Speech and Debate

In Humorous Interpretation, students take a play, book or movie script and produce a “cutting”—taking segments of the original work, reordering them and creating a compelling 10-minute presentation. The student portrays each character with different voices, body positions and gestures.

Similar to Humorous Interpretation, competitors in Dramatic Interp also produce a 10-minute cutting from a play, book or movie script. While there can be humorous moments, the cutting should produce a compelling and emotive reaction in the audience. Most drama selections are either monologues or two character pieces.

In this event, two people either act out a scene from a play, book or movie with each person portraying one or more characters, but the students can never look at each other or touch each other at any time; all character interactions must be “blocked” and mimed with creative choreography. Again movement is limited, but when it is used appropriately it can add substantially to the performance. As a result, technical “blocking” and creative choreography is absolutely essential.

In Poetry Interp, students take either one long poetry piece or a series of poems that are thematically similar and present them. Like all interpretation events, the entire presentation is limited to 10 minutes, though it is often shorter.

This event involves combining multiple forms of literature and media to create an argument surrounding a single program or theme.

In this event a student writes, memorizes and delivers a speech on any topic he or she selects. Because the speeches original works, they can quote a maximum of 150 words from other authors/speakers. Topics range from serious to light-hearted, and the most effective blend the two.

Like Oratory, students write a 10-minute speech intended to inform. Speeches can be about anything. Speeches need to be researched with citable sources, but they can be humorous as well as informative.

Extemporaneous speaking involves writing short speeches on current events topics. Students in the event draw three topics at random, selecting one about which to write a speech. Using research assembled in preparation for the event, students then have 30 minutes to prepare a 5-7 minute speech on the topic. In the speech, the competitor takes a side on the topic selected and then explains with evidence. This event helps individuals organize their thoughts, use evidence to make compelling arguments, and develops excellent ‘off-the-cuff’ public speaking abilities.