An Illustrated Oratory is an original platform speech that

informs or explains a particular topic with the use of visual

aids.

ILLUSTRATED ORATORY
SPECIFIC EVENT RULES
Goal: The goal of the speech is to inform or explain a topic of the speakers choosing with the use of visual
aids.
Time: 10-minute maximum; no minimum time. There is no official penalty for time, and judges may use
discretion when weighing a speakers time into their ranking. The speaker should not be penalized for excessive
audience laughter, which may occasionally extend the time of a speech.
Rules: All General Individual Event Rules and Script Submission Rules and Guidelines must be followed, along
with the specific event rules below.
1. The speech must be an original work, scripted word for word by the speaker.
2. Directly quoted material may comprise a maximum of 30% of the total words in the speech.
3. Any sources used for outside material must be cited parenthetically within the script and listed on the
Source Citation Page. The term sources refers to books, websites, interviews, song lyrics, etc.
4. Sources used for outside material must be mentioned in the verbal delivery of the speech. Outside
material refers to direct quotations, specific information, and/or another persons research, theories
and/or concepts. Specific information that is considered to be common knowledge and can be found in
multiple locations does not need to be cited in any way.
5. The primary visual aids allowed are 3 to 10 illustrated boards measuring no larger than 20 inches by
30 inches. Board flaps or other material hung from or affixed to the board/easel may not extend
beyond the maximum 20 by 30 inch measurement of the display area. The display area may not be
increased by using a vertical and horizontal board simultaneously.
6. The standard easel used to hold the boards may be modified to provide a ledge on the front to hold the
boards and a mounting system on the back. No board or additional visual aid should intentionally
touch the floor.
7. The speaker must begin and end the speech with only a blank board visible to the judges. Any
additional visual aids attached to a board during the speech can remain on the board, provided only a
blank board is visible to the judges by the time the speech ends.
8.

If additional visual aids are used, they must fit completely in a lidded box (overall dimensions of 35
inches or smaller {L+W+H = overall dimensions}). This box may be attached to the back of the easel.

NCFCA Illustrated Oratory Rules

Revised August 2015

The box is required to be present at the tournament, but not required to be in the competition room.
All visual aids must be out of sight of the judges before the speech starts and by the time the speech
ends.
9. Published material used as board illustrations must be cited on the same side of the board as the
illustration, with the citation placed on or near the illustration. Citations need to be easily visible.
10. Audiovisuals, such as video, motion pictures, films, etc., are not allowed to be used as visual aids.
11. No costumes or visual aids may be worn during the speech. A costume refers to a part or all of the
speakers attire that is worn to enhance the speech. Audience members may not be used to enhance the
speech.
12. Speakers may not use another person or live animal as a visual aid.
13. Visual aids may not be or may not be perceived to be weapons.
14. Set up should primarily take place outside the competition room.
15. Assistance with boards or visual aids is not permitted in the competition room before, during, or after
the speech.
16. Speakers must leave the speaking area in the same condition as they found it.
17. Only feet should touch the floor at any time.

NCFCA Illustrated Oratory Rules

Revised August 2015