Kansas Forensics Coaches Invitational

2023 — Buhler, KS/US

• Invite
• Entries
• Judges
• Pairings
• Results

Prose

Event Description:

From the KSHSAA Manual

Sec. 1. Prose expresses thought through language recorded in sentences and paragraphs. Prose includes fiction (short stories, novels) and non-fiction (articles, essays, journals, biographies). No play scripts or other material in script form may be used.

Sec. 2. Time: Presentations shall not last more than seven (7) minutes including a required introduction which will state at least the title(s) and author(s). The introduction must be memorized. The participant may complete a sentence after time is called. If an official timekeeper is assigned, a participant shall be penalized if the time limit is exceeded.

Sec. 3. Selection: One or more selections of prose shall be presented from the printed manuscript during the performance.

A. “Printed” shall be interpreted to mean the printed manuscript, a typewritten copy or a word processed copy. The use of a printed manuscript on an electronic reading device or tablet computer is allowed.

B. Only published printed words may be used. Selections may be taken from published works of humorous or serious literature and shall NOT be transcribed from records, tapes, television, movies, or be the original work of the student or coach. Original material published in a local high school publication such as a newspaper, literary magazine or yearbook is prohibited. No play scripts or other material in script form may be used. In the event of a challenge of material, the coach or sponsor must produce the original or copy of the publication at regional and state festivals or championships.

C. The selection or selections need not be memorized.

D. Selections shall be made by the student and prepared before the tournament.

E. No properties shall be allowed, including electronic or computer-generated sound effects or visuals

Sec. 4. Presentation: Performances must be from a manuscript (which may be in a folder). Reading from a book or magazine is not permitted. Since the contestant will be holding a manuscript, use of that manuscript may be an integral part of the performance. Responsive use of the body (i.e., spontaneous changes in posture and gesture) is permissible so long as this active use of the body is appropriate to the demands of the selection and a natural outgrowth from the literature being performed. With the exception of a small step at transitions, the performer’s feet shall not move. Along with appropriate, effective physical presentation, the contestant will also be evaluated in terms of technique (breathing, tone, pitch, enunciation, phrasing, pace, etc.) and artistry (presentation of mood and imagery, vocal characterization, etc.). The final test of good interpretation is the ability to use all these factors so successfully and unobtrusively that the audience forgets that this is a contest in a created atmosphere and is carried into the real or imagined world of the selection(s).