Individual Events Overview

IMG_6590In Oregon, there are 11 main individual events (and a twelfth for those who speak English as a second language). Below is a more detailed description of each event (for many of the events, especially interpretation events, you can usually find numerous examples on YouTube. Just search for “NFL [name of event]” for interp/national events.

The strongest competitors–and those with the most well-known reputation–usually do two or more events. The very best do a debate form and 2 or more IEs. When you’re starting off, you should (if you can) pick at least one IE (not including impromptu) and one debate form, or try to do at least two IEs. That way, you’re a double or triple threat.

After Dinner Speaking
Time: 6:00 with a +/- 30 second grace period.
Type: Memorized prepared speech. Funny. Conversational-style delivery.
Description: ADS is a funny speech with a serious undertone. Being too funny is preferable to being too serious. You’ll take a serious topic and usually make a point about it, using humor as your main tool. Past winning topics have included: standardized testing, facebook addiction, being short, anything to do with school, etc., but you can give a good ADS on just about anything. ADS is a state event and college national event, but not a high school national event.

Example: 2012 OSAA Oregon State Tournament ADS Finals (favorite example is at 26:45, State Champion is at 34:50), and 2013 OSAA Oregon State Tournament ADS Finals (favorite example is at 55:15, State Champion is at 6:16).
Oregon Rules: OSAA After Dinner Speaking Rules. OSAA ADS Ballot (what the judge for each round fills out).
Contact Sarah Kwartler for more info or help.



Poetry Reading
Time: 8:00 with a +/- 30 second grace period.
Type: Prepared presentation. Should be memorized, but you will have a small binder with your poems in them in front of you the entire time.
Description: Poetry is an eight minute reading of a collection of poems. The collection should feature at least three poems an embody a specific theme. The goal is to capture a variety of rhythms and tones while working in a well developed theme.

Oregon Rules: OSAA Poetry Reading Rules. OSAA Poetry Reading Ballot (what the judge for each round fills out).
Contact Anna Kulawiec or Meghana Mysore for more info or help.



Dual Interpretation
Time: up to 10:00 with a 30 second grace period.
Type: Memorized interpretation, 2 person scene. Funny, dramatic/serious, or both.
Description: You and a partner will interpret (act out) a ten-minute scene/play. You can use anything published that has an ISBN number. The best Duos are funny and serious, and they have a coherent plot. You cannot make eye contact with your partner nor touch your partner the entire time, and you may not use props nor costumes. It is a national event.

Example:2011 NFL Nationals Duo Champions, 2007 NFL National Champions, 2007 NFL National Runner-up, and 2013 NFL National Duo Finalists.
Oregon Rules: OSAA Dual Interpretation Rules. OSAA Dual Interpretation Ballot (what the judge for each round fills out).
Contact Bek Adams, Isabelle Cullen, or Sarah Kwartler for more info or help.



Humorous Interpretation
Time: up to 10:00 with a 30 second grace period.
Type: Scripted, memorized, one person acting. Funny.
Description: A funny scene. You can portray multiple characters but not use props. Even though it’s humorous, the best HI portrays character growth or a serious theme. It is a national event.

Example:2007 NFL National HI Champion, 2010 NFL National HI Champion, 2008 NFL National Runner-up, 2013 NFL National HI Champion, and 2004 NFL National HI Champion.
Oregon Rules: OSAA Memorized Humorous Rules. OSAA Memorized Humorous Ballot (what the judge for each round fills out).
Contact Sarah Kwartler for more info or help.



Dramatic Interpretation
Time: up to 10:00 with a 30 second grace period.
Type: Scripted, memorized, one person acting. Dramatic and serious.
Description: Basically, a serious/dramatic HI. The opposite of funny, a DI should deal with a very serious theme. If you’re already a good actor, that’s a bonus. It is a national event.

Example: 2010 NFL National DI Champion.
Oregon Rules: OSAA Memorized Serious Rules. OSAA Memorized Serious Ballot (what the judge for each round fills out).
Contact Meghana Mysore for more info or help.



Impromptu Speaking
Time: up to 5:00, with a 30 second grace period.
Type: Improvised speech. More formal and serious than informal and funny, although you can use a bit of humor.
Description: You’ll be given a slip of paper with 3 quotes/nouns/cliches on it. You’ll have 30 seconds to read the paper, pick a topic/quote, and then plan a 5:00 speech to give. While that may sound difficult, it’s actually not very hard, and some people may find that they get good at it quite fast. It is almost like talking through an English essay. You are allowed to give opinions and must use examples, usually from history, current events, or literature. It is not a main national event.

Oregon Rules: OSAA Impromptu Speaking Rules. OSAA Impromptu Speaking Ballot (what the judge for each round fills out).
Contact Jackson Dyal or Sarah Kwartler for more info or help.



Extemporaneous Speaking
Time: 7:00 with 30 sec of grace.
Type: Semi-prepared improvised speech. Formal.
Description: You’re given a topic and then you have 30 minutes to prepare and memorize your analytical speech. You must use sources, but can’t use the internet (that’s why we have extemp tubs–tubs of printed news articles). It is a national event.

Example: 2011 NFL Nationals Extemp Finalist (nationally, they split domestic and international extemp. Also, the cross-examination is only a national thing, not an OSAA rule. Interestingly, the fifth contestant was the national champion and supposedly the third in his family to be it).
Oregon Rules: OSAA Extemporaneous Speaking Rules. OSAA Extemporaneous Speaking Ballot (what the judge for each round fills out).
Contact SaraJane Griffiths for more info or help.



Original Oratory
Time: 10:00 with 30 sec of grace.
Type: “Traditional” speech event. Formal. Memorized. Written by you.
Description: You choose a significant subject. Then, you write a speech about it. Next, you memorize that speech. Those who are both good writers and practiced speakers will do well. Oration technique, as well as content, is very important. It is a national event.

Example: 2012 NFL National Oratory Champion and 1999 NFL National Oratory Champion.
Oregon Rules: OSAA Original Oratory Rules. OSAA Original Oratory Ballot (what the judge for each round fills out).
Contact Meghana Mysore for more info or help.



Prose Reading
Time: 8:00 with 30 sec of grace.
Type: Formal. Mostly memorized.
Description: You find a piece of literature, discuss a theme in your introduction, and then read the piece. The key to Prose is telling a captivating story in eight minutes. Stories must be cut from published sources and should have some plot arc. You can use arm gestures and alter your voice, but it is less physical acting than any of the interpretation events. It is not a national event.

Oregon Rules: OSAA Prose Reading Rules. OSAA Prose Reading Ballot (what the judge for each round fills out).
Contact Anna Kulawiec for more info or help.



Radio Commentary
Time:5:00 with +/- 15 seconds of grace.
Type: Prepared. Updated throughout the year. Not memorized.
Description: Contact Melissa or our coach for more help. This is not a national event, but, like most prepared events (such as Expos and Oratory), once you get good, you can consistently win tournaments.

Oregon Rules: OSAA Radio Commentary Rules. OSAA Radio Commentary Ballot (what the judge for each round fills out).
Contact Dan Tudorica for more info or help.



Expository Speaking
Time: 8:00 with 30 seconds of grace.
Type: A speech with visual aids. Formal and memorized.
Description: You prepare an explanatory/expository speech on a topic. You also have a few poster boards of visuals that accompany your speech. This is not a national event, but, like most prepared speeches (such as Expos and Oratory), once you get good, you can consistently win tournaments.

Oregon Rules: OSAA Expository Speaking Rules. OSAA Expository Speaking Ballot (what the judge for each round fills out).
Contact Kyle Padgett for more info or help



LIBIELL
Time: 5:00 with 30 seconds of grace.
Type: Read.
Description: This event is for those that speak English as a second language. You find a piece of literature you like and interpret it in a similar way to prose.

Oregon Rules: OSAA LIBIELL Rules. OSAA LIBIELL Ballot (what the judge for each round fills out).
Contact our coach for more info or help.

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