Speech Categories
Original Oratory
Memorized, Time Limit: 10 Minutes
The competitor writes and delivers a speech. Many speeches discuss a contemporary problem or issue for our society. However, speeches may also strengthen a cause, eulogize an individual or discuss any topic of concern or interest to the student. A successful speech will include personal examples, “real world” examples, and support. The competitor should use his or her voice, gestures, face, etc. to convey the proper message of the speech.
Informative Speaking
Memorized, Time Limit: 10 Minutes
The competitor writes and delivers a speech that is meant to inform the audience about a chosen topic. The competitor should use his or her voice, gestures, face, etc. to convey the proper message of the speech. The speaker may or may not use a visual aid to strengthen his or her message.
Extemporaneous Speaking
Extemporaneous Speaking, Time Limit: 7 Minutes
The competitor uses magazine and journal articles and knowledge to answer a current events question. They prepare the speech in the 30 minutes prior to delivering the speech. The speech should directly address the question on which the student is speaking. The speech should employ logical reasoning, be well organized and include support for the student’s arguments. The competitor should use his or her voice, gestures, face, etc. to convey the proper message of the speech. There are two divisions of extemporaneous speaking: United States Extemp and International Extemp.
Dramatic Interpretation
Memorized, Time Limit: 10 Minutes
The competitor portrays characters in a scene from a published book, play or movie script. The student may portray only one character or he/she may portray several characters. The competitor should focus on connecting with the characters on an emotional level and conveying each character’s story. If more than one character is portrayed, the competitor should use different voices, physical stances (postures), and facial expressions to convey each character. The selection should be dramatic.
Declamation
Memorized, Time Limit: 10 Minutes
The competitor delivers a speech that was written by someone else and previously delivered. The speech may be a former Original Oratory or a published commencement speech, tribute speech, eulogy, etc. The competitor should use his or her voice, gestures, face, etc. to convey the proper message of the speech.
Duo Interpretation (2 Competitors)
Memorized, Time Limit: 10 Minutes
Two competitors portray characters in a scene from a published book, play or movie script. The selection can be dramatic or humorous. In a dramatic cutting, the competitors should focus on realistically portraying the characters and scene. In a humorous selection, the characters should focus on promoting humor and entertaining the audience. If more than one character is portrayed, the competitor should use different voices, physical stances (postures), and facial expressions to convey each character. The students may not make direct eye contact or touch one another.
Humorous Interpretation
Memorized, Time Limit: 10 Minutes
The competitor portrays characters in a scene from a published book, play or movie script. The competitor should use different voices, physical stances, and facial expressions to convey each character. The selection should be funny.
Program Oral Interpretation
Read (not memorized), Time Limit: 10 Minutes
The competitor reads/performs a program which is a combination of published prose and poetry with a central theme. The competitor should use his or her voice, gestures, face, etc. to convey the proper emotion of the pieces and entertain the audience.
Memorized, Time Limit: 10 Minutes
The competitor writes and delivers a speech. Many speeches discuss a contemporary problem or issue for our society. However, speeches may also strengthen a cause, eulogize an individual or discuss any topic of concern or interest to the student. A successful speech will include personal examples, “real world” examples, and support. The competitor should use his or her voice, gestures, face, etc. to convey the proper message of the speech.
Informative Speaking
Memorized, Time Limit: 10 Minutes
The competitor writes and delivers a speech that is meant to inform the audience about a chosen topic. The competitor should use his or her voice, gestures, face, etc. to convey the proper message of the speech. The speaker may or may not use a visual aid to strengthen his or her message.
Extemporaneous Speaking
Extemporaneous Speaking, Time Limit: 7 Minutes
The competitor uses magazine and journal articles and knowledge to answer a current events question. They prepare the speech in the 30 minutes prior to delivering the speech. The speech should directly address the question on which the student is speaking. The speech should employ logical reasoning, be well organized and include support for the student’s arguments. The competitor should use his or her voice, gestures, face, etc. to convey the proper message of the speech. There are two divisions of extemporaneous speaking: United States Extemp and International Extemp.
Dramatic Interpretation
Memorized, Time Limit: 10 Minutes
The competitor portrays characters in a scene from a published book, play or movie script. The student may portray only one character or he/she may portray several characters. The competitor should focus on connecting with the characters on an emotional level and conveying each character’s story. If more than one character is portrayed, the competitor should use different voices, physical stances (postures), and facial expressions to convey each character. The selection should be dramatic.
Declamation
Memorized, Time Limit: 10 Minutes
The competitor delivers a speech that was written by someone else and previously delivered. The speech may be a former Original Oratory or a published commencement speech, tribute speech, eulogy, etc. The competitor should use his or her voice, gestures, face, etc. to convey the proper message of the speech.
Duo Interpretation (2 Competitors)
Memorized, Time Limit: 10 Minutes
Two competitors portray characters in a scene from a published book, play or movie script. The selection can be dramatic or humorous. In a dramatic cutting, the competitors should focus on realistically portraying the characters and scene. In a humorous selection, the characters should focus on promoting humor and entertaining the audience. If more than one character is portrayed, the competitor should use different voices, physical stances (postures), and facial expressions to convey each character. The students may not make direct eye contact or touch one another.
Humorous Interpretation
Memorized, Time Limit: 10 Minutes
The competitor portrays characters in a scene from a published book, play or movie script. The competitor should use different voices, physical stances, and facial expressions to convey each character. The selection should be funny.
Program Oral Interpretation
Read (not memorized), Time Limit: 10 Minutes
The competitor reads/performs a program which is a combination of published prose and poetry with a central theme. The competitor should use his or her voice, gestures, face, etc. to convey the proper emotion of the pieces and entertain the audience.