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Original Oratory / Oratorical Interpretation:

Original Oratory and Oratorical Interpretation are considered to be the true speaking categories. In these categories, speakers are judged on variety, rate, tone, and pitch. Competitors must portray their ideas and emotions without acting. Speech topics can be about anything, from diversity to jelly donuts; students are free to express their thoughts and personal views on an issue. The only difference between the two is that Oratorical Interpreters do not write their own speeches. They choose a previously written speech by an Original Orator that has been either published, or performed at a state level. Presentations are approximately ten minutes in length.

Prose and Poetry:

Prose and Poetry is currently one of the largest categories state-wide. In this category, students combine a minimum of two-hundred words of prose and poetry each into an 8-10 minute speech. Prose can be any form of literature, while poetry can be actual written poetry or song lyrics. To connect the works together, student written transitions are placed throughout the speech. Students carry their cut in a small black binder to use as a reference and prop during their rounds. Cuts in this category range from touching and emotional to light-hearted and humorous.

Dramatic Interpretation:

In dramatic interpretation, a student chooses a script of about eight to ten minutes. It is usually serious or dramatic in nature, and the student can take on more than one character. Emotion, interpretation of characters, vocals, presentation, and poise are central elements of this event. The central objective of Drama is to make the viewer feel egaged and empathetic towards the topic.

Humorous Interpretation:

This unique category gives students the opportunity to portray their extreme creative abilities. They must choose a script of about eight to ten minutes. Everyone must choreograph their cut, highlighting funny and insightful lines. The basic idea is to set yourself apart as the most entertaining and comical speaker in the round. This category is very physically active and requires competitors to be over-the-top with voices, volume, and characterization.

Duo Interpretation:

Duo Interpretation is often considered the most entertaining of all speech categories. This category primarily focuses on the students' acting abilities. The competitors cannot look at or touch each other during the course of the eight to ten minute cutting. The students must be perfectly timed and synchronized, which makes the category even more challenging. Most cuttings consist of a multitude of characters, requiring the students to use a variety of voices and a creative use of their small space.

Impromptu:

Impromptu speaking gives students the opportunity to show off their best creative and "on the spot" thinking abilities. Contestants draw a quote on-the-spot and have a total of seven minutes to both prepare and give a presentation. Most competitors use two minutes to prepare and speak for roughly five minutes. They perform their speech for a judge, complete with a catchy introduction, supportive points, and original conclusion. Students are urged to as unique and captivating as possible, so the judge remembers their presentation long after it has been finished.

International and Domestic Extemp:

In Extemporaneous speaking, students must be both well read and able to think on their feet. Students in Domestic Extemporaneous focus on national issues, such as, "Who will be the Republican nominee for President in 2012?" An International Extemporaneous issue is on a global scale, with questions such as, "What challenges do the African Union face in the upcoming year?" Students have thirty minutes to prepare and memorize their presentation on a topic drawn, utilizing facts from a variety of sources stored in a portable "box". Speeches are typically seven minutes long and should be both informative and entertaining.

Lincoln-Douglas Debate:

Lincoln Douglas Debate is a debate of value philosophy between two competitors. The objective of this category is for the speaker to persuade the judge that his or her value is superior through a criterion, or test, followed by contentions, or statements of support. There are two positions in a Lincoln Douglas debate, affirmative and negative. The affirmative must uphold the resolution, which is a statement dealing with a controversial issue. The negative, on the other hand, must persuade the judge in the opposite direction. Resolutions are debated for two months.

Public Forum Debate:

In Public Forum Debate, teams of two debaters square off on a monthly topic selected by the National Forensic League. The teams follow a set speaking order involving prepared speeches, improvised speeches, and cross-examiniation. This debate event is generally less formal than Lincoln-Douglas Debate and tries to focus debate on current, important issues.