Shamrock Invitational with Wyatt Debate

2025 — Louisville, KY/US

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Poetry

Event Description:

POETRY—Junior and Senior Divisions

Judge Instructions

Rules Summary

1. In this event, each student delivers an interpretation of a published poem (or poems) that is (are) narrative, descriptive, or lyrical.

2. The maximum time is ten minutes, including a required and memorized introduction. There is a thirty second grace period, after which the student must be dropped in rank/rating. Time signals may be given at the request of the competitor. No violation of the grace period in Regional/State Quarterfinal, Semifinal, or Final rounds may result in disqualification. No performance violating the grace period may receive ‘1’ in the round.

3. One poem or a program of shorter poems (narrative, descriptive, or lyrical) may be used and shall be from a published poet or poets of literary merit. Any decision to edit literature from a different venue, potentially defying the author’s intent, to fit within this venue you do at your own risk. Students will not be disqualified for doing so. A manuscript must be used and referred to. The manuscript may be used as a property.

4. The introduction (and transitions when used) should provide adequate background for the reading as a whole and for the individual selections as needed in order to relate them to the whole.

5. Blocking is allowed for this event. Performers are NOT required to keep their feet stationary as they perform. Blocking is movement in a performance that can be expressive in nature, symbolizing how a character is feeling emotionally, while at other times blocking denotes events that are occurring in the imagined space. The movement should always be motivated by elements in the text. Movement for the sake of movement is not necessary. Performers may, without penalty, choose to remain stationary or have limited foot movement and choose instead to emphasize vocal or nonverbal forms of communication including facial gestures, facial expressions, posture, and eye contact. All performance choices should serve to enhance the overall interpretation of the selection, not just demonstrate movement capabilities.

Judge Guidelines

1. The introduction should prepare the listener for the selection(s).

2. In multiple selections, a relationship should be obvious between the literature chosen to develop the poetry program and the theme of the program.

3. The suitability of the material to the maturity level of the performer should be considered.

4. Projection, diction, and flexibility of voice are important to the student's interpretation. Multiple character voices may be used.

5. Base your decision on the performance, not on your taste in poetry.

Criteria for Judging

1. Introduction of Selection

Did the student provide necessary information to prepare the audience to listen? Did the student establish the mood and/or meaning of the selection?

1. Presentation of Selection

Was the student in control of the performance and the audience? Was there an empathic response? Did the student develop posture, muscle tone, facial expression, and limited gestures appropriate to the selection? Did the student demonstrate good vocal technique? Did the competitor use their voice effectively?

1. Overall Effectiveness

Is the selected material suitable for the maturity level of the student? Did the student exhibit by performance an understanding of what was being interpreted?

Note for judges about script selection:

The suitability of the material to the maturity level of the performer should be considered” with the following: “Students will perform material that may be controversial to some audiences, but that’s an important part of growing and learning and engaging in important dialogue in our communities. Therefore, students should never be punished for tackling difficult or controversial topics. However, it’s certainly possible that the student who is tackling that controversial topic is not adequately conveying the message in a believable way. This could be due to maturity level.

********Judge Notice********

In an effort to ensure fairness in judging practices, KHSSL has standardized the point values given to student performances. Please use the following rubric in order to assign point values to each student's performance. Students may not receive the same point value. Students may not receive more points than an individual more highly ranked. Judges are strongly encouraged to justify the reason for the rating on the ballot.