GENERAL GUIDELINES
The mechanics of speech must be observed faithfully. These are poise, quality and use of the voice, effectiveness and ease of gesture, emphasis variety and clear diction. In addition, the contestant must be able to convey his/her interpretation to the audience. He/she must move the audience and keep them interested.
All selections, in all categories, must last between three and five minutes. If a contestant goes more than fifteen seconds above or bellow those limits, judges must deduct one point in each and every category.
No props or costumes are allowed in any category. No singing or chanting is allowed in any category. The speaker should no move beyond a five foot radius of his/her starting point.
INDIVIDUAL CATEGORIES
I READING
Selection must be either prose or poetry, and must be from a published source. The selection should be suitable for public presentation and appropriate for the reader. The overall effect of the selection should not be completely humorous, although readings may include some humor.
The reader should show genuine appreciation for his/her selection, and imaginative insight into its mood and meaning. The reader's attitude should reveal his enjoyment of the selection and his/ her desire to share it with the audience.
The reader's vocal expression should communicate the meaning of the selection: awareness of relationships between ideas, and discrimination between what is important and what is not. Pronunciation should be clear and responsive to thought and feeling.
Physical expression should be natural and restrained -- response to inner feeling and the understanding of the selection. The reader should avoid extravagant grimacing, posturing and ranting. The speaker should strive for and effective reading of the selection, not a fully acted performance.
Selections must not be memorized.
II DECLAMATION
Selections used in the declamation category must have been delivered originally as a speech by an actual person in real life. Speeches from literary or dramatic sources are not eligible in this category. These speeches used in this category maybe excerpted from real speeches.
The test for the speaker in this category is the ability to reproduce not only the words but also the thought, emotions, and effect of the original orator.
III DRAMA
Monologues are allowed in this category. Dramatic excerpts with any number of character may be used. As a practical suggestion, however, two or three characters may be an effective limit. Dramatic passages adopted from novels are allowed. The work must be serious, not humorous in nature.
No costumes or props allowed. No singing is allowed.
IV HUMOR
No costume or props are allowed. No singing is allowed. Since humor takes many forms, judges are requested to judge on the quality of the performances rather than the selection of material. Again, however, speakers are advised to avoid excessive movement and acting. A restrained performance is usually more effective. A silent performance is not appropriate. There must be a performance text.