The Chooser

This guide contains information about the standard college forensics events, to help Speech Team members select one or more to work on. New team members may prepare just one event for their first tournament. Before long, they will be working on two or more events. Some tournaments permit entering as many as six; experienced team members enter from two to five events at most tournaments.

THIS GENERAL RULE APPLIES TO ALL EVENTS:

"All materials shall not have been used by the student in competition prior to September 1st of the current academic year."

The Bethany Speech Team competes in 12 standard events. Those events are broken down into four groups: Interpretation, Limited Preparation, Prepared Public Address, and Debate.

To the right is list of the different events and a link to each individual page. Below is some general information about each group of events.

Interpretation Events

Limited Preparation

Prepared Public Address

Debate

Interpretation Events: (PRO, POE, DI, POI, DUO)

Each interpretation event requires you to select material to read. While the coaches will help and guide you, they do not have a supply of material to give you. It is up to you to find the material you will read and interpret. It is, after all, going to be something that you like and will not grow tired of quickly.

To find your selection, start by recalling works or authors that you have read and enjoyed; there may be good material there, or you might identify a topic or style of literature that you could explore further. One of the benefits of forensics is that it turns participants into avid readers -- "interpers" are always on the lookout for more good material.

To be competitive you need good material. But don't spend too much time looking for "just the right reading." There is no perfect reading, and there is a lot of good literature out there. Be ready to try different things, different moods, different arrays of emotion. Some of your success will be due to the material you choose, but most of your success will come from what you do with the material.

Here are some characteristics of good material for interpretation:

  1. It should be adult literature. Sometimes readers do children's stories, but rarely do they score high competitively. Be wary of material that sounds juvenile or "high-schoolish."
  2. Good literature is universal - that is, it explores themes and situations that touch the experience of all people at all times.
  3. Good literature is individual - that is, the author explores the universal theme in a unique and special way, so that even if we have experienced the theme before, it seems fresh and new.
  4. Good literature has depth - that is, it stimulates the listener's thought and imagination more and more each time through, and the performer is still discovering new elements to convey on the 30th and 40th times the piece is performed.
  5. A good selection contains a variety of feelings, moods, and emotions. It doesn't sound "all the same" but rather gives you a chance to display several aspects of your speaking ability.
  6. A good selection does its job within the allotted time limit. Usually you must cut parts out of a selection so it fits your time limit, 10 minutes maximum. Shoot for a cutting that, on first reading, lasts 7-8 minutes. As you work on them, readings tend to take more time.
    Check your selection choice with the coaches. They will advise you regarding its quality, and especially whether it is a piece that is too often done on the circuit.

Limited Preparation Events: (IMP, EXT)

These are events in which your do not have your entire performance planned and rehearsed ahead of time, since you do not know the exact topic on which you will speak until you get to the tournament. But these events are not "unprepared." There is a lot you can (and must) do on your own and in practice sessions to become competitive in these events.

Prepared Public Address: (PER, INF, ADS, CA)

These speeches are researched carefully and then outlined, written, memorized, and practiced before the tournament. Good topics are important, but more important are the skills in analysis, organization, language, and delivery that you will display

Parliamentary Debate (Parli)

Parliamentary debate involves 2-person teams clashing on topics announced at the start of each round. This event develops a wide knowledge of current affairs, skill in argumentation, and practice in thinking on your feet.

Last updated: June 16, 2005
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