Appalachian Speech and Debate Championship

2021 — NSDA Campus, WV/US

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Program Oral Interpretation

Event Description:

PROGRAM ORAL INTERPRETATION

1. POI is a program of oral interpretation of thematically linked selections chosen from two or three genres: prose, poetry, drama (plays). At least two pieces of literature that represent at least two separate genres must be used. Unlike the other interpretation events, Program Oral Interpretation may use multiple sources for the program.

2. The time limit is a maximum of ten minutes with a thirty second grace. An introduction is included in that time limit. The title or author of all selections must be verbally identified in either the introduction and/or transitional phrases. Contestants who do not fall within the time limit cannot be ranked first in the round.

3. The use of a manuscript during the performance is required.

4. The intact manuscript may be used by the contestant as a prop, so long as it is in the contestant’s control by remaining in contact with the body at all times.

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

6. The contestant must address the script; however, introduction and transitional material may be memorized.

7. Movement, blocking, gestures, and pantomime are allowed.

8. This is a contest in interpretation. The contestants should be evaluated on poise, quality and use of voice, inflections, emphasis, pronunciation, enunciation, physical expression, and especially the ability to interpret characters correctly and consistently.

9. A student may not use the same cutting from a play, screenplay, novel, short story or poem for Duo Interpretation, Dramatic or Humorous Interpretation, Prose or Poetry at the same tournament.

10. Students may not use a cutting from the same play, screenplay, novel, short story, or poem or the same cutting that they have used in previous years.

11. Sources of material must be made available to the tournament director upon request. If the requested material cannot be provided, or if the source is questionable or not credible, the student cannot advance in the tournament or receive an award.