All category information/resources are available at the MIFA website at:
http://www.themifa.org/ie-resources.html
1) Go to the above link and download the 2-page Ballot for your category - READ IT. It has the rules and concepts for your event.
2) This page also has tutorials on how to set up a Tabroom.com account (free and easy). If you are NEW to the team you must do this!
3) Click on the category link(s) below for specific information regarding your event. READ IT.
Then ask questions! :)
Look at the Tabs on the Cutsheets at the link BELOW for your event to get a better understanding of what types of material and topics are discussed/performed at Michigan Interscholastic Forensic Association tournaments.
While Topics and Scripts that have been used in recent years doesn't mean that you can't come up with a new way to present that material they should generally be avoided for familiarity/originality concerns.
INTERPRETATION EVENTS
Dramatic
Poetry
Program Oral Interp
Prose + Prose 9/10
Storytelling
Duo
Multiple
Examine the lists of pieces that have been used at MIFA States in your category in recent MIFA seasons here:
Interp Material Cutsheets
Categories in MIFA are designated by script FORMAT, not content.
Dramatic - from a play/screenplay/telecast format
Poetry - if the author says it is poetry, it is poetry
POI - this is a combination of at least 2 of the 3 main genres (Dramatic, Poetry, Prose) following a common theme
Prose - novels, short stories, essays, journals, memoirs
Storytelling - Children's stories for all ages
Duo/Multiple may be any of the above genres or a combination
Good interp material scripts should have a beginning, middle, and an end and should attempt to reveal or illustrate something compelling and universal about the Human Experience. Multiple characters can be helpful to show range but try to avoid rapid dialogue scenes. The ability to show depth and development in the resolution of your storyline is most important.
Material that has strong literary merit will be scored more favorably. ALL MATERIAL MUST BE APPROVED.
PUBLIC ADDRESS EVENTS
Limited Prep Categories:
Broadcasting
Extemp
Impromptu
Duo Commentary
Read the Topics that were used at the tournaments last season here:
Limited Prep Cutsheets
The limited prep topics that have been used in previous seasons will be key to study for prompt formats, content ideas, and as practice materials
Scripted Public Address Categories:
Informative
Sales
Oratory + Oratory 9/10
Examine the lists of topics that have been used at MIFA States in recent seasons here:
Scripted PA topics should try to have a broad interest appeal - remember that your audience will be students/peers as well as college students and older teachers/parents/adults from many walks of life.
Informative topics should seek to INFORM but not persuade. They should be... interesting!
Sales products should be widely available and accessible to all.
Oratory topics should seek raise awareness of an important issue/problem and to consider answers/solutions.
As you are considering topics you should also be thinking about what type of Visual Aids you may use - Traditional (1 easel + poster/foam boards) or Digital (with a TV stand and a laptop presentation/slideshow). There are many pros/cons to each type of VAs so be sure to consult with us. ALL TOPICS AND V/A CHOICES MUST BE APPROVED
EXAMPLE VIDEOS of some BHHS performances from last season in various categories can be viewed in a YouTube gallery at:
BHHS 2024-2025 States performance videos playlist