|
See our most recent speeches!
Overview/Goal
This annual event takes place the first Saturday of May and provides
students with the opportunity to develop their public speaking skills
in a way that far exceeds what can be accomplished in a classroom setting.
To prepare for this event, students participate in an Honors
course where they are engaged in developing, revising and rehearsing
an original 5-7 minute motivational speech. The contest allows for students
to test their preparation and developed skills in front of an audience
in a theatre setting.
Eligibility
- Students who have taken or are enrolled in SPT 142 Public Speaking
classes throughout the academic year of the contest are eligible to
compete.
- All participants must audition and, if accepted, enroll in the SPT
172 Honors: Competitive Speaking class the semester of the contest.
- An original, 5-7 minute motivational speech must be created by the
student for use in the Honors class and the contest.
Judging
A number of judges are called upon to judge this event. This group represents
college faculty, staff and administrators; students; community representatives;
outside College/University representatives; and members of the communication
and leadership organization, Toastmasters International. In addition
to scoring participants in a number of categories outlined below, each
judge is asked to provide specific feedback to students outlining areas
of strength and opportunities for improvements. Criteria include:
- Speech Content: audience appropriate, topic appropriate, etc.
- Word Usage: grammar, visual imagery, etc.
- Vocal Variety: articulation, pace, enthusiasm, etc.
- Body Language: gestures, use of stage space, eye contact, etc.
- Timing: while judges do not concern themselves with timing, students'
time must reach at least 4 minutes and 30 seconds and be no longer
than 7 minutes and 30 seconds. Students who do not speak within this
timing range are disqualified.
SPT 172 - Honors Competitive
Speaking
This 1 credit course is a requirement for those competing in the MCC
Annual Otis Young Motivational Speak-off. Students meet beginning mid-March
to develop the content, organization and delivery of their contest speech.
Although students will be competing, this class is a collaborative effort
where each student helps the others develop the best speech and delivery
possible. In the end, everyone is a "winner" of the contest
since each speech is made up of suggestions and support from each student
in the class.
- The first couple of classes are focused on developing ideas for
a motivational speech and clarifying contest day expectations.
- Most of the classes are rehearsal days, mainly in the theatre, to
prepare students for the event.
- The last class is a debriefing session, including discussions about
whether the actual contest met students' expectations, how prepared
the Honors class made them feel and suggestions for future changes
to the course and/or contest.
9th
Annual Otis Young Motivational Speak-off (2008)
Note: Videos are formatted for Windows Media Player.
They can be viewed on Macintosh computers via this plugin.
8th
Annual Otis Young Motivational Speak-off (2007)
7th
Annual Otis Young Motivational Speak-off (2006)
6th
Annual Otis Young Motivational Speak-off (2005)
5th
Annual Otis Young Motivational Speak-off (2004)
4th Annual Otis Young
Motivational Speak-off (2003)
3rd
Annual Otis Young Motivational Speak-off (2002)
|
