CBSR Individual Event Championships
2024 — San Bernardino, CA/US
Declamation
Event Description:
Declamation (Disclaimer: In case of a conflict between this list and CHSSA Rules in effect for 2023-24, CHSSA rules take precedence.)
Rules: If a rule is violated, check the violation box on the ballot, but rank the contestant as you would without the violation. Any penalty will be assessed by tournament officials.
A. Declamation is the delivery of a speech originally delivered in a public setting (NOT in a high school or college competition). The author, title, source, and place and date of original delivery shall be given by the contestant during the introduction, which may be given at any point during the performance.
B. The contestant shall suggest the thoughts, emotions, the ideas and the purposes of the original speaker.
C. The interpretation must be delivered from memory; no notes, prompting or scripts shall be permitted.
D. No props (the use of something extraneous to the body) or costumes shall be permitted.
E. The performance must begin and end from the center stage area. Contestants must remain in the staging area throughout the performance.
F. The speech shall be no longer than 10 minutes (including introductory and transitional materials). Exceeding the time limit by more than 30 seconds (grace period) is a violation. There is no minimum time.
Guidelines for Judging: These are guidelines only, not rules; they should be used only when appropriate to the speech. Keep in mind that there is no requirement that a contestant must use a particular style of delivery. Please use the following to help you evaluate each contestant and rank the round.
Purpose: The primary purpose of the event is to demonstrate through interpretation and delivery the contestant's comprehensive understanding of the selected speech.
Selected Oration: Was the selection effectively edited and easy to follow? Did the selection authentically present the original author's intent?
Delivery: Did the speaker use effective oral presentation skills (volume, diction, speed of delivery)? Did the speaker demonstrate mastery of performance details (voice, facial expression, body language, and movement) to achieve clarity, force and aesthetic effect? Did the speaker convey an understanding of the thoughts, emotions, the ideas and the purposes of the original speaker?
NO TIME SIGNALS - IF THE CONTESTANT GOES OVER 10 MINUTES AND 30 SECONDS, MARK THE VIOLATION AND ENTER THE ACTUAL TIME NEXT IN MINUTES AND SECONDS.