2008 Oral Interp Season

October 6th:  Milbank Contest * October 18th:  NSU Contest * November 5th (tentative):  Local Elimination * November 14th:  Aberdeen Central Contest * November 18th:  Regions @ Aberdeen * December 5th & 6th:  State @ Sturgis

Oral interpretation includes the public reading of quality literature.  You may choose from the seven listed categories:

v     Serious Prose      

v     Serious Drama

v     Poetry

v     Humorous

v     Oratory

v     Duet

v     Reader’s Theatre

Steps to Success:

Choosing Material

• How many characters can you handle?

• Do you want serious or comic material?

• Remember, good material provides insight into human nature and the person reading the piece

• Should build in action and intensity as the piece progresses

• Should flow smoothly-some transitions may be needed

• Books with possible pieces are available in the library (school and public) and with Miss Vermillion---YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR FINDING YOUR PIECES!

 Making the Cutting

• 7-10 minutes in length

• Should have a beginning, middle, and end

• Should move towards a climactic moment

• The author’s meaning should be kept intact-you cannot change words, but you can cut some

• Be careful to maintain the effect the author intended

 Studying the Piece

• Know each character inside and out

• Read, read, read the piece

• If you don’t enjoy the piece, it will most likely come through in your presentation

 Creating the Character

• Show them vocally using a believable voice

• Show them physically with gestures, body posture, etc…

• Pick focal points

 Writing the Introduction and Transitions

• Include title and author

• May include characters, scene info, theme info, etc…

• All cuttings should be mounted on black construction paper

 Tentative Schedule of Interp Meets

SEE TOP OF PAGE!

 Commitment to Participate in Contests

Prior to any contest, a student must commit to his or her participation at least a week in advance of the contest.  Each student must attend at least one of the first two meets in order to be eligible for the local contest.  In additions, once a name is entered in a contest, that person is responsible for showing up.  If the student withdraws, he or she must pay the fee (usually $3-$6 per entry).  Students who withdraw may also be responsible for a judge’s fee. 
If we want to be successful as a team, then we need to help each other out.  Offer to listen to one another and offer valuable constructive criticism.  Be supportive of your teammates at competitions.  Also, if we want to have a chance of winning a team trophy, we need to take a full slate of entries to each competition. 

 Practice Schedule

I need to know your available free time for practices as soon as possible.  These times will be before school at 7:45 or 8, or after school at 3:15, 3:30, or 3:45.  You will practice with me once or twice a week.  You should practice on your own time as much as you can!  I will make a practice schedule and it MUST BE FOLLOWED!  You will receive a copy of the schedule once everyone has selected a time slot.  Practices will begin the week of September 12^th or 19^th, so please get your piece chosen by then.

 Drivers

I will need parent volunteers to from time to time.  If you know someone who would be interested, please have them fill out a volunteer driver sheet and let me know.  I will then be in contact with available parents. Most of our competitions are here in Aberdeen, so you will be expected to arrange for transportation to those. 

 THANK YOU FOR SHOWING INTEREST IN ORAL INTERP! TURN TO YOUR EXPERIENCED TEAMMATES FOR ASSISTANCE AND SUPPORT!

                                                        -Miss Vermillion

 Oral Interpretation Categories

 HUMOROUS

You probably guessed it already…this is the funny stuff.  The gut busters.  Your piece should be something comical in nature.  Do remember that some excellent material is available that will not make them roll in the aisles, but it might make them laugh on the inside.  Getting an audience to laugh out loud is a great feeling and would probably work best, though.  Some suggested authors:  Grizzard, McManus, and Barry, to name a few.  Selections may come from novels, short stories, or plays.  Some “essay” type material may also be suitable.  A script is used.

 POETRY

Poetry is anything written in verse form.  It may or may not rhyme.  Selections may include any of the following:

• One long poem

• A cutting from one longer poem

• A series of shorter poems with a similar theme

• A series of poems by the same author

• Once again, a script is used.

 ORATORY

The oratory category consists of a speech or essay that has some serious point to be made.  Editorials in news magazines (US News and World Report, Time, Newsweek) or excerpts from a persuasive-type book can be used.  Check the public library in the periodical section for the publication, “Vital Speeches”.  “Reader’s Digest” is another source.  You can also find pieces on the internet, but be sure you remember your sources (the website and the author). Once again, a script is used. 

 SERIOUS PROSE

Prose is anything that is not written in poetic or play form.  This means it may include novels or short stories.  The time length is still 7-10 minutes, so you should just select a portion of a short story or novel.  A script is used.  The material should have a serious or dramatic tone. 

 SERIOUS DRAMA

This section also centers on selections that have a serious nature.  The only difference between serious prose and serious drama is where the selection comes from.  The serious drama MUST COME FROM A PLAY.  A script is used.

 DUET

Duet material must come from a play. As the name implies, it involves two people.  It may either be serious or humorous in nature.  No props or costumes are used.  An off-stage focus is required.  Scripts are used.

 READER’S THEATER

This category uses 3-6 students interpreting literature of their choice-published or original.  Scripts are used, along with stools and music stands if you so choose.  Some movement is allowed.  Noises are allowed, but no singing. 

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