Big 8 Conference Tournament

2011 — WI/US

• Invite

Farrago

Event Description:

Purpose of the Category

To develop skills in identifying, selecting, combining and presenting quality literature from a variety ofgenres which addresses a specific theme or emotion.

Definition of the Category

The challenge of farrago is to select material from a variety of literary genres (poetry, short stories,speeches, essays, drama, novels), which addresses a central specific theme or emotion, and to interpret thematerial through oral presentation. This is an interpretive category, not an acting category.

Rules
1. The contestant must choose quality material from at least two literary genres, which have a commontheme or emotion. Quality material is characterized by insights into human values, motivations,relationships, problems, and understandings and is not characterized by sentimentality, violence for itsown sake or unmotivated endings. Adaptations should be for the purpose of continuity only, and linesattributed to one character may not be attributed to another. The coach must bring a photocopy of thestudent’s original source of materials to provide to the Tournament Practices and Procedures Committee,should the validity be questioned. Original material is not allowed.
2. An introduction, which includes titles, authors, tone and theme is required, and along with any necessarytransitions, is to be presented without the use of notes. The presentation may begin with a read portion ofthe selected material prior to the presenter’s personal introduction. The student must identify thegenre of each selection presented.
3. The student must use a manuscript, but may not use notes. The material is to be interpreted, however,the participant will not be penalized whether or not the selection is memorized.
4. The student may not walk except during the introduction and transitions. The use of a reading stand ispermitted but not required. Costumes, props, music or other audio-visual supports may not be used.
5. Maximum time limit: 10 minutes, with an allowable 15-second grace period. There is no minimum timerequirement. Vocal music, if used, must be incidental and consist of no more than 30 seconds total. Anyentry exceeding the grace period and/or the vocal music time limit may not be ranked first in the round.If all entries in a round exceed either time limit, no first rank shall be given in that round.

Criteria for Evaluation
1. The extent to which the introduction and transitions provided the listener with appropriate unifyinginformation and identified the type of literature used.
2. The extent to which the chosen materials demonstrated literary merit. Individual judges may lower therank due to use of profanity or vulgarity.
3. The extent to which the reader indicated an intellectual, emotional and sensory understanding of thematerial presented.
4. The extent to which the reader's vocal interpretation projected the imagery of the material, includingsuch items as rhythm, cadence, diction, and phrasing, as well as the use of effective pauses, volume,rate, and pitch.
5. The extent to which the reader's physical presence was appropriate to the individual selections, includingsuch items as eye contact, facial expression, gestures, and bodily movement.