Copper Classic

2023 — South Jordan, UT/US

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Declamation (Asynchronous)

Event Description:

Declamation requires students to select a speech thatwas delivered in public and perform an excerpt of thatspeech to an audience. Speeches are up to 10 minutes inlength. As a result, students typically shorten the text ofthe speech to meet time requirements. The event is notdesigned for students to mimic the original author ofthe speech. Instead, speakers are to develop an orationthat delivers the message of the author in an original andengaging manner.

There are a couple of key structural components of DEC:First, the cutting. A performer’s cutting is the 10-minuteselection they perform. This is how they’ve arranged theperformance, and what aspects of the speech they’vedecided to tell. It is okay for the student to move sectionsof text around in a different order than the author to helpmake the 10-minute version they’re delivering flow best.Second, the introduction. Students will construct a shortintroduction that gives context to their performance. Ata minimum, the introduction should establish the titleof the speech, the author, and when it was delivered.Typically students will do a short portion of the speechbefore delivering their intro, sometimes called ateaser.Some students do the introduction and then go into thespeech. There is no preferred method; simply evaluatewhether or not the introduction gave you a solidfoundation to evaluate the speech, and fit within the flowof the speech!

The Declamation could follow this general structure:
•Teaser– 30 to 45 seconds – student delivers a smallportion of the speech to establish the mood andgeneral theme
•Introduction– 20 to 30 seconds – student delivers theintroduction
•Main Body of Speech– 7 to 8 minutes – studentdelivers the main points of the speech
•Conclusion of Speech– 30 to 45 seconds – studentwraps up the speech

There are three key areas to consider when evaluatingDeclamation.
First,cutting. Do you understand what is happening? Doesthe speech flow effectively? Does the sequence of ideascontained in the speech make sense?
Second,delivery. Is the speech, as performed, appropriatefor the situation? Does the student use voice, posture, andgestures to enhance the message?
Third,context. Does the performer engage with theaudience? Does the performance appropriately capturethe context of the speech?

Performers are ranked compared to the other students in their room with the best performance receiving the one ranking. The judge may also assign speaker points, typically in a range from 90 to 100, with 100 being outstanding. The judge writes on the ballot how the speaker can improve (e.g., eye contact, clarity, emotion, etc.) and what the student did well. This is an educational activity and all feedback is welcome. Please make sure the feedback is constructive and not merely critical.

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