2024 David Helton Fall Forensics Forum

JR/JV Poetry Interpretation 

Description: In Poetic Interpretation, the student presents a poem of their choice. The selection and presentation of the poem should captivate and moves the audience.

Goal: To select and analyze poetry, then bring it to life through the creative use of voice, movement, and facial expression.

JR/JV Poetry Interpretation Preparation Rules:
1. Poems may come from a single work or a variety of genres. The result must be a single work and it may not be authored by the competitor.
2. Media transcripts are not permitted. A “media transcript” is a pirated script or selection that has been transcribed by an individual from a live or recorded performance (theater, movies, television/radio broadcasts, webcasts, internet streaming, etc.).
3. The poem must be cut to fit within the time limit.
4. 150 words may be added for any purpose including but not limited to introductions and transitions.
5. Dialogue from one character may be given to another character.
6. The selection may be entered in only one category per tournament.
7. The student may place the selection in a different category in subsequent tournaments.
8. The student may enter only one interpretive selection per category.

JR/JV Poetry Interpretation Presentation Rules:
1. The speaker must identify the title and author near the beginning of the piece.
2. The speaker must compete in tournament attire.
3. No audio or visual aids or props may be used.
4. Only feet are permitted to touch the floor at any time.
5. Gratuitous vulgarity is strictly prohibited.
6. This is primarily a speech event but some singing and dancing are permitted as appropriate to the piece.
7. The script must be memorized. No written scripts or notes may be referred to in competition rounds. The competitor can receive a ranking penalty for use of a written script or notes in competition.
8. The timekeeper will start the timepiece when the speaker begins and will stop the timepiece when the speaker finishes. No hand signals will be given.

Speaking time limit– five (5) minutes. No minimum time.

JR/JV Poetry Intrep Ballot