Events and Rules

EXTEMPORANEOUS SPEAKING: Students will draw topics from current academic year issues of news magazines and will have 30 minutes to prepare a speech. Electronic retrieval devices are not allowed. One note card with 50 words or less may be used. 7 minute max.

ORIGINAL ORATORY: The O.O. is an original (serious) speech on any subject of interest to the student. Must be memorized. 10 minute max.

DRAMATIC INTERPRETATION: Literature for performance shall be from a published play or from prose or poetry. Intro shall count in overall time. Must be performed from memory. 10 minute max. Monologues are acceptable

HUMOROUS INTERPRETATION: Same as D.I., but from humorous lit.

PROSE INTERPRETATION: Literature for performance shall be from a published prose work (short story, novel, nonfiction). A manuscript must be used. Intro is included in time. 10 minute max.

POETRY INTERPRETATION: Literature for performance shall be from a published prose work ( short story, novel, nonfiction). More than one poem may be performed, but should be related to the first poem used. Can use lyrics form plays or musicals. A manuscript must be used. Intro is included in time. 10 minute max.

STORYTELLING: Story may be from published, unpublished, original, or retold stories. If the story is not original, credit should be given to the author in the intro, and the contestant should tell in his own words. No costumes, props, or notes may be used. Characterization is allowed, and contestant may sit or stand. 8 minute max.

DUET ACTING: Two actors shall present a selection form a published play. A maximum of two hand props and two stage props may be used. Other props may be pantomimed. Costumes and makeup may not be used. Must be memorized. Intro is included in time. 10 minute max.

DUO INTERPRETATION: Two performers shall present a selection from a published piece of literature. Manuscripts must be used. Focus must be directed toward audience (instead of toward each other). Each performer may portray more than one character. Material should be as evenly divided as possible. Students double-entered in Duet Acting and Duo-Interpretation may not use the same play for both events. 10 minute max.

IMPROVISATIONAL DUET ACTING: Two actors will be given a situation or a group of words or lines and allowed five minutes to prepare a five-minute scene. A maximum of two hand props and two stage props total may be used. Other props may be pantomimed. Costumes and makeup may not be used.

IMPROMPTU SPEAKING:

LINCOLN-DOUGLAS DEBATE: Usual time limits with 3 minute prep time. The Nov.-Dec. NFL topic will be used. Check www.nflonline.org for the topic wording. Electronic retrieval devices may not be used.

CONGRESS: One chamber utilizing NFL rules and time limits. No more than 8 entries per school. Bills will be available at DCHS the day of the tournament or may be received in advance by checking the website – www.dicksoncountytournament.com. Students may bring and submit their own bills provided they have 30 copies typed in the proper format available to submit to the Presiding Officer at the beginning of the first session. Electronic retrieval devices may not be used.