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Competitive Forensics

LINCOLN HIGH SPEECH TEAM

Fall Semester 2008

Laura Aten

What is competitive forensics?  Forensics is a formal way of saying both speech and debate.  Speech is more of a personal performance based activity that includes two sides: rhetoric/speeches and interpretations/acting.  Debate is more of an analytical speaking style that is based on interpersonal communication persuading a better side to a specific topic.  Put both of those together in a competitive format and you have competitive forensics.  If you’re afraid of public speaking and do not want to travel to other schools on the weekends, then this is not the right class for you... get out!

In this class, you will be expected to do several things:

• Put together a piece to compete with. As a novice member of the team you will only be required to do one event in speech. You will compete with the same piece(s) all school year.  As the year goes on you may add another if you feel confident.  As a varsity member you should be double-entered for every tournament you go to.  The more you compete the more NFL points you get! 
• Speech members who attend at least six tournaments for the semester will earn an “A”.  Going to 5 tournaments earns you a “B+”.  (07-08 was 7=A) You may choose which tournaments you go to. Whether you compete or judge will count as a tournament.
• Helping Lincoln High’s speech/debate tournament on December 12 is required.  We need all the available bodies to help run a smooth tournament.  Unless otherwise prearranged (if you are in the One-Act and it goes to State), you will be expected to leave this date open on your calendar.  It is a lot of fun.  And remember, novice can compete at this tournament, but it’s fun to work at with the team.
• Attendance for class is mandatory.  You must come to first period every Monday through Thursday, and to practice after school on Monday.  There are no practices on Fridays before or after school because of tournaments.  Just like other classes, if you have twelve absences, you fail. For students not enrolled in the first period class, there will be open practice on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays after school. (This doesn’t get you out of a first period practice if you show up after school.)  In other words, our practices are:
• Monday before and after school (meetings are after school)
• Tuesday through Thursday first period
• Friday no practice
• If you sign up for a tournament you are required to go.  If you fail to delete your name from the sing up before the deadline or stand the team up, you will pay a base rate of $10 plus the tournament entry fees and any judging costs.  As long as you stay committed, this class will cost you nothing but time.  Drops look bad for the team as a whole, and it’s really annoying for the host school.
• You will be required to dress professionally as found on your hand out.
• You will be required to follow all school rules and team regulations while at other school tournaments.  Please watch the enlightening and entertaining video on what to expect as a member of the LHS Forensics Team.
• Oh, yea.  If you place first in an event at a tournament that has at least 3 other competitors, you will receive an automatic “A” for the class!  Good luck! (You could earn your “A” at the first tournament and not have to do a thing for the remainder of the term! But I know you wouldn’t do the latter.)
• Did I forget anything? Oh yes, have fun and WIN!

REMEMBER: OUR GOAL IS TO QUALIFY FOR STATE & WIN IT!!!

Tentative Schcdule 2008-2009

*Bold tournaments are those we plan to go to and others are ones we will go to if there is an interest at sign up.

November 7 - Friday

              Millard North Novice Speech

November 8 - Saturday

              Norris Speech (tentative)

November 11- Tuesday

              Novidog @ East 4-7

November 14 - Friday

              Norfolk Speech

November 22 – Saturday

              Lincoln East Novice Speech

              Pius X Varsity Speech

December 5 – Friday

              Millard West Speech

December 12 – Friday

              Lincoln High Speech

December 16- Tuesday

              Novidog @ LHS 4-7

December 19 – Friday

              Lincoln Southeast Speech – Holiday Joust

December 20 – Saturday

              University of Nebraska-Lincoln Speech

January 9 – Friday             

Millard North Speech and Policy Debate

January 16 – Friday

              Creighton Prep Speech

January 17 – Saturday

              Raymond Central Speech

January 23 – Friday

              Fremont Speech

January 24 – Saturday

              Lincoln Southwest Speech

January 31 – Saturday

Lincoln Northeast Speech

February 7 – Saturday

              Crete Speech

February 14 – Saturday

              Lincoln North Star Speech

February 20 – Friday

              Lincoln East Speech

February 28 – Saturday

              NSAA District Speech

March 2 – Monday

              NSAA District Speech (A)

Date not decided but will be one of these 2 days

March 6 – Friday & March 7 - Saturday

National Forensic League Qualifier

March 13 – Friday & March 14 – Saturday

National Forensic League Qualifier

March 19 – Thursday

              NSAA State Speech – Class A, B, C1

What are the different SPEECH EVENTS?

INTERPRETATIONS:  All of these pieces must come from published work.

Dramatic Interpretation

This is an individual acting category in which the selections are dramatic in nature. Selections shall be cuttings from published-printed novels, short stories, plays, poetry, or any other printed-published materials. Presentations must be memorized, without props or costumes. Actors will utilize stationary blocking to enhance the interpretation. The time limit is 10 minutes, which includes an introduction.

Humorous Interpretation

This is an individual acting category in which the selections are humorous in nature. All other rules are the same as Dramatic Interpretation.

Duet Acting

This is a two-person acting category, the selection may be either humorous or dramatic in nature.  The actors are given two chairs and a table, there is no costuming. All other rules are the same as Dramatic Interpretation. The time limit is 10 minutes. (Some tournaments have Duo Interp.  You would use the same piece and partner.  However, you would not be able to use two chairs and a table, and you would not look at your partner. The time limit is 12 minutes.) 

Poetry/Prose

This is an individual interpretation event in which the contestant reads poetry pieces, which may or may not include some prose selections. The pieces used should center around a common concept or idea, or all come from the same author. Selections must be published; you cannot perform your own written poetry. While the introduction is memorized, the selections are read from a small binder. The time limit for poetry/prose is 6-8 minutes.

SPEECHES:  These are to be written by you.

Extemporaneous Speaking

A contestant draws three questions on a foreign or domestic topic, selects one, and then has 30 minutes to prepare an answer to the question. The contestant utilizes a set of files that he or she has built as a resource for answering the question. Only published materials may be used as resources (books, magazines, newspaper, and on-line resources). At the completion of the 30-minute preparation time, the student will speak on the topic for 5-7 minutes.

Original Oratory

This is an individual public speaking category in which the contestant authors and delivers an oration, which is persuasive in nature. The speech must be original, truthful, and use no more than 150 words of direct quotation. The time limit for the oration is 10 minutes.  Keep a copy of the speech and woks cited with you at all tournaments.  You may not use any note cards or visual aids.

Informative

Informative is a speech with a purpose to inform.  The speech is 8 minutes long; should use visual aids but is not required to. You may use one 4X6 note card.

Entertainment

Entertainment speeches are just like informative, except their purpose is also to entertain through humor and language.  You also have visual aids; the time limit is 8 minutes.  You may use one 4X6 note card.