Speech Events…

SOS (Special Occasion Speaking)

In SOS, you write a 6-8 minute speech about pretty much anything. It just has to have a specific audience and be entertaining. (In other words, you get to make a lot of silly jokes.)

OD (Oratorical Declamation)

In this event, you deliver a 4-5 minute speech written or published by someone else.

Extemp (Extemporaneous Speaking)

If you like current events, this is the event for you. At every tournament, you draw a current events topic at random and then have 45 minutes (and a file full of info to use) to write a speech about it.

OO (Original Oratory)

Contestants in this category write and deliver a formal 6-8 minute persuasive speech concerning social issues of the day.

Radio Speaking

In this category, you prepare and deliver a five minute radio news report including news (of course), weather, sports, and even a commercial.

Impromptu Speaking

You are given a topic or quote and then you have 8 minutes to make up and deliver a speech about it.

Dramatic/Interpretive Events…

OC (Original Comedy)

You perform a 6-8 minute funny story complete with (often fairly odd) characters.

HDA (Humorous Duet Acting)

You and a partner perform a 6-8 minute funny (make that hilarious) scene.

DDA (Dramatic Duet Acting)

You and a partner perform a 6-8 minute dramatic (make that heart-wrenching) scene.

HI (Humorous Interpretation)

You perform either a 6-8 minute monologue (hilarious, of course) or a 6-8 minute (outrageously funny) scene in which you—standing in one place—play all of the characters.

DI (Dramatic Interpretation)

You perform either a 6-8 minute monologue (serious and powerful, of course) or a 6-8 minute (dramatic) scene in which you—standing in one place—play all of the characters.

Verse Reading

You perform a 4-6 minute program of thematically-related poetry which is contained in a binder you “read” as you perform.

Prose Reading

You give a dramatic reading of a short story.

Experimental Events

(These events are only available at a few tournaments…but they’re fun…)

Original Verse

You perform a 4-6 minute reading of your own poetry.

IDA (Improvisational Duet Acting)

You and a partner are given a prompt and must improvise a scene with a beginning, middle and end within a time limit.