Event Descriptions

Speech—Mrs. Jennifer Kindred

Interpretations

Humorous Interpretation or "HI": Selections must be chosen from published short stories, plays, essays, or poems. Contestants may not combine two or more pieces of literature, but more than one cutting from the selected piece is allowed. Title and Author should be included in the introduction. The material must be humorous in nature but not slapstick. Gestures and pantomime are not prohibited, but should be used with restraint. Approximately 150 words may be added to the presentation to provide introductory and transitional materials, but they may not change the author's intent. Contestants must remain standing at all times and may not wear costumes. The maximum speaking is 10 minutes, icluding introduction. There is no minimum time limit.

Dramatic Interpretation or "DI": Selections must be chosen from published stories, plays, essays, or poems. Contestants may not combine two or more pieces of literature, but more than one cutting from the selected piece is allowed. Title and author should be included in the introduction. The material must be serious in nature. Gestures and pantomime are not prohibited, but should be used with restraint. Approximately 150 words may be added to the presentation to provide introductory and transitional materials, but they may not change the author's intent. Contestants must remain standing at all times and may not wear costumes. The maximum speaking is 10 minutes, icluding introduction. There is no minimum time limit.

Oratorical Interpretation or "OI": Selections must be chosen from published speeches given by real persons. Selections may be cuttings or excerpts. Speeches given by high school or college students in competition shall not be permitted. Two or more speeches may not be combined. The author, title, source, and place and date of original delivery must be included in the introduction. Contestants must remain standing at all times and may not wear costumes. The maximum speaking is 10 minutes, icluding introduction. There is no minimum time limit.

Thematic Interpretation or "TI": The contestant is to present a program of literary works based upon a theme of his or her choice. Each program must contain three or more seperate selections from different published works. Anthologies are considered multiple sources. Introductory, explanatory and transistional materials should include the author and title of each selection, must be in the contestant's own workds and must not exceed one third of the total presentation. The contestant must hold a manuscript, but reading is optional. the contestant must remain standing at all times and may not wear costumes. The maximum speaking time is 10 minute, including introduction and transitions. There is no minimum time limit.

Duo Interpretation or "DUO": Contestants shall present a selection of no more than two characters - each member presenting one character only. Contestants shall suggest the thoughts, emotions, ideas and purposes of the author. Gestures or pantomime may be used, but should be used with restraint. Title of the selection and name of the author or original speaker must be given when the selection is introduced. Interpretation is theater of the mind" and should recreate the characters in the selection through the use of voice, gesture, and facial expression. The material may be humorous or dramatic, or combine both tones depending on the selection. Contestants must remain standing at all times. Duiring dialogue, off-stage focus must be employed by both contestants (i.e. the contestants may not look at each other). During presentation of narration introductory and/or transitional material, eye contact should be made with the audience. the contestants may react to each other's verbal and/or non-verbal expressions, but they may not touch each other.

Original Speeches

Original Oratory or "OO":

The oration must be the original work of the contestant. Any appropriate subject may be used, but the contestant must be truthful. Any non-factual reference, especially a personal one, must be so identified. Approximately 150 words, of the oration may be direct quotation. Visual aids are not allowed. The maximum speaking time is 10 minutes. There is no minimum time limit.

Original Advocacy or "OA": The oration must be the original work of the contestant. The advocacy speech topics shal be limited to subjects concerning public policy issues of a tangible nature for which the contestant must advocate a specific ligislative and/or regulatory governmental action or remedy. Approximately 150 words, of the oration may be direct quotation. Visual aids are not allowed. The maximum speaking time is 10 minutes. There is no minimum time limit.

Expository Speaking or "Expos" (not pronounced like the baseball team): The speech must be the original work of the contestant, and must be informative rather than persuasive in nature. The speech should describe, clarify, illustrate or define an object, idea concept, or process. Approximately 150 words, of the oration may be direct quotation. Use of visual and/or augio aids is optional, but the tournament cannot supply special facilities. Costumes are not permitted, but items of dress necessary to the presentation may be considered visual aids if they are not part of the contestant's beginning or ending attire. The contestant cannot be assisted by another person in setting up or delivering of the speech. Speeches may be presented from notes or manuscript or may be memorized. The maximum speaking time is 10 minutes, including set-up. There is no minimum time limit.

Original Prose and Poetry, or "OPP": The literatue must be the original work of the contestant. The primary purpose of this event is to demonstrate the literary creativity of the contestant. Any appropriate subject may ne used, and may be treated dramatically and/or humorously. The presentation may include prose or poetry or both. If more than one piece of literature is used, the presentation may or may not be thematic. Approximately 150 words, of the oration may be direct quotation. Props and costumes are not allowed. Contestants must remain standing at all times. The maximum speaking time is 10 minutes, including the introduction. There is no minimum time limit.

"Think on your feet speaking"

National Expemporaneous Speaking or "NX": Contestants will draw three topics and choose one. The topics will be drawn from issues of significant contemporary interest discussed in major national news magazines during the eight weeks prior to the tournament. Contestants are permitted to use books, magazines, library aids, etc, but may not consult with other persons during preparation. Timing will begin as indicated by the tournament schedule; students who draw late will have less time to prepare. Contestants must speak in their assigned order. Previously written speeches and outlines are not permitted. the maximum speaking time is 7 minutes. There is no minimum time limit. For National Extemp, or NX, topics drawn will all be of domestic concern. Refer to specific Extemp procedure on page 17 of this document: http://www.nflonline.org/Admin/FormFiles/disttour%2003%2004%2004.pdf

International Extemporaneous Speaking or "IX": Same as NX, but topics will be international in nature.

Impromptu Speaking: Each contestant will draw three topics from the judge and choose one immediately. Three topics will be used -- brief, thought-provoking quotation, single word abstractions, and general topics of current interest. Each contestant in a section will have a unique set of topics, so contestants may listen to preceding speeches. The contestant will have 2 minutes to prepare an appropriate speech. Timing will begin the moment the topics are drawn. The maximum speaking time is 5 minutes. There is no minimum time limit.

Debate

Lincoln-Douglas Debate or "LD": Lincoln-Douglas is a one-on-one "value-based debate." Volumes could be written about what this means, and LD is a very variable type of debate, so the best way to learn LD is to watch and debate personally. Some helpful resources are at www.victorybriefs.org, www.lddebate.org, or ask Brian Wantz (current President of the team) for Victory Briefs Resources on CD. Specific LD resources can be found on Page 12 of http://www.nflonline.org/Admin/FormFiles/disttour%2003%2004%2004.pdf

Parliamentary Debate or "Parli": Parli is a team debate: two-on-two. Topics are given to teams 30 minutes before the debate begins, and the procedure and rules are similar to those in Extemp speaking. Parli is a good event to start with for beginning debator. A good resource for Parli is Sean Bhardwaj, current Debate Captain.

Policy Debate, or "CX": Coming soon!