Contest Preparation & Resources

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Prepare. Practice. Find Your Voice.

Success in the American Legion Oratorical Contest starts long before you step in front of the judges.

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The competition challenges students to understand the United States Constitution, think critically about the responsibilities of citizenship, and communicate those ideas with confidence.

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Use the resources below to prepare your Prepared Oration, study the Assigned Topics, and get ready for competition day.

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1. Prepare Your Oration

Your Prepared Oration is your opportunity to explore an aspect of the United States Constitution and explain its importance to American citizenship.

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Your speech must address some aspect of the Constitution, with emphasis on the duties and obligations of citizens to our government.

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Prepared Oration Requirements

Length: 8–10 minutes
Topic: An aspect of the United States Constitution
Focus: Duties and obligations of citizens to government
Delivery: Without notes or speaking aids

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The speech must be the contestant's original work. The manual also establishes requirements for quotations and attribution, so students should carefully review the official rules while developing their speech.

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Building a Strong Oration

As you develop your speech, consider:

• What constitutional principle do I want to explore?

• Why does this principle matter to American citizens today?

• What duties or responsibilities do citizens have related to it?

• What constitutional provisions, historical examples, court decisions, or other credible sources can help support my argument?

• What do I want the audience to understand or think about differently after hearing me speak?

 

Preparation Tip: Don't simply explain what the Constitution says. Build an oration that demonstrates your understanding of why it matters and what citizenship requires of us.

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2. Know Your Assigned Topics

In addition to the Prepared Oration, every contestant must deliver an Assigned Topic speech lasting 3–5 minutes.

The assigned topic is selected immediately before the contestant speaks. That means contestants should prepare to speak confidently about all four topics. 

2026–2027 Assigned Topics

 

The Preamble

“We the People…”

Study the purposes and principles expressed in the opening statement of the Constitution and consider what those words mean for American citizens and our system of government.

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Article VI, Paragraph 2

Often referred to as the Supremacy Clause, this provision addresses the Constitution, federal laws made pursuant to it, and treaties as the supreme law of the land.

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Amendment XIV, Section 3

Study the constitutional provisions contained in Section 3 of the Fourteenth Amendment and be prepared to discuss their meaning and significance.

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Amendment XXII, Section 1

Study the constitutional limitation on the number of times a person may be elected President of the United States and consider its role within our constitutional system.

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These are the four Assigned Topics identified for the 2026–2027 competition. 

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3. Research the Constitution

Strong speeches begin with strong research.

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The Department of Florida Student Manual provides students with a number of recommended resources for researching the Constitution, American government, history, and public speaking. 

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Recommended Resources

National Archives – Charters of Freedom
Explore original founding documents, including the Constitution, Bill of Rights, and Declaration of Independence.

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National Constitution Center
Constitutional education, analysis, historical context, and resources for understanding individual provisions of the Constitution.

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ConstitutionFacts.com
Constitutional history, facts, amendments, and educational resources.

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The Avalon Project – Yale Law School
Historical legal documents and primary-source materials.

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C-SPAN Constitution Resources
Videos and educational programming covering constitutional issues, government, and American history.

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Bill of Rights Institute
Educational resources focused on constitutional principles, history, and civic responsibility.

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Annenberg Classroom
Educational materials exploring the Constitution, government, and civic knowledge.

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The official Student Manual contains additional recommended research and speech resources.

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4. Practice Your Delivery

Knowing your material is only part of the competition. You also need to communicate it effectively.

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Practice your Prepared Oration until you can comfortably deliver it without notes.

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As you practice, work on:

• Eye contact

• Clear pronunciation

• Speaking pace

• Vocal variety

• Posture and presence

• Natural gestures

• Transitions between ideas

• Staying within the required time

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Don't memorize your speech so mechanically that it sounds recited. Know your material well enough to communicate it.

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Practice With a Timer

Your Prepared Oration must be 8–10 minutes, while the Assigned Topic speech must be 3–5 minutes. Timing violations can result in penalties, so students should practice under actual contest timing conditions.

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5. Practice the Assigned Topics Differently

This is important enough that I'd give it its own section.

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Don't try to memorize four additional speeches word-for-word.

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Instead, develop a strong understanding of each constitutional provision and practice organizing your thoughts around it.

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For each Assigned Topic, prepare:

What does it say?
Understand the actual constitutional language.

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Why was it created?
Research its historical context.

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Why does it matter?
Understand its constitutional significance.

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How does it relate to citizenship and government?
Connect the provision to the larger purpose of the contest.

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Then practice giving different 3–5 minute responses on each topic.

That will help you become comfortable actually speaking about the Constitution, rather than trying to recall four memorized scripts.

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6. Practice Like It's Competition Day

As the contest gets closer, recreate the competition environment.

Dress professionally. Stand rather than sit. Put away your notes. Have someone time you. Practice in front of family members, teachers, classmates, or mentors.

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Ask them to evaluate:

• Could they clearly understand your argument?

• Did you demonstrate knowledge of the Constitution?

• Did your speech have a strong beginning, middle, and conclusion?

• Did you appear confident and prepared?

• Were you engaging to listen to?

• Did you stay within the required time?

 

The more familiar the experience becomes during practice, the less unfamiliar it will feel on competition day.

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Official 2026–2027 Student Manual

Your Student Manual should be your primary reference throughout your preparation.

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It contains the official competition rules, eligibility requirements, Assigned Topics, competition dates, certification information, forms, and additional student resources.

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2026–2027 Department of Florida

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Oratorical Contest Student Manual

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Need Help Preparing?

You don't have to prepare alone.

Teachers, parents, mentors, and the American Legion Post 191 Oratorical Contest Team can help you understand the competition and prepare for your opportunity to take the stage.

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