Davis High School Speech and Debate

Original Oratory: Original Oratory (often shortened to "OO") is a competitive event in the National Forensic League, National Catholic Forensic League, and other high school forensiccompetitions in which competitors deliver an original speech on a subject of their choosing, though the speech must be factual. Though the rules for the category change from organization to organization, generally, an Oratory must be written and memorized by the performer and should be no more than ten minutes in length.

 

Original Advocacy: Original Advocacy is a type of speech event practiced in California High School Speech Association (or CHSSA) event, in which the speaker writes a persuasive speech and delivers it in competition. It is often referred to as 'OA', and is the Californian High School version of persuasive speeches. The speaker has ten minutes to present a problem, its significance, and a legislative solution to fix the stated problem. The problem is not a general one, such as apathy, but is a more specific one that can be legislated and solved, such as medical malpractice or statutory rape.

Prose & Poetry: Competitors in Prose & Poetry (short form: P-P) read an unmemorized cut of prose or poetry, which is typically read from a small black binder. A short memorized introduction precedes the prose or poetry reading. The time limit for these events is typically seven minutes, occasionally with a 30 second grace period, though in some areas the time limit is ten minutes. Competition rules are the same as for NFL interpretation events.

Expository Speaking: . Expository speeches are original compositions of the contestant. The expository speech is a speech to inform, not a performance. It should describe, clarify, illustrate or define an object, idea, concept, or process. A fabricated topic/subject may not be used. In expository, a student may not use any portion of his/her original oration entered at any NFL tournament. Maximum time of presentation is five minutes. Generally intended to be somewhat entertaining, the speech also has social relevance.

 

Interpretations

Dramatic Interpretation:In a typical round of DI, five to seven performers will each perform a "cutting" (excerpt) from a readily available, published (copyrighted or non-copyrighted) play, novel, or short story. As the name suggests, the cuttings are invariably from non-comedic (e.g., dramatic) works. Some performers select monologues, others may adopt the roles of many different characters, changing their tone, manner, and the position of their body to indicate a change in character.

Humorous Interpretation: Humorous Interpretations consists of a piece from any published work, edited to fit within a 10-minute span with a 30-second grace period (it does not have a minimum and cannot be above 10:30). It is judged based upon how the person portrays his or her characters and whether the piece is humorous. Ideally proper portrayal of characters should achieve a comedic effect to the judge.

Thematic Interpretation: Thematic Interpretation is an oral interpretation event. The contestant must choose a subject, create a theme statement about that subject, and select three or more pieces of literature that support and/or illustrate that theme to create a meaningful presentation. The theme is then developed through the combination of the original introduction and transitions, the literary materials, and interpretation. 

 

Oratorical Interpretation: . This speech event encourages the student to understand the relationship of an oration to the times that inspired it. The student must analyze and understand the goals and motivation of the original speaker and interpret the oration with a whole new voice to a whole new audience. It is not an impersonation; it is an interpretation. 

 

Spontaneous Events

Extemporaneous Speaking: Extemporaneous Speaking, colloquially known as Extemp, is a limited preparation speech event based on research and original analysis. Extemporaneous Speaking is a competitive speaking event in the United States in both High School and College forensics competition. Extemporaneous Speaking provides 30 minutes of preparation time, followed by a 7 minute speech. When preparation starts, speakers are offered three questions to answer. Questions are based on current affairs. Topic areas generally include international and domestic policy, economic policy, and social or scientific issues. Speakers generally speak persuasively, with some areas of the United States offering informative speeches.

Impromptu: Impromptu speaking is a speech and debate individual event that involves a five to eight minute speech with a characteristically short preparation time of one to three minutes. The speaker is most commonly provided with their topic in the form of a quotation, but the topic may also be presented as an object, proverb, one-word abstract, or one of the many alternative possibilities.[1] While specific rules and norms vary with the organization and level of competition, the speeches tend to follow basic speech format, and cover topics that are both humorous and profound.