Duo Interpretation
Two competitors team up to deliver a ten-minute performance of a published play or story. Using on-stage focus, Duo Interpretation competitors convey emotion and environment through a variety of performance techniques focusing on the relationships and interactions between the characters. No props or costumes are used. Performances may also include an introduction written by the students to contextualize the performance and state the title and author. Performers MAY NOT use two chairs, MAY NOT make eye contact, and MAY NOT touch each other.
Duet Acting
Two competitors team up to deliver a ten-minute performance of a published play or story. Using on-stage focus, Duet Acting competitors convey emotion and environment through a variety of performance techniques focusing on the relationships and interactions between the characters. No costumes are used. Performances may also include an introduction written by the students to contextualize the performance and state the title and author. Performers MAY use two chairs, MAY make eye contact, and MAY touch each other.
Dramatic Interpretation
Using a play, short story, or other published work, students perform a selection of one or more portions of a piece up to ten minutes in length. With a spotlight on character development and depth, Dramatic Interpretation (DI) focuses on a student’s ability to convey emotion through the use of a dramatic text. Competitors may portray one or multiple characters. No props or costumes may be used. Performances may also include an introduction written by the student to contextualize the performance and state the title and author.
Humorous Interpretation
Using a play, short story, or other published work, students perform a selection of one or more portions of a piece up to ten minutes in length. Humorous Interpretation (HI) is designed to test a student’s comedic skills through script analysis, delivery, timing, and character development. Competitors may portray one or multiple characters. No props or costumes may be used. Performances can also include an introduction written by the student to contextualize the performance and state the title and author.
Poetry Interpretation
Using a selection or selections of literature, students provide an interpretation of Poetry (POE) with a time limit of seven minutes, including introduction. Poetry is characterized by writing that conveys ideas, experiences, and emotions through language and expression. Students may choose traditional poetry, often characterized by rhyme or rhythm, or nontraditional poetry, which often has a rhythmic flow but is not necessarily structured by formal meter (meter is a beat, pattern, or structure, such as iambic pentameter). Students may not use prose, nor drama (plays), in this category. Students must use a manuscript in Poetry, which typically consists of a small three-ring binder with page protectors.
Storytelling
Students select a published story that meets a specified theme and perform the story for no more than five minutes. Some tournaments may ask Storytelling performers to follow a theme, though the National Tournament does not. Storytelling (STO) themes range widely and may include mysteries, heroism, or fairy tales. Students select a story that would be appropriate for young children and tell the story as if presenting to that audience. Students may use a chair. Manuscripts are not permitted.
Reader's Theatre
Readers’ Theater is a group activity in which a piece of literature is communicated from manuscript to an audience through the oral interpretation approach of vocal and physical suggestions. The readers are to suggest the character vocally and physically, not become the characters by extreme vocal and physical characterization. The selection of material for Reader’s Theater may be humorous or dramatic and must be adapted from a play, a short story, a novel or poetry. Each person may use a chair.
Extemporaneous Speaking
Extemporaneous Speaking, typically called Extemp, is a speech on current events with limited preparation time. A student’s understanding of important political, economic, and cultural issues is assessed along with critical thinking and analytical skills. Students report to a draw room (often referred to as Extemp prep) where all of the extempers gather at tables, set out their files, and await their turn to draw topics. A staff member in the prep room calls out student codes based upon a pre-assigned speaker order. When a student’s code is called, the student will approach the draw table and select one of three available prompts. The student will then prepare for thirty minutes to deliver a speech answering the chosen topic. When prep time is up, the student reports to the competition room to deliver a seven minute speech.
Impromptu
Impromptu (IMP) is a public speaking event where students have seven minutes to select a topic, brainstorm their ideas, outline, and deliver a speech. The speech is given without notes and uses an introduction, body, and conclusion. The speech can be lighthearted or serious. It can be based upon prompts that range from nursery rhymes, current events, celebrities, organizations, and more.
Creative Storytelling
The competitor will draw three components: a plot, a setting, and a character. The competitor will have 30 minutes to prepare a seven-minute story. The best creative storytelling will utilize narration and characterization. The storytelling presentation shall be evaluated on the basis of effective speaking practices with emphasis on conversational style, spontaneous bodily activity, ability to develop character, and to resolve the outline plot. The presentation should reflect the speaker’s ability to create and develop a story. No stage accessories may be used. Acting is permissible in creative storytelling as characterization is essential in some types of stories. One chair may be used. It must be kept in mind that an effective story has exposition, rising action, climax and resolution. The event may be serious or humorous in nature.
Duo Improv
For this event, you'll be paired with someone from another team to create an impromptu skit. You'll be given a prompt and 3 minutes prep time to create a seven-minute performance. No violence allowed; language and actions must be G-rated. 2 chairs allowed; no other props or costumes allowed.
Original Oratory
Students deliver a self-written, ten-minute speech on a topic of their choosing. Limited in their ability to quote words directly, Original Oratory (OO) competitors craft an argument using evidence, logic, and emotional appeals. Topics range widely, and may be informative or persuasive in nature. The speech is delivered from memory.
Two competitors team up to deliver a ten-minute performance of a published play or story. Using on-stage focus, Duo Interpretation competitors convey emotion and environment through a variety of performance techniques focusing on the relationships and interactions between the characters. No props or costumes are used. Performances may also include an introduction written by the students to contextualize the performance and state the title and author. Performers MAY NOT use two chairs, MAY NOT make eye contact, and MAY NOT touch each other.
Duet Acting
Two competitors team up to deliver a ten-minute performance of a published play or story. Using on-stage focus, Duet Acting competitors convey emotion and environment through a variety of performance techniques focusing on the relationships and interactions between the characters. No costumes are used. Performances may also include an introduction written by the students to contextualize the performance and state the title and author. Performers MAY use two chairs, MAY make eye contact, and MAY touch each other.
Dramatic Interpretation
Using a play, short story, or other published work, students perform a selection of one or more portions of a piece up to ten minutes in length. With a spotlight on character development and depth, Dramatic Interpretation (DI) focuses on a student’s ability to convey emotion through the use of a dramatic text. Competitors may portray one or multiple characters. No props or costumes may be used. Performances may also include an introduction written by the student to contextualize the performance and state the title and author.
Humorous Interpretation
Using a play, short story, or other published work, students perform a selection of one or more portions of a piece up to ten minutes in length. Humorous Interpretation (HI) is designed to test a student’s comedic skills through script analysis, delivery, timing, and character development. Competitors may portray one or multiple characters. No props or costumes may be used. Performances can also include an introduction written by the student to contextualize the performance and state the title and author.
Poetry Interpretation
Using a selection or selections of literature, students provide an interpretation of Poetry (POE) with a time limit of seven minutes, including introduction. Poetry is characterized by writing that conveys ideas, experiences, and emotions through language and expression. Students may choose traditional poetry, often characterized by rhyme or rhythm, or nontraditional poetry, which often has a rhythmic flow but is not necessarily structured by formal meter (meter is a beat, pattern, or structure, such as iambic pentameter). Students may not use prose, nor drama (plays), in this category. Students must use a manuscript in Poetry, which typically consists of a small three-ring binder with page protectors.
Storytelling
Students select a published story that meets a specified theme and perform the story for no more than five minutes. Some tournaments may ask Storytelling performers to follow a theme, though the National Tournament does not. Storytelling (STO) themes range widely and may include mysteries, heroism, or fairy tales. Students select a story that would be appropriate for young children and tell the story as if presenting to that audience. Students may use a chair. Manuscripts are not permitted.
Reader's Theatre
Readers’ Theater is a group activity in which a piece of literature is communicated from manuscript to an audience through the oral interpretation approach of vocal and physical suggestions. The readers are to suggest the character vocally and physically, not become the characters by extreme vocal and physical characterization. The selection of material for Reader’s Theater may be humorous or dramatic and must be adapted from a play, a short story, a novel or poetry. Each person may use a chair.
Extemporaneous Speaking
Extemporaneous Speaking, typically called Extemp, is a speech on current events with limited preparation time. A student’s understanding of important political, economic, and cultural issues is assessed along with critical thinking and analytical skills. Students report to a draw room (often referred to as Extemp prep) where all of the extempers gather at tables, set out their files, and await their turn to draw topics. A staff member in the prep room calls out student codes based upon a pre-assigned speaker order. When a student’s code is called, the student will approach the draw table and select one of three available prompts. The student will then prepare for thirty minutes to deliver a speech answering the chosen topic. When prep time is up, the student reports to the competition room to deliver a seven minute speech.
Impromptu
Impromptu (IMP) is a public speaking event where students have seven minutes to select a topic, brainstorm their ideas, outline, and deliver a speech. The speech is given without notes and uses an introduction, body, and conclusion. The speech can be lighthearted or serious. It can be based upon prompts that range from nursery rhymes, current events, celebrities, organizations, and more.
Creative Storytelling
The competitor will draw three components: a plot, a setting, and a character. The competitor will have 30 minutes to prepare a seven-minute story. The best creative storytelling will utilize narration and characterization. The storytelling presentation shall be evaluated on the basis of effective speaking practices with emphasis on conversational style, spontaneous bodily activity, ability to develop character, and to resolve the outline plot. The presentation should reflect the speaker’s ability to create and develop a story. No stage accessories may be used. Acting is permissible in creative storytelling as characterization is essential in some types of stories. One chair may be used. It must be kept in mind that an effective story has exposition, rising action, climax and resolution. The event may be serious or humorous in nature.
Duo Improv
For this event, you'll be paired with someone from another team to create an impromptu skit. You'll be given a prompt and 3 minutes prep time to create a seven-minute performance. No violence allowed; language and actions must be G-rated. 2 chairs allowed; no other props or costumes allowed.
Original Oratory
Students deliver a self-written, ten-minute speech on a topic of their choosing. Limited in their ability to quote words directly, Original Oratory (OO) competitors craft an argument using evidence, logic, and emotional appeals. Topics range widely, and may be informative or persuasive in nature. The speech is delivered from memory.