|
Forensic Categories
---------------------------------------------------------------
Rules for Demonstration Speaking
Purpose of the Category
To develop skills in expository speaking with emphasis on demonstrating a process using objects or physical activity.
Definition of the Category
A demonstration speech explains how to do something or how something works. The speech must be instructive and present valuable and significant information in a well-organized and clear manner. Visual aids, if used, should enhance the demonstration but not to take the place of objects or activity.
---------------------------------------------------------------
Rules for Duo Interpretation
Purpose of the Category
To develop skills in bringing a story to life through ensemble characterization
Definition of the Category
Duo Interpretation is performance that creates an atmosphere of time and place, emphasizing development of character and appropriate physical movement. Lines are spoken from memory using offstage focus.
---------------------------------------------------------------
Extemporaneous Speaking
Purpose of the Category
To develop skills in locating and recalling information that can be brought to bear in the construction of a clear and coherent message in a limited period of time.
Definition of the Category
The extemporaneous speech should provide a direct response to the question drawn. The challenge to the speaker is to phrase a clear proposition and support it with contentions, which in turn, are supported with evidence and reasoning. Questions will be based on current events.
---------------------------------------------------------------
Farrago
Purpose of the Category
To develop skills in identifying, selecting, combining and presenting quality literature from a variety of ngenres which addresses a specific theme or emotion.
Definition of the Category
The challenge of farrago is to select material from a variety of literary genres (poetry, short stories, speeches, essays, drama, novels), which addresses a central specific theme or emotion, and to interpret the material through oral presentation. This is an interpretive category, not an acting category.
---------------------------------------------------------------
Four Minute Speaking
Purpose of the Category
To develop the skill of speaking informatively on any significant issue without using auxiliary visual materials.
Definition of Category
The challenge to the speaker is to present well-developed material that has the primary intent of informing, although persuasive elements may be present. The speech is to be coherent, unified, and clear. A range of support materials and devices are to be used which can include quotations, statistics, examples, comparisons, and analogies.
---------------------------------------------------------------
Group Discussion
Purpose of the Category
To provide students with the experience of applying knowledge, analytic skills, and interpersonal skills in order to promote the work of problem-solving, decision-making groups.
Definition of the Category
The focus of this category is individual contribution to a discussion as opposed to debate, using John
Dewey’s Problem-Solving Sequence in order to promote group achievement. Textbooks on discussion or small group communication can provide background on these steps. No formal leadership from among the contestants will be designated. The leadership function will be shared among the participants or an informal leader will emerge. Group Discussion is designed to reward cooperation and contribution to the group's productivity. However, it is not expected that individual integrity be sacrificed. An individual in honest disagreement with the group might announce that disagreement but continue to contribute constructively as far as his/her position will permit. Incomplete analysis will not be rewarded.
---------------------------------------------------------------
Group Interpretive Reading
Purpose of the Category
To develop skills related to the ensemble interpretation of a literary script.
Definition of the Category
Contrary to dramatic performance, the challenge of this category is to present a literary script in such manner that the audience imagines action being described rather than witnessing it being performed. Symbolic characterization and vocal and physical action rather than a literal dramatization or pantomime is required. Ideas are imagined though oral reading and interpretation and not through acting.
---------------------------------------------------------------
Moments in History
Purpose of the Category
To develop skills in research and speaking related to an historical focus.
Definition of the Category
The challenge to the speaker is to select and explore an historical topic within the limits presented each year. Students may consider (but are not limited to) using the following areas of research: archival records, diaries, personal interviews, letters, newspapers, etc. The speaker is to use this research information to compose and present a well-organized, informative speech. This is an original informative speech category, and not an acting category.
---------------------------------------------------------------
Oral Interpretation of Literature
Purpose of the Category
To develop skill in conveying an understanding of prose and poetry through the use of body and voice.
Definition of the Category
The presenter prepares a literary program in poetry and a program in prose (short stories, cuttings from novels, monologues and soliloquies, essays, or other non-fiction work) – each centering on a theme or emotion – for interpretation in alternating rounds of competition. This is an interpretive event, not an acting category.
---------------------------------------------------------------
Oratory
Purpose of the Category
To develop skill in composing and presenting a formal speech on a significant topic.
Definition of the Category
An oration is expected to be a thoroughly prepared, well-composed, persuasive speech on a topic of significance to general society. A good oration is characterized by vivid and forceful language and appropriate stylistic devices such as metaphor, comparison/contrast, irony, etc. Thoughtfulness in the choice of and approach to the topic and the quality of supporting materials is a necessary part of the good oration.
---------------------------------------------------------------
Play Acting
Purpose of the Category
To develop skill in ensemble dramatic presentation of a scene or cutting from a play.
Definition of the Category
Play Acting is a group presentation of a memorized scene or cutting from a play without costume, make-up, lights, or properties other than an available table (or desk as a substitute) and chairs, if required. Emphasis
is on character development and movement, with physical actions – other than stage movement – pantomimed.
---------------------------------------------------------------
Poetry
Purpose of the Category
To develop skill in conveying an understanding of poetry through use of body and voice.
Definition of the Category
The student should select a poem or a group of poems centering on a specific theme or emotion. This is an interpretive category, not an acting category.
---------------------------------------------------------------
Prose
Purpose of the Category
To develop skill in conveying an understanding of prose through the use of body and voice.
Definition of the Category
A selection from prose literature, including short stories, cutting from novels, monologues and soliloquies, essays, or other non-fiction work centering on a specific theme or emotion, is to be interpreted. This is an interpretive category, not an acting category.
---------------------------------------------------------------
Public Address
Purpose of the Category
To develop the skill of providing a directly responsive statement to an issue of current public discussion.
Definition of the Category
The challenge to the speaker is to contribute to the public dialogue on a contemporary issue by presenting a well-informed statement that is directly responsive to a question about that issue. The speaker is to be knowledgeable, and is to use quality supporting-material to substantiate his/her position. The Public Address speech is to be well organized, clear, and effectively presented.
---------------------------------------------------------------
Radio Announcing
Purpose of the Category
To develop the skills of selecting, editing, and organizing news items from supplied material in a limited period of time, to deliver a succinct oral newscast.
Definition of the Category
The challenge to the speaker is to present a well-organized, clearly communicated newscast. Source material provided by the tournament director of approximately 15-20 minutes in length is to be cut and edited with special efforts made to end right at 5 minutes.
---------------------------------------------------------------
Solo Acting Humorous
Purpose of the Category
To bring a humorous text to life through solo performance
Definition of the Category
By using self as a medium between the selection and the audience, the student shall use vocal and physical skills to develop a complete humorous performance, creating distinct character(s) and actions motivated by the text that are appropriate to the characterization(s) within the control of the setting.
---------------------------------------------------------------
Solo Acting Serious
Purpose of the Category
To bring a dramatic text to life through solo performance
Definition of the Category
By using self as a medium between the selection and the audience, the student shall use vocal and physical skills to develop a complete dramatic performance, creating distinct character(s) and actions motivated by the text that are appropriate to the characterization(s) within the control of the setting.
---------------------------------------------------------------
Special Occasion Speaking
Purpose of the Category
To develop skills related to adapting oral presentations to specific situational demands.
Definition of the Category
The challenge to the speaker is to make an appropriate presentation that responds to the constraints of the occasion, including the probable audience. In considering the "appropriateness" of the speaker's work attention will be paid to the purpose the speaker chooses, the position taken, the content, organization and general stylistic tone, and the manner of delivery. It is possible that a speech may pursue more than one of the standard general purposes of informing, persuading, and entertaining.
---------------------------------------------------------------
Storytelling
Purpose of the Category
To develop skill in presenting imaginative material in the narrative form.
Definition of the Category
To tell a story is to chronicle events. The burden of the storyteller is to chronicle those events in a coherent, unified, clear, and interesting manner. The storyteller may use vocal variation and physical movement from a seated position to suggest different characters and character relationships in order to make the story clearer and more interesting. It should be remembered throughout that the emphasis of the storyteller's art is on the teller as intermediary or narrator.
The student is expected to "demonstrate a sense of audience," that is, tell the chosen story in such a manner that would be suitable for the intended audience, be it young children, teenagers, adults, or chronologically advanced.
---------------------------------------------------------------
Impromptu Speaking
Purpose of the Category
To develop the skills necessary to quickly provide a responsive statement to a variety of everyday words, phrases and topics.
Definition of the Category
The impromptu speaker should be able to quickly create and effectively deliver an original, well-organized and imaginative interpretation of the designated topic, supported by varied materials. The information presented should be well-chosen, pertinent, and sufficient to support the central thought of the topic and organized according to some logical plan to produce a complete speech within the time allowed.
---------------------------------------------------------------
| 
