Abstract
The decade of the 1970s further entrenched the socially progressive values that came to the U.S. cultural forefront in the 1960s. Investing in such activities as the Women's Movement and Vietnam War protests, college students became increasingly vocal about social issues. Those speaking up on such topics included the interstate orators who crafted the IOC speeches of the 1970s. In order to analyze the speeches presented at the Interstate Oratorical Contest between 1970 and 1979, the first part of this paper will explore how this socially important historical time period influenced the speeches themselves. The second section will address the language style and organizational patterns the students employed in their oratories. Finally, the third section will focus on logistical issues, including the locations, demographics, and changing administrative details of the tournament.
Recommended Citation
Morris, K. (2020). 1970-1979: Investigating the Interstate Oratorical Contest during the "Me Decade". National Forensic Journal, 37(1). https://doi.org/10.56816/0749-1042.1016
