Mount St Mary Academy Forensics Festival
2025 — Little Rock, AR/US
HS Poetry
Event Description:
CRITERIA: If a rule is broken, judge should lower performers one ranking and rating
In Poetry Interpretation (PO), students provide an interpretation of one or more selections with a time limit of five minutes including introduction. Poetry is characterized by writing that conveys ideas, experiences, and emotions through language and expression. Students may choose traditional poetry, often characterized by rhyme or rhythm, or nontraditional poetry, which often has a rhythmic flow but is not necessarily structured by formal meter (meter is a beat, pattern, or structure, such as iambic pentameter). Students may not use prose nor drama (plays).
*An introduction should be presented in a creative manner explaining necessary background of character(s) and selection .
*Title and author must be stated in the introduction.
*Students must use a manuscript. Scripts must be in a uniform black binder per NSDA-event rules adopted by ACTAA via the Qualifying Document.
*The performer may choose to incorporate limited movement into their presentation.
*Time limit, inclusive of introduction, is 5 minutes with a 30 second grace period (if the performer goes beyond the 30 second grace period, the performer may not be ranked first). There is no time minimum.
*Note: It is the expectation that performances are the artistic creation of the performer(s). If there is suspicion of plagiarism, please be prepared to cite the source that was copied and consult with the tournament director.
COMMENTS:
Introduction: Did it establish background information?Was it appropriate for the selection and set the tone?
Selection: Did the selection meet literary standards?Was the selection worthy of study on the part of the student?Was the cutting adequate?
Delivery: Were the voice(s), gestures, and facial expressions adapted to the selection? Was tempo correct?
Understanding: Did the speaker understand the issues the topic deals with? Did the student understand the author’s theme and purpose?
Overall Impression: Were the characters differentiated clearly?Were the emotional and mental elements of the charactersunderstood and projected efficiently? Did the presenter do justice to the material?