Big 8 Forensics Conference Tournament

2021 — Online, WI/US

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Storytelling

Event Description:

Purpose of the Category

To develop skill in presenting imaginative material in the narrative form.

Definition of the Category

To tell a story is to chronicle events. The burden of the storyteller is to chronicle those events in a coherent, unified, clear, and interesting manner. The storyteller may use vocal variation and physical movement from a seated position to suggest different characters and character relationships in order to make the story clearer and more interesting. It should be remembered throughout that the emphasis of the storyteller's art is on the teller as intermediary or narrator. The student is expected to "demonstrate a sense of audience," that is, tell the chosen story in such a manner that would be suitable for the intended audience, be it young children, teenagers, adults, or chronologically advanced.

Rules

1. The student will select material based upon the four topic areas announced each year. A student will choose and rehearse one or more stories for each topic area. Original material is acceptable. Topic areas for the 2020-21 season are:

• A fable
• A story about finally being heard
• A story involving ghosts/vampires/zombies/other undead

2. The tournament will determine by random selection the round in which each of the four story topics will be presented. The story topics and round schedule will be announced to competitors and judges prior to the start of round one. Every contestant will perform the same story topic in a given round. Students should indicate in their entry which of their stories should be used if they advance to the final round of the tournament.

3. An introduction, which includes titles, authors, tone and theme is required, and along with any necessary transitions, is to be presented without the use of notes. The introduction must be the original work of the speaker. The presentation may begin with a read portion of the selected material prior to the presenter’s personal introduction.

4. Notes are not permitted. The participant must sit in a chair during the performance. No costumes, props, or visual material may be used.

5. Vocal music, if used, should be incidental and not overwhelm the presentation.

6. Maximum time limit: 8 minutes, with an allowable 15-second grace period. There is no minimum time requirement. Any entry exceeding the grace period may not be ranked first in the round. If all entries in a round exceed the grace period, no first rank shall be given in that round.

Criteria for Evaluation

1. The extent to which the story and introduction (including comments which identify author, title and any other orienting material), as told, constituted a coherent, spontaneous and unified narrative appropriate to the topic area.

2. The extent to which the teller's choice of language was appropriate to the chosen story and audience. Individual judges may lower the rank due to use of profanity or vulgarity.

3. The extent to which nonverbal expressions, including such items as gestures, facial expression and bodily movement contributed to clarity.

4. The extent to which the vocal aspects of the performance were appropriate and enhancing to meaning of the story, including such items as articulation, pronunciation, vocal clarity, volume, rate and pitch.

5. The extent to which the suggestions of character and character relationship was appropriate to the material.