MIDDLE SCHOOL ORAL INTERP CATEGORIES:

NON-ORIGINAL ORATORY.

This contest event consists of interpreting a selection from a single
source. The contest event shall include selections such as orations, addresses, lectures and essays that are conducive to
oratorical interpretation. (No cuttings from poems, plays or other works of fiction are allowed in this contest event.)
The Non-Original Oration can be serious, humorous or a mixture of serious and humorous sentiments. Non-Original
Oratory has been exempted from the “copyrighted and published” regulation because oratory, in its origin, is basically
an oral medium of communication. However, selections shall not be the original work of the contestant. The maximum
time of presentation, including the introduction, is ten minutes. The use of a manuscript is optional.

SERIOUS READING.

This contest event consists of interpreting a selection from a single source of
dramatic literature or prose with literary merit and appropriate to the reader. The selection must have been copyrighted
and published and be available to the public in either electronic or print form. The mood of the selection must be
essentially serious in nature. The maximum time of presentation, including the introduction, is ten minutes. The use of
a manuscript is optional.

POETRY READING.

Literature for the poetry contest event shall be selected by the contestants. They
shall choose poetry to develop one theme or to illustrate the abilities, moods or characteristics of one author. If they
choose to develop a theme, the contestants may select the works of one or more authors. In any case, the poetry may be
one long selection, a cutting from a longer selection, or a series of short selections. The contestants may include in
their presentation such introductory or transitory remarks as are necessary to establish mood and to orient the audience
properly. Only poetry from the best of literature should be used. This includes plays. The poetry in the selection must
have been copyrighted and published in either electronic or print form and be available to the public. The use of a
manuscript is optional. The maximum time of presentation, including the introduction and transitory remarks, is ten
minutes.
Section 12.uring the presentation of the introduction and/or original transitional material may physical or eye contact be made
with the duet partner. The narrated introduction shall be included in the time limit for the selection.
The use of a manuscript is optional. The performance must begin from the “center stage” area. During the
selection, off-stage-focus must be employed by both contestants. The contestants may react to each other’s verbal
and/or non-verbal expressions, but they may not touch each other. Pivoting, turning or one or two steps may be used to
indicate stage directions or transitions.
Throughout the selection, each of the two performers may play one or more characters, so long as performance
responsibility remains balanced.
Cuttings of multiple scenes must be bridged by memorized narration. Cuttings may be made either from one
continuous piece of dialogue or from short bits of dialogue.
The time limit for Duet Interpretation shall be ten minutes. An entry will not be penalized if its performance is less
than ten minutes. 

HUMOROUS READING.

Humorous prose shall include all stories, plays and essays written in prose,
together with all plays written in verse. The selection from a single source must have been copyrighted and published in
either electronic or print form and be available to the public. Whenever possible, contestants should be encouraged to
make their own cutting from literature to be used. Only the best literature and selections of literary value should be used
since it offers the greatest opportunity for interpretation. The use of a manuscript is optional. The maximum time of
presentation, including the introduction, is ten minutes.

DUET INTERPRETATION.

The purpose of Duet Interpretation is to give students the opportunity to
develop their characterization. Duet Interpretation is an exercise composed of two students. The selection from a single
source must have been copyrighted and published in either electronic or print form and be available to the public. The
material used by the contestants must meet the high standards of good literature. Cuttings from plays, verse plays or
other works may be presented. A selection may be of humorous or serious nature.
Material presented by all contestants shall be appropriate for public performance by high school students. Every
precaution should be taken to ensure that no questionable material is selected.
A narrated introduction, or transitional material within the cutting may be given by one or both members. Only
during the presentation of the introduction and/or original transitional material may physical or eye contact be made
with the duet partner. The narrated introduction shall be included in the time limit for the selection.
The use of a manuscript is optional. The performance must begin from the “center stage” area. During the
selection, off-stage-focus must be employed by both contestants. The contestants may react to each other’s verbal
and/or non-verbal expressions, but they may not touch each other. Pivoting, turning or one or two steps may be used to
indicate stage directions or transitions.
Throughout the selection, each of the two performers may play one or more characters, so long as performance
responsibility remains balanced.
Cuttings of multiple scenes must be bridged by memorized narration. Cuttings may be made either from one
continuous piece of dialogue or from short bits of dialogue.
The time limit for Duet Interpretation shall be ten minutes. An entry will not be penalized if its performance is less
than ten minutes.