The following are the 12 different options for individual events:
Limited Preparation Events
Extemporaneous and Impromptu Speaking:
Can you think in a pinch?
Both of these events require you to think on the spot, and become comfortable giving speeches with very little preparation time. Perfect for those who love a good adrenalin rush!
Platform Events
Speech to Entertain or After Dinner Speech:
Are you funny? Willing to put that theory to the test? Speech to entertain is one of the most popular events. The content of these speeches rarely stay G rated.
Communication Analysis:
In this event, students deliver speeches prepared with the purpose of analyzing a spoken event or other type of communication event. The speaker is to apply principles of rhetorical and/or communication theory to the event in order to contribute to a better understanding of that event. A communication theory lover's dream!
Informative Speaking:
The purpose of the informative speech is to describe, clarify, explain and/or define an object, idea, concept or process. Surely you could at least do that!
Persuasive Speaking:
In this event you have the chance to change the world... or at least attempt to. Persuasive speech is designed to inspire, reinforce or change the beliefs, attitudes, values, or actions of the audience.
Multicultural Event
Cultural Artifact:
This speech pays primary attention to the examination, explanation, or analysis of an artifact of a culture, co-culture, counter-culture, etc... The presentation shall contain a representation of the artifact (visual, audio, etc...)... know how important macaroni and cheese is to America? You would if you participated in this event!
Oral Interpretation Events
Oral Interpretation involves the presentation of literature and presentation of original remarks. How's your acting?
Dramatic Interpretation:
A selection or selections of dramatic or comical material this is for the actors on our team (e.g. plays, screenplays, radio dramas, etc.)
Prose Interpretation:
A selection or selections of prose which pretty much falls in the same category as Dramatic Interpretation except you need to get it out of a book! (e.g. short stories, novels, essays, etc.)
Poetry Interpretation:
A selection or selections of poetic material, no this isn't a open mic kind of event... (e.g. poetry, lyrics, etc.)
Program Oral Interpretation (POI):
This event is a program of thematically linked selections of literary merit, chosen from two of the three recognized genres of oral interpretation (i.e. prose, drama, poetry). A contestant may use the works of one or more authors. So you basically get to make your own speech by combining all of the events above. Make an argument and use your favorite plays, movies, books, lyric, etc., to make your point! FUN!
Dramatic Duo Interpretation:
This event is a dramatic interpretation, but if you like having a partner in debate then this is where you get to have one while acting out a scene. Two people working as one! Up for the challenge?