Seventy-First High School Open

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Event Rules

EVENT RULES

Storytelling

Students select a published story; 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. Manuscripts are permitted.There is a 10 minute time limit.

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 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 also include an introduction written by the student to  contextualize the performance and state the title and author.

Duo Interpretation

Two competitors team up to deliver a ten-minute performance of a published play or story. Using off-stage focus, Duo Interpretation 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.

Humorous 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. Humorous Interpretation is designed to test a student’s comedic skills through script analysis, delivery, timing, and character development. Competitors may portray one or multiple characters. No props or costumes may be used. Performances can also include an introduction written by the student to contextualize the performance and state the title and author.

Program Oral Interpretation

Using a combination of Prose, Poetry and Drama, students construct a program up to ten minutes in length using at least two out of the three genres. With a spotlight on argumentation and performative range, Program Oral Interpretation 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.

Informative Speaking

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.

Original Oratory

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.

Extemporaneous Speaking

In United States Extemporaneous Speaking, students are presented with a choice of three questions related to current events in the U.S. and, in 30 minutes, prepare a seven-minute speech answering the selected question. Students may consult articles and evidence they gather prior to the contest, but may not use the Internet during preparation. Topics range from political matters to economic concerns to U.S. foreign policy. The speech is delivered from memory.

Lincoln-Douglas Debate

In this one-on-one format, students debate a topic provided by the Association. Lincoln-Douglas Debate topics range from individual freedom versus the collective good to economic development versus environmental protection. Students may consult evidence gathered prior to the debate but may not use the Internet in round. An entire debate is roughly 45 minutes and consists of constructive speeches, rebuttals, and cross-examination.

Public Forum Debate

Public Forum Debate involves opposing teams of two, debating a topic concerning a current event. Proceeding a coin toss, the winners choose which side to debate (PRO or CON) or which speaker position they prefer (1st or 2nd), and the other team receives the remaining option. Students present cases, engage in rebuttal and refutation, and also participate in a “crossfire” (similar to a cross-examination) with the opportunity to question the opposing team. Often, community members are recruited to judge this event.

Congressional Debate

A simulation of the U.S. legislative process in the Senate and the House, students generate a series of bills and resolutions for debate in Congressional Debate. Debaters (also referred to as Senators and Representatives) alternate delivering speeches for and against the topic in a group setting. An elected student serves as a presiding officer to ensure debate flows smoothly. Students are assessed on their research, argumentation, and delivery skills, as well as their knowledge and use of parliamentary procedure.

Oral Interpretation

Rounds will alternate between prose and poetry. Rounds 1 and 3 will be prose, and rounds 2 and 4 will be poetry.

Poetry: Using a selection or selections of literature, students provide an interpretation of poetry with a time limit of ten minutes, including introduction. Students may not use

prose, nor drama (plays), in this category. Students must use a manuscript in Poetry, which typically consists of a small three-ring binder. Reading from a book or magazine is prohibited.

Prose: Using short story, parts of a novel, or other published work of prose, students provide an interpretation of one or more selections with a time limit of ten minutes, including introduction. Typically a single piece of literature, Prose can be drawn from works of fiction or nonfiction. Students must use a manuscript in Prose, which typically consists of a small three-ring binder. Reading from a book or magazine is prohibited.

Competitors shall not be permitted to move their feet at any time during the performance; binder must be utilized, not simply held as a prop.

Impromptu Speaking

In Impromptu Speaking, participants draw a topic from a certain category (proverbs, ordinary objects, abstract concepts, famous personalities, etc.), and are given two minutes to prepare a speech. Following their preparation time, competitors give their speeches, which are limited to five minutes in length.

Improvisational Duet Acting

Improvisational Duet Acting is an event where two competitors draw 1 topic from EACH of the following areas: character, situation and location. After two minutes of planning, they perform their scene.The scene should establish two characters, a situation or problem and a solution to the conflict. Competitors may use props found in the room, and may use eye contact and physical contact. Maximum time is 4 minutes.