Forensics Events

What kinds of speeches and performances can I give in Forensics?

There are many different events in Forensics. Tournament directors can offer whatever events they choose, so every tournament will differ a bit. After preparing your speeches, you may use them the entire year, revising them until they are the best they can be. You may not use any speech or part of a speech that you’ve used the previous academic year in competition. You also may not use the same material in two different events. The following are the event rules created by the Northern California Forensics Association. For State and National tournaments, the event rules may vary slightly.

Public Speaking: Limited Preparation

Impromptu Speaking

In impromptu speaking, the speaker will be provided with a choice of three topics. Topics may include maxims, quotations, lyrics, objects, or other creative topics. Speakers will have a total of seven minutes for both preparation and speaking, beginning with receipt of topics. Minimal notes are permitted. Tournament invitations will specify topic area(s).

Extemporaneous Speaking

Contestants will be given three topics in the general area of current events from the ninety days preceding the tournament, choose one, and have thirty minutes to prepare a speech. Maximum time limit for the speech is seven minutes. Limited notes are permitted. Students will speak in listed order. Posting of topics will be staggered.

Public Speaking: Prepared Events

Informative / Expository

An original factual speech by the student on a realistic subject to fulfill the general aim to inform the audience. Audio-visual aids may or may not be used to supplement and reinforce the message. Multiple sources should be used and cited in the development of the speech. Notes are permitted. Maximum time limit is ten minutes.

Persuasive / Oratory

An original speech by the student designed to inspire, reinforce or change the beliefs, attitudes, values or actions of the audience. Audio-visual aids may or may not be used to supplement and reinforce the message. Multiple sources should be used and cited in the development of the speech. Notes are permitted. Maximum time limit is ten minutes.

Speech to Entertain (STE) / After-Dinner Speaking (ADS)

An original humorous speech by the student, designed to exhibit sound speech composition, thematic coherence, direct communicative public speaking skills, and good taste. The speech should not resemble a night club act, an impersonation, or a comic dialogue. Audio-visual aids may or may not be used to supplement and reinforce the message. Notes are permitted. Maximum time limit is ten minutes.

Communication Analysis

An original speech by the student designed to offer an explanation and/or evaluation of a communication event such as a speech, speaker, movement, poem, poster, film, campaign, etc., through the use of rhetorical principles. Audio-visual aids may or may not be used to supplement and reinforce the message. Manuscripts are permitted. Maximum time limit is ten minutes.

Parliamentary Debate

A debate consisting of two two-person teams that argue for or against an issue or value topic. The topic is given to the teams fifteen minutes prior to the start of the debate, and no materials may be consulted during the debate.

Oral Interpretation Events

The purpose of oral interpretation is to make a selection of literature come alive for your audience through your voice and body.

Prose Interpretation

A selection or selections of prose material of literary merit, which may be drawn from more than one source. Play cuttings are prohibited. Use of manuscript is required. Maximum time limit is ten minutes including introduction.

Poetry Interpretation

A selection or selections of poetry of literary merit, which may be drawn from more than one source. Play cuttings are prohibited. Use of manuscript is required. Maximum time limit is ten minutes including introduction.

Dramatic Interpretation

A cutting or cuttings which represents one or more characters from a play or plays of literary merit. This material may be drawn from stage, screen or radio. Use of manuscript is required. Maximum time limit is ten minutes including introduction.

Oral Interpretation of Literature

This event is to consist of a unified presentation made up of at least two selections of different genres (i.e. prose, poetry, dramatic literature). A contestant may use the works of one or more authors. The selections should develop a theme. Maximum time limit is ten minutes including introduction.

Dramatic Duo Interpretation

A cutting or cuttings from a play, humorous or serious, involving the portrayal of two or more characters presented by two individuals. This material may be drawn from stage, screen or radio. This is not an acting event. Thus, no costumes, props, lighting, etc., are to be used. Presentation is from the manuscript and focus should be offstage and not to each other. Maximum time limit is ten minutes including introduction.

Readers Theatre

Readers Theatre is group oral interpretation of literature. Total time limit is twenty-five minutes. Any literary form is permissible. Material may be published or original. Each RT group shall consist of 3 to 14 people. Recorded or live incidental music is permissible. Manuscripts must be psychologically present. Only ensemble costumes are permitted. Reading stands, chairs, stools, ladders, platforms, steps, props, lighting effects may be used.