Definition: Dramatic and Humorous Interpretation are the oral presentation of literature.

Purpose: The purpose of Humorous Interpretation and Dramatic Interpretation is to increase student’s understanding of script analysis and the communication of ideas through performance to encourage the application of theories and principles in oral interpretation.

Material: Material must come from printed, published sources and must meet high standards for good literature. Sources of material include cuttings from plays, verse plays, teleplays, screenplays, one-character plays, monologues, soliloquies or other works that meet all criteria for the event may be presented. Though the performer may select to do multiple monologues, the presentation will be limited to a single work. Competitors may portray one or multiple characters. Material other than the author’s work must be limited to 15%.

Definition: Dramatic and Humorous Duet Acting are the presentations of dramatic or humorous selections by two individuals.

Purpose: The purpose of Humorous Duet Acting and Dramatic Duet Acting is to provide students an opportunity to understand script analysis and develop characterization and acting skills in a confined setting.

Material: Material must come from a single printed, published source and must meet high standards for good literature. Sources of material include cuttings from plays, verse plays, teleplays, screenplays, or other works that meet all criteria for the event may be presented. Excluding the introduction, a cutting may include the portrayal of no more than two characters. Material in which an author assigns multiple characters to one actor is acceptable. Combining the lines of two or more characters to create one composite character is prohibited. Material other than the author’s work must be limited to 15%.

Definition: Original Comedy is the oral presentation of the student’s original comedic work.

Purpose: The purpose of Original Comedy is to enable students to employ their creative skills in the writing and presentation of humorous material designed to entertain.

Material: Material must be original. The content, format, style and thought of the material must be the product of the contestant. There shall be no restriction on form. It may be dialogue, monologue or a combination. No more than 150 words of the speech may be direct quotation.

Definition: Poetry Reading is the oral interpretation of poetry

Purpose: The purpose of Poetry Reading is to acquaint students with the genre and the application of the theories and principles of oral interpretation.

Material: Material must come from appropriate printed, published sources. Material must come from poetic literature. Compilations of poems are permissible. Each contestant will prepare one (1) program of one (1) or more poem(s).

Definition: Prose Reading is the oral interpretation of prose literature.

Purpose: The purpose of Prose Reading is to acquaint students with the genre and the application of the theories and principles of oral interpretation.

Material: Material must come from appropriate printed, published sources and must meet high standards for good literature. Material must come from prose literature. Sources of material include cuttings from novels, short stories, biographies, nonfiction, letters and diaries. The use of dramatic literature is not permitted. Compilations are permissible. Each contestant will prepare one (1) Prose Reading selection. Cuttings must contain less than 50% dialogue.