| Membership Expectations
Interpretive Events
Poetry: A selection or selections of poetry of literary merit, which may be drawn from more than one source. The focus of this event should be on the development of language.
Prose: A selection or selections of prose material of literary merit, which may be drawn from more than one source. The focus of this event is on the development of the narrative/story.
Dramatic: Excerpt(s) from a play or plays of literary merit that may represent one or more characters. The focus of this event is on the development of characterization.
Dramatic Duo: A cutting from a play or plays of literary merit, humorous or serious, that involves a portrayal of two or more characters represented by two individuals. This material may be drawn from stage, screen, or radio, but is not an acting event.
Theme/Program Oral: A program of thematically linked selections of literary merit, chosen from two or three recognizable genres of competitive interpretation (prose, poetry, drama). The focus of this event is on the development of the theme through the use of a story, language, and/or characterization.
Public Address Events
Persuasive Speaking: An original speech by the student designed to inspire, reinforce, or change the beliefs, attitudes, values, or actions of the audience.
Informative Speaking: An original, factual speech by the student on a realistic subject, aimed to inform the audience about the topic.
After Dinner Speaking: An original humorous speech by the student designed to exhibit sound speech composition, thematic coherence, direct communicative public speaking skills, and good taste.
Communication Analysis: An original speech by the student designed to offer an explanation and/or evaluation of a communication event such as a speech or speaker, poem, poster, film, campaign, or other, through the use of rhetorical principles.
Extemporaneous Speaking: Contestants will be given three topics in the general area of current events, choose one, and have 30 minutes to prepare an original speech.
Impromptu Speaking: An impromptu speech, substantive in nature, with topic selections varied by round and by section. Topics will be taken from quotes.
