Forensics events and explanations
Original Oration- “An original oration shall be defined as a memorized, original, persuasive
speech with a unique approach to a universal theme, demonstrating outstanding qualities of
logic, organization, language and delivery, and rising above the commonplace in its impact.”
--KSHSAA Speech and Drama Manual
An oration is a call to action in speech form. It’s sort of like a persuasive essay/speech; you
brainstorm, write, and deliver it. An oration is a good public speaking type event that can take
no longer than 10 minutes. Have a cause that the world needs to know about? Global warming?
Hunger in foreign countries? Jogging as a life choice? Hunting and fishing rights? There is
room for all sorts of calls to action in Oration.
If you intend to go into any type of career in sales, politics, or life in general Oratory is the
definition of public speaking. A bit of up front work to do well but a very rewarding event in
terms of skills built.
Informative Speech- “An informative speech is one which provides a learning experience
for the listener by instructing or giving information in an interesting manner.” –KSHSAA Speech
and Drama Manual
An informative speech is exactly that, a speech no longer than 7 minutes that you create that
informs your audience about something that interests you. The informative is one of the most
basic types of speech you can do… it really is the bread and butter of speech events. It’s another
speech where interest, info, structure, and communication skills are the key elements to success.
I’ve seen informative speech topics range from biographies about Eisenhower to the history of
Sesame Street. It’s an event that can be customized to any person and any interest. Freshmen to
senior this is one event that I can recommend to any and everyone!
Oral Interpretation of Poetry-This event is exactly as it sounds. The event involves
reading a published piece of poetry or set of poems (along with your own introduction) for no
more than 7 minutes. Sounds super easy right? It is! The main purpose behind this is to polish
your public speaking skills. Are the words pronounced correctly? Do you read with feeling?
Do you understand the purpose of your piece ?
Poetry can fall into all sorts of categories. It can be anything from Baxter Black, to Shel
Silverstein, to any poet or group of poets that appeal to you. A great event for beginners.
Oral Interpretation of Prose- This event is just like poetry but involves short stories better
known in forensics as Prose. The event involves reading a published piece of prose or set of
prose pieces (along with your own introduction) for no more than 7 minutes. Sounds super easy
right? It is! The main purpose behind this is to polish your public speaking skills. Are the
words pronounced correctly? Do you read with feeling? Do you understand the purpose of your
piece?
Prose can also fit any subject or author that appeal to you. Have a jarring short story that will
blow a judges hair back? A subject that you think is dramatic, funny, or just plain fun? Whatever
your style prose is also a great event for beginners.
Duet Acting- “Duet Acting shall be defined as an acting exercise composed of two students
who portray a memorized ten-minute cutting from a published work of literature.”-- KSHSAA
Speech and Drama Manual
Have a flair for the dramatic? Want to try acting without the pressure of going it alone? Duet
acting is the perfect event for you! Duet acting involves taking a published piece of literature
(short story, play, skit, etc.) and cutting it down to the most important/funny/dramatic parts.
Your duet should be no more than 10 minutes and try to be something that sticks with your
judges. Serious, funny, or an exciting combination of both are all acceptable options for this
memorized acting event. Students can even speak as multiple characters adding depth to their
piece.
I've seen all sorts of stories turned into duets. Shakespeare, the ginger bread man, and common
skits or plays all make great duets. It's an event with a wide range of options.
Serious Solo Acting- Solo serious is all of the drama of acting without the liability of
needing a partner. Serious solo is a (cutting of a) dramatic piece of literature no longer than 10
minutes where you attempt to appeal to the serious and sometimes sad feelings of human
emotion. In most events making the judges cry is just a reflection of how bad you're doing... in
SSA a crying judge means you've done your job well and touched a nerve with your judge.
Some of the most important works of literature and ranges of human emotion fall into the serious
category. Students can even speak as multiple characters adding depth to their piece. It's a
challenging event that can really help you broaden your range of acting skills. For new members
trying to get an idea think of pieces of literature like The lovely Bones, Am I Blue, Poe, etc.
Humorous Solo Acting- Humorous solo is the more pleasant cousin to SSA. Like to crack
up a room and leave people rolling on the floor? H.S.A. is the event for you! Humorous solo
requires a (cutting of a) funny piece of literature no longer than 10 minutes where you attempt to
appeal to the lighter side of emotions. Funny events, stories, and skits all fall into this category.
Students can even speak as multiple characters adding depth to their piece.
Improvised Duet Acting-”Improvised duet acting shall be defined as an improvised acting
exercise composed of two students who portray an original scene created after drawing the
subject. The scene should establish two characters, a situation or problem and a solution to the
conflict.” --KSHSAA Speech and Drama Manual
I.D.A. as it is affectionately known is a good event for people that like to make it up as they go
or improvise. You draw a character, a setting, and situation that you and your partner then have
approximately 30 minutes to create a skit about. You skit should be no more than 7 minutes but
use as much time as you can... the more developed it is the more you can do with it.
On the surface it looks like the perfect goof around event and to a degree it is. However to be
successful your I.D.A pair should have good chemistry together and the ability to create a strong
story structure in a limited amount of time. Perfect for the creative and quick witted forensics
participant.
Extemporaneous Speech- Extemp is an event that takes a scholarly approach to
improvising. Extemporaneous speech is a cross between informative speeches and IDA for an
individual. Students use their extemporaneous magazine library (Times, Newsweek, US News,
etc.) to prepare a speech on domestic or international events. The event you prepare comes from
a draw of a current events topic from the tournament selection of topics. You then have
approximately 30 minutes to prepare a memorize (or note carded) speech on the current events
topic you have drawn. A challenging event for the politically/world events savvy forensics
participant.
~ if interested in Extemp. please let me know early. It does take some advanced planning to get
subscriptions to the necessary magazines and get them organized.
Other- There are other events available to students that show an interest. The
availability and details of those events is subject to region/student interest. Want
to know more? Ask! We might have just the event for you.