Categories
There are a number of categories you can compete in and the fall mainly into three groups; acting, speaking, and interpretation of literature. You can compete in one or two categories at most tournaments. Categories marked NFL are offered at the National Forensic League National tournament in June. Categories marked TOC are offered at the Individual Events Tournament of Champions in May.
ACTING
Duo Interpretation (NFL, TOC)
Duo Interpretation is performance that creates an atmosphere of time and place, emphasizing development of character and appropriate physical movement. Lines are spoken from memory using offstage focus.10 mins
Play Acting (TOC*)
Play Acting is a group presentation of a memorized scene or cutting from a play without costume, make-up, lights, or properties other than an available table (or desk as a substitute) and chairs, if required. Emphasis is on character development and movement, with physical actions – other than stage movement – pantomimed. 12 mins
*The IE-TOC offers a very similar category called Duet Acting which only allows two performers and has a 10 minute time limit.
Solo Acting Humorous (NFL, TOC)
By using self as a medium between the selection and the audience, the student shall use vocal and physical skills to develop a complete humorous performance, creating distinct character(s) and actions motivated by the text that are appropriate to the characterization(s) within the control of the setting. 10 mins
Solo Acting Serious (NFL, TOC)
By using self as a medium between the selection and the audience, the student shall use vocal and physical skills to develop a complete dramatic performance, creating distinct character(s) and actions motivated by the text that are appropriate to the characterization(s) within the control of the setting.10 mins
INTERPRETATION
Farrago
The challenge of farrago is to select material from a variety of literary genres (poetry, short stories, speeches, essays, drama, novels), which addresses a central specific theme or emotion, and to interpret the material through oral presentation. This is an interpretive category, not an acting category. 10 mins
Group Interpretive Reading
Contrary to dramatic performance, the challenge of this category is to present a literary script in such manner that the audience imagines action being described rather than witnessing it being performed. Symbolic characterization and vocal and physical action rather than a literal dramatization or pantomime is required. Ideas are imagined though oral reading and interpretation and not through acting. 12 mins
Oral Interpretation of Literature
The presenter prepares a literary program in poetry and a program in prose (short stories, cuttings from novels, monologues and soliloquies, essays, or other non-fiction work) – each centering on a theme or emotion – for interpretation in alternating rounds of competition. This is an interpretive event, not an acting category. 10 mins
Interpretation of Poetry
The student should select a poem or a group of poems centering on a specific theme or emotion. This is an interpretive category, not an acting category. 8 mins
Interpretation of Prose
A selection from prose literature, including short stories, cutting from novels, monologues and soliloquies, essays, or other non-fiction work centering on a specific theme or emotion, is to be interpreted. This is an interpretive category, not an acting category. 8 mins
Storytelling
To tell a story is to chronicle events. The burden of the storyteller is to chronicle those events in a coherent, unified, clear, and interesting manner. The storyteller may use vocal variation and physical movement from a seated position to suggest different characters and character relationships in order to make the story clearer and more interesting. It should be remembered throughout that the emphasis of the storyteller's art is on the teller as intermediary or narrator. The student is expected to "demonstrate a sense of audience," that is, tell the chosen story in such a manner that would be suitable for the intended audience, be it young children, teenagers, adults, or chronologically advanced. 4 mins minimum - 8 min maximum
This years topics are:
a story from or about Africa
a story about a game, contest, or competition
a story about mismatched or unlikely love
a story about coming of age
SPEECH
Demonstration Speaking
A demonstration speech explains how to do something or how something works. The speech must be instructive and present valuable and significant information in a well-organized and clear manner. Visual aids, if used, should enhance the demonstration but not to take the place of objects or activity.10 mins
Extemporaneous Speaking (NFL TOC*)
The extemporaneous speech should provide a direct response to the question drawn. The challenge to the speaker is to phrase a clear proposition and support it with contentions, which in turn, are supported with evidence and reasoning. Questions will be based on current events. 7 mins
**The Extemporaneous TOC is separate from the IE-TOC. It is held during May at Northwestern University.
Informative Speaking
The challenge to the speaker is to present well-developed material that 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 and devices are to be used which can include quotations, statistics, examples, comparisons, and analogies.
6 mins
Moments in History
The challenge to the speaker is to select and explore an historical topic within the limits presented each year. Students may consider (but are not limited to) using the following areas of research: archival records, diaries, personal interviews, letters, newspapers, etc. The speaker is to use this research information to compose and present a well-organized, informative speech. This is an original informative speech category, and not an acting category. 6 mins
This years topics must be during the 1970s
Oratory (NFL, TOC)
An oration is expected to be a thoroughly prepared, well-composed, persuasive speech on a topic of significance to general society. A good oration is characterized by vivid and forceful language and appropriate stylistic devices such as metaphor, comparison/contrast, irony, etc. Thoughtfulness in the choice of and approach to the topic and the quality of supporting materials is a necessary part of the good oration. 10 mins
Radio Announcing
The challenge to the speaker is to present a well-organized, clearly communicated newscast. Source material provided by the tournament director of approximately 15-20 minutes in length is to be cut and edited with special efforts made to end right at 5 minutes.
Special Occasion Speaking
The challenge to the speaker is to make an appropriate presentation that responds to the constraints of the occasion, including the probable audience. In considering the "appropriateness" of the speaker's work attention will be paid to the purpose the speaker chooses, the position taken, the content, organization and general stylistic tone, and the manner of delivery. It is possible that a speech may pursue more than one of the standard general purposes of informing, persuading, and entertaining. 6 mins
This years topics to choose from are:
a speech at a family reunion
an acceptance of an award or honor
a rededication of an old cemetery
a speech at the closing of a neighborhood school
ACTING
Duo Interpretation (NFL, TOC)
Duo Interpretation is performance that creates an atmosphere of time and place, emphasizing development of character and appropriate physical movement. Lines are spoken from memory using offstage focus.10 mins
Play Acting (TOC*)
Play Acting is a group presentation of a memorized scene or cutting from a play without costume, make-up, lights, or properties other than an available table (or desk as a substitute) and chairs, if required. Emphasis is on character development and movement, with physical actions – other than stage movement – pantomimed. 12 mins
*The IE-TOC offers a very similar category called Duet Acting which only allows two performers and has a 10 minute time limit.
Solo Acting Humorous (NFL, TOC)
By using self as a medium between the selection and the audience, the student shall use vocal and physical skills to develop a complete humorous performance, creating distinct character(s) and actions motivated by the text that are appropriate to the characterization(s) within the control of the setting. 10 mins
Solo Acting Serious (NFL, TOC)
By using self as a medium between the selection and the audience, the student shall use vocal and physical skills to develop a complete dramatic performance, creating distinct character(s) and actions motivated by the text that are appropriate to the characterization(s) within the control of the setting.10 mins
INTERPRETATION
Farrago
The challenge of farrago is to select material from a variety of literary genres (poetry, short stories, speeches, essays, drama, novels), which addresses a central specific theme or emotion, and to interpret the material through oral presentation. This is an interpretive category, not an acting category. 10 mins
Group Interpretive Reading
Contrary to dramatic performance, the challenge of this category is to present a literary script in such manner that the audience imagines action being described rather than witnessing it being performed. Symbolic characterization and vocal and physical action rather than a literal dramatization or pantomime is required. Ideas are imagined though oral reading and interpretation and not through acting. 12 mins
Oral Interpretation of Literature
The presenter prepares a literary program in poetry and a program in prose (short stories, cuttings from novels, monologues and soliloquies, essays, or other non-fiction work) – each centering on a theme or emotion – for interpretation in alternating rounds of competition. This is an interpretive event, not an acting category. 10 mins
Interpretation of Poetry
The student should select a poem or a group of poems centering on a specific theme or emotion. This is an interpretive category, not an acting category. 8 mins
Interpretation of Prose
A selection from prose literature, including short stories, cutting from novels, monologues and soliloquies, essays, or other non-fiction work centering on a specific theme or emotion, is to be interpreted. This is an interpretive category, not an acting category. 8 mins
Storytelling
To tell a story is to chronicle events. The burden of the storyteller is to chronicle those events in a coherent, unified, clear, and interesting manner. The storyteller may use vocal variation and physical movement from a seated position to suggest different characters and character relationships in order to make the story clearer and more interesting. It should be remembered throughout that the emphasis of the storyteller's art is on the teller as intermediary or narrator. The student is expected to "demonstrate a sense of audience," that is, tell the chosen story in such a manner that would be suitable for the intended audience, be it young children, teenagers, adults, or chronologically advanced. 4 mins minimum - 8 min maximum
This years topics are:
a story from or about Africa
a story about a game, contest, or competition
a story about mismatched or unlikely love
a story about coming of age
SPEECH
Demonstration Speaking
A demonstration speech explains how to do something or how something works. The speech must be instructive and present valuable and significant information in a well-organized and clear manner. Visual aids, if used, should enhance the demonstration but not to take the place of objects or activity.10 mins
Extemporaneous Speaking (NFL TOC*)
The extemporaneous speech should provide a direct response to the question drawn. The challenge to the speaker is to phrase a clear proposition and support it with contentions, which in turn, are supported with evidence and reasoning. Questions will be based on current events. 7 mins
**The Extemporaneous TOC is separate from the IE-TOC. It is held during May at Northwestern University.
Informative Speaking
The challenge to the speaker is to present well-developed material that 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 and devices are to be used which can include quotations, statistics, examples, comparisons, and analogies.
6 mins
Moments in History
The challenge to the speaker is to select and explore an historical topic within the limits presented each year. Students may consider (but are not limited to) using the following areas of research: archival records, diaries, personal interviews, letters, newspapers, etc. The speaker is to use this research information to compose and present a well-organized, informative speech. This is an original informative speech category, and not an acting category. 6 mins
This years topics must be during the 1970s
Oratory (NFL, TOC)
An oration is expected to be a thoroughly prepared, well-composed, persuasive speech on a topic of significance to general society. A good oration is characterized by vivid and forceful language and appropriate stylistic devices such as metaphor, comparison/contrast, irony, etc. Thoughtfulness in the choice of and approach to the topic and the quality of supporting materials is a necessary part of the good oration. 10 mins
Radio Announcing
The challenge to the speaker is to present a well-organized, clearly communicated newscast. Source material provided by the tournament director of approximately 15-20 minutes in length is to be cut and edited with special efforts made to end right at 5 minutes.
Special Occasion Speaking
The challenge to the speaker is to make an appropriate presentation that responds to the constraints of the occasion, including the probable audience. In considering the "appropriateness" of the speaker's work attention will be paid to the purpose the speaker chooses, the position taken, the content, organization and general stylistic tone, and the manner of delivery. It is possible that a speech may pursue more than one of the standard general purposes of informing, persuading, and entertaining. 6 mins
This years topics to choose from are:
a speech at a family reunion
an acceptance of an award or honor
a rededication of an old cemetery
a speech at the closing of a neighborhood school