Judges must show time piece for any participant that goes over the thirty-second grace period. If

possible, two timers should be used in a round.

The extemporaneous speech should not be regarded as a memory test of the material contained in any

one magazine article, but rather as an original synthesis by the speaker of the current fact and opinion

on the designated topic as presented by numerous sources. The contestant, therefore, should be held

accountable for strict adherence to the precise statement of the topic drawn, and discounted severely

for shifting to some other phase of the topic on which he/she might prefer to speak. The information

presented should be well-chosen, pertinent, and sufficient to support the central thought of the topic.

The material should be organized according to some logical plan that allows the speaker to produce a

complete speech within the time allowed. Delivery should be free from marked defects in the

mechanics of speech - poise, quality and use of voice, enunciation, bodily expressiveness, and fluency

- and should be effective in enlisting and holding the interest of the audience.

The best extemporaneous speech combines clear thinking, good speaking, and interesting presentation

to establish a definite thought with respect to the subject chosen for the occasion.

Preparation: As soon as the topic is chosen, the contestant shall withdraw and prepare the speech

without consultation and without reference to prepared notes. Students may have published books,

magazines, newspapers, journals, and/or articles there from provided:

1. They are original or Xeroxed copies of originals.

2. The original or copy is intact and uncut.

3. There is no written material, other than bibliographic information (i.e., title, author, date,

volume #, page), on that original or copy.

4. That the book, magazine, newspaper, or article there from, if highlighted, is highlighted

in one color only.

5. The speaker shall have thirty minutes to prepare.

In addition to those materials listed above, a topical index without annotation may be present in the

extemporaneous prep room. No other material shall be allowed in the extemporaneous prep room.

Extemporaneous speeches, handbooks, briefs, and outlines shall be barred from the extemporaneous

prep room. Any electrical information retrieval system is barred from use in any state contest.

Judging

1. Time signals must be given by the judge.

2. Time limit: Maximum of seven (7) minutes. If the speaker goes over a 30-second grace period

that contestant may not be awarded first place in the round. No minimum time limit.

Impromptu is intended to judge the speaker's ability to discuss the chosen topic. In this event, the

speaker will be given a choice of three topics. The three topics shall include a word, a quotation, and a

social comment. A good impromptu speaker will discuss the ideas presented in the topic intelligently

and with adequate speaking skills. Each contestant will have a different choice of topics.

1. Contestants have six (6) minutes to choose one of the three topics, organize thoughts, and

speak on the chosen topic. The topic the speaker chooses must be stated as part of the

introduction.

2. Students may not use or prepare any notes during preparation or speaking time.

2009-10 Bound for State Forensics Regulations

3. Time limit: Preparation time and speaking time shall be a total of six (6) minutes. Time signals

must be given by the judge. If the speaker goes over a 30-second grace period that contestant

may not be awarded first place in that round. No minimum time limit.

1. The purpose of expository (informative) speech is to describe, clarify, explain and/or define an

object, idea, concept, social institution or process.

2. The responsibility for choosing a worthwhile topic rests with the contestant. The use of humor

will not be penalized.

3. The speech must be the original work of the speaker. No more than 150 words of quoted

material and/or paraphrased material may be included in the speech. This speech may not

have been used in forensic competition by the student prior to the current competitive season.

4. The speech may be delivered extemporaneously, with or without the use of notes.

5. The contestant will not be penalized for the use of notes or visual aids, unless they interfere with

ability to communicate with the audience.

6. Time limit: Maximum of eight (8) minutes. If the speaker goes over a 30-second grace period

that contestant may not be awarded first place in the round. No minimum time limit.

1. A dramatic interpretation is a memorized program that must be of a serious nature. The

program may be one or more selections from published prose, poetry, drama (play), radio,

television, or recording. A monologue is permissible. This program may not have been used in

forensic competition by the student prior to the current competitive season.

2. Props, makeup, and costumes are not permitted; expressions, gestures, body position, and full

body movements (bending, kneeling, turning, minimal singing) are allowed as means of

characterization.

3. The title(s) and author(s) must be identified during the presentation.

4. Students may not present the same selection(s) in Dramatic Interpretation and Humorous

Interpretation, Dual Interpretation or Interpretive Reading.

5. Time limit: Maximum of eight (8) minutes. If the speaker goes over a 30-second grace period,

that contestant may not be awarded first place in the round. No minimum time limit.

NOTE: Students in all interpretation events at the State Tournament must have the original or a

photocopy of the original, including the title page, with them for judges' inspection in case of

dispute. A student's typed copy of the interp. is not acceptable. Failure to have a requested copy

will result in disqualification from the round.

1. Humorous interpretation is a memorized program that must be of a humorous nature. The

program may be one or more selections from published prose, poetry, drama (play), radio,

television, or recording. A monologue is permissible. This program may not have been used in

forensic competition by the student prior to the current competitive season.

2. Props, makeup, and costumes are not permitted; expressions, gestures, body position, and full

body movements (bending, kneeling, turning, minimal singing) are allowed as means of

characterization.

3. The title(s) and author(s) must be identified during the presentation.

4. Students may not present the same selection(s) in Humorous Interpretation and Dramatic

Interpretation, Dual Interpretation or Interpretive Reading.

5. Time limit: Maximum of eight (8) minutes, If the speaker goes over a 30-second grace period

that contestant may not be awarded first place in the round. No minimum time limit.

2009-10 Bound for State Forensics Regulations

NOTE: Students in all interpretation events at the State Tournament must have the original or a

photo- copy of the original, including the title page, with them for judges' inspection in

case of dispute. A student-typed copy of the interpretation is not acceptable. Failure to

have a requested copy will result in disqualification from the round.

The art of interpretation is to be regarded as recreating the characters and/or mood in the material

presented and making them seem real to the audience. Presentation shall NOT be from memory, and

the reader's script should be presented. Cuttings from prose and poetry must be given and the student

should prepare meaningful introductions and transitions. Selections should be judged for their

appropriateness as contest material and their suitability to the particular contestants using them. The

judge should note favorably the student's use of good literature in a balanced program. The contestant

should be judged on poise, quality and use of voice inflections, emphasis, enunciation, pronunciation

and, especially, the ability to interpret characters and/or mood correctly and consistently. The use of full

bodily movement (bending, kneeling or turning) is not permitted in interpretive reading. Bodily

movement should be limited to a one step radius.

1. The format will be a thematically integrated program of two or more selections in which the

contestant will use a balanced program of both published prose (NO DRAMA) and poetry as a

presentation requirement; the speaker will use an introduction in which the authors, titles and

theme will be stated. This program may not have been used in forensic competition by the

student prior to the current competitive season.

2. The authors of the prose and poetry portions must be different. The same author may be used

more than once within the prose or poetry portion of the program.

3. A manuscript is required. There will be no penalty for eye contact as long as the illusion of

reading is maintained. No costumes, makeup, or props.

4. Students may not present the same selection(s) in Humorous Interpretation and Dramatic

Interpretation, Dual Interpretation or Interpretive Reading.

5. The art of interpretation is regarded as recreating the characters and/or mood in the material

presented and making them seem real to the audience. No penalty for using humor.

6. Time limit: Maximum of eight (8) minutes. If the speaker goes over a 30-second grace period

that contestant may not be awarded first place in the round. No minimum time limit.

original or a photocopy of the original, including the title page, with them for judges'

inspection in case of dispute. A student-typed copy of the interpretation is not acceptable.

Failure to have a requested copy will result in disqualification from the round.

1. Dramatic interpretation is a memorized program of one or more selections of published prose,

poetry, or drama. The title(s) and author(s) must be identified in the presentation. This program

may not have been used in forensic competition by the student prior to the current competitive

season. Multiple characters are permitted.

2. The presentation must be memorized. Props, makeup, and costumes are not permitted. The

contestants should be evaluated on poise, quality and use of voice, physical expression and,

especially, the ability to interpret characters correctly and consistently. This allows full body

movement (bending, kneeling, turning, minimal singing).

3. The two contestants will use off-stage focus. Interaction (eye contact) may occur during the

introduction/transition. There will be no physical contact.

2009-10 Bound for State Forensics Regulations

4. Students may not present the same selection(s) in Humorous Interpretation and Dramatic

Interpretation, Dual Interpretation or Interpretive Reading.

that dual team may not be awarded first place in the round. No minimum time limit.

photocopy of the original, including the title page, with them for judges' inspection in case of

dispute. A student-typed copy of the interpretation is not acceptable. Failure to have a requested

copy will result in disqualification from the round.

2009-10 Bound for State Forensics Regulations

Since these orations have been written by the contestants delivering them, the judges should consider

thought, composition, and delivery. However, as this is a contest in speech, rather than in essay writing,

the emphasis should be placed on the speech phase. Thought and composition should be considered

primarily in the way they are employed to make effective speaking possible. The orator should not be

expected to solve any of the great problems of the day. Rather, he/she should be expected to discuss

the chosen topic intelligently, with a degree of originality, and with some profit to his/her audience.

Although many orations deal with a current problem and propose a solution, one should always

remember that this is NOT the only acceptable form of oratory. The oration may simply alert the

audience to a danger, strengthen its devotion to an accepted cause, or eulogize a person. Give the

orator free choice subject and judge him/her solely on how that subject is developed and presented.

The composition should be considered carefully for its rhetoric and diction. The use of appropriate

figures of speech, similes and metaphors, balanced sentences, allusions, and other rhetorical devices

should be noted especially, as they enhance the effectiveness of an oration if used properly. Language

use should be more than correct; it should reveal a discriminating choice of words and altogether fine

literary qualities. It should be especially adapted to oral presentation.

Delivery should be judged for mastery of the usual mechanics of speech - poise, quality, and use of

voice, bodily expressiveness - and for the qualities of directness and sincerity. No particular style of

delivery is to be set up as the one correct style to which all contestants must conform. Rather, each

contestant is to be judged upon the effectiveness of delivery, free to choose or develop whatever style

will maximize the effectiveness of his/her oration.

1. The presentation must be memorized.

2. The speech must be the original work of the speaker. No more than 150 words of quoted

and/or paraphrased material may be included in the oration, and must be so designated

in the manuscript. This speech may not have been used in forensic competition by the

student prior to the current competitive season.

4. Time limit: Maximum of eight (8) minutes. If the speaker goes over a 30-second grace

period, that contestant may not be awarded first place in the round. No minimum time

limit.