MAHS Speech Handbook

Attire

· Girls – expected to wear dress pants with a blouse, professional skirt with a blouse. Dress shoes are a must.

· Boys – expected to wear a collared shirt with a tie. Sports coats and suits encouraged. Dress shoes are a must.

MSHSL CATEGORIES

1. Creative Expression

2. Discussion

3. Duo Interpretation

4. Extemporaneous Reading

5. Extemporaneous Speaking

6. Great Speeches

7. Humorous Interpretation

8. Informative Speaking

9. Original Oratory

10. Serious Drama Interpretation

11. Serious Poetry Interpretation

12. Serious Prose Interpretation

13. Storytelling

CREATIVE EXPRESSION

In creative expression, the participant writes and performs an original work which may be serious, humorous, or a combination of both. This event allows the student to present, in 10 minutes, an original perspective on a topic or theme in an entertaining manner, with more freedom of movement than is found in most other speech events.

Creative expression could be likened to a one-person one-act play and is made to order for students who enjoy both writing and performing.

DISCUSSION

The MSHSL discussion event offers nearly perfect preparation for small group problem-solving activities. It affords the student the opportunity to practice skills necessary to serve on school boards, county boards of commission, city councils, and boards of directors for businesses.

In essence, discussion is an effort by a small group to reach a solution to a problem through the exchange of facts and judgments based on the research of individual members. The purpose is to reach a consensus drawn from the contributions of each member.

The emphasis in this event is placed on individual research, critical thinking, cooperation, and the ability to arrive at a collective solution.

Duo Interpretation

Duo Interpretation features two readers interpreting together one or more selections from a single published source of prose, poetry, or dramatic literature serious or humorous. Each student may portray one or more characters. And, only during the introduction, is there eye contact between the two speakers. The time limit is 10 minutes.

Students who choose to participate in Dramatic Duo MUST also be prepared to compete in another category in case their duo partner is unable to participate.

DRAMATIC INTERPRETATION

The participant in this event chooses an excerpt from a published play to present, with an introduction, within the 10-minute time limit. The selection chosen should have literary merit, contain conflict, and be appropriate for the speaker. The speaker and coach will work during the season to achieve the most effective, polished performance possible.

EXTEMPORANEOUS READING

Extemporaneous reading can provide variety, challenge, and the excitement of "the luck of the draw" for students who enjoy interpretive speech events. At invitationals and official competitions, participants draw 3 cuttings from a previously published list of approximately 20 or more selections are chosen by the MSHSL. During the season, participants work with their coach in the study, discussion, and rehearsal of the stories or poems (whichever division has been chosen by the speaker) in order to knowledgeably introduce and interpret the selections for the entertainment of their audiences. Preparation time at contests is 30 minutes, with 7 minutes allowed for presentation of the cutting and introduction.

EXTEMPORANEOUS SPEAKING

Extemporaneous Speaking has great appeal to students who are interested in current events and enjoy the challenge of a wide variety of speech topics. Another “luck of the draw” event, speakers draw a question on a topic of national or international interest. During a thirty-minute preparation period, competitors prepare a 7-minute speech that answers that question. Magazines, newspapers and other resource materials are used to add details, facts and most importantly, support the position the speaker has taken on the issue at hand. This event fosters societal and political awareness. Research, analysis and the ability to “think on one’s feet” are some of the skills that competing in extemporaneous speaking will develop.

GREAT SPEECHES

Great Speeches is an event that requires the student to prepare a 10-minute presentation about any public speech of importance. The category calls for the student not only to give parts of the selected speech but to also include reasoning and analysis that show the importance of the original address. Coaches assist students in selecting a speech, researching its background, determining parts of the text to be used, and writing an analysis that illustrates the significance and impact of the original speech.

HUMOROUS INTERPRETATION

Humorous interpretation is a difficult category, though still appropriate for the novice speaker. Material is drawn from any published source. It may consist of prose, poetry, or a cutting from a play. The material may not be taken from a record, CD, DVD or tape.

The time limit for this event is 10 minutes, including the introduction. Emphasis is on entertaining the audience/judge by clarifying the intent of the material and on performance qualities such as poise and use of vocal and physical expression. Memorization is optional but strongly encouraged, as it is an all-interpretive event.

INFORMATIVE SPEAKING

The purpose of informative speaking is to provide the audience with a greater understanding of a topic of interest. During the 10-minute speech, the speaker is allowed to use visual aids to help clarify his remarks and may deliver the speech from a manuscript or from memory. Since the purpose of the speech is informative, not persuasive, the style of delivery is often casual and extemporaneous, with special emphasis on creating and maintaining audience interest.

ORIGINAL ORATORY

The category of original oratory requires a student to write and present a thoughtful and documented 10-minute speech on a topic of current interest. Speakers work closely with coaches in identifying a topic area, gathering supportive materials, writing and revising a speech that may be given from a manuscript or from memory. The delivery style is basically persuasive, as the speaker attempts to convince the audience of the importance and impact of the topic under consideration.

POETRY

Interpretation of poetry consists of presenting any published poetry selection that is appropriate to the speaker and has literary merit. The mood of this 10-minute presentation must be serious and must include a thoughtful introduction.

The student will be judged on his or her ability to emphasize the author's intent and purpose through the use of vocal and physical expression. Poise, manner, and appearance are also important. Memorization is optional but strongly encouraged.

PROSE

Interpretation of serious prose is an excellent event for both the novice and the experienced speaker. The student is expected to interpret a selection from published material that is not from a play or poetry and is serious in nature.

During a 10-minute time period, the speaker shall present the material, including introduction, in such a manner as to emphasize and clarify the meaning of the piece through the use of vocal and physical expression. Poise, manner, appearance, and appropriateness of the selection to the speaker are most important. Memorization is optional, though strongly recommended.

STORYTELLING

In storytelling, the speaker becomes acquainted with 15 stories on a list published by the MSHSL. The Coach assists the storytellers in the study and rehearsal of these selections during the season. In competition, the speakers are required to introduce and present one story selected from three choices, without a script, within the 7-minute time limit. A preparation time of 30 minutes is allowed. Since no script is used, and no attempt of memorization is made, fluency, a well-developed vocabulary, and correct grammar are desirable attributes for speakers in this event. It might also be noted that prior preparation and experience in storytelling increases the student's proficiency in these areas.