Individual Categories

Public Address

Public Address is the presentation of another person’s material that argues, persuades, moves or attempts to convey an understanding of the human experience. THE SPEECH MUST HAVE A PURPOSE BEYOND PURE ENTERTAINMENT.

• Notes not to exceed 50 words

• Length: up to 8 minutes

Acting

The presentation of either a humorous or dramatic monologue(s). While the piece may be original, it must be memorized.

• Length: up to 5 minutes

After Dinner Speaking

Students are to present an original speech to a particular audience, as if they were giving the keynote address at a dinner function of an organization. The speech and the organization addressed may be as zany and imaginative as the student desires it to be, but the work must be original and memorized.

• Notes not to exceed 50 words

• Length: up to 5 minutes

Interpretive Poetry/Prose

Students present a prose piece or poem, utilizing their voice and facial expressions to convey the meaning and mood of the piece. No memorization is required in this category as the students are required to stand and read from a manuscript. Familiarity with the script is very essential, as are interpretation and expression.

• Length: up to 6 minutes

Literary Program

Students will present at least one prose AND one poem on a common theme. No memorization is required in this category, but familiarity with the script is very important

• Length: up to 8 minutes

Solo Musical Theatre

Students present a single song from a musical.

• Length: up to 5 minutes

Spontaneous Speaking

A student draws a contemporary issue topic to speak about with 3 minutes of preparation.

• Length: up to 5 minutes

Radio News Announcing

Unlike its large group speech equivalent, “Radio News Announcing” in individual speech is done LIVE with students receiving the materials thirty minutes before. It is up to the student to arrange and edit a series of stories and a commercial into a live newscast.

• Length: 4 to 5 minutes

Expository Address

Expository Address asks the student to inform the audience about a topic that interest them. The speaker writes his/her own speech. It must be memorized with notes not to exceed 50 words on a notecard. Audio and/or visual aids are permitted.

• Length: up to 6 minutes

Storytelling

Students are to bring a story of their choosing to life from atop a stool. Focusing on the use of voices, facial expressions, and gestures, students are expected to have this short piece memorized.

Length: up to 5 minutes

Improvisation

A student draws characters and a situation and acts out a scene with limited preparation. A lot of imagination is needed in this category.

• Length: up to 5 minutes

Review

A student writes and delivers a critical analysis of a book, movie, video game, or any other media. This speech is to be memorized with notes not to exceed 50 words on a notecard

• Length: up to 8 minutes