, confidence, integrity and general personality: 20 points
B. Content of Speech – subject adherence, clear thesis, preview of main points, points are logically
organized, contest is relevant and supported by evidence, and language is appropriate and colorful:
35 points
C. Delivery & Presentation – voice, volume, tone, pronunciation, gestures, eye contact, and overall
appropriate emphasis is added: 35 points
D. Overall Effectiveness – appeal, impression, attitude and effect: 10 points

Qualification Round
A. Each person who submits an application will be allowed to participate in the qualification round
which will take place on November 17, 2016 from 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. in the Nigh University
Center. Room location will be confirmed once the application has been received.
B. The three contestants that receive the highest amount of points will be allowed to continue to
compete in the final round that will take place on Wednesday, January 18, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. the
contestants must participate in the final round to be eligible for the prizes.

Prizes
Enterprise Rent-a-Car will mail a check to the winner within two weeks of the competition. Each
participate will also receive a plaque.
1st Place - $500.00
2nd Place - $250.00
3rd Place - $150.00
University of Central Oklahoma, Office of Diversity and Inclusion
100 N. University Drive, Box 321, Edmond, OK 73034
Phone: 405-974-5944 Fax: 405-974-3928 Email: [email protected]