Dramatic Duet Acting (DDA)

• DDA involves 2 people working together to act out a serious section from a play. The selection will be memorized and up to 8 minutes long.

Dramatic Interpretation (DI)

• DI involves one person acting out a serious scene from a play involving multiple characters. The selection will be memorized and up to 8 minutes long.

Extemporaneous Speaking (Extemp)

• This event involves keeping up-to-date on major current events in IL, the USA, and the world. At the competition, you draw 3 topics at random, choose one, and then write a speech on that topic in 30 minutes. You present your 4-7 minute speech using 1 note card. 

Humorous Duet Acting (HDA)

• HDA involves 2 people working together to act out a funny section from a play. The selection will be memorized and up to 8 minutes long.

Humorous Interpretation (HI)

• HI involves one person acting out a funny scene from a play involving multiple characters. The selection will be memorized and up to 8 minutes long.

Impromptu Speaking

• This event involves presenting an original speech on a topic which is chosen from a set list of words, phrases, quotes, or proverbs. You have a total of 2 minutes to prepare and 6 minutes to present the speech, using only 1 notecard and pen/pencil.

Informative Speaking (INFO)

• INFO involves writing, memorizing, and presenting a 6-8 minute informative speech on a topic of current interest. It should include appropriate research and citations.

Original Oratory (OO)

• OO involves writing a 6-8 minute memorized persuasive speech that follows a basic problem-solution format, and includes some citations to give your opinion support.

Original Comedy (OC)

• This event involves writing, memorizing, and presenting a 6-8 minute humorous speech. It must be original and it should have a clear storyline or theme.

Oratorical Declamation (OD / DEC)

• OD involves memorizing a 6-8 minute excerpt from a published speech written by someone else. It can be serious or entertaining, but it should have an important message of value.

Poetry Reading

• This event involves a “program” (1 long poem or several short poems) that presents a common theme or author. The presentation is 6-8 minutes and is read from a notebook, so it does not have to be memorized.

Prose Reading

• Prose involves presenting one short story. The presentation is 6-8 minutes and is read from a notebook, so it does not have to be memorized.

Program Oral Interpretation (POI)

• POI is only offered at Districts and Nationals. It is a combination of Prose & Poetry.

Radio Speaking

• This event involves writing a 5-minute newscast, including a commercial, from stories taken from radio or newspapers. For speech tournaments, the news must be no more than 24 hours old. 

Special Occasion Speaking (SOS)

• This event involves writing a 6-8 minute entertaining speech in which you could be addressing a real group on a real situation. The speech should have a serious message with humorous elements.