MSCI Mackinac Spring Tournament
2025 — Mackinac Island, MI/US
Impromptu-Declamation
Event Description:
Recommended prep time - 2-3 minutes.
Speaking time - 3 - 5 minutes - depending on length of piece.
Concept of Event: Schools are limited to a maximum of three entries in this event. Contestants will perform non-original orations written by historical, famous, political, real or fictional figures. Each round will have a selection of speeches to choose from, so that no one will speak the same oration.
Contestants will pull for speaking order. At the start of each speaker’s turn, they will choose three speeches, briefly look them over, choose the one they would like to perform and give the other two back to the judge. At this time, prep time begins. Recommended preparation time is 1 to 2 minutes. Performance time should be 4-5 minutes. Performances must comply with the Standards For Performance, found above. All other MIFA rules apply.
This event is an exercise in interpretation, not mimicry, so the contestant should avoid trying to reproduce the delivery style of the original speaker. Each speech is presented without the use of physical objects, script, or costume.
Each round will have an over theme for the possible speech selections such as but not limited to historical, literary, or pop culture.
BASIS FOR DECISION
Oral Presentation: Thedelivery of the speech should be enthusiastic, direct, sincere, and communicative. The speaker should give the impression of genuineness and authority. The speaker's delivery should be effective in enlisting and holding the interest of the audience. The speaker may deliver the speech from the manuscript - memorization is not expected or required.
- Presentation should best convey the spirit of the speech type. (For example, commencement speeches have a different feeling and sound than a Ted Talk or acceptance speech. )
Action and Platform Conduct: The speaker should exhibit personality, maintain direct eye contact with the audience, show physical poise, and demonstrate freedom in posture, movement, and gesture. Prompting from the audience is not allowed and could be the basis for disqualification.