Speech Event Descriptions

Oratorical Declamation:

1) A selection used in Oratorical Declamation must have been originally delivered in the form a speech by its author, a person other than the present speaker. The speaker must have an introduction which is at most one minute and names the work, author, and describes the circumstances under which the speech was originally presented. The original speaker's words must not be altered for the presentation with the exception that cutting is permitted. Material being performed at the NCFL tournament must match the student’s original script. Selections may include professional speeches, public orations, eulogies, and sermons. Stand-up comedy routines are prohibited. Any non-speaking expressions such as singing or dancing should not be excessive or dominate the performance. Judges ranks may reflect if non-speaking expressions have dominated the performance.

2) The selection must be memorized. If the speaker refers to prepared notes of any kind or a script during the presentation, the speaker will be disqualified.

3) The speaker should develop the ability to convey the message in a sincere, honest, and realistic style. The mechanics of speech must be observed faithfully: poise, quality of voice, effectiveness and ease of gesture, emphasis, variety, and enunciation. In addition, the speaker must be able to interpret the meaning of the speech and be able to carry the interpretation over to the minds of the listeners. The speaker must be able to interest the listeners and to hold their attention. Positions other than standing should not be excessive in length or dominate the performance.

4) No particular style should be demanded of the speaker; rather, the contestant should be free to select and to develop a personal style and be judged according to the degree of perfection attained and the effectiveness in influencing the listeners. While the specifics of the speech and any style of delivery which the speaker adopts should be judged in light of the purpose of the speech, artificiality is to be discredited. This event is an interpretation, not an impersonation.

5) This event is limited to freshman and sophomore students.

6) Time limits: Maximum - 10 minutes, including at most a 60 second introduction to the selection. If the speaker goes over a 30 second grace period, that contestant may not be awarded first place. No minimum time.

7) No properties or costumes of any kind may be used. Using “properties” means manipulating articles of clothing or objects to enhance the performance. Speakers using properties and/or wearing costumes will be disqualified.

Dramatic Performance:

1) The speaker must offer a memorized dramatic presentation. If the speaker refers to prepared notes of any kind or a script during the presentation, the speaker will be disqualified.

2) The presentation must be from a single published play, single published script, or single fictional or non-fictional work, not poetry. It is the affirmative obligation of all NCFL coaches to ensure that all materials presented in interpretation events must be available and readily accessible to all members of the league. At the NCFL tournament, coaches should bring an original script with an ISBN, ISSN, or IFFN, or eBook Number and Library Name. If the script does not have an ISBN, ISSN, or IFFN, or eBook Number and Library Name, the coach or supervising adult must be able to show that the script was purchased or obtained commercially; ie. from a literary agent or publisher or bill of sale or that the manuscript is publicly accessible by a simple internet search or by a URL not requiring passwords or access codes and the retrieval date. Lines which are attributed to one character in a published play or script must not be attributed to another character in the performance. The author's words as published in the literature must not be altered for the presentation with the exception that cutting is permitted. Material being performed at the NCFL tournament must match the student’s original script.

3) The presentation may be either serious or humorous and should have some literary merit. Important consideration should be given to the quality of the selection.

4) While singing is permitted, it should not be excessive or dominate the performance. Judges’ ranks may reflect if singing has dominated the performance.

5) Single or multiple character cuttings will be allowed. When doing a multiple-characterization the performer should create effective interaction between the characters.

6) Although this is primarily a display of vocal ability, body language will play a part in the overall performance, and since it is a drama, more vocal and physical suggestion may be required in order to portray characters, conflict, and story. However, no physical action should be performed that will distract the listeners' attention from the drama being presented. The performance should display another world outside the performance setting. Positions other than standing should not be excessive in length or dominate the performance.

7) No properties or costumes of any kind may be used. Using “properties” means manipulating articles of clothing or objects to enhance the performance. Speakers using properties and/or wearing costumes will be disqualified.

8) Time limits: Maximum - 10 minutes, including introductory and transitional material other than the author's words. Material thus used should be limited to one minute. If the speaker goes over a 30 second grace period, that contestant may not be awarded first place. No minimum time.

Extemporaneous Speaking:

1) The speech should be an original synthesis by the contestant of the current fact and opinion on the designated topic as presented by numerous sources. Source materials should be represented with relative accuracy in the speech. The speaker is responsible for the ethical use of source information.

2) Topics concerning events within the second semester of the academic year of the Tournament should be used.

3) Selection of the general topic areas and preparation of 12-15 topics in each area should be made by the Second Vice President of the LEAGUE.

4) The contestant should be held accountable for strict adherence to the precise statement of the topic selected and should be penalized for any obvious shifting to a quite different topic.

5) Information presented should be well-chosen, pertinent, and sufficient to support the central thought of the topic.

6) The speaker is permitted a personal opinion or interpretation of the subject. Speakers must not be penalized for expressing views with which the judge happens to disagree.

7) Material should be organized according to some logical plan to produce a complete speech within the time allowed. The speech must be extemporaneous and delivered without notes. If the speaker refers to prepared notes of any kind or a script during the presentation, the speaker will be disqualified. Positions other than standing should not be excessive in length or dominate the performance.

8) Speakers shall be allowed to bring to the preparation room the following printed materials and only these: magazines, newspapers, dictionaries, thesaurus, reference indices, newspaper and/or magazine clippings - files organized under general headings, almanacs and appropriate reference books, books and/or pamphlets. Participants in Extemporaneous Speaking are given the option of using battery operated lap top computers when in the Preparation Room. Materials can be on files on their computers or retrieved from an attached flash drive. Prepared speeches will not be allowed.

9) All material brought into the preparation room by speakers will be subject at any time to scrutiny of the Tournament Committee and staff responsible for this event.

10) Speakers may share reference materials; however, any collaboration on speech preparation is forbidden.

11) When the speaker's code number is called, s/he draws 3 questions from among those prepared for the specific round. After consideration, the speaker returns 2 and gives the Director of the event the number of the question s/he has chosen to answer. The Director notes the topic and time, and the contestant begins to prepare the speech. The speaker must remain in the preparation room until sent to the competition room by the Director of the event.

12) Speakers will have thirty (30) minutes of preparation time. Upon leaving the preparation room speakers must relinquish all preparation materials except the drawn question. During the preparation for, and during the competition round, students must not access any research materials, oral, written, or electronic, outside of the preparation room.

13) Time limits: Maximum - 7 minutes. If the speaker goes over a 30 second grace period, that contestant must not be awarded first place. No minimum time.

Oral Interpretation of Literature:

1) The speaker shall prepare two programs of manuscript-based literature substantially different in content, author, and/or original source. Each program shall consist of a single piece, a cutting, or a series of short pieces united by author or theme. One program shall be published prose; the other, published poetry. If questioned, the genre of the selection must be specified in the original manuscript or must be verifiable by a simple Internet search. If using a series of pieces, all titles and authors must be cited. The performer has the burden to be clear at all times which piece is being used. In the prepared script, the pieces should be clearly delineated via highlighting or font style and spacing to enable review in case of a protest. It is the affirmative obligation of all NCFL coaches to ensure that all materials presented in interpretation events must be available and readily accessible to all members of the league. At the NCFL tournament, coaches should bring an original script with an ISBN, ISSN, or IFFN, or eBook Number and Library Name. If the script does not have an ISBN, ISSN, or IFFN, or eBook Number and Library Name, the coach or supervising adult must be able to show that the script was purchased or obtained commercially; ie. from a literary agent or publisher or bill of sale or that the manuscript is publicly accessible by a simple internet search or by a URL not requiring passwords or access codes and the retrieval date. Each program must contain an introduction for purposes of explication, setting, or selection transitions. Lines attributed to one character in the published source must not be attributed to another character in the performance. The author's words as published in the literature must not be altered for the presentation with the exception that cutting is permitted. Material being performed at the NCFL tournament must match the student’s original script.

2) The literature chosen may include any form of prose or poetry, fiction or non-fiction. Drama, including theatrical monologues, is prohibited. Speeches written to be delivered in real-life are prohibited.

3) No properties except a manuscript or binder may be used. Using “properties” means manipulating articles of clothing or objects to enhance the performance. Speakers using properties and/or wearing costumes will be disqualified.

4) Speakers should keep eye contact between audience and manuscript in reasonable balance. Speakers who fail to maintain the illusion of reading from the manuscript must not be ranked first.

5) Speakers should keep gesture and bodily movement to a minimum. The selection should be delivered from center stage. Movement and gestures, if used, should be appropriate to the selection. Speakers should not walk during performances. They should emphasize vocal variety and facial expression to enhance the literary interpretation. While singing is permitted, it should not be excessive or dominate the performance. Judges’ ranks may reflect if singing has dominated the performance. Only the performers’ feet may touch the ground.

6) Speakers may use a persona, and they may use character voices, but they are not necessary.

7) Important consideration should be given to the quality of the selection. 8) Time limits: Maximum - 10 minutes. This includes at most 1 minute of introductory and transition material other than the author's words. If the speaker goes over a 30 second grace period, that contestant must not be awarded first place. No minimum time.

Original Oratory:

1) The speaker should be expected to discuss with a degree of originality, and in an interesting manner, the topic chosen.

2) The speakers should be given wide latitude in the ideas they express, but they should be held closely accountable for the manner in which they are expressed. Speakers must not be penalized for expressing views with which the judge happens to disagree. It is suggested, but not obligatory, that the topic be a subject of contemporary significance.

3) The speech must be one that has been composed by the student delivering it.

4) The speech must be memorized. If the speaker refers to prepared notes of any kind or a script during the presentation, the speaker will be disqualified.

5) The number of words quoted from authors other than the contestant must not exceed 150. Extensive paraphrasing of other sources is prohibited and constitutes grounds for disqualification.

6) Original orations should be composed from the standpoint of the present speaker. However, the use of a persona for a maximum length of 1 minute shall be permitted.

7) Visual and audio-visual aids are not permitted. No properties or costumes of any kind may be used. Using “properties” means manipulating articles of clothing or objects to enhance the performance. Speakers using properties and/or wearing costumes will be disqualified. While singing is permitted, it should not be excessive or dominate the performance. Judges’ ranks may reflect if singing has dominated the performance. Positions other than standing should not be excessive in length or dominate the performance.

8) Time limits: Maximum - 10 minutes. If the speaker goes over a 30 second grace period, that contestant must not be awarded first place. No minimum time.

Duo Interpretation of Literature:

1) The selection, delivered by two students each representing the same member school, must be from a single play, fictional or non-fictional work. A series of poems is permitted. The poetry may be taken from a variety of published sources united by a single poet. It is the affirmative obligation of all NCFL coaches to ensure that all materials presented in interpretation events must be available and readily accessible to all members of the league. At the NCFL tournament, coaches should bring an original script with an ISBN, ISSN, or IFFN, or eBook Number and Library Name. If the script does not have an ISBN, ISSN, or IFFN, or eBook Number and Library Name, the coach or supervising adult must be able to show that the script was purchased or obtained commercially; ie. from a literary agent or publisher or bill of sale or that the manuscript is publicly accessible by a simple internet search or by a URL not requiring passwords or access codes and the retrieval date. Performing the author’s exact words from the published original work is a core value of interpretation in NCFL. Cutting, the removal and rearrangement of the author’s words to shape a 10 minute performance, is permitted. Material being performed at the NCFL tournament must match the student’s original script.

2) The material may be humorous or dramatic, or may combine both tones, depending on the work selected. Important consideration should be given to the quality of the selection.

3) Any part of the literature that a student uses in a Duo Interpretation presentation must follow the rules of Duo Interpretation or the students shall be subject to disqualification.

4) The selection must be memorized. If the speaker refers to prepared notes of any kind or a script during the presentation, the speaker will be disqualified.

5) The introduction should name the work, the author, and set the theme or the mood. Teasers are permitted.

6) Except during introduction and transition, eye contact is aimed only in the audience's direction; focal points are to be employed during dialogue; eye contact with specific audience members during narration is permitted. Pantomime, if used, should be accurate and realistic.

7) The selection should begin from the center stage area.

8) No properties or costumes of any kind may be used. Using “properties” means manipulating articles of clothing or objects to enhance the performance. Speakers using properties and/or wearing costumes will be disqualified.

9) The two interpreters should effectively utilize pitch, volume, phrasing, vocal quality, tone, articulation, enunciation and fluency to create the characterizations desired. The dialogue between characters should reflect a genuine sense of interaction, not a mechanical exchange of lines. While singing is permitted, it should not be excessive or dominate the performance. Judges’ ranks may reflect if singing has dominated the performance.

10) Performers are not allowed to make deliberate physical contact with each other during the performance, except during the introduction. Physical movement is restricted to performers moving around one another, switching position, pivoting from side to side or turning around completely. Positions other than standing should not be excessive in length or dominate the performance. Should the performers make deliberate physical contact with each other during the performance, except during the introduction, or make deliberate physical movements other than those permitted herein, the performers will be disqualified.

11) Physically, the characters should react to each other’s verbal and non-verbal expressions but they must not touch each other.

12) Time limits: Maximum - 10 minutes, including introductory and transitional material other than the author's words. Material thus used should be limited to one minute. If the speakers go over a 30 second grace period, those contestants must not be awarded first place. No minimum time.