Of Rupaul and RFK

There’s much to be said about structure. From a speech, to a paper, and even to a TV show, structure is essential. Structure allows for the proper flow from one part to another. Structure can speed and slow your mind as it’s pulled down a path from on point to the next.

An interesting difference in structure on the page and structure in spoken language is that the two can differ drastically. Every Phi Kappa president is given the same script for a meeting. Each approaches it differently and each reign had a distinct feel. Sister Baker would bounce through business rapidly with a few funny jokes thrown in. Brother Hawk liked to spend extra time reminding you of heritage and history—his business sections were a bit longer.

Each individual, no matter if they are following a script for a meeting or reading a speech, will produce a different result. If I were to read Rober F. Kennedy’s speech to Indianapolis announcing the Martin Luther King, Jr had been assasinated, you would (probably) not feel the chill that his voice is able to illicit. I am simply not RFK and it would be painfully obvious. 

And that—yes, that—brings me to RuPAul’s Drag Race. RuPauls’ Drag Race is the best structured reality competion show on television. You can learn alot about writing a speech from an average episode of RuPaul’s reality show.

1. Let the Audience Settle In

Drag Race starts off each episode by settling the audience in to the status quo. The previous week’s loser is seen saying goodbye followed by an extremely short group shot of the remaining contestants talking about how much they miss her only to be interupted by RuPaul getting the action of the week started. After all, it’s all about Ru.

You can do the same thing in your speech. You address the audience, comment briefly on previous speakers, and move on to the action: your argument. After all, it’s all about you. 

2. Let the Audience Know Where They’re Going

Next on the show, RuPaul lays out the week’s events in short, carefully worded teaser to introduce the week’s theme.

In your speech, it’s a good idea to either list what you’re about to argue or alude to your future arguments so that the audience can prepare for exactly where you are headed. This is also where you’ll want to hint at any repeating theme your arguments will include.  

3. Take them There

Your next job is to present the competitions (your main argument’s points) that you have told the audience they were about to witness. It sounds redundant, but the repitiion builds both momentum and cohesion as you ramp up to you big finale. You’ll want to take this time to also introduce your special guest judge for the week that’s an expert in the main challege’s feild (any special research that you have that will knock your argument out of the park).

4. The Library is Open

An important part of Drag Race is the slow-build of tension throughout the episode. This is accomplished by the queens thorwing shade and reading each other.

Likewise, you’ll want to call out any previous speakers’ points that your speech can destroy. Don’t pitty them, they should have come prepared with more than Wikipedia on their iPhone.

5. Lip Sync For Your Life

It’s time for the grand finale, and you’ve got to bust out all of your best moves to convince the judges (voting PK members) that you deserve to move on. Your time here is limited, so you’ll want to end big. 

The ending for your speech is tricky. You’ll have hopefully tracked your time and won’t be stressing to fit in your last point. As such, you’ll want to wrap it up with a nice little bow. You could stress the importance of your side of the arguement (“don’t f*** it up”). Or, you could wrap it all up and remind them what side you’re on (“remember that my new single “Champion is available on iTunes”). Another option is to leave them pondering about a slightly larger question (“this year we aren’t announcing the winner until the reunion”).