Speech Basics

Prowler Speech Handbook

MSHSL Rules and Policies

Prowler Speech Informational Slideshow 

(with performance examples)

Speech Categories

• Creative Expression 

  • Students write and perform their own 8-minute piece of original writing (although 20% of the material may come from other sources). The mood of the writing may be serious or humorous. Students perform the same selection at every tournament during the season.

• Drama, Poetry, and Prose Interpretation 

  • In these three categories, students choose a serious piece of literature and perform an 8-minute interpretation of it. Students perform the same selection at every tournament during the season.

• Humorous Interpretation

  • In this category, students choose a humorous piece of literature and perform an 8-minute interpretation of it. The selection may be taken from prose, poetry, or a play, as long as the mood is essentially humorous. Students perform the same selection at every tournament during the season.

• Duo Interpretation

  • This category pairs two students together to perform an interpretation of prose, drama, or poetry. The mood may be serious, humorous, or both; students are not limited in the number of characters they may perform in the 8-minute time period. Students perform the same selection at every tournament during the season.

• Extemporaneous Reading

  • Students read aloud various 6-minute selections from a book of either poetry or short stories (your choice), interpreting the reading in such a way as to add meaning and interest. Students are given a list of stories and poems at the start of the season that will be used at all competitions. Each tournament will require the reading of 3-4 of those stories or compilations of poems. 

• Storytelling

  • Students retell selected children's stories in their own words, interpreting and performing various characters during the 6-minute retelling. Students are given a list of stories at the start of the season that will be used at all competitions. Each tournament will require the telling of 3-4 of those stories. 

• Original Oratory 

  • Students in this category research a topic of their choosing, and then write their own 8-minute speech on that topic. The intent of the speech is to persuade, and while the speech may contain elements of humor, the mood is essentially serious. Students perform the same selection at every tournament during the season.

• Informative 

  • Students research a topic of their choosing, and then write their own 8-minute speech on that topic. The intent of the speech is to inform, and most speeches are supported by a series of visual aids. Students perform the same selection at every tournament during the season.

• Great Speeches

  • Students choose a speech that was delivered by someone else, and analyze why the speech is considered to be "great". The 8-minute performance will include portions of the original great speech interspersed with the student's research and analysis of the speech. Students perform the same selection at every tournament during the season.

• Extemporaneous Speaking

  • Students build research files on current events, and then deliver 7-minute speeches based on questions related to national or international politics (your choice). At each tournament, students will draw questions of national or international interest, and will then have 30 minutes to formulate their response using the research files they have created. Each round of competition will draw from new questions.

• Discussion 

  • Students build research files about a pre-selected topic (selected by the MSHSL, not the student) and then participate in round-table discussions of related sub-topics with 5-7 other students. Students are given an outline of topics and sub-topics at the start of the season, and each tournament will draw from 3-4 of those sub-topics.