Waterford High School Forensics Team

1. Waterford High School Forensics Team Building a Tradition of Excellence in Public Speaking

2. What is Forensics? A team dedicated to individual and group speaking events performed for competition

3. Why should I join? Provides important life-speaking skills Meet fun and exciting people Win trophies and medals Impress colleges and employers Express yourself!!!

4. What is the time commitment? Required Weekly practices: Wednesday 3:00-4:30 Individual rehearsals of performance Saturday festivals /tournaments Mid-January to Mid-March (6-7 weekends) Evening performance at Conference & Subdistrict State competition @ Madison in April See WHSFA or WFCAforensics websites listed on Waterford�s forensics page.

5. What will practice include? Select piece and/or write speech for performance Revise wording / add content Improve organization Perform speech/piece for coach/peers Work on spoken delivery Improve blocking and movement Kindly critique others to improve performance

6. What can I expect at a meet? Bus departure around 7:00 a.m. Three rounds of preliminary competition against students from other schools Munchies, socializing, and fun �Power� round of best speakers Awards ceremony � tournaments only Return home with an occasional detour for a �fine� dining experience

7. How do I know which category to choose? Prose Poetry Farrago Storytelling Solo Serious & Humorous Group interpretation Play acting Public address Oratory Special Occasion Radio Demonstration Four Minute Moments in History Extemporaneous Interpretation: Perform something by a published author Many performers Highly competitive Speech: Present an informative piece that you write Small categories Big trophy potential!

8. Speech Categories Public Address: 6.5 to 8 minute speech on a contemporary issue Internet Regulation: Should the World Wide Web be regulated? Human Trafficking: What, if anything, should be done to address the problem of human trafficking? China: What impact did the 2008 Olympics have on the Chinese culturally, economically, and/or politically? Origin of Human Life: What should public schools be required to teach?

9. Speech Categories � continued Special Occasion: 6.5 to 8 minute speech on one of these occasions (may be humorous or serious) Speech to Gain Good Will A �Roast� Speech A Nomination Speech A Wedding or Anniversary Speech

10. Speech Categories � continued Oratory: 8-10 minute persuasive speech on a significant topic Examples may include Medical issues Media controversies Cell phone/technology security Transportation efficiency/safety

11. Speech Categories � continued Demonstration: 8 to 10 minute speech showing how to do something or explaining how something works Examples may include Dances Arts/crafts Maintenance Sign language

12. Speech Categories � continued Moments in History: 5 to 6 minute speech on any topic between the years 1450 to 1650, Reformation, Age of Discovery and High Renaissance (ie. people, sports, inventions, monuments, entertainment, etc.) Four Minute: 4 minute informative speech on an interesting topic 15 second grace period

13. Speech Categories � continued Radio: 5 minute radio presentation News, weather, and sports Prepared 30 minutes before each round Reader performs by reading script and timing self with watch (no eye contact) Extemporaneous: 6 to 7 minute speech Related to current events (news, politics, etc.) Prepared 30 minutes before each round Choose between 3 topics, one notecard permitted

14. Interpretative Categories Prose: 6.5 to 8 minute selection from quality prose literature which surrounds a specific theme or emotion. Introduction must be memorized. Poetry: 6.5 to 8 minute selection of various quality poems which surround a specific theme or emotion. Introduction and transitions must be memorized.

15. Interpretative Categories � continued Farrago: 8.5 to 10 minute selection of two or more literary genre of very high quality pieces surrounding a specific theme or emotion Themes may include Journey Change Courage Despair *Introduction and transitions must be memorized

16. Interpretative Categories � continued Storytelling: 6.5 to 8 minute story told from memory on these topics Hans Christian Anderson Story A Story with Numbers A Story with Poverty or Hardship A Music Story A Chinese Folktale

17. Interpretative Categories � continued Solo Acting: 6.5 to 8 minute memorized selection Quality dramatic or humorous piece of literature. May be a monologue or piece with a number of characters

18. Interpretative Categories � continued Group Interpretation: 2 to 5 readers present a piece of literature through vocal and physical action This is not an acting category! 10 to 12 minutes Introduction/transitions must be memorized.

19. Interpretative Categories � continued Play acting: 2 to 4 people act out a scene or cutting from a quality, approved play Must be memorized 10-12 minutes

20. What if I miss a practice or meet? Practices are required each week. If you are sick, arrange a practice the next day. If you must be late, bring a pass from your teacher. If you fail to practice, you will not be allowed to compete. Absences from a meet must be submitted (in writing) at least two weeks before the event. If you are extremely sick, call the coach so that we do not worry. The team must pay for your entry whether or not you show up once the two week deadline has passed. Cost = Each entry fee ($7-10 person) + judge fee ($15 entry) That means our team throws away $25 for every missing entry!!!