Collierville Holiday Classic

2026 — Collierville, TN/US

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Program Oral Interpretation

Event Description:

Program of Oral Interp

Judging Rules and Guidelines

A. Contest Requirements

1. Literature

a. POI is a program of oral interpretation of thematically-linked selections

chosen from two or three genres: prose, poetry, plays. At least two pieces of

literature that represent at least two separate genres must be used. Prose and

poetry literature are defined within the rules for Prose and Poetry Interp.

b. POI may use multiple sources for the program. All selections must be verbally

identified by title and author. Students are encouraged to devote approximately

equal time to each of the genres used in the program. This distinction pertains to

these two or three genres as a whole, not types of literature within a genre (such

as fiction/nonfiction).

c. Transitions may be used.

d. Material from the Internet that is not printed and published in any other

media is prohibited.

e. A student may not use a cutting from a work of literature that the student

used in THSSDL competition in any previous contest year.

f. The original published source of any selections used must be immediately

available at the tournament, as well as a complete script of the cutting.

g. The literature may not be the student's own work.

2. Time

a. The maximum time limit is ten (10) minutes with 30 second “grace” period.

b. The introduction to the selection is considered part of the overall time limit.

c. Penalties will be imposed for exceeding the time limit.

3. Performance

a. Vocal, facial, and bodily expressions may be used as long as they do not call

attention to the interpreter as a performer, detract from the meaning of the

material, or constitute acting or impersonation.

b. Contestants must use a manuscript.

i. The intact manuscript may be used by the student as a prop, so long as

it remains in the contestant’s control at all times.

ii. No costumes or props other than the manuscript are permitted.

iii. The student must address the script; however, introduction and

transitional material may be memorized.

4. Judging criteria

Program of Oral Interpretation will be evaluated on appropriateness of the

selection to the event and to the contestant. The studentʼs understanding of the

selections, vocal and physical control, communication of meaning and how well

she/he handled the manuscript will also be considered. The student’s ability to

present a theme through the literature and to transition smoothly from selection

to selection should be considered.