Big 8 Conference Tournament

2011 — WI/US

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Oral Interpretation of Literature

Event Description:

Purpose of the Category
To develop skill in conveying an understanding of prose and poetry through the use of body and voice.

Definition of the Category
The presenter prepares a literary program in poetry and a program in prose (short stories, cuttings fromnovels, monologues and soliloquies, essays, or other non-fiction work) – each centering on a theme oremotion – for interpretation in alternating rounds of competition. This is an interpretive event, not an actingcategory.

Rules
1. The student should prepare two programs of literature (poetry and prose – each of which have acommon theme or emotion), which are presented in alternating rounds of competition. Adaptationsshould be for the purpose of continuity only, and lines attributed to one character may not be attributedto another. Original material is allowed. The coach must bring a photocopy of the student’s originalsource of materials to provide to the Tournament Practices and Procedures Committee, should thevalidity be questioned.
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.
3. The participant must use a manuscript. The material is to be interpreted, however, the participant willnot be penalized whether or not the selection is memorized.
4. The participant may not walk except during the introductions and transitions. Costumes and props maynot be used.
5. Maximum time limit: 8 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 optional transitions established the theme and contributed to anunderstanding of the selection.
2. The extent to which the intended intellectual content (what is happening) was created. Individual judgesmay lower the rank due to use of profanity or vulgarity.
3. The extent to which the vocal quality, inflection, force and emotional comprehension (how it feels) ofthe selection was revealed through control of vocal quality, inflection, force and timing.
4. The extent to which the vocal interpretation projected the visual imagery of the selection, including suchitems as articulation and pronunciation, use of emphasis, effective pauses and proper volume, rate andpitch.
5. The extent to which the physical presence was appropriate to the selection, including such items as eyecontact, facial expression, gestures and bodily movement.