Speak so as to merit being given an Oscar? (5)
I believe the answer is:
orate
'speak so' is the definition.
'orate' can be an answer for 'speak' (orating is a kind of speaking). I'm unsure of the 'so' bit.
'to merit being given an oscar?' is the wordplay.
'to merit' becomes 'rate' ('rate' can be a synonym of 'merit').
'being given' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'an oscar?' becomes 'O' (phonetic alphabet: alpha, bravo, charlie etc.).
'rate' put after 'o' is 'ORATE'.
'as' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for orate that I've seen before include "Speak like Cicero?" , "Harangue" , "Speak formally" , "Speak in florid style" , "Erato (anag.)" .)