Tips for Observers of Forensics Competition
What to Expect:
When you arrive on campus go to the Reitz Union colonnade, where the information desk for the tournament will be located. Here you will find a schedule, where to go, suggestions of events to watch and directions. Be aware that this event is unlike any other event you have ever seen before. There will be speech teams from across the nation that range in size and style. Because of the nature of the events that will be competed in, don’t be alarmed if you see people talking to walls or to themselves; these people are likely just practicing a speech before competition begins. The competitors can seem a little strange in their business suits and carrying around little black books, boxes of evidence and large cases for visual aids.
This competition is very large with approximately 1,000 competitors from all around the nation. The competitors will all be dressed in formal business attire during their performances. There will be 5-7 speakers and at least two judges in each room for competition. The speakers will write their name on the blackboard or some other designated place to signify their speaking position in the round. Any competitor may be entered in two events during one round. In this case, the speaker will indicate this by writing DE (double-entered) next to their name. These speakers will either leave the round early to compete in their other event or will come in later.
When you enter a round try to arrive before the competitors begin to speak. If you do not show up on time, please wait outside of the room until you hear applause indicating that a particular speaker is finished. You do not want to walk into a round while a competitor is speaking, as it will disrupt their performance. Once the round is over, you may leave. Additionally, do not to leave a round in the middle as it may be distracting to the competitors.
Above all, have fun and enjoy this entertaining forensics competition!
Events:
There are 11 events in total divided into three categories: Limited Preparation, Platform speeches and Interpretation of literature events.
In limited preparation there are two events, extemporaneous and impromptu. In these events the students are given a question or quotation and have a limited amount of time to prepare their speech. Extemporaneous is based on current events while impromptu is usually based on a quotation given at the beginning of the round.
In platform events, the students have a prepared speech that is 8-10 minutes long which they have perfected throughout the competition year. The speeches may be informative, persuasive, after dinner speaking or communication analysis. Informative speeches should inform you about a new technology or idea and its uses. Persuasive speeches should convince the audience about a socially relevant subject. After dinner speaking should put a humorous slant on an important subject. Communications analysis takes a communication artifact, (this can range from a television show to an advertising campaign), and analyzes it using a communication theory. Speakers may use visual aids to assist their speech.
Interpretation events are various interpretations of different forms of literature. The events are prose, poetry, dramatic interpretation, duo interpretation and program of oral interpretation. Prose, poetry and dramatic interpretation are essentially 8-10 minute cuttings of pieces of literature from each genre. Duo interpretation involves two competitors who, together, perform a dramatic piece by interacting with each other. Program of oral interpretation involves prose, poetry, and dramatic pieces cut together to create a cohesive performance relating to a common theme. These events must be entertaining and socially important. All competitors in these events must use a manuscript for their performance, usually held in a small, black binder.
American Forensic Association
2006 National Individual Events Tournament
OBSERVER TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
Saturday, April 1
8:00 AM Opening Assembly and Manchester Scholarship Presentation (Reitz Union Amphitheater, UF Campus)
8:00AM-5:00PM Observer Information Table, Reitz Union Colonnade
9:30 AM Round 1 B Events (Duo, Extemp, Pers, POI)
11:00 AM Round 1 A Events (Pr, Imp, Info)
1:15 PM Round 2 A Events
2:30 PM Round 1 C Events (ADS, CA, DI, Poet)
4:00 PM Round 3 A Events
6:00 PM Round 2 B Events
Sunday, April 2- DON’T FORGET DAYLIGHT SAVINGS! MOVE YOUR CLOCKS FORWARD AN HOUR SO YOU WON'T BE LATE!
8:00AM-5:00PM Observer Information Table, Reitz Union Colonnade
8:45 AM Round 3 B Events
10:15 AM Round 2 C Events
11:45 AM Round 3 C Events
2:00 PM Quarter Finals A Events
4:00 PM Quarter Finals B Events
5:30 PM Quarter Finals C Events
Monday, April 3
8:00AM-4:00PM Observer Information Table, Reitz Union, Lounge Area
8:00 AM Semi Finals A Events
10:00 AM Semi Finals B Events
11:30 AM Semi Finals C Events
1:00 PM Finals A Events
3:00 PM Finals B Events
4:30 PM Finals C Events
7:30 PM Awards Ceremony (Grand Ballroom in the Reitz Union)
Group A Events---Prose Interpretation, Impromptu Speaking, Informative Speaking
Group B Events---Duo Interpretation, Extemporaneous Speaking, Persuasive Speaking, Program Oral Interpretation
Group C Events---After Dinner Speaking, Communication Analysis, Dramatic Interpretation, Poetry Interpretation
2005-2006 DESCRIPTION OF EVENTS—AFA-NIET
A EVENTS
Impromptu Speaking: An impromptu speech, serious in nature, with topic selections varied by round and by section. Topics will be of a proverb nature. Speakers will have a total of 7 minutes for both preparation and speaking. Timing commences with the acceptance of the topics sheet. Limited notes are permitted. Each speaker in a given section will choose to speak from one of the same two topics offered.
Informative Speaking: 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. Minimal notes are permitted. Maximum time is 10 minutes including introduction.
Prose Interpretation: A selection or selections of prose material of literary merit, which may be drawn from more than one source. Play cuttings and poetry are prohibited. Use of manuscript is required. Maximum time is 10 minutes including introduction.
B EVENTS
Dramatic Duo: A cutting from a play or plays, 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 the focus should be off-stage and not to each other. Maximum time limit is 10 minutes including introduction.
Extemporaneous Speaking: Contestants will be given three topics in the general area of current events, choose one, and have 30 minutes to prepare a speech that is the original work of the student. Maximum time limit for the speech is 7 minutes. Limited notes are permitted. Students will speak in listed order. Posting of topics will be staggered.
Persuasive Speaking: 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. Minimal notes are permitted. Maximum time limit is 10 minutes.
Program Oral Interpretation: A program of thematically-linked selections of literary merit, chosen from two or three recognized genres of competitive interpretation (prose/poetry/drama). A substantial portion of the total time must be devoted to each of the genres used in the program. Different genre means the material must appear in separate pieces of literature (e.g., A poem included in a short story that appears only in that short story does not constitute a poetry genre). Only one selection may be original. Use of manuscript is required. Maximum time limit is 10 minutes including original introduction and/or transitions.
C EVENTS
After-Dinner Speaking: 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 comic dialogue. Audio-visual aids may or may not be used to supplement and reinforce the message. Minimal notes are permitted. Maximum time limit is 10 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 10 minutes.
Drama Interpretation: A cutting that 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 10 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 and prose works are prohibited. Use of manuscript is required. Maximum time limit is 10 minutes including introduction.
