NJSDL January Online Speech Festival

2026 — Online / NSDA Campus, NJ/US

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Poetry Interpretation (HS)

Event Description:

Time is 5 minutes with a 30 second grace period.

Using a selection or selections of literature, students provide an oral interpretation of poetry.

This event is five (5) minutes with a thirty (30) second grace period. Students are required to include an introduction.

In Poetry a manuscript is required, so students should read their script from a binder of in hand, but expression, articulation, and interpretation should be evident. We are looking for presentation of ideas, themes, and meaning interpretation shown through body language, facial expressions, voice, and body language.

Judges should leave and save comments for each individual separately and then comments to team as a whole. Please make sure to leave something. You should enter your decision first and then you can update or put in comments later if needed or type as you go.