Individual events (speech)
Individual events in speech include public speaking, limited preparation, acting and interpretation are a part of forensics competitions.
This distinction however is not entirely accurate any more given the addition of duo interpretation events and forms of single person debate.
Outside of the rules for each event provided by the individual leagues, there are several cultural norms within each region that are not written into law but are almost always followed.
Speeches are generally eight to ten minutes in length, with a warning often given when the allowed time has expired; most tournaments have a 30-second grace period.
This style of speech is also featured at the Interstate Oratorical Association - the oldest public speaking organization in the US - where the top persuasive speakers from each state compete at an annual national contest.
[3] The speech may range from the newest, high tech inventions from around the world to cure cancer to lighthearted topics, such as Wikipedia.
Rhetorical criticism, or communication analysis, is an individual collegiate event in which the speaker has ten minutes to present a speech.
They then select a model form of analysis (typically borrowed from communication scholars) to determine the effectiveness of the artifact in reaching its goal; for example, in analyzing an anti-smoking campaign the speaker might choose a model discussing the most effective methods of employing fear to persuade a mass audience.
Special-occasion speaking, a high-school event, is similar to Oratory but focuses on lighter subjects and addresses a specific audience.
After-dinner speaking or speech to entertain is a public-address event which makes greater sense of a topic with humor.
Preparation times vary by event and range from two minutes to an hour, after which the competitors deliver their speeches.
[4] At the beginning of a round, speakers are usually given three questions relating to current events and asked to choose one on which to prepare a speech.
[5] The main purpose of the speech to make an argument answering the question given at the beginning of the round and convince the audience that this interpretation is the most correct.
In many states, impromptu speaking is a contest combining wit and humor with insight; speeches should be funny, but also make a point.
Judging focuses on the quality of the vocal presentation, the organization of the speech and the use of sources to back up assertions.
According to the National Forensic League, the event imitates the work of media commentators who speak about trends or community problems.
In storytelling, a high-school event, competitors are given a children's book, fairy tale, fable, myth, legend, or ghost story to read.
In this NCFCA and Stoa USA event, competitors are given four minutes to prepare a six-minute speech on a question relating to Christianity.
In the collegiate level of this event, the presenters are not allowed to make physical or eye contact or use props, can only touch the ground with their feet.
There are no props, costumes, or visual aids allowed however in the collegiate circuit a manuscript is often used[3] The body of work can be from one literary source.
Unlike other categories in the Speech and Debate medium, this means you can use anything that is considered text throughout your program to construct a cohesive story.
Program Oral Interpretation means going above and beyond the usual places to find literature and reading anything for all intents and purposes.
The intention of Program Oral Interpretation is to seek and demonstrate how different texts relate and speak to one another as if they were having a conversation for the first time.
Documentaries, spoken word pieces, statistics, news reports, memoirs, and almost anything else, speak to one another through your arrangement to form a cohesive argument.
Competitors from the same school usually do not compete against each other in preliminary rounds, and are identified by an alphanumeric code to prevent bias by judges.
