(Above) Destinee Owens, Thornton Fractional North High School Performing a program, "Black Woman Forgotten". 2023 National Speech and Debate Association (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GJJwTp_YSxw) |
Event DescriptionUsing a selection or selections of literature, students provide an interpretation of Poetry (POE) with a time limit of five minutes, including introduction. Poetry is characterized by writing that conveys ideas, experiences, and emotions through language and expression. Students may choose traditional poetry, often characterized by rhyme or rhythm, or nontraditional poetry, which often has a rhythmic flow but is not necessarily structured by formal meter (meter is a beat, pattern, or structure, such as iambic pentameter). Students may not use prose, nor drama (plays), in this category. Students must use a manuscript in Poetry, which typically consists of a small three-ring binder with page protectors.The performer may choose two or more short poems, which should have a common theme or author. The performer may present the poems one after the other OR may choose to weave them together into a program of poetry. If a program is created with multiple selections, they must be presented in a chronological manner as they appear in the original poems. EVENT TIMESTime limit, inclusive of introduction, is 5 minutes with a 30 second “grace period”. Should the performer go beyond the grace period they may not be ranked 1st. | Event RulesACTAA aligns with NSDA on all interpretation event rules. NSDA Interpretation Event Rules ResourcesACTAA Resource LibraryInterpretation of Literature—Bringing Words to Life NSDA High School Unified Manual NSDA Suggested Source Material |