All Categories 2023-24 

ACTING CATEGORIES

Duo Interpretation*

You and a partner perform a piece to create an atmosphere of time and place, emphasizing development of character and appropriate physical movement - memorized. Requires an intro.

Time limit: 10 min. 

  

Solo Acting Humorous* (Offered in Middle School - Only Humorous)

Act out part of a funny piece by yourself, playing all the characters without props – memorized. Needs a memorized intro.

Time limit: 10 min.

 

Solo Acting Serious* (Offered in Middle School - Only Serious)

Act out part of a serious piece by yourself, playing all characters without props – memorized. Needs a memorized intro. 

Time limit: 10 min.

 

Play Acting (Offered in Middle School) (Similar to Middle School Skits)

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. No original work is allowed, and is performed with 2-5 students.

Time limit: 10 min.

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INTERPRETATION CATEGORIES
Farrago* (Also known as POI or Programmed Oral Interp) (Offered in Middle School)

Read from various literary genres (poetry, short stories, speeches, essays, drama, novels, etc.), to show a theme or emotion – use a script, and doesn't need to be memorized. Needs a memorized intro.

Time limit: 10 min.

 

Group Interpretive Reading (Offered in Middle School) (Similar to Readers' Theater in Middle School)

Read a literary script with at least 1 other person to symbolically represent characters and physical action using rehearsed movements – use a script and doesn't need to be memorized. Needs a memorized intro. 

Time limit: 10 min.

 

Oral Interpretation of Literature (also known as OIL)

The presenter prepares a 10-minute literary program in poetry and a 10-minute program in prose (short stories, cuttings from novels, monologues and soliloquies, essays, or other non-fiction work) – each centering on a theme or emotion (they don't have to be the same theme) – for interpretation in alternating rounds of competition.

Time limit: 10 min each- one prose and one poetry

 

Interpretation of Poetry (Offered in Middle School)

Read a poem, or collection of poems around a central theme, with expression – use a script and doesn't need to be memorized. Needs a memorized intro.

Time limit: 8 min.

 

Interpretation of Prose (Offered in Middle School)

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. – use a script and doesn’t need to be memorized. Needs a memorized intro.

Time limit: 8 min.

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Storytelling (Offered in Middle School)

Use voices and gestures to perform a story or myth from each category from the list provided.  Perform while sitting in a chair- memorized. You will need to have a memorized intro. 

Time limit: 4-8 min.

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2024 Storytelling Categories:

You will need to have a story for each of these categories, so you will memorize three stories.

• A mystery story

• A story of advocacy/allyship

• A story about money/greed

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SPEECH CATEGORIES

Expository Speaking (Similar to Informative Speech in Middle School - without visuals)

Present a speech with the primary intent of providing information - notes permitted, but not recommended. Visual aids are not allowed.

Time limit: 5 min.

 

Informative Speaking* 

Present an informative speech you create – notes optional (but subject to critique) or memorized. Props, including worn clothing, and visuals are allowed.

Time limit: 10 min.

 

Moments in History

Present an informative speech about an event/person from a specific time period that changes yearly. Use research (archival records, diaries, personal interviews, letters, newspapers, etc.) to showcase this event –notes optional (but subject to critique) or memorized. Visual aids allowed.

Time limit: 6 min.

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 2024 Moments in History:  You will choose ONE of these time frames to use for your speech 

• 1970s (1970-1979)

• 1900 - 1919

      

Oratory* (Similar to 4 Minute Speech in Middle School - Only Persuasive)

Present a persuasive speech that you write yourself - memorized.

Time limit: 10 min.

 

Oratorical Declamation

Present a persuasive speech that is not original work.

For freshman and sophomores only- Not offered at every tournament

Time limit: 10 min

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Special Occasion Speaking (Similar to 4 Minute Speech in Middle School - Only Amusing)

Present a speech that you create for a special occasion event from the list – notes optional (but subject to critique) or memorized. Visual aids allowed.

Time limit: 6 min.          

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2024 Special Occasion events to pick from: 

You will choose ONE of these topics to use for your speech

• An address to a board of education

• A public apology

• A speech delivered to an assembly of current students

• A wedding toast

 

LIMITED PREP CATEGORIES

Extemporaneous Speaking *

Present a speech you create that addresses a question about a current event topic you’ll get during the tournament. Support your speech with evidence & reasoning that you bring with you to the tournament. Can use the internet to prepare speech. Can use a 4x6 notecard.

Time limit: 7 min.

 

Radio Announcing (Offered in Middle School)

Present a radio show with material that you get and then cut down at the tournament. You try to get as close to the time limit as you can & use a radio voice to create appeal. Can use a script.

Time limit: 5 min.

 

Impromptu Speaking

You are given 5 minutes to choose one topic to speak on between 3-5 choices, prepare, and give a speech (all in the 5 minutes, usually use 2 minutes to prep and 3 minutes to give the speech). Topic choices vary every round and can be anything- usually quotations, events, names, or nouns. Can use a 4x6 notecard.

Time limit: 5 min.

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CONGRESS (Competitions are on Fridays)

Congressional Debate*

Student Congress is a mock legislative assembly for which students draft legislation, which they later debate and vote to pass into law. Prior to a Congress, students research and prepare arguments for the legislative docket. At the Congress – moderated by a student presiding officer – students support or oppose each issue by delivering brief extemporaneous speeches to establish their position, rebuild complementary arguments, and refute divergent claims.

 

All categories with an * you can qualify for the NSDA National Tournament in June!

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