UIL

=Modern Oratory =



**2016-2017 Modern Oratory Topics**

**Contestants must select one of the following topics for developing the oration.**
 * 1) **Should computer science be a required course for high school students?**
 * 2) **Are self-driving cars essential to the future of transporation?**
 * 3) **Can governments do more to combat the spread of diseases such as Zika virus?**
 * 4) **Does the US have a responsibility to aid in resolving conflicts abroad?**
 * 5) **Can the Texas Legislature resolve the debate over funding for Texas public schools?**

**Students will deliver a three to six minute speech without the use of notes on their topic.** **In the process of preparing for the contest, the student will need to:**
 * 1) **define the problem;**
 * 2) **determine the pro and con issues;**
 * 3) **research the issue;**
 * 4) **look at both sides of an issue;**
 * 5) **reach a conclusion; and**
 * 6) **support that conclusion with documentation.**

Links for research:
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 15.7px;"> MSN's Research Databases <Password is>==> **learn** <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: 17px;">CQ Researcher [|Reference Desk] [|Online newspapers] <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: 17px;">[|General magazines index] [|US News & World Report] <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: 17px;">[|Newsweek] [|Time] Google News [|Encyclopedia online]

**The information below is from Mrs. Yowell's Website and has been modified for MSN:
= Research: = As you find articles with good information (for both sides of your issue), it will be helpful to save them so that you can access them again and again. Save in a Google Doc so you will be able to easily access your articles. Include the TITLE, AUTHOR, DATE, and web ADDRESS. If you find a printable article, you may print it out; however, it may be best to copy and paste the parts of the article you do need to a Google doc, and then print that out. Take notes on each article either on note cards or on a Google Doc, but be sure to cite the article you are using in your notes.

It is a **requirement** that you find at least **three** different sources. You will create a bibliography (works cited page) of all your sources.

**Writing Your Paper:**

First, start with body paragraphs 2 (pros--the side of the issue you agree with) and 3 (cons--the side of the issue you disagree with).
Then, complete body paragraph 4 - (your opinion). This will also be the conclusion paragraph. Next, write the introduction (paragraph 1).

[[file:MOD.O.PAPER REQUIREMENTS.doc]]
Sample Modern Oratory Paper:

= Giving Your Speech: =

Tips for giving a good speech [|HERE]