Individual Events

INDIVIDUAL SPEECH EVENTS

Public Address is the memorized formal presentation of another person’s material that argues, persuades, moves, or attempts to convey understanding of the human experience.  The material should be of the quality to pass the test of time.  Effective techniques for public speaking should be used.  This is not an acting category.  Time limit:  8 minutes

Acting is a memorized presentation of a scene(s) with primarily a serious tone, a humorous tone, or the combination of both.  The performance is limited to 8 minutes.  Acting encourages students to analyze and develop a believable character or characters.

Solo Musical Theater is part of the Acting Category.  Instead of performing a monologue, a student can sing one song with recorded accompaniment.  The student may add choreography, but no dialogue.  Performance time is limited to 5 minutes.  

Interpretative Reading—Poetry is the oral interpretation of a selection of poetic material chosen by the contestant.  Interpretation encourages comprehension, appreciation, and analysis of poetry, demonstrating the ability to evoke audience reaction through interpretation.  Students write an original introduction, which is memorized, and read from a well-practiced script.  Performance is limited to 6 minutes.

Interpretative Reading—Prose is the oral interpretation of a selection(s) of prose material chosen by the contestant.  Students are judged according to the interpretative techniques they use to evoke an audience reaction through interpretation.  Students write original introductions, which are memorized, to their selections and read from a well-practiced script.  Performance time is limited to 6 minutes.

Literary Program consists of a poem(s) and prose that develop a common theme or message.  At least one prose and one poetry selection must be included.  The student will write an original introduction and comments which state the theme of the program early in the performance.  Students read from a well-practiced script.  Performance time is limited to 8 minutes.

Original Oratory is the memorized performance of a speech written by the speaker.  The speech must be inspirational or persuasive, as well as informative.  This event encourages research and logical thinking in the development of the speech as well as encouraging the use of effective public speaking techniques.  Performance time is limited to 8 minutes.

Spontaneous Speaking involves a position speech prepared in a limited period of time at the contest site.  This event encourages the skills of logical analysis, organization, and effective delivery of information on a given topic.  Contestants will draw three controversial topics two minutes prior to their speaking time.  Contestants can use a note card.  Performance time is limited to 5 minutes.

Radio News Announcing is the art of presenting a coherent four to five minute program after selecting, editing, and delivering news material.  Thirty minutes before performance time a student is given wire copy with international news, national news, state news, weather, and sports as well as a commercial to edit and present as a news report.  The speaker is also given a “late-breaking” story during his/her performance which must be inserted into the report and read cold.  Performance time must be between four and five minutes.  The student reads the commentary over a microphone out of view of the judge.

Expository Address is an original informative speech that may be enhanced by the use of audio and/or visual aids.  And expository address encourages the student to develop skills in organization, language choice, and delivery techniques of an informative speech.  The speech is memorized.  Performance time is limited to 6 minutes.

Storytelling is the art of sharing an original or published narrative with a listener.  The story should be the main focus of the presentation.  At the completion of the presentation, the audience should remember the story more than the performance.  The storyteller must retell the story in an energetic way that reflects an enjoyment of sharing his/her story.  The participant remains seated on a stool but can use body language, gestures, facial expression, and vocal techniques to enhance the telling of the story.  The performance is limited to 5 minutes.

Improvisation is the creation and presentation of a story using a situation and two separate characters.  This event encourages students to create interesting and believable characters and to deliver a story in a creative manner from drawn material which includes a situation and two separate character types.  The participant has five minutes to prepare the presentation.  The performance is limited to five minutes.

Reviewing is an original informative speech in which the presenter shares his/her viewpoint of a book, movie, dramatic work, or movie made for television.  Reviewing encourages analysis of a text, logical organization of ideas, and a conversational style of delivery.  The speech is memorized.  Quotations or excerpts from the work may be read or shown, but they should not dominate the presentation.  The performance is limited to 8 minutes.

After Dinner Speaking involves an original speech directed toward a specific audience.  This event encourages the student to create an effective, entertaining speech with a theme.  The speech may be informative, impressive, inspiring, or humorous but must adhere to a theme within a simulated after dinner situation.  Performance time is limited to 5 minutes.