GMIF 2009: The Original Oratory Lab

Students who decide to concentrate on the event of oratory will be under the unique instruction of some of the most experienced coaches in the country. Students will learn how to choose topics, research, write drafts, and learn the fine points of delivery. At GMIF, our faculty teaches you how to write speeches, and sees that all work is the product of the student.

Orators will also have the ability to take advantage of GMIF's proximity to our nation's capital by attending lectures at the National Press Club.

The goal of the curriculum is to promote total control - control over your body and voice, control over your words, harnessing their power to persuade and inspire, and control over the audience, compelling them to attend to your every utterance and gesture, enjoining them to take part in your emotional journey.

You will learn a definite process, one grounded in the motivated sequence but not limited to it, and be able to teach it to your peers back home. And you will master  delivery techniques that will gain you an elevated status in front of  your judges and peers.  Ultimately, you will leave with a very competitive speech that will have taught you much about the art of oratory.

All Orators will have comprehensive access to state-of-the-art computer labs and research facilities.

Don’t Miss It!

In 2008 all Orators got to attend a live performance of the Capitol Steps, DC’s most famous comedy troupe for political satire!

Sample Oratory Lab Syllabus

· THE WORD ON OO—general overview

· A trip to the topics—topic selection

· Ohhhhh-ahhhhhhh--the OO flow

· Sweatin’ to the oldies—a review of tried and true NFL OO styles

· Weaving through the web—researching

· What are patterns for—organization strategy

· What’s in the stuffing—content variety

· Now that’s lasagna—how to layer a paragraph

· Introducing introductions—the opening

· Driving the OO SUV—using a vehicle

· How do I get there from here—transitions

· That’s a wrap—conclusions

· Mass appeal—how to engross all listeners

· Icing on the cake—making writing appealing

· Let’s get personal—sounding like you

· Cut down on the fat—editing Taking a stance—postural advice

· “If I Were King of the Forest”—status in OO

· Walking the walk—movement advice

· Handing it to them—using great gestures

· The eyes have it—eye contact musts

· FAE—focus and expansion games

· “Trippingly off the tongue”—vocal tech

· What’s that you say?—articulation techniques

· Say what you mean—subtextual commitment

· “You think I’m funny?”—incorporating humor

· Just a figure of Speech—literary techniques

· Take my advice kid—winning tips before during and after the round

· Dressing for Success

· Total class--etiquette

· AND THE REST IS SILENCE---shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh