Forte Forensics

2026 – 2027 Season

Speech
Syllabus

The goal is not simply to write a speech that sounds good.

Course purpose

Over the season, students will learn to:

  • Develop a compelling and unique message
  • Research and use sources effectively
  • Build an argument using ethos, logos, and pathos
  • Organize ideas clearly and smoothly
  • Use creative examples, illustrations, and memorable language
  • Write an engaging introduction and satisfying conclusion
  • Develop a confident, sincere, and winsome speaking style
  • Revise a speech based on feedback and repeated practice

Target length

For Original Oratory

10 min

Maximum spoken time

1,300–1,500

Recommended written words

Students should ultimately learn to speak at a natural pace rather than rushing to fit the time limit.

Key dates

Weekly Meeting

Thursday evenings

Platform Final Draft Due

October 19, 2026

Big Muddy Bash

Oct 15–17

St. Louis, MO · Limited Prep & Debate only

David Helton Tennessee Twist

Nov 19–21

Nashville, TN · First Tennessee tournament — all speech & debate

Reference The Judge’s Ballot The five areas judges score — and the self-check before the tournament

The weekly rhythm

Every week follows the same shape. The homework in each week below is written against these days.

Thursday

The meeting

  1. Check in on the week’s assignment.
  2. Learn the week’s speechwriting principle.
  3. Practice a skill together.
  4. Share work and receive feedback.
  5. Receive the next week’s assignment.

Friday

Review + Plan

Read over the week’s lesson and notes, and spend 15–20 minutes thinking about the assignment.

Saturday

Research / Brainstorm

Complete the week’s research, brainstorming, interviews, reading, or source collection.

Sunday

Rest + Reflect

No formal writing assignment. Students may jot down ideas that occur naturally.

Monday

Draft

Write the first portion of the week’s assignment.

Tuesday

Develop

Expand, clarify, research, illustrate, or strengthen Monday’s work.

Wednesday

Polish + Prepare

Read the work aloud, make revisions, and bring the week’s work to Thursday’s meeting.

The big picture

August – September

Discover → Research → Argue

September – October

Develop → Structure → Write

October

Finish → Revise → Finalize

November

Practice → Polish → Perform

The goal is for students to arrive at the first tournament with a speech that is not only well-written, but one they genuinely understand, believe in, and can communicate naturally.

Week 1 · August 27 This week

What Is an Original Oratory?

Focus: Understanding the category and finding a meaningful topic.

We will discuss

  • What makes a strong Original Oratory?
  • What makes a topic worth talking about?
  • The difference between a topic and a message.
  • What does it mean to have a unique perspective?
  • What does it mean to “achieve a purpose”?

Homework · due September 3

  • FridayRead and listen to several examples of strong speeches.
  • SaturdayBrainstorm 10–15 issues, questions, frustrations, experiences, or ideas you genuinely care about.
  • SundayReflect. Which ideas keep coming back to you?
  • MondayNarrow the list to 3 possible topics.
  • TuesdayFor each topic, answer:
    • Why does this matter?
    • Why does my audience need to hear this?
    • What do I want them to think, feel, or do differently?
  • WednesdayChoose your strongest topic and write a preliminary statement of your message.

Ballot focus

Impact — is there actually something worth saying?

Week 2 · September 3 This week

The Thesis & Purpose

Focus: Turning a topic into a compelling thesis.

We’ll review the difference between:

“My topic is…”

“My message is…”

A strong speech needs a clear central claim.

Homework · due September 10

  • FridayExamine examples of strong and weak thesis statements.
  • SaturdayWrite 5 possible thesis statements.
  • MondayChoose your strongest thesis.
  • TuesdayTest it:
    • Is it clear?
    • Is it arguable?
    • Is it meaningful?
    • Is it specific?
    • Is it interesting?
    • Does it give me something to prove?
  • WednesdayWrite a one-paragraph explanation of what you want your audience to understand by the end of the speech.

Ballot focus

Structure — clear thesis

Impact — compelling message

Week 3 · September 10 This week

Research & Ethos

Focus: Establishing credibility.

Students will learn how to use

  • Books
  • Articles
  • Experts
  • Statistics
  • Historical examples
  • Interviews
  • Personal experience

Sources should strengthen the speech rather than become a collection of facts.

Homework · due September 17

  • FridayLearn basic source evaluation.
  • SaturdayFind at least 5 useful sources.
  • MondayRecord important facts, quotations, stories, statistics, and ideas from your sources.
  • TuesdayIdentify where personal experience or connection can establish credibility.
  • WednesdayCreate a working bibliography or source list.

Ballot focus

Rhetoric — ethos

Week 4 · September 17 This week

Logos: Building the Argument

Focus: Reason and logical development.

Students will answer one question:

Why should the audience believe my thesis?

We will develop the speech’s major claims and supporting evidence.

Homework · due September 24

  • FridayBrainstorm everything your audience might ask or challenge.
  • SaturdayDevelop 2–4 major arguments supporting your thesis.
  • MondayGather evidence for each argument.
  • TuesdayExplain the reasoning behind each argument in your own words.
  • WednesdayPut the arguments in the most logical order.

Ballot focus

Rhetoric — logos

Structure — organized content

Week 5 · September 24 This week

Pathos & the Human Story

Focus: Helping the audience care.

Emotional appeal does not mean manipulating the audience. Strong pathos helps the audience feel the significance of the truth being presented.

Possible tools

  • Personal stories
  • Human examples
  • Narrative
  • Contrast
  • Humor
  • Appropriate emotional imagery
  • Specific details

Homework · due October 1

  • FridayIdentify the emotional journey you want your audience to experience.
  • SaturdayBrainstorm 3–5 possible stories or illustrations.
  • MondayDraft your strongest story or example.
  • TuesdayAdd specific details that make the story meaningful.
  • WednesdayRead it aloud and eliminate unnecessary details.

Ballot focus

Rhetoric — pathos

Rhetoric — creative examples and illustrations

Week 6 · October 1 This week

Structure: Building the Speech

Focus: Putting the ideas together.

Students will develop

  1. Introduction
  2. Thesis
  3. Main Point 1
  4. Main Point 2
  5. Main Point 3
  6. Conclusion

We will focus particularly on transitions, so that the speech feels like one unified argument rather than several disconnected sections.

Homework · due October 8

  • FridayCreate a complete outline.
  • SaturdayWrite possible transitions between each major section.
  • MondayDraft the introduction.
  • TuesdayDraft the conclusion.
  • WednesdayRead the entire outline aloud and identify places where the argument feels disconnected.

Ballot focus

Structure — introduction, thesis, organization, transitions, conclusion

Week 7 · October 8 This week

Language & Rhetorical Devices

Focus: Making the speech memorable.

Devices we’ll use purposefully

  • Repetition
  • Parallelism
  • Contrast
  • Analogy
  • Metaphor
  • Rhetorical questions
  • Alliteration
  • Rule of three
  • Strategic sentence fragments
  • Antithesis

The goal is not to cram the speech full of devices. The goal is to make important ideas memorable.

Homework · due October 22

  • FridayIdentify rhetorical devices in several strong speeches.
  • SaturdayChoose 3–5 places in your speech that deserve memorable language.
  • MondayRewrite key sentences using rhetorical devices.
  • TuesdayRead those sections aloud and select the strongest versions.
  • WednesdayIdentify the 3–5 sentences you most want the audience to remember.

Ballot focus

Language — vocabulary

Language — rhetorical devices and memorable language

Week 8 · October 15 This week

The Complete First Draft

Focus: Putting everything together. This is the final writing week.

Thursday meeting

No meeting — Big Muddy Bash

Students should now have

  • A strong introduction
  • Clear thesis
  • Logical organization
  • Ethos
  • Logos
  • Pathos
  • Creative examples
  • Strong transitions
  • Memorable language
  • Compelling conclusion

Homework · due October 22

  • FridayAssemble all sections into one document.
  • SaturdayRead the entire speech aloud.
  • MondayRevise for clarity and organization.
  • TuesdayRevise for rhetoric, language, and impact.
  • WednesdayTime the speech and make final revisions.

Ballot focus

All writing categories

Week 9 · October 19 – 22 This week

Final Draft & Ballot Edit

Deadline

Final draft due October 22

The speech is now considered complete in substance. From this point forward, students should make only revisions that improve:

  • Clarity
  • Timing
  • Memorability
  • Persuasiveness
  • Natural delivery

Homework · due October 29

  • FridayRead the final draft aloud.
  • SaturdayMark emphasis, pauses, and important words.
  • MondayComplete a self-ballot.
  • TuesdayMake final content edits.
  • WednesdayPrepare the speech for performance.

At the meeting

Bring a complete speech. We will conduct a preliminary ballot evaluation.

Ballot focus

Structure + Rhetoric + Language + Impact

Week 10 · October 29 This week

Vocal Delivery

Focus: Making the written speech sound natural.

Students will practice

  • Volume
  • Rate
  • Inflection
  • Pauses
  • Emphasis
  • Smoothness

Homework · due November 5

  • FridayRead the speech aloud once.
  • SaturdayRecord the speech.
  • MondayListen to the recording and identify distracting habits.
  • TuesdayRecord again, focusing on rate and pauses.
  • WednesdayPractice without looking down constantly at the manuscript.

Ballot focus

Delivery — vocal

Week 11 · November 5 This week

Physical & Facial Delivery

Focus: Using the body naturally.

Students will practice

  • Eye contact
  • Authentic gestures
  • Facial expressions
  • Posture
  • Purposeful movement
  • Avoiding distracting movement

Homework · due November 12

  • FridayPractice in front of a mirror.
  • SaturdayGive the speech to one person.
  • MondayRecord a full practice speech.
  • TuesdayWatch the recording with the sound off. Evaluate facial expression, posture, gestures, and movement.
  • WednesdayPractice again, incorporating only the changes that feel natural.

Ballot focus

Delivery — physical and facial

Appearance — poised and professional

Week 12 · November 12 This week

Confidence, Sincerity & Winsomeness

Focus: Becoming the speaker rather than simply reciting the speech.

Students will practice

  • Confidence without arrogance
  • Sincerity
  • Warmth
  • Audience connection
  • Appropriate humor
  • Recovering from mistakes
  • Beginning and ending strongly

Homework · due November 19

  • FridayFull speech practice.
  • SaturdayFull speech practice for family or a friend.
  • MondayComplete a final ballot evaluation.
  • TuesdayFull speech under tournament conditions.
  • WednesdayLight practice only. Focus on confidence, rest, and preparation.

Ballot focus

Manner — confident, sincere, winsome

Impact — does the speech accomplish its purpose?

Week 13 · November 16 – 21 This week

Tournament Week

David Helton Tennessee Twist · Nashville, TN

The speech should now be finished. The goal is not to rewrite the speech.

Focus on

  • Consistent practice
  • Natural delivery
  • Confidence
  • Audience connection
  • Appropriate pacing
  • Rest
  • Enjoying the opportunity to speak
Run the final self-check

The Judge’s Ballot

Throughout the course, students will repeatedly evaluate their own speeches against the five areas judges consider. Also review the ballot for your specific speech — this syllabus is oriented toward Original Oratory.

Structure

  • Engaging and relevant introduction
  • Clear thesis statement
  • Organized content
  • Smooth transitions
  • Effective conclusion

Rhetoric

  • Ethos — builds credibility through sources and personal connection
  • Logos — explains concepts using reason
  • Pathos — evokes appropriate emotional responses
  • Creative examples and illustrations

Language

  • Strong vocabulary
  • Rhetorical devices
  • Memorable language

Impact

  • Compelling message
  • Addresses the topic in a unique way
  • Achieves its purpose

Delivery

Delivery receives concentrated attention beginning about a month before the tournament.

  • Vocal — volume, rate, inflection, smoothness
  • Physical — authentic gestures and movement
  • Facial — eye contact and appropriate facial expressions
  • Appearance — poised and professional
  • Manner — confident, sincere, and winsome

Before the tournament

Final self-check

Every student should be able to answer each of these.

Structure

  • Does my introduction make people want to listen?
  • Is my thesis clear?
  • Does each section lead naturally to the next?
  • Does my conclusion leave the audience with something to remember?

Rhetoric

  • Do I establish credibility?
  • Do I give my audience good reasons to believe me?
  • Do I help them care?
  • Do my examples make my ideas concrete?

Language

  • Do I use precise and interesting vocabulary?
  • Do I have memorable phrases?
  • Have I used rhetorical devices purposefully?

Impact

  • Is my message compelling?
  • Is my perspective unique?
  • Does my speech accomplish its purpose?

Delivery

  • Can I be heard?
  • Do I vary my rate, volume, and inflection?
  • Do my gestures feel natural?
  • Am I making eye contact?
  • Does my face communicate the meaning of my words?
  • Do I appear poised and professional?
  • Do I come across as confident, sincere, and winsome?

Also debating? See the Lincoln Douglas syllabus.