2013-2014 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 from or about Africa
2. A story about a game, contest, or competition
3. A story about mismatched or unlikely love
4. A story about coming of age
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 nonfiction 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. Cyber Bullying: What, if anything, should be done to reduce cyber bullying?
2. Working Conditions: What, if anything, can be done to improve working conditions and
wages?
3. Legalization of Marijuana: To what extent, if any, in light of other states’ actions, should
Wisconsin act on legalization of marijuana?
4. Private School Vouchers: To what extent, if any, should public money be used to provide
vouchers for private school tuition?
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:
The Decade of the 1970s
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.
2.
3.
4.
You are to present a speech at a family reunion.
You are accepting an award or an honor.
You are giving a speech to rededicate an old cemetery.
You are giving a speech at the closing of a neighbourhood school.
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. Sample questions are available at www.nfhs.org (7 min.)