Big 8 Conference Tournament

2011 — WI/US

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Poetry

Event Description:

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

Definition of the Category
The student should select a poem or a group of poems centering on a specific theme or emotion.

Rules
1. Adaptations should be for the purpose of continuity only, and lines attributed to one character may notbe attributed to another. Original material is allowed. The coach must bring a photocopy of the student’soriginal source of materials to provide to the Tournament Practices and Procedures Committee, shouldthe validity 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, participant will not bepenalized 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, if used, established the theme andcontributed to an understanding of the poetry.
2. The extent to which intended intellectual content (what is happening) was recreated. Individual judgesmay lower the rank due to use of profanity or vulgarity.
3. The extent to which the emotional comprehension (how it feels) of the poetry was revealed throughcontrol of vocal quality, inflection, force and timing.
4. The extent to which the appropriate vocal techniques, including such items as rhythm, cadence,phrasing, articulation and pronunciation, were used.
5. The extent to which the physical presence was appropriate to the poetry, including such items as eyecontact, facial expression, gestures and bodily movement.