Tag: Membership

Duo Interpretation- Tips from AJ Neumann

Posted on by Heather Neumann

In honor of our new release- The Ultimate Duo Handbook... An Essential Guide to Duo Interpretation. Here is an excerpt of the book...

AJ Neumann participated in Speech and Debate for five years. Each of those years he participated in Duo Interpretation. It was one of favorite Speech categories. Four out of the five years, he had FOUR different duo partners. He qualified to the National Championship in Duo Interpretation four years in a row, with three of those four partners.

AJ describes his Duo partnerships, how they came to be, and what valuable lessons he learned through each one of them...

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Perspective on your Persuasive

Posted on by Heather Neumann

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Being persuasive is an art. When writing persuasively, it is important to explain your thoughts clearly and make sure you have your thoughts supported by facts. I believe that the Persuasive Speech category is one of the most difficult to master. Here are my reasons why, and what you can do to master this speech...

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Creating Unforgettable Characters

Posted on by Heather Neumann

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If you are competing in any Interpretive Speech, creating believable characters is fundamental. Characterization is the vessel for demonstrating your interpretive skills. Our Character Worksheet can help you analyze each individual character. As you create your characters, there are a few specific aspects you should develop. Remember, although there may be a whole book written on your character, you have a time limit. Also, your creativity in the development of characters is ultimately up to you! Have fun! Get to know these people… You're going to spending a lot of time with them! Remember the goal is to make your characters memorable so your judges can tell them apart, as well remember them. Here are some things to consider...

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Biographical Narrative – A Chance to Inspire

Posted on by Kristi Eskelund

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Does anyone remember Paul Harvey and “…the rest of the story?”  For years Paul Harvey’s broadcast gave us a look at the inspiring accomplishments of ordinary people – who sometimes but not always turned out to be famous when we heard “the rest of the story.”  This was biographical narrative at its best!  Paul Harvey examined people.  He looked at their challenges and motivations, but mostly he showed us how they chose deliberately to rise above the many various obstacles they faced to be  doers of good deeds and to become men and women of real character, creativity, or accomplishment.

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Digging Deeper in Rules

Posted on by Heather Neumann

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How well do you know the rules? When you see a speed limit sign that states 25 mph- does that mean you need to start driving 25 mph before or after you reach the sign? I think speech rules are often read, but I wonder how many students are  actually understanding them. Today I am going to break down a couple of my favorite NCFCA Interp Rules... (Of course this is only my interpretation)...

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Don’t Forget your Funny Bone!

Posted on by Kristi Eskelund

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Just how important is humor?  Well, I bet you can’t get through a single day without at least encountering a small dose of it.  YouTubers are making a living on it.  Meme developers monopolize its powers.  People of both sides of the political spectrum have furiously tried to relieve the growing stress of this year’s election by using humor as an emotional outlet.  Health advocates tout the importance of laughter, and…you know it, I know it….everyone knows it….we are drawn to funny people.

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The Art of Visualization

Posted on by Heather Neumann

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There have been many benefits since my family got on the wild ride of Speech and Debate. One of those benefits I would like to call The Art of Visualization. I think most of our family has the ability to some degree. “What is it?” you might ask… The Art of Visualization is being able to watch or read something and be able to picture it as a Speech. I ask the students that I coach if they can visualize themselves in a speech. Can they visualize a story, movie, book, etc. as a speech? Let me help you visualize what I’m talking about…

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Find Your Interp Style!

Posted on by Heather Neumann

It's that time in the "pre-season", where some students are starting to feel panicked. "I haven't found my epic piece!" "My research is going no where!" "I hate my topic already!" Or my favorite, "We were supposed to have a piece picked by now?!" I know Practice Tournaments are starting... But take a deep breath... You still have time- plenty of time!

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Thinking about an IO/Expos…

Posted on by Kristi Eskelund

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I definitely encourage everyone to try an illustrated oratory/expository at least once in your competitive speech career because it’s different from a typical platform speech in a way that I think is particularly relevant to today’s visual culture.  IO requires a speaker to capture ideas in easily absorbed images and simple, physical manipulations.  These are presented on several 20 x 30 inch foam boards made visible with an easel.  So, IO also requires a degree of choreography around the easel.  In order to develop those visual aids and get in the extra practice on physical delivery, IO requires a totally different timeline to pull together for competition.

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Cutting a Piece Part 3/3 – What to Eliminate

Posted on by Kristi Eskelund

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You picked your piece and really thought about why you wanted it.  You’ve made a list of all the parts you want to keep.  Perhaps you already know that you have too much to keep all of it.  Now….what should you eliminate when you are cutting it?

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Cutting a Piece Part 2/3 – What to Keep

Posted on by Kristi Eskelund

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Every work of literature is made up of five literary elements.  You may have had an English teacher that made you study these ad nauseam!  (I may have been that English teacher!)  But these five mechanisms make any story work.  They affect the reader or audience in specific ways.  They are manipulated by the author to specific purpose.  Understanding what they are and how they work helps you make a good cut for your interp.

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