Waterford High School
Forensics Team
Building a Tradition of
Excellence in Public Speaking
What is Forensics?

A team dedicated to individual and
group speaking events performed for
competition
Why should I join?
Provides important life-speaking skills
 Meet fun and exciting people
 Win trophies and medals
 Impress colleges and employers
 Express yourself!!!
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What is the time commitment?

Required Weekly practices:
– Wednesday 3:00-4:30

Individual rehearsals of performance
 Saturday festivals /tournaments
– Mid-January to Mid-March (6-7 weekends)
– Evening performance at Conference & Subdistrict
– State competition @ Madison in April
FOR MORE INFO...
See WHSFA or WFCAforensics websites
listed on Waterford’s forensics page.
What will practice include?

Select piece and/or write speech for
performance
– Revise wording / add content
– Improve organization
 Perform speech/piece for coach/peers
– Work on spoken delivery
– Improve blocking and movement
 Kindly critique others to improve
performance
What can I expect at a meet?
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Bus departure around 7:00 a.m.
Three rounds of preliminary competition
against students from other schools
Munchies, socializing, and fun
“Power” round of best speakers
Awards ceremony – tournaments only
Return home with an occasional detour for a
“fine” dining experience
How do I know which category
to choose?
Interpretation:
Speech:
Perform something
by a published author
• Many performers
• Highly competitive
Present an informative piece
that you write
• Small categories
• Big trophy potential!
Prose Poetry
Farrago Storytelling
Solo Serious & Humorous
Group interpretation
Play acting
Public address Oratory
Special Occasion Radio
Demonstration Four Minute
Moments in History
Extemporaneous
16 different categories!!!
Speech Categories

Public Address: 6.5 to 8 minute
speech on a contemporary issue
– Same-Sex Marriage: Should same-sex marriage/civil unions be
recognized by the government?
– Vegetarian/Vegan Diet: What are the benefits, if any, to a
vegetarian/vegan diet?
– Obama Presidency:
Has the first year of the Obama Presidency
been a success or failure?
– Social Networking:
To what extent, if any, will social networking
shape the future?
– Drinking: What, if anything, should be done to discourage the drinking culture in
WI?
*May use one notecard!
Speech Categories …

continued
Special Occasion: 6.5 to 8 minute
speech on one of these occasions
(may be humorous or serious)
– Eulogy: for a pet.
– Public Statement: for a family crisis (natural disaster,
crime victim, illness, etc)
– Trial: original summation of an actual or
fictitious trial
– Tribute: to a teacher
*May use one notecard!
Speech Categories …

continued
Oratory: 8-10 minute persuasive
speech on a significant topic
Examples may include
– Medical issues
– Media controversies
– Cell phone/technology security
– Transportation efficiency/safety
*May use one notecard!
Speech Categories …

continued
Demonstration: 8 to 10 minute speech
showing how to do something or
explaining how something works
Examples may include
–
–
–
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Dances
Arts/crafts
Maintenance
Sign language
*May use one notecard!
Speech Categories …

continued
Moments in History: 5 to 6 minute
speech on any topic for the 1980’s
– (ie. people, sports, inventions, monuments,
entertainment, etc.)

Four Minute: 4 minute informative
speech on an interesting topic
– 15 second grace period
*May use one notecard!
Speech Categories …

continued
Radio: 5 minute radio presentation
– News, weather, and sports
– Prepared 30 minutes before each round
– Reader performs by reading script and timing self
with watch (no eye contact)

Extemporaneous: 6 to 7 minute speech
– Related to current events (news, politics, etc.)
– Prepared 30 minutes before each round
– Choose between 3 topics, one notecard permitted
Interpretative Categories

Prose: 6.5 to 8 minute selection
from quality prose literature which
surrounds a specific theme or emotion.
– Introduction must be memorized.

Poetry: 6.5 to 8 minute selection
of various quality poems which surround
a specific theme or emotion.
– Introduction and transitions must be
memorized.
*Note: these are huge categories!
Interpretative Categories …

continued
Farrago: 8.5 to 10 minute selection of two
or more literary genre of very high quality
pieces surrounding a specific theme or
emotion
Themes may include
–
–
–
–
Journey
Change
Courage
Despair
*Introduction and transitions must be memorized
Interpretative Categories …
continued
 Storytelling:
6.5 to 8 minute
story told from memory on these
topics
– Arabian Nights Story
– Childhood Story
– Animal Story
– A Story about Teamwork
*Speaker sits in a chair to perform.
Interpretative Categories …

continued
Solo Acting: 6.5 to 8 minute
memorized selection
– Quality dramatic or humorous piece of
literature.
– May be a monologue or piece with a
number of characters
*This category has entry limitations.
Interpretative Categories …
continued
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Group Interpretation: 2 to 5 readers
present a piece of literature through
vocal and physical action

This is not an acting category!
– 10 to 12 minutes
– Introduction/transitions must be
memorized.
Interpretative Categories …

continued
Play acting: 2 to 4 people act out a
scene or cutting from a quality,
approved play
– Must be memorized
– 10-12 minutes
*This category has entry limitations.
What if I miss a practice or meet?

Practices are required each week.
– If you are sick, arrange a practice the next day.
– If you must be late, bring a pass from your teacher.
– If you fail to practice, you will not be allowed to compete.

Absences from a meet must be submitted
(in writing) at least two weeks before the event.
– If you are extremely sick, call the coach so that we do not worry.
– The team must pay for your entry whether or not you show up
once the two week deadline has passed.
• Cost = Each entry fee ($7-10 person) + judge fee ($15 entry)
• That means our team throws away $25 for every missing entry!!!