MASSACHUSETTS MIDDLE SCHOOL SPEECH LEAGUE 11 REGULAR EVENT DESCRIPTIONS Children’s Literature:A story appropriate for children delivered by a single student from a readily accessible, required test using no props or costumes. This event is designated as a “reading” event; therefore the student should strive to bring the material to life using vocal skills, facial expressions, body postures and gestures while movement around the presentation area should be minimal. Students are required to provide brief introductory remarks at some point, which must at least identify the title and author of the work. Time limit: 7 minutes with a 30-second grace period. Judges should offer to provide visual time signals.
Declamation:An event in which the student delivers a readily accessible spoken speech, from text or memory, which was originally written and given as a public address by another speaker. The student should effectively convey the message of the original speaker in a sincere and realistic style--imitation is not the goal. The presentation must include an introduction (author, place, and date of delivery) and any other relevant information about the author, oration or its historical significance at some point. (Note: Do not critique the content of the message presented, as it is not the work of the individual student. Evaluate the student’s presentation regardless of your own opinion on the subject matter.) Time limit: 7 minutes with a 30-second grace period. Judges should offer to provide visual time signals.
Demonstration: The speaker will demonstrate something to the audience, which may include background and/or clarifying information. The presentation, on any topic, may be humorous or serious in nature, but the speaker should strive to provide an organized, step-by-step demonstration in a natural and realistic way. The speaker must refer to an object(s) or visual aid(s) during the presentation. No materials dangerous to the health or safety of the participant or the audience may be used. (I.E. dangerous chemicals, live animals, laser pointers.) Materials are not to be passed around the room to audience members or to the judge(s) before or during the demonstration. These materials must be transportable by the individual student only. The student may deliver the demonstration from memory or from notes. Time limit, including set up: 7 minutes with a 30-second grace period. Judges should offer to provide visual time signals.
Dramatic Performance: A readily accessible story line from a single play, prose, movie or TV script (monologue or multi-character) delivered by a single student, from text or memory, using no props or costumes. Students should embody character(s) in stance, gesture, movement, facial expressions and vocal quality; striving for believable portrayals. Students are required to provide brief introductory remarks at some point, which at the least must identify the title and author of the work. Time limit: 7 minutes with a 30-second grace period. Judges should offer to provide visual time signals.
Duo Interpretation: A story line from a readily accessible single play, prose, movie or TV script, which challenges two performers (each portraying one or more characters) to create a dynamic story and setting using no props or costumes, from text or memory. Duo is about balance. Each performer should effectively utilize voice, facial expressions, body, gestures, and movement to create a dynamic interaction between partners. As a unit, the two performers will vocally and physically respond to each other’s verbal and non-verbal cues without eye contact or physical contact (except during the introduction). Both students are required to provide brief introductory remarks at some point, which at the least must identify the title and author of the work. . Time limit: 7 minutes with a 30-second grace period. Judges should offer to provide visual time signals.
Special Notes for Duo during MMSSL virtual tournaments: 1. There will not be an option to have partners’ screens change sides. 2. Other participants will be asked to have their screens off to direct focus to the Duo. 3. It may not be possible to know which side you will be on relative to your partner. 4. You may go off-screen to direct focus to your partner, similar to when one partner would “disappear” by moving behind their partner. 5. You are encouraged to use the edges of your frame to show interaction and “contact” between partner’s frames. 6. When selected material for a virtual presentation Duo, it is recommended that pieces with more dramatic interaction and less physical interaction be considered.
Free Verse/Poetry: A readily accessible selection of poetry or song lyrics; rhyming or not, delivered by a single performer from a required text (either from a single poem or a collection of poems, frequently referred to as a program). Poems combined in a program should be unified by some central element (e.g. author, subject, style or form). Poems or programs may feature rhyme, blank or free verse. This event is designated as a “reading” event; therefore the student should strive to bring the material to life using vocal skills, facial expressions, body postures and gestures while movement around the presentation area should be minimal. Students are required to provide brief introductory remarks at some point, which must at least identify the title(s) and author of the work(s). Time limit: 7 minutes with a 30-second grace period. Judges should offer to provide visual time signals.
Impromptu Speaking:A student will pull three prompts at random, select one and have seven minutes in which to prepare and present a short, well-organized talk inspired by the chosen “jump start.” Students MUST adhere to the chosen prompt. The speech should have a logical beginning, middle and end. Students may speak with or without the assistance of a 3x5 index card. Please note: In this category, it is vital to comment upon both the content and the delivery of the student’s message; however, evaluate the student’s presentation regardless of your own opinion on the subject matter. Used prompts should be discarded, the other two should be returned to the envelope for the next speakers. Total preparation and presentation time limit: 7 minutes with a 30-second grace period, divided at the student’s discretion. Judges must provide verbal time signals during preparation time and visual time signals once the student begins speaking.
Original Literature:A performance of an original piece of writing in any literary style: prose, children’s literature, free verse/poetry, dramatic performance or duo delivered from text, notes or from memory by one or two students. The rules of the event that the writing falls under will govern the delivery (Ex. eye and physical contact limitation rules apply if the presentation is a duo). The material may be humorous or serious in nature, and both the writing and the delivery will be evaluated. The authorship may be collaborative but must be only student written and totally original. The introduction need only provide the title(s) and (optional) set the scene. Time limit: 7 minutes with a 30-second grace period. Judges should offer to provide visual time signals.
Original Oratory:an original, persuasive speech on any topic of concern to the student, delivered from text or memory. The speech may be humorous or serious in nature, but the speaker should strive to identify a specific problem or concern and provide possible strategies and/or solutionsin a natural and realistic way.The speaker should be held accountable for substantiating and supporting main positions with a variety of effective supporting material from qualified sources. There should be a clear structure that helps the listener follow the speech’s flow and appreciate the use of the supporting material. There is a maximum of 150 directly quoted words.Please note: In this category, it is vital to comment upon both the writing and the delivery of the student’s message; however, evaluate the student’s presentation regardless of your own opinion on the subject matter. Time limit: 7 minutes with a 30-second grace period.Judges should offer to provide visual time signals.
Prose: an excerpt from a readily accessible novel, short story, letter, diary or essay; fiction or non-fiction, delivered by a single student from a required text using no props or costumes. This event is designated as a “reading” event; therefore the student should strive to bring the material to life using vocal skills, facial expressions, body postures and gestures while movement around the presentation area should be minimal. Students are required to provide brief introductory remarks at some point, which at the least must identify the title and author of the work. Time limit: 7 minutes with a 30-second grace period.Judges should offer to provide visual time signals.
Storytelling:Students use a single, readily accessible story, anecdote, tale, myth or legend that must be retold from text or memory without costumes or props. Students will use their own words to convey the story’s plot, however the retelling must be true to the original content. Movement is allowed, and one chair may be used, or the speaker may choose to stand. Students should strive to bring the material to life using voice, facial expression, body, movement and gesture. The student is required to provide brief introductory remarks at some point, which at the least must identify the title and author of the work. Time limit: 7 minutes with a 30-second grace period. Judges should offer to provide visual time signals.