Many families new to competitive speech have asked, "What is Original Oratory?" Multiple leagues have OO as a category, and it is a popular choice! Many families seasoned in competitive speech have wondered what on earth to do with/in/for that speech category since it isn't persuasive, biographical, or illustrated. Everyone is trying to figure out the formula as we approach those first tournaments...
Recently, at Club, I gave the assignment to my returning kids to have them come up with their favorite way to memorize speeches. Everyone who has participated in speech and debate for more than a year or so, has their own particular way they prefer to memorize. I was amazed by the variety of responses! Some kids are able to memorize quite quickly. Others may struggle.
I believe the strength of your speech can be linked to the strength of your script (what you have created for competition). However a Dramatic Interpretation is far more involved and has much more depth to be based on script alone. For a great Dramatic Interpretation or a dramatic Open, Duo, or even Original Interpretation to be created, there must be rich content from which to grow. When looking for a script, piece of literature, or play there are several considerations to think about:
A majority of Speech and Debate Clubs use part of their club time to evaluate or give feedback to their speech students. New students and parents often don't feel qualified to give feedback. However club time is the perfect time to give speeches and have them evaluated. This is an excellent teaching opportunity for students - on what speeches should look like, and parents, how to be better judges.
Below is a list/form, club leader, Amy Willson, of Fox Valley Talk in Appleton, WI created to help the process of giving and receiving feedback. The club created a laminated copy/sheet for the room leader to have. The goals for the feedback session may vary from club to club- some include: helping younger students or new parents to give an assessment of speeches, for the speaker to receive quality feedback, keeping the room moving to get through the allotted speeches in any given day.
We are in the process of creating this information in our new resources page for club leaders, as well as families, to use. Be sure to check out the Lasting Impact! Library Coming Soon! We will offer a variety documents for club leaders, students, coaches, etc. FREE for members of Lasting Impact! If you are a club leader that would like to share your documents with other members- let us know! We would love to include your resources in The Lasting Impact! Library. We hope to have the library up and running by the end of the year!
Tips For Evaluating Speech Students During Club Time...
Last time we discussed Interpretive Speech, as well as WHY it's important. Today we will discuss HOW to bring interpretive speeches to life!
So HOW do you get there?
The art of interpretation doesn't just magically happen. There are a few key things you must have to be able to put your piece together.
How would you define ‘interpretation?’ Would you say, “Putting your own spin on something” or maybe “Giving your own perspective?” That would be correct. Perhaps you would go further and suggest that an ‘interpretation’ seeks to explain the meaning of something, and that would also be correct. Google Dictionary gives synonyms like: elucidation, exposition, and clarification. Our competitive speech leagues usually define ‘interpretation’ along the lines of “bringing literature to life” for the purposes of their event structure, and that encompasses all of those approaches above!
I used to look down or thought an introduction at the beginning of a Speech really didn't matter. Shame on me! For those of you unsure what an Intro/Introduction is- it is the part of your Interpretive Piece where you introduce or set up the Speech. Perhaps you think it is unimportant or just a bunch of redundant information. My analysis has changed... I now think it is very important. I actually think those that do an intro, and do it well, have an advantage. So let's analyze the power of an introduction of a Speech...
Advanced interpretation is not equal to advanced interpers delivering their material in a speech and/or forensics competition. Advanced interpretation is instead marked by subtlety and skill more than by experience. Admittedly, experienced speakers tend to have more skill, but very often they apply that skill in such a way as to emphasize their own largess rather than to expose believable and relatable characters in believable and relatable conflicts. One hallmark of those doing truly advanced work is their ability to differentiate between stereotypes and stock characters.
Every year or two, speech leagues tend to roll out something new to keep things interesting for both students and parent judges. This year is no exception. Today we are going to look at the two largest homeschool speech and debate leagues- Stoa and NCFCA. Heather and Kristi will take a look at these new speech events...
I get asked all the time, how did I start coaching, what is the process I use to coach, etc. Although I consider myself a "Speech Coach", I actually think I am more of a "Mentor". Lately I have been analyzing the difference between coaching and mentoring, and what approach I have, so that I can help you become a better coach (or mentor). Maybe what I do is more of a hybrid method...
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