Are you starting your graduate journey in May? Registration opens March 28. Visit our Orientation Hub for more information.
Skip to McMaster Navigation Skip to Site Navigation Skip to main content
McMaster logo

Graduate Studies

Rules

  • A single static PowerPoint slide is permitted (no slide transitions, animations or ‘movement’ of any description are allowed), and the slide is to be presented from the beginning of the oration and remain in view for the duration of the oration.
  • No additional electronic media (e.g., sound and video files) are permitted.
  • No additional props (e.g., costumes, musical instruments, laboratory equipment) are permitted.
  • No notes or cue cards are permitted.
  • Presentations are limited to 3 minutes maximum and competitors exceeding 3 minutes are disqualified.
  • Presentations are to be spoken in standard oratory prose. (i.e., no poems, raps or songs, other than those that may be the target of research).
  • Presentations are to commence from the stage.
  • Presentations are considered to have commenced when a presenter starts their presentation through movement or speech.
  • The decision of the adjudicating panel is final.
  • The competition will be administered in English.

McMaster University has modeled the rules after the Ontario Provincial Competition for 2020. This was done to ensure the winners would be eligible to participate in the Provincial Competition and the national competition.