Types of Speeches
INTERPRETIVE READINGS (DRAMATIC AND HUMOROUS)
The best reading should be the one that most vividly re-creates the character, scene and mood intended. The illusion of reading must be maintained which means theirs should be at least an occasional reference to the script. NOTE: An introduction does NOT have to be read. This may be spoken to the group directly. If the speaker chooses a poem or a piece that does not have characters, please match the point value in scoring criteria 4 & 5 (see ballot) to your score for #3. Let me explain… Sometimes a piece is selected that involves only one character speaking. If this is done well, it can be a very effective interpretive reading and should not be penalized just because there were no characters. This is a reading competition, not an acting contest. Excessive dramatization should be considered negative when looking at overall performance. Excessive gestures and too much movement from one place is also penalized (see scoring on the ballots.) The TIME LIMIT is 8 minutes with a grace period of 30 seconds. This is no penalty for going under time. If the speaker goes over 8 minutes 30 seconds, they should be dropped on rank. Please stick to the scoring criteria and point values provided on the ballots as a means for determining how well the speaker performed.
STORYBOOK
The purpose of this event is for the speaker to read and child’s story as if he/she were reading to a GROUP OF CHILDREN. The illusion of reading MUST be maintained. The speaker is seated and should have an introduction. Showing the pictures is not required, but may affect the overall performance. If they did not show pictures, would it have been a better reading if they did? Or did they show them too much and it became more of a distraction? The reading should be stopped at the 6-minute mark. There is absolutely NO PENALTY for not finishing the story. Likewise, there is NO PENALTY for finishing in under 6-minutes. The time limit is merely a practical consideration given how many students compete in this field. You may want to establish at the outset your time signal for when eight minutes is getting close and then when it arrives. When the time arrives, please let them finish the sentence or thought. Please stick to the scoring criteria and point values provided on the ballots as a means for determining how well the speaker performed.
EDITORIAL COMMENTARY
The speaker presents his/her position on an issue of public concern as an editorialist. The speaker is seated and gives the speech as if to camera. The speaker does NOT have to look at the judge and would probably prefer not to. Best to decide on the location for the fake “camera” and have them look there. You could sit toward the back and just off to the side. The speech is the original work of the speaker and is a topic CURRENT interest. There should be no penalty if the speaker does not have his speech on paper. Some memorize the speech and that is fine. This speech may be delivered with or without the use of notes and may or may not be memorized. (Both are fine.) The speech is to be from 1:45 to 2:00 minutes in length. If it is not, the speaker should be dropped one rank. Please stick to the scoring criteria and point values provided on the ballots as a means for determining how well the speaker performed.
EXPOSITORY
The best expository should be the one that best informs the audience about the specific subject chosen. The speech may describe, clarify, explain, and/or define an object, idea, or process. Choice of a worthwhile topic rests on the contestant. PLEASE be careful here with any PERSONAL reaction to what is being said. We try very hard to create ballots that removes, as much as possible, any personal bias. If you stick to the scoring criteria on the ballot this should not be a problem. Visual aids MAY be used but are NOT REQUIRED. You will notice that there is a scoring criteria. If a speaker chose NOT to use any visual aids, was that a good choice in your mind? Could the speech have been enhanced by the use of visual aids or was their choice NOT to use any good one? This speech may be given with OR without notes. This speech should be the original work of the speaker. The time limit is 8 minutes with a grace of 30 seconds. There is no penalty for going under time. If the speaker goes over 8 minutes 30 seconds, they should be dropped one rank. Please stick to the scoring criteria and point values provided on the ballots as a means for determining how well the speaker performed.
DUO INTERPRETIVE READING
A cutting from a play, prose or poetry, humorous or serious, involving the portrayal of two or more characters is presented by two individuals. This is not an acting event. Thus, costumes, props, etc., are not permitted. Presentation must be from manuscript and focus should be off stage (that is, participants speak to the audience, not to each other. They may face each other during the introduction only.) All other rules from Dramatic Interpretive reading apply.
ORATORY
The best oration should be the most persuasive speech overall. This persuasion may take several forms. It could inform of a problem, eulogize a person or strengthen a devotion to a cause. This speech should be memorized. If the speech is NOT memorized, allow the student to speak, but rank him/her 4th place. A copy of the speech should be on hand but should NOT be requested to be held by the judge during the speech. There is no need for you to follow along. Your attention should be on the speaker. You may ask for a copy of the speech after the speaker is done if you suspect that the speech is not the original work of the speaker. Otherwise, there is no need for you to see the copy. The time limit for senior division is 8 minutes with a grace period of 30 seconds. The time limit for junior division is 5 minutes with a grace period of 30 seconds. There is no penalty for going under time. If the speaker goes over 8 minutes (5 minutes for junior) and the 30 second grace period they should be dropped by one rank. Please stick to the scoring criteria and point values provided on the ballots as a means for determining how well the speaker performed.
IMPROMPTU
The speaker has 2 minutes to choose a topic from the three choices given (a word, a social question/comment, and a quotation.) The speaker must then organize a 5 minute (maximum) talk on that topic. It is a good idea to establish one desk in the room for the speakers to use during their two minute presentation. Please maintain quite in the room. The student may NOT use outside sources or make notes as aids for the speech. Then speaker is also not allowed to being the “topic sheet” with him/her to the front of the room when giving his/her speech. A MINIMUM time limit is 1 minute. **PLEASE indicate the time signals you will be using with ALL the students at the outset when you can take attendance. (Finals Judges: If you happen to have a student who is coming to your event after participating in another “final” event, please go over time signals again before each students turn.) After attendance is taken, all speakers must wait OUTSIDE the classroom until it is their turn to speak and then remain IN the room after they have finished. Please do the best you can to assure the students waiting outside stand far enough from the door so they cannot hear the speeches ahead of them. Observers must also stay in the room during the entire round so please mention this at the outset. Please stick to the scoring criteria and point values provided on the ballots as a means for determining how well the speaker performed.
The best reading should be the one that most vividly re-creates the character, scene and mood intended. The illusion of reading must be maintained which means theirs should be at least an occasional reference to the script. NOTE: An introduction does NOT have to be read. This may be spoken to the group directly. If the speaker chooses a poem or a piece that does not have characters, please match the point value in scoring criteria 4 & 5 (see ballot) to your score for #3. Let me explain… Sometimes a piece is selected that involves only one character speaking. If this is done well, it can be a very effective interpretive reading and should not be penalized just because there were no characters. This is a reading competition, not an acting contest. Excessive dramatization should be considered negative when looking at overall performance. Excessive gestures and too much movement from one place is also penalized (see scoring on the ballots.) The TIME LIMIT is 8 minutes with a grace period of 30 seconds. This is no penalty for going under time. If the speaker goes over 8 minutes 30 seconds, they should be dropped on rank. Please stick to the scoring criteria and point values provided on the ballots as a means for determining how well the speaker performed.
STORYBOOK
The purpose of this event is for the speaker to read and child’s story as if he/she were reading to a GROUP OF CHILDREN. The illusion of reading MUST be maintained. The speaker is seated and should have an introduction. Showing the pictures is not required, but may affect the overall performance. If they did not show pictures, would it have been a better reading if they did? Or did they show them too much and it became more of a distraction? The reading should be stopped at the 6-minute mark. There is absolutely NO PENALTY for not finishing the story. Likewise, there is NO PENALTY for finishing in under 6-minutes. The time limit is merely a practical consideration given how many students compete in this field. You may want to establish at the outset your time signal for when eight minutes is getting close and then when it arrives. When the time arrives, please let them finish the sentence or thought. Please stick to the scoring criteria and point values provided on the ballots as a means for determining how well the speaker performed.
EDITORIAL COMMENTARY
The speaker presents his/her position on an issue of public concern as an editorialist. The speaker is seated and gives the speech as if to camera. The speaker does NOT have to look at the judge and would probably prefer not to. Best to decide on the location for the fake “camera” and have them look there. You could sit toward the back and just off to the side. The speech is the original work of the speaker and is a topic CURRENT interest. There should be no penalty if the speaker does not have his speech on paper. Some memorize the speech and that is fine. This speech may be delivered with or without the use of notes and may or may not be memorized. (Both are fine.) The speech is to be from 1:45 to 2:00 minutes in length. If it is not, the speaker should be dropped one rank. Please stick to the scoring criteria and point values provided on the ballots as a means for determining how well the speaker performed.
EXPOSITORY
The best expository should be the one that best informs the audience about the specific subject chosen. The speech may describe, clarify, explain, and/or define an object, idea, or process. Choice of a worthwhile topic rests on the contestant. PLEASE be careful here with any PERSONAL reaction to what is being said. We try very hard to create ballots that removes, as much as possible, any personal bias. If you stick to the scoring criteria on the ballot this should not be a problem. Visual aids MAY be used but are NOT REQUIRED. You will notice that there is a scoring criteria. If a speaker chose NOT to use any visual aids, was that a good choice in your mind? Could the speech have been enhanced by the use of visual aids or was their choice NOT to use any good one? This speech may be given with OR without notes. This speech should be the original work of the speaker. The time limit is 8 minutes with a grace of 30 seconds. There is no penalty for going under time. If the speaker goes over 8 minutes 30 seconds, they should be dropped one rank. Please stick to the scoring criteria and point values provided on the ballots as a means for determining how well the speaker performed.
DUO INTERPRETIVE READING
A cutting from a play, prose or poetry, humorous or serious, involving the portrayal of two or more characters is presented by two individuals. This is not an acting event. Thus, costumes, props, etc., are not permitted. Presentation must be from manuscript and focus should be off stage (that is, participants speak to the audience, not to each other. They may face each other during the introduction only.) All other rules from Dramatic Interpretive reading apply.
ORATORY
The best oration should be the most persuasive speech overall. This persuasion may take several forms. It could inform of a problem, eulogize a person or strengthen a devotion to a cause. This speech should be memorized. If the speech is NOT memorized, allow the student to speak, but rank him/her 4th place. A copy of the speech should be on hand but should NOT be requested to be held by the judge during the speech. There is no need for you to follow along. Your attention should be on the speaker. You may ask for a copy of the speech after the speaker is done if you suspect that the speech is not the original work of the speaker. Otherwise, there is no need for you to see the copy. The time limit for senior division is 8 minutes with a grace period of 30 seconds. The time limit for junior division is 5 minutes with a grace period of 30 seconds. There is no penalty for going under time. If the speaker goes over 8 minutes (5 minutes for junior) and the 30 second grace period they should be dropped by one rank. Please stick to the scoring criteria and point values provided on the ballots as a means for determining how well the speaker performed.
IMPROMPTU
The speaker has 2 minutes to choose a topic from the three choices given (a word, a social question/comment, and a quotation.) The speaker must then organize a 5 minute (maximum) talk on that topic. It is a good idea to establish one desk in the room for the speakers to use during their two minute presentation. Please maintain quite in the room. The student may NOT use outside sources or make notes as aids for the speech. Then speaker is also not allowed to being the “topic sheet” with him/her to the front of the room when giving his/her speech. A MINIMUM time limit is 1 minute. **PLEASE indicate the time signals you will be using with ALL the students at the outset when you can take attendance. (Finals Judges: If you happen to have a student who is coming to your event after participating in another “final” event, please go over time signals again before each students turn.) After attendance is taken, all speakers must wait OUTSIDE the classroom until it is their turn to speak and then remain IN the room after they have finished. Please do the best you can to assure the students waiting outside stand far enough from the door so they cannot hear the speeches ahead of them. Observers must also stay in the room during the entire round so please mention this at the outset. Please stick to the scoring criteria and point values provided on the ballots as a means for determining how well the speaker performed.