Waterford High School Forensics Team

Building a Tradition of Excellence Click to edit Master subtitle style in Public Speaking

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

Why should I join?

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Provides important life-speaking skills Meet fun and exciting people Win trophies and medals Impress colleges and employers Express yourself!!!

What is the time commitment?

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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

FOR MORE INFO...

See WHSFA or WFCAforensics websites listed on Waterfords forensics page.

What will practice include?

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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

What can I expect at a meet?

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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

How do I know which category to choose?

Interpretation:
Perform something by a published author

Speech:
Present a that you write

Many performers Highly competitive

Small categories Big trophy potential!

Prose Poetry Public address Oratory Farrago Storytelling Special Occasion Radio Solo Serious & Demonstration Four Humorous Minute Group interpretation Moments in History Play acting 16 different categories!!! Extemporaneous

Speech Categories
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Public Address: 6.5 to 8 minute speech on a contemporary issue

Terrorism: To what extent, if any, has recent US Military involvement made the world a safer place? Nuclear Power: In light of the nuclear disaster in Japan, what should be the future of nuclear power in the United States? Fine Arts Programming: Given the current state budget crisis, to what extent, if any, should WI public schools continue to fund fine arts classes? On-line and/or Charter Schools: What should be the
role of on-line and/or charter schools in public education?

*May use one notecard!

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Special Occasion: 6.5 to 8 minute speech on one of these occasions

(may be humorous or serious) A Docent Presentation at a Library or Museum Testimony at a State Government Body Presentation to a Local Organization: Go Green Initiative National History Day: Graduation Speech: 2012 *May use one notecard!

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Oratory: 8-10 minute persuasive speech on a significant topic

Medical issues Media controversies Cell phone/technology security Transportation efficiency/safety
*May use one notecard!

Examples may include

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Demonstration: 8 to 10 minute speech showing how to do something or explaining how something works
Dances Arts/crafts Maintenance Sign language *May use one notecard!

Examples may include

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Moments in History: 5 to 6 minute speech on any topic for the 1960s

(ie. people, sports, inventions, monuments, entertainment, etc.)

Four Minute: 4 minute informative speech on an interesting topic

15 second grace period

*May use one notecard!

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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

Interpretative Categories
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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. *Note: these are huge categories!

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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

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Storytelling: Story told from memory on these topics

A Story from the American heartland A Story about a fool A Story with puns or other word play A Story about overcoming heartbreak or sadness
*Speaker sits in a chair to perform.

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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

*This category has entry limitations.

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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.

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Play acting: 2 to 4 people act out a scene or cutting from a quality, approved play

Must be memorized 10-12 minutes

*This category has entry limitations.

What if I miss a practice or meet?

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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.