SUNY Potsdam Invitational

2008 — NY/US

• Invite

Declamation

Event Description:

1) A selection used in Oratorical Declamation must have been originally delivered as a speech by its author, a person other than the present speaker. The speaker must have an introduction which is at most one minute and names the work, author, and describes the circumstances under which the speech was originally presented. The original speaker's words may not be altered for the presentation with the exception that cutting is permitted. Material being performed at the tournament must match the student’s original script. Selections may include professional speeches, public orations, eulogies, and sermons.2) The selection must be memorized.3) The speaker should develop the ability to convey the message in a sincere, honest, and realistic style. The mechanics of speech must be observed faithfully: poise, quality of voice, effectiveness and ease of gesture, emphasis, variety, and enunciation. In addition, the speaker must be able to interpret the meaning of the speech and be able to carry the interpretation over to the minds off the listeners. The speaker must be able to interest the listeners and to hold their attention.4) No particular style should be demanded of the speaker; rather, the contestant should be free to select and to develop a personal style and be judged according to the degree of perfection attained and the effectiveness in influencing the listeners. While the specifics of the speech and any style of delivery which the speaker adopts should be judged in light of the purpose of the speech, artificiality is to be discredited. This event is an interpretation, not an impersonation.5) This event is limited to freshman and sophomore students.6) Time limits: Maximum - 10 minutes, including at most a 60 second introduction to the selection. If the speaker goes over a 30 second grace period, that contestant may not be awarded first place. No minimum time.