Oral interpretation is the re-creation and sharing of literature with an audience. The function of the interpreter is to act as the middleman between the author who created the literature and the audience. Selection of material must be made from a printed, published source with has literary merit. Evaluation is based upon the student’s ability to reveal insight into the mood and implications of the selection, projection of the dramatic qualities, and success in creating a unified scene or story.

 

Performer relates a piece of dramatic, not humorous literature. The function of the performer is to establish him/ herself as the middleman between the author who created the literature and the audience. The listener should understand and enjoy the literature. The performer will be judged on an ability to reveal insight into the mood of the selection, projection of the dramatic qualities, and one’s success in creating a unified scene or story.

 

·        Vocal, facial and bodily expressions are good as long as they do not detract from the meaning of the material.

·        Most judges prefer NO movement of feet unless such movement is meaningful to the interpretation. Only a pivot foot is permitted.

·        Performer MUST use a script

Oral interpretation is the re-creation and sharing of literature with an audience. The function of the interpreter is to act as the middleman between the author who created the literature and the audience. Selection of material must be made from a printed, published source with has literary merit. Evaluation is based upon the student’s ability to reveal insight into the mood and implications of the selection, projection of the dramatic qualities, and success in creating a unified scene or story.

 

Performer relates a piece of humorous, not dramatic literature. The function of the performer is to establish him/ herself as the middleman between the author who created the literature and the audience. The listener should understand and enjoy the literature. The performer will be judged on an ability to reveal insight into the mood of the selection, projection of the dramatic qualities, and one’s success in creating a unified scene or story.

 

·        Vocal, facial and bodily expressions are good as long as they do not detract from the meaning of the material.

·        Most judges prefer NO movement of feet unless such movement is meaningful to the interpretation. Only a pivot foot is permitted.

·        Performer MUST use a script

 

Oral interpretation is the re-creation and sharing of literature with an audience. The function of the interpreter is to act as the middleman between the author who created the literature and the audience. Selection of material must be made from a printed, published source with has literary merit. Evaluation is based upon the student’s ability to reveal insight into the mood and implications of the selection, projection of the dramatic qualities, and success in creating a unified scene or story.

 

Performer reads poetry in a lively and creative manner. The performer should re-create the eotion behind the poetry. Selections may be one long poem or several shorter selections by one poet, or a group of poems concerning a central theme. All selections must be identified as to the poet and the title. Transitions between different poems must be made clear. The function of the performer is to establish him/ herself as the middleman between the author who created the literature and the audience. The listener should understand and enjoy the literature. The performer will be judged on an ability to reveal insight into the mood of the selection, projection of the dramatic / emotional qualities, and one’s success in creating a unified.

 

·        Vocal, facial and bodily expressions are good as long as they do not detract from the meaning of the material.

·        Most judges prefer NO movement of feet unless such movement is meaningful to the interpretation. Only a pivot foot is permitted.

·        Performer MUST use a script.

·        Do NOT overpower the meaning of the poetry by over-stressing rhyme and rhythm; just read it naturally.

Two performers act out a scene from a piece of literature. The piece must contain two and only two characters. Each actor must remain the same character throughout the entire presentation. Each person speaks only one part. The presentation is done like a fully developed play. Emphasis should be placed on the interaction between the two characters.

·        Movement in stage area is required.

·        Actors act out scenes.

·        No props, music, or costumes may be used, but two chairs are provided for use.

·        Actors may NOT use scripts; it MUST be memorized.

One performer acts out a scene from a piece of literature. The performer acts as ONLY ONE character, and remains the same, single character throughout the presentation. 

 

·        Actor may NOT use a script.

·        Movement in stage area is good.

·        One person plays the role of ONE character, but acts as if other characters are present.

·        No props, costumes, or music are allowed.

One person tells a story. Humorous and lively stories work best. Costumes and props MAY be used.

 

Performer may NOT use a script.

Movement is stage area is good.

Props O.K., but reliance on them shows weakness to many judges.

Performer should use different voices for different characters.
Story may be original work.

 

A group of performers read an excerpt from a piece of literature. They add enough facial and bodily expressions to make the piece come alive

 

·        There must be at least three (3) people but no more than four (4).

·        Participants must remain seated the entire performance.

·        All participants must have their own script. Vocal, facial and bodily expressions are good as long as they do not detract from the meaning of the material.
         Participants must wear black from the waist up.

An oration is a speech, not an essay. It may deal with a current problem and propse a solution; however, this is not the only acceptable form of oratory. The oration may simply alert the audience to a threatening danger, strengthen their devotion to an accepted cause, or eulogize a person. The subject should be of political, economic, social, or philosophic significance and should be limited to a specific thesis. The orator may employ any suitable pattern of organization, which will provide a clear, logical development of the thesis. The oration should be the result of research, analysis, evaluation, and personal conviction. No more than 150 words may be a direct quotation from any other speech or writing, and such quotation shall be identified in a typewritten copy. Any non-factual or personal reference must be so identified.

·        The speech must be informative and / or persuasive.

·        The speech must be imaginative and original.

·        There must be a clear introduction and conclusion.

·        The speaker should avoid moving his / her feet.

·        The speaker may use a script but is not required to do so.

 

 

The performer will deliver a speech on a topic relating to international or national current events. Thirty minutes before the scheduled round, the student will be given three topic cards and will choose one. S/he will be allowed to prepare a speech in a designated preparation room. Only published reference materials are allowed in the prep room. Books, magazines, clippings, and basic bibliographies are allowed. Annotated bibliographies, prepared notes, outlines, and speeches are NOT allowed. Judgment is based on clear thinking, good speaking, and the use of interesting material. The speaker must stick to the assigned topic and may not digress from it. Information must be logically organized, and supporting material must be documented with sources cited. Several sources should be referred to, as opposed to the memorization of a single magazine article.

 

·        Speaker speaks a maximum of 7 minutes.

·        ONE note card may be used (3x5, 4x6, 5x7). No other reference materials are allowed during the speech.

·        The speaker must give the topic card to the judge before beginning.
         Participant may use a laptop woth saved files - no Internet use during tournament and no sharing of laptops.

 

 

Thirty minutes prior to speaking, each student shall draw one character, one setting, and one problem to combine as a single storyline.  Before performing, the student will give the critic the selected slip or outline. The student will confine the performance to the guideline.  Students may not use props, costumes or accessories. Acting is permissible. The student may use one chair

 

Impromptu
Performer draws either 3 words, 3 phrases, or 3 sentences when it is his/her turn and choses which one to use for performance.  He/she has a total of ten minutes to plan his/her speech and perform it.  The performer needs to develop a thesis and points of support in relation to his/her word, phrase, or sentence.  Performers may use one notecard for the performance.