Mount Horeb High School
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Our Future: Prepare. Learn. Lead.
Stephanie J. Spoehr
Principal
J. Michael Beranek
Activities/Assistant Principal
What do James Earl Jones, Adam Sandler, Oprah Winfrey, and half of the current U.S. Senators have in
common? They were all in forensics! Forensics includes acting, speech, radio announcing, and more.
It’s a great way to build confidence and a great outlet for people who like to speak or perform.
Why join forensics?
 It helps you become a better speaker and performer
 It looks great on college applications
 You go on trips with your friends and have fun!
What do we do in forensics?
 Decide on whether you want to perform as an individual or with a group
 Decide on a category from the attached sheet
 Find material and plan your presentation
 Practice on your own (or in your group) and with me
o Schedule one practice a week with me during lunch, study hall or before/after school
 Travel with your team to at least three competitions
o Qualifying scores at the Sub-district Festival at WI Heights in February will send you to
District Competition in Platteville in March; qualifying scores in Platteville send you to
the State Festival at UW-Madison in April.
 Transportation is provided for all meets and will leave at a scheduled time from
the front of the high school. Return times will vary.
 Dress professionally for tournaments, as if going to a job interview for a business
where you really want the job. Whether we like it or not, appearance matters.
No jeans, shorts, T-shirts, gym shoes, etc.
Interested? Fill out the attached information sheet and return it to me in room 306 with a completed
parent/guardian permission and contact information sheet by December 12. (At this time you should
be prepared to talk about what category you’d like to perform. You must have performance pieces
selected by December 19.)
I look forward to a great forensics season! Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any
questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Molly Bilse
bilsemolly@mhasd.k12.wi.us
305 South Eighth Street, Mount Horeb, WI 53572 Phone (608) 437-2400 Fax (608) 437-4926
2014-15 FORENSICS CATEGORIES
Interpretation Categories
Storytelling: Students prepare four different stories on four different topics declared for the
year and deliver a different story during each round. The storyteller must sit in a chair, and
may use vocal variation and movement to illustrate details of the story. Original material is
allowed, and notes are not permitted. (8 min.)
This year’s topics are:
1. A Story About a Party or Celebration
2. A Story of Justice or Injustice
3. A Story Incorporating Wisconsin History
4. A Story to Tell Around a Campfire
Solo Acting Humorous/Serious: A solo acting monologue is a cutting from drama or other
literature adapted to a serious or humorous dramatic format, with brief transitions allowed.
Original material may not be used. Quality material must be used, which is characterized by
insights into human motivations, relationships, problems, and under-standings, and not by
sentimentality, violence for its own sake, unmotivated endings, or stereotyped
characterizations. Tables, chairs and other props and costumes are prohibited. (8 min.)
Farrago: "Farrago" includes material from a variety of literary genre (poetry, short stories,
speeches, essays, drama, novels) which address a central specific theme or emotion which are
interpreted through oral presentation. Quality material is expected, which provides insight
into human values, motivations, relationships, problems, and understandings and not
characterized by sentimentality, violence for its own sake, unmotivated endings, or
stereotyped characterizations. Selections are to be read from a manuscript. (10 min.)
Group Interpretive Reading: This category presents a literary script by 2-5 participants in
such manner that the audience imagines action being described rather than witnessing it being
performed or acting. Onstage focus (direct eye contact) and physical interaction (touching) is
prohibited. The material may be a cutting, complete work or group of works compiled from
prose, poetry, or essays, but drama (i.e., plays, screenplays and monologues) is prohibited. (12
min.)
Play Acting: Play acting is a scene or cutting from one play by a group of two to five
participants. Lines are spoken from memory and participants must move as they would in a
fully produced play. The scene selected for presentation must be presented without costumes,
makeup, lights, or properties other than an available table (or desk as a substitute) and chairs if
required. Hand props, music, electronic sound effects; and costumes are not permitted.
Physical actions are pantomimed. (12 min.)
Poetry: The contestant should choose a poem or group of poems centering on a specific theme
or emotion. Original material is allowed. The contestant must read their selection(s) from a
manuscript. (8 min.)
Prose: A selection from prose literature, including short stories, cutting from novels, essays or
non-fiction work centering on a specific theme or emotion is to be read. Original material is
allowed. The contestant must read their selection(s) from a manuscript. (8 min.)
Original Speech Categories
Oratory: A thoroughly prepared, well-composed, well-expressed persuasive speech on a
significant topic. Clear, vivid, and forceful language and appropriate stylistic devices, such as
metaphor, comparison/ contrast, irony, etc. characterize a good oration. (10 min.)
Public Address: An original speech with a point of view that answers a specific question or
problem posed by several yearly topics of current interest. (8 min.)
This year’s topics are
1. New Food Regulations in Public School System: To what extent, if any, should
state and federal government regulate the food students consume during the
school day?
2. Health Care: To what extent, if any, has the Affordable Care Act been successful?
3. Cheating: What, if anything, can be done to curb cheating in schools?
4. Digital Footprint: Under what circumstances, if any, should one’s digital
footprint (Social Media) be used by evaluators to determine one’s access to future
endeavors such as job opportunities, college entrance and/or scholarships?
Demonstration Speaking: The speech is instructive and presents significant information on
how to do something or how something works by exhibiting objects or physical activity. (10
min.)
Four Minute Speaking: This speech includes well-developed material, which has the primary
intent of informing, although persuasive elements may be present. The speech is to be
coherent, unified, and clear. A range of support materials should be used which can include
quotations, statistics, examples, comparisons, and analogies.
Moments in History: The speaker selects an historical topic within the limits of the specified
time period. Students are encouraged to use primary sources, (archival records, diaries,
personal interviews and letters) and secondary sources, (academic journals, newspapers and
books). The speaker uses this research information to compose and present a well-organized,
informative speech. Visual materials may be used, but not worn. (6 min.)
This year’s time period:
1700-1750
Radio Announcing: The radio broadcaster must present an extremely well organized, clearly
communicated news broadcast. Source material is provided for each round at a meet, and
must be prepared within 30 minutes and edited to a length of exactly 5 minutes. At least one
commercial (included with the source material) must be included.
Special Occasion: The student must choose one of four given situations (see below) and write
and deliver a speech to that hypothetical situation and audience. (8 min.)
This year’s topics are:
1. A Speech in Honor of a Retiree
2. A Speech of Protest
3. A Public Apology
4. A Speech to Foreign Visitors
Extemporaneous Speaking: The speaker chooses one of five current events topics each round
and has 30 minutes to prepare a well-organized speech, where a clear answer to the topic is
phrased and supported with evidence and reasoning. (7 min.)
Parent/Guardian Contact Info & Permission for Forensics 2014-15
Please print your name(s) and where you can be reached by phone:
Primary Parent/Guardian Name:_________________________________________________________
Daytime Phone: ____________________
Evening Phone: _____________________
Email address:_________________________________________________________________
Best way to reach you: (Circle)
PHONE
EMAIL
Additional Parent/Guardian Name:_______________________________________________________
Daytime Phone: ____________________
Evening Phone: _____________________
Email address:_________________________________________________________________
Best way to reach you: (Circle)
PHONE
EMAIL
I give permission for my son/daughter, ________________________________to participate in
Forensics and attend tournaments listed above. I have read the letter provided.
Signature(s):
____________________________________________________________________________
Cut on the above line and save these dates!
Mt. Horeb Forensics
Schedule of Dates and Meets
2014-15
December 12
December 19
February 16
March 28
April 18
1
Deadline for first meeting with Mrs. Bilse to select category
Deadline to have pieces selected & schedule first rehearsal
Sub-District Festival at WI Heights
District Festival at UW-Platteville
State Festival at UW-Madison (note, there is also an ACT test this day1)
If we have team members who will be taking the ACT, and we know about it in December, we can try to schedule our
team’s competition time for Friday, April 17th instead. See me ASAP if this applies to you.
I am interested in joining forensics this year…
Name:____________________________________________
Grade Year: 9
10
11
12
Category you are interested in performing:_______________________________________
When are you available to rehearse with a coach?
Phone number
(best number to reach you):____________________________________________________
Email: _____________________________________________________________________
How often do you check email? (Circle)
DAILY
WEEKLY
RARELY
What is the best way to contact you? PHONE
EMAIL OTHER___________________________
Other activities and commitments (December-April) and meeting times:
I have read the forensics letter and understand the commitments required to be a member of the Mt.
Horeb High School forensics team.
Signed:
Dated:
_____________________________________________
__________________
Cut on the above line and save these dates!
Mt. Horeb Forensics
Schedule of Dates and Meets
2014-15
December 12
December 19
February 16
March 28
April 18
2
Deadline for first meeting with Mrs. Bilse to select category
Deadline to have pieces selected & schedule first rehearsal
Sub-District Festival at WI Heights
District Festival at UW-Platteville
State Festival at UW-Madison (note, there is also an ACT test this day2)
If we have team members who will be taking the ACT, and we know about it in December, we can try to schedule our
team’s competition time for Friday, April 17th instead. See me ASAP if this applies to you.