Speech & Supplemental Event Information

Main Speech Events

(from NSDA Competitive Events Guide & PHSSL)

Declamation requires students to select a speech that was delivered in public and perform an excerpt of that speech to an audience. Speechesare up to 10 minutes in length. As a result, students typically shorten the text of the speech to meet time requirements. The event is not designed for students to mimic the original author of the speech. Instead, speakers are to develop an oration that delivers the message of the author in an original and engaging manner.

Time Limit: 10 minutes

Dramatic Interpretation - Using a play, short story, or other published work, students perform a selection of one or more portions of a piece up to ten minutes in length. With a spotlight on character development and depth, Dramatic Interpretation (DI) focuses on a student’s ability to convey emotion through the use of a dramatic text. Competitors may portray one or multiple characters. No props or costumes may be used. Performances may also include an introduction written by the student to contextualize the performance and state the title and author.

Time Limit: 10 minutes

Duo Interpretation - Two competitors team up to deliver a ten-minute performance of a published play or story. Using off-stage focus, Duo Interpretation (DUO) competitors convey emotion and environment through a variety of performance techniques focusing on the relationships and interactions between the characters. No props or costumes are used. Performances may also include an introduction written by the students to contextualize the performance and state the title and author.

Time Limit: 10 minutes

Extemporaneous Speaking, typically called Extemp, is a speech on current events with limited preparation time. A student’s understanding of important political, economic, and cultural issues is assessed along with critical thinking and analytical skills. Students report to a draw room (often referred to as Extemp prep) where all of the extempers gather at tables, set out their files, and await their turn to draw topics. A staff member in the prep room calls out student codes based upon a pre-assigned speaker order. When a student’s code is called, the student will approach the draw table and select one of three available prompts. The student will then prepare for thirty minutes to deliver a speech answering the chosen topic. When prep timeis up, the student reports to the competition room to deliver a seven minute speech.

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Time Limit: 7 minutes

Humorous Interpretation, as its name indicates, is humorous. Competitors often use multi-character selections to tell relatable stories using humor as a device to connect with the audience. Think about your favorite comedian’s latest stand up routine, or something funny that recently happened. Ask yourself why it’s funny. Then ask yourself if that joke would be funny to, say, your mom, or great-great Uncle Joe. Humor is a complex human quirk. Each individual’s sense of humor is unique. However, other aspects of humor are more universal in nature. So, when choosing an HI, it is imperative to consider not only the humorous elements of the selection, but also to keep in mind how the story itself will appeal to the audience. Not everyone will laugh at the same joke, but if a character’s plight is relatable, the audience will identify with them. Humor in a Humorous Interpretation should be tasteful and motivated.

Time Limit: 10 minutes

Impromptu is a public speaking event where students have seven minutes to select a topic, brainstorm their ideas, outline, and deliver a speech. The speech is given without notes and uses an introduction, body, and conclusion. The speech can be lighthearted or serious. It can be based upon prompts that range from nursery rhymes, current events, celebrities, organizations, and more.

Prep & Speaking Time Combined: 7 minutes

Informative - Students deliver a self-written, ten-minute speech on a topic of their choosing. Limited in their ability to quote words directly, Informative Speaking competitors craft a speech using evidence, logic, and optional visual aids. All topics must be informative in nature; the goal is to educate, not to advocate. The speech is delivered from memory.

Time Limit: 10 minutes

Persuasive - Students deliver a self-written, ten-minute speech on a topic of their choosing. Limited in their ability to quote words directly, Original Oratory competitors craft an argument using evidence, logic, and emotional appeals. Topics range widely, and may be informative or persuasive in nature. The speech is delivered from memory. No visuals.

Time Limit: 10 minutes

Poetry - Selections used in this event must be in poetic form. Speeches and selections from drama are not to be used. The reader must hold the book or manuscript. No properties except the traditional manuscript or binder may be used. Each reader shall give a brief introduction to the reading. The purposes of the introduction are to arouse Speakers should keep gestures 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.

Time Limit: 10 minutes

Program Oral Interpretation - Using a combination of prose, poetry, and drama, students construct a program up to 10 minutes in length using at least two out of the three genres: prose, poetry, and drama (plays). With a spotlight on argumentation and performative range, Program Oral Interpretation (POI) focuses on a student’s ability to combine multiple genres of literature centered around a single theme. Competitors are expected to portray multiple characters. No props or costumes may be used except for the manuscript. Performances also include an introduction written by the student to contextualize the performance and state the titles and authors used in the program.

Time Limit: 10 minutes

Prose - Selections used in this event must be in prose form. Selections from drama are not to be used. The reader must hold the book of manuscript. No properties except a traditional manuscript or binder may be used. Each reader shall give a brief introduction to the reading. The purposes of the introduction are to arouse the

interest of the audience and to provide the necessary background for the reading. 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.

Time Limit: 10 minutes

Supplemental Events

Expository is a five-minute informative speech that introduces to the audience a topic of the student’s choosing. The speaker should provide unique insights and explore interesting implications. At its core, Expository is an informative speech. Students doing Expository may cover topics ranging from an organization, to a product, a process, or concept. Effective speeches provide new information or perspectives on a topic, including those that are widely known.

Time Limit: 5 minutes

Storytelling - Students select a published story that meets a specified theme and perform the story for no more than five minutes. Some tournaments may ask Storytelling performers to follow a theme, though the National Tournament does not. Storytelling (STO) themes range widely and may include mysteries, heroism, or fairy tales. Students select a story that would be appropriate for young children and tell the story as if presenting to that audience. Students may use a chair. Manuscripts are not permitted.

Time Limit: 5 minutes

Radio Broadcasting - In this event, students will have 5 minutes to prepare to deliver a tournament-created news script. This script will test the student’s control over speaking, pronunciation, enunciation, volume, and speed. The script should be delivered in 2 minutes or less, with a 15 second grace period. The judge shall be seated with their back turned to the student, so as to invoke a traditional radio broadcast.

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Time Limit: 2 minutes

Improvisational Duo - In this event, students will have 7 minutes to prepare and perform a scene based on a topic drawn in the style of the Impromptu event. The purpose is purely entertainment, and humor is encouraged, though not required. Normal conventions of Duo Interpretation apply, so the speakers should deliver their scene as if this was a round of Duo Interpretation.

Prep & Speaking Time Combined: 7 minutes