High school forensics begins In November when students select a category and then choose the material they wish to perform.  There are 15 categories to choose from.  Play Acting and Group Interpretation are the only categories for groups ranging from two to five members.  Each school is allowed only four group entries in Group Interp and/or Play Acting combined.  All other categories are performed solo: eight are speech categories and seven are interpretive categories.  The speeches are to be original and are often very similar to those high school students are required to write for English classes.  The interpretive categories are those that are read or acted out and tend to more dramatic in nature.

Beginning in December, students meet each week with Coach Heather Tessmann to practice.  They practice on their own as well.  In January, students are encouraged to participate in Parent's Night.  This is an informal performance for friends and family.  Family and friends are always welcome at any of the meets.

Forensics meets begin in February and are held after school hours.  At each meet there are three rounds, and students perform their selection for a different judge in each round.   Every performer is given a score from 5 points to a perfect score of 25 points.  It is not uncommon for CWC to return home from a meet with multiple perfect scores. 

At the Conference Meet, students perform against one another and only the top scorer in each category wins the Conference medal.  At the Sub-District Meet, two scores of 16 or more are needed to advance to the District level where two scores of 20 or more are required to advance to the State level.  At State, a perfect score of 25 receives a gold medal, scores of 23-24 receive a silver medal, a score of 20-22 receives a bronze medal, and all other scores receive a small bronze participation medal.  Afterwards, the entire team celebrates at a restaurant of the seniors' choice!  Family and friends are welcome to join us in the celebration.

The schedule for the 2009-10 Forensics season is as follows.  We'd love to see you there!

SPEECH

1. Demonstration Speaking

         A demonstration speech explains how to do something while exhibiting a process.  Objects or physical activity must be used and visual aids may be used to enhance the demonstration.  Firearms, knives, dangerous chemicals and animals are prohibited. The use of one 4x6 note card is optional.  Time limit:10 min.

2. Extemporaneous Speaking

         One half hour before speaking, the participant draws five questions, chooses one and uses the remainder of the half hour to prepare an original speech that directly answers the question selected.  Questions are taken from Jan-April issues of Newsweek, Time and U.S. News and World Report.  Speakers may use magazines etc...to prepare their speech; however, only the use of one 4x6 card during their presentation is allowed.  A new question is selected for each round.  Time limit: 7 min.

3. Four Minute Speaking

         The purpose of a four minute speech is to inform listeners about a subject using clear, compelling language that includes some or all of these devices: quotations, statistics, examples, comparisons and analogies. The subject matter must be worthy of being heard and sources should be cited. The use of one 4x6 card is optional.  Time limit: 4 min.

4. Moments In History

        The subject of this speech is limited to the historical period selected for the current year with the time period changing each year.  The topic may be a person, event, trend, building, invention, disaster, etc...anything that falls within the historical period, whether famous or little known.  The speech must be original, well-organized and informative.  Visual supporting materials may be used and the use of one 4x6 note card is optional.   Time limit: 6 min.

5. Oratory

        An oratory speech is to be persuasive in content.  It should do one of three things: 1) alert the audience to the existence of a problem; 2) affirm the existence of a problem and offer a solution; 3) urge the adoption of a policy.  The topic should be worthwhile and sources must be cited.  Clear, compelling language including metaphors, comparison/contrast, irony etc...should be used.  The speech must be original.  The use of one 4x6 note card is optional.  Time limit: 10 min.

6. Public Address

        This speech is written as a direct response to a question about a contemporary issue.  There are four questions which change each year that students must select from.  Students may choose to be in support of or against the question.  The position chosen must be supported through a well organized speech which is effectively presented.  The use of one 4x6 note card is optional.  Time limit: 8 min.

7. Radio Speaking

         The purpose of radio speaking is to develop the skills of selecting, editing and presenting news items.  Thirty minutes before the speaker is scheduled to perform, he/she is given a packet of news materials.  The speaker must edit the material to fit within the time limits of the category; however, all five areas--international, state/local, sports, weather and commercial--must be present in the broadcast.  The use of clear, vivid word choices and smooth transitions are important factors in ths speech.  Materials are new for each round.  Time limit: 5 min.

8.Special Occasion Speech

         Participants in this category select one of four types of occasions, write a speech and deliver it as though they are in the selected situation.  The four occasions change from year to year; however, some examples are a wedding, a 'roast' speech, a nomination, a retirement, etc.  Visual supporting material may be used.  The use of one 4x6 card is optional.  Time limit: 8 min.

INTERPRETIVE

1. Farrago

        This category is a combination of literary genre (prose and poetry) centered around a theme.  In other words, the particpant chooses several poetry and prose selections that have a theme in common; for example, death, love, mothers, a holiday, school, friends etc... and reads them.  The selections are not memorized, however a brief introduction is.  Brief transitions between the selections are also memorized.  Original material is not allowed.  Time limit: 10 min.

2. Group Interpretive Reading (Group)

         Group Interp is for groups of 2-5 students.  It is similar to play acting, however, it is read, not memorized and participants are not allowed to make eye contact with one another.  It is characterized by motivated actions done individually and also in sync as a group, which are meant to enhance not dominate the performance.  The real emphasis is to be on the vocal performance of the group.  Introductions and transitions are memorized.  Original material is allowed.  Time limit:12 min.

3. Play Acting (Group)

         Play Acting is for groups of 2-5 students.  Lines must be memorized and participants are expected to perform as though they are in a fully produced play; however, no props, costumes etc...are allowed.  The use of a table and chairs is optional.  Vocal music, if used, may last 30 seconds only.  The emphasis is on character development and appropriate physical movement.  Original material is allowed.  Time limit: 12 min.

4. Poetry

      The participant is to read a poem or group of poems centered on a theme.  Original material is allowed.  Appropriate hand gestures, eye contact and facial expressions are encouraged, however walking is not permitted.  Introductions and transitions must be memorized.  Time limit: 8 min.

5. Prose

       The participant is to read a prose selection or a group of prose selections centered on a theme.  Material may be original or may be a cutting from a story, a short story, etc.  Appropriate hand gestures, eye contact and facial expressions are encouraged, however walking is not permitted.  Introductions and transitions must be memorized.  Time limit: 8 min.

6. Solo Acting (Serious or Humorous)

        This category is similar to prose, except the material must be memorized and may not be original (written by participant).  The material selected may contain one or more characters.  The use of a single stationary chair is allowed.  The use of appropriate gestures, facial expression and eye contact is emphasized, and walking is permitted.  Vocal music, if used, may last 30 seconds only.  Time limit: 8 min.

7. Storytelling

         Students select five stories--one for each topic area, which change each year--and memorizes them.  The titles are written on a 4x6 card which is handed to the judge before the participant is to speak.  The judge selects one of the five, initials it, and the student performs that story in that round while seated in a chair.  A different story is selected for each round.  Gestures, facial expressions, and eye contact are very important, but must be performed while seated.  Emphasis is placed on the vocal performance including distinguishing voices for each character.  The story is to be recited in a clear, unified and interesting manner.  Time limit: 8 min.