Which Category is for Me?

Great Speeches:  The speaker delivers a speech, historical or contemporary, given before an audience by a person of prominence.  A minimum of 25% of the presentation must be the contestant’s own material.  A contestant must justify the selection of the speech and include information about the speaker, subject, original audience, and occasion.  Statements, analysis, and exposition may be interspersed throughout.  An anthology of speeches by ones speaker may also be sued.  Research is required.  A script is optional.  8 minutes.

You’re a good fit for this category if you are a: solid writer, passionate and persuasive speaker, intellectual thinker.

Original Oratory:  The contestant delivers an oration of his or her own writing.  Usually, the topic is one of universal appeal and persuasive.  Research is required.  Judges consider thought, composition, and delivery.    8-10 minutes.

You’re a good fit for this category if you are a: very strong writer, passionate and persuasive speaker, intellectual thinker.

Extemporaneous Speaking:  This is a contest in which the speech shall not be memorized.  The speech will be on timely topics dealing with social, economic, and political issues.  The speaker can choose domestic area questions or foreign.  The student will draw a topic 30 minutes before speaking and use news magazines and newspapers as sources.  The student will be judged on adherence to the question, well-chosen information, organization of material, and delivery.    Research and up to date knowledge of news is required.  7 minutes.

You’re a good fit for this category if you are a:  self-motivated worker, intellectual thinker, current-events fan, strong researcher, strong student who gets mostly A's.

Discussion:  The contestant participates in small group problem solving.  The topic is known ahead of time and the student is judged on his/her contributions to the group effort, knowledge of the topic and skill relating to the group.  Research required.  Time:  45-60 minutes.

You’re a good fit for this category if you are a: frequent participant in class discussions, strong researcher, an opinionated person.

Informative:  The contestant presents his/her own composition of which no more than 10% shall be direct quotation.  This should be an original, factual speech on a subject of general interest.  The purpose should be to inform.  Quality of thought, composition/organization and delivery should be considered by judges.  Research is required.  The use of visual aids is optional.  8 minutes.

You’re a good fit for this category if you are a:  solid writer, friendly speaker, good researcher.

Serious Prose:  This may consist of any published selection of prose, such as a scene from a short story or novel.  The mood must be essentially serious.  The student is judged on ability to get and give meaning through vocal and bodily expression.  Introduction required.   8-10 minutes.

You’re a good fit for this category if you are a: good literature analyzer, actor.

Serious Drama:  This must consist of a selection taken from a serious play.  An introduction is required.  The student is judged on ability to get and give meaning through vocal and bodily expression.    8-10 minutes.

You’re a good fit for this category if you are a: good literature analyzer, actor.

Serious Poetry:  This may consist of any published poetry selection with a serious mood.  A collection of poems may be used.  The student is judged on ability to get and give meaning through vocal and facial expression.  Minimal physical expression is necessary.  An introduction is required.    8 minutes.

You’re a good fit for this category if you are a: very strong literature analyzer, poetry lover.

Humorous:  This may consist of any published selection of prose, poetry, or drama that is humorous.  It may not have been taken from a CD or tape.  It should amuse, give enjoyment, create laughter.  Ability to use facial and bodily expression is essential.  An introduction is required. 8-10 minutes

You’re a good fit for this category if you are an: actor, on-stage risk-taker, creative and boisterous personality.

Extemporaneous Reading:  The contestant will read excerpts, prose and poetry, from two specific sources.  The student will draw three selections 30 minutes before reading, allowing for preparation of an introduction and practice of the reading.  Judging is based on the student’s ability to introduce the excerpt with appropriate extemporaneous remarks and to read the selection with effective vocal and bodily expression.  Use of script is required.  6 minutes.

You’re a good fit for this category if you are a: very strong literature analyzer, strong out-loud reader.

Storytelling: This category should train a student to recreate a familiar story.  A selected list of stories to be used shall be announced before the season begins.  The contestant shall draw three titles, choose one and prepare the story 30 minutes before speaking.  The speaker must maintain the author’s mood and format.  Emphasis is on direct, conversational style, and spontaneous bodily action.  Introduction is required.  No script.  6 minutes.

You’re a good fit for this category if you are an: actor, on-stage risk taker, creative and boisterous personality.

Creative Expression:  The contestant writes his/her own material.  It may include information from other sources but 80% must be original.  The mood may be serious or humorous or a combination of both.  No costumes, props, or music allowed.   Judge will consider creative imagination and cleverness of the content.  Intro required.  8 min.

You’re a good fit for this category if you are a: funny, creative writer, on-stage risk taker.

Duo Interpretation: This category features two speakers interpreting together one or more scenes from a published selection of any genre of literature.  The content may be serious or humorous, with literary merit.   Costumes, props, lecterns are not to be used.   An introduction is required.    Movement is unlimited.  8-10 minutes.

You’re a good fit for this category if you are an: actor, good literature-analyzer, good fit with another auditionee.