Eligibility Are Fine Arts participants subject to the transfer bylaw? No. The current MSHSL Transfer Bylaw 111 only applies to athletics.

Transcription

1 Rule Interpretations - Speech Eligibility Are Fine Arts participants subject to the transfer bylaw? No. The current MSHSL Transfer Bylaw 111 only applies to athletics. May students who are enrolled in grades K-6 compete in MSHSL Speech Contests? No. Minnesota State High School League General Eligibility Bylaws (#105.00) Test for Speech Judge Registration I just took my test to become a registered judge. When I answered an item incorrectly, the test immediately prompted me to reconsider my answer and explained why. What's the point of a test you can't fail? The purpose of the test is not to "pass" or "fail" prospective judges but to ensure that they know the rules, particularly when there have been recent changes. When judges have studied the rules and procedures, they may have missed or overlooked an item. It is easier to remember what "has always been" than what has been revised. This is especially important now that judges are not required to attend clinics regularly (though that is certainly encouraged). This year's test format both assesses and monitors for those "teachable moments," as does any good test. General May a contestant use an e-reader as a script during performance? Yes. When a script is allowed and used in any event, great latitude is allowed in the format of the script. For example, a student may read from the original publication, from a created manuscript, or from an electronic reader as the contestant chooses. The script submitted to contest management should be identical in content to the script being used in performance, of course. At the invitationals it has been brought to my attention that a speaker is performing **** in a similar manner to that of ***** in the YouTube link above. We've had conversations recently about intellectual property concerning gesture, and character mimicry. I see that issue in the FAQ general section but want to discuss how you've handled this type of protest in the past. When faced with this issue at state in recent years, we have had two members of the rules committee watch the video of the # performance in question. They have then gone to watch the live performance in a round. We have then been able to determine whether or not a videotaped performance was plagiarized. In both of those cases it was. We have had similar situations in our section and subsection. We handled those two instances in the same manner. All four of those potential DQs were almost identical copies of the videotaped performances. I have a question on a rule clarification. "A student may not use the same selection (this means the same cutting as used in a previous year) in more than one school year for any festival/invitational, conference, or MSHSL competition. This does not preclude using the same author or different parts of a novel, poem or play." Is this to be interpreted as: 1) If a student were to use a speech at one invitational in 1 year and decided to switch pieces to finish out the year, then that first speech cannot be used the following year at ANY meet? OR 2) As long as the student did not use that speech at the same meet the previous year, it is able to be used again? If a student performs a piece in competition one year (regardless of the amount of times it is used), he may not use that piece at any meet the following year or in subsequent years. The meet in which it was performed has no bearing on 1

2 which meets he is not allowed to perform that selection. I am concerned about the sub section meet. we are new to this sub section and have never NOT had a final round for qualifying. Can the League step in and set a standard for all subsection or section meets? Each section has the autonomy to determine how kids advance. I think it is unusual to not run a final round, but the section can make that determination and aren t required to hold a final round. Sometimes if an event has a small number of entries some subsections will maybe go three preliminary rounds with no final while other events are going two preliminary rounds with a final. More than likely it depends on the number of entries in the event. Any changes would have to come from their section which may have to come from their speech representative. It seems too late to change it for this year. Typically, coaches meet in the fall to discuss formats and sites so that would be the appropriate time to suggest changes. It is not a rule that they need a final round. The MSHSL office has no authority to make any changes as it is a section decision. Sometimes I think judges enforce rules that don't exist by ranking a student down or making comments suggesting a student might do better not to use some gesture, action, or vocal effect when the Rules do not forbid those treatments. I have sometimes asked and been told that "There is no rule against..." something, yet my students receive negative comments for doing that very thing! As the Rules have now been clarified to permit a student's using various demonstrative gestures and postures, for example, I have fears that this will become an even greater problem. Should judges be told that, so long as something is not "illegal," they should not comment on such things? There is a profound difference between rule enforcement (which is the role of the Rules Committee) and critical assessment of the effectiveness of a student's performance choices (which is the role of the critic-judge). The fact that an action or effect does not disqualify a contestant does not, of course, mean that the action or treatment is an effective choice or that it has been done well. A good critic-judge may well suggest that the approach be reconsidered. Performance choices that are not strictly "illegal" may be distracting or they may be done ineffectively. A good critic-judge will certainly comment on the degree to which a student's performance strategies have been effective in each round. In short, "not a rule violation" is not synonymous with "an effective choice." We sometimes hear that a student has been "disqualified" by a judge because of some action or vocal approach. That would not be appropriate. But often, in probing further, we discover that the student has not been disqualified at all, but rather that the student has received a comment suggesting that the action or vocal approach has not been effective. Such comments should provide insight for the coach and the student as the performance is further developed for future competition. Knowing that a choice may be "risky" (though not technically a rule violation) helps a coach and the student determine whether the risk is worth the potential benefits. To what extent must speakers speak in front of the contest audience and judge? May a speaker legitimately enter the audience area physically, and speak or perform directly to individual audience members? May a speaker move among audience members, though not eliciting their direct reply? The Advisory Committee discussed this and determined that contestants need not present from positions in front of the front row of the audience and that they may enter the audience area but that they do this at their own risk. However, an audience member may not be purposefully planted in a room for the purpose of receiving a direct audience response to the speaker. I saw a student in contest who shed a tear (I think "caught up in the moment") during her presentation and another student put his fist with thumb and little finger extended beside his ear to suggest a phone. Should these students be disqualified for using their bodies to create props? What about a student's pointing to his wristwatch to indicate the time; should that be disqualified as using a prop? No. Whether such demonstrative actions or gestures are effective, or distracting might well be questioned by a judge, but gestures and movement are not props, and clothing or jewelry that might reasonably be worn by any contestant should not be considered props either. Certainly, there is a distinction between looking at a wristwatch 2

3 (a gesture that could as easily be done by looking at an unadorned wrist) and pulling a pocket watch out to look at the time or holding a cellphone. Appropriate, demonstrative props and costuming are allowed in Informative Speaking, but not in other events. There are lots of good visual and audio recordings of high-quality performances online and elsewhere. May my student simply mimic -- gesture-for-gesture, inflection-for-inflection, introduction and all -- that recording? No. This constitutes plagiarism and students have been disqualified when such mimicry has been verified. True, there are times when such violations are not "caught," but, like unethical use of evidence in an original speech or misrepresentation of content in interpretation, we find that such unethical behavior is frequently reported and, when verified, is dealt with severely. Are these rule interpretations true for NFL and invitational contests as well? Rules of the NFL, invitational tournaments, and other non-league competitions are determined by the entities sponsoring those contests and not by the Minnesota State High School League. It is best, therefore, to check their rules and/or seek their rulings on specific contest issues. We bring lots of adult and student observers and "fans" to contests. Sometimes they don't know the rules and talk to draw-event contestants during their prep. time. What do we do about that? Most coaches hold information sessions to let "fan" attendees know that this is forbidden or make sure their draw event contestants tell their friends and family members about this rule. Most also insist that attendees be in rooms listening rather than in the halls and prep. areas. That would seem a wise way to avoid such problems. Are you able to point me to the rule that defines how many contestants per category per school are allowed at meets? At invitationals the number of entries per category is up to the contest manager or host school. At subsections and sections, the number varies depending on their particular rules. You should be able to go to the MSHSL website, click on activities, go to speech and click on your subsection or section depending on what you need to find out. Creative Expression May a student compose an original song and present it as his or her Creative Expression? Yes. Students may compose original music for original presentations such as Creative Expression and may perform both the original words and the original score vocally. There are no restrictions under current rules regarding how much of an original composition may be original vocal music. If the student includes non-original music, the student must credit the source, count the words among the "quoted words" limit of the category, and observe any limitations the event places on the amount of quoted material allowed. Contestants are reminded that an Introduction is required. The Rules do not limit the amount of music used in an Introduction either. I have two students in Crx who "ba dum da bum" to the tune of a well-known song for their transitions. In the script, what is the correct way to note that? Also, do we need to cite the song at the end as a chunk of the script that isn't theirs? You will need to give credit in the introduction. (You can do it during the piece, but it may interrupt the flow.) An example of how you might do that is "You may recognize the melody from Africa by Toto., " That is just an example. I would also attach a bibliography to the copy you turn in to the office at subs, sections and state. Yes, you will need to cite the song at the end as a chunk of the script that isn't theirs. 3

4 Discussion Under what circumstances may laptop computers be used during contest rounds of Discussion? This has been discussed widely and, though there is no rule expressly forbidding the use of laptop computers and other electronic storage of research information to be used in discussion rounds, the following provisions constitute reasonable use of laptop computers during Discussion rounds: Laptop computers (and other electronic devices) may be used during Discussion rounds to retrieve and view alreadystored research information. They may NOT be used to access the Internet or to DO the researching or to communicate with others during a round of Discussion. Computers and other devices may be used to take notes during the Discussion, but contestants are cautioned not to allow the use of such devices to obstruct or diminish the free exchange of ideas and information vital to good group problem-solving. It is not the responsibility of host sites to provide power sources for laptop computer use by discussants. Laptops used during rounds must be battery-powered. No printers or projection devices (other than the built-in screen) may be used to produce hard copies or visual aids for contestants. Any use of laptop computers or other electronic devices (including cell phones) to access the Internet or to conduct any other communication during a round shall be cause for immediate disqualification. Discussants may not access electronic mail, or any research information not already stored in the computer during a round. Use of the laptop (or other electronic device) during a round of Discussion constitutes authorization for judges and other contest personnel to check and verify that these provisions are not being violated. Explanation: The carrying of and use of already-prepared research information and taking notes during a round of Discussion are already common practice. Laptop computers and electronic storage devices are simply other ways of achieving these results. So long as no student is advantaged or disadvantaged in content access or ability to take notes, the permission to use these devices seems reasonable. Contestants are reminded that there is no inherent disadvantage to choosing NOT to use electronic devices; in fact, if such use cannot be done efficiently, noiselessly, unobtrusively, and without interrupting the reasonable flow of discussion, the use electronic devices is discouraged. May SmartPhones, ipods, and similarly equipped electronic communication, access, and storage devices be used for research information retrieval during Discussion rounds if their wireless capabilities are disabled? No. Wireless communication capabilities are quickly enabled in these devices (SmartPhones, ipods, etc.) and continuously monitoring the validity of their use is too difficult and cumbersome to be practical in contest situations. We allow laptops that have wireless capabilities disabled for storage and retrieval. That should be enough for those who do not wish to use hard copy storage. ipads have been ruled to be, essentially, laptops, and, so long as they meet the other requirements, they are allowed. As technology continues to advance, these issues will surely be examined more carefully and definitively by the Advisory Committee. For now, these permissions and prohibitions stand. What about using an ipad during Discussion rounds for information storage and retrieval? ipads have been ruled to be, essentially, laptops, and, so long as they meet the other requirements, they are allowed. As technology continues to advance, these issues will surely be examined more carefully and definitively by the Advisory Committee. For now, these permissions and prohibitions stand. May research information be stored in a "jump drive" that students insert into a computer for retrieval rather than stored in the computer itself? Yes. In that case, both the storage device and the computer must meet all other applicable restrictions. What about the use of a Nook or Kindle during Discussion rounds? Because these are electronic storage and retrieval devices, the same rules for as those for laptops apply with emphasis on the fact that it is the contestant s responsibility to demonstrate that any source-gathering or information-gathering capabilities of the device are completely disabled. 4

5 Dramatic Duo Can A Duo add a song as an opening to their performance? The song must be included in the script in order to be used in the opening or as a Transition. I have a question for you about doing musicals for speech! When a theater director wants to do a musical, they go through the MTI publisher and request approval/license to do it at their school. I am wondering how that works for Speech competition. In the past we have handled this the same way we have handled other pieces of literature. We document the title, playwright and composer if you re using any of the music. Duo Interpretation Does any rule prohibit a male student reading the role of a female character (or vice versa) for all or part of the Duo presentation? No role prohibits it in Duo or any event. Caution is advised that if, in a serious scene, for example, the effect of cross-sex "casting" is to create humor, intentionally or unintentionally, there may be questions raised about misinterpretation of the selection. At the same time, one of the advantages of interpretation is that one can effectively convey the thoughts and words of characters who are not physically like us and who we might not be appropriately cast to play as actors. Similarly, women are not restricted from discussing and presenting the words of male orators in the Great Speeches event. I have a Duo Interp. I have a that would like to use a Beach Boys song as transition from Teaser to Introduction, and as a transition between scenes in the performance. Is this allowed if they give credit to the Beach Boys in the introduction? The script does not reference the song this would be our own addition and function as transitions for their performance. The following rule is in the MSHSL rules and policies. H. Singing, Humming, Whistling2. The use of music must either be referenced in the stage directions or the directional narrative of the published work (ex: John hummed quietly to himself ) or be specifically published in the work. Because the music you would like to use is not referenced in your script you may not use the Beach Boys music as transitions. We are looking at cutting a duo piece where the main character acts as a narrator. We would like to split that character s lines between the duo for a short piece of the cutting since it s a stream of consciousness part of the script. Looking at the site there is nothing that says we can't do this, but historically, it s been minimum of two characters. I am writing to see if you can give some clarification. The MSHSL rules state that each member of a duo may portray more than one character. The part that is confusing is that in individual events, you can't give one character's lines to another character. However, you are keeping the lines with the narrator just switching the presenter. I would rule, if it is obvious that both presenters are portraying the narrator at one time or another then, yes it would be legal to have each portray the same character for a short time. Since it's a stream of consciousness part of the script, it is obvious both presenters are portraying the narrator. I have two Duos who are performing different cuttings from the same script. Two sections from the script are the same (the "teaser" piece and one scene toward the conclusion); otherwise, they have very different cuttings. Would it be permissible for two duos from one team to do a cut from the same script? There is nothing in the rules that say you cannot have two duos from the same team doing different cuttings of the same selection. In Duo, may one student do "sound effects" as the other is describing something, for example, snoring while the Duo partner says, "He snores very loudly"? 5

6 Nothing in the rules prohibits vocalized sound effects. You are cautioned, however, that the sound effects must be referenced or implied in or justified by the text and that the duo may risk distracting from the focus or message of the selection if the sound effects become more prominent than the text. In Duo Interpretation, is it the intent that the "no body contact" restriction include or not include the introduction and transitional remarks? The Advisory Committee discussed this and determined that bodily contact is allowed during the introduction (though NOT during a "teaser") and/or during transitional language. I have a duo that performs two separate published poems, found on the internet. Is that ok or will it be a rules violation? It depends on where you found the poems. They must be from the same published source. Since they're from the internet it becomes more difficult to prove they re from the same sourced. Both coming from the internet doesn't constitute a single source. Because the girls are performing their two poems in Duo, the Duo rules would be the ones that apply. The rules state: Duo interpretation features two students interpreting together one or more selections from a single published source or a single anthology of prose, poetry, and/or dramatic literature, serious and/or humorous, with literary merit and appropriate to the readers. Because your girls are using the two poems in duo they would either need to be from a single published source or a single anthology of poetry. I am not aware of any exceptions having been made. Extemporaneous Reading Have the rules for extemporaneous reading changed? I thought competitors could decide when to stop within the last minute of their cutting, but I am not seeing that in the rules. I just want to make sure that we coach our people the right way? According to the rules, For prose, students must start at the beginning of the prescribed cutting and read as much of the complete cutting as time permits. Students are allowed to stop reading at any point within the last minute. I have a question about extemporaneous reading. I have a student who does not wat to say God, Hell and a few other terms from Ray Bradbury s book. Is a student allowed to change the words or omit those words? According to the rules allowable cutting would include the elimination of he said and she said once a character has been established or the omission of language objectionable to the contestant. So you may omit the objectionable language but you may not substitute language for the objectional language. May a student in Extemporaneous Reading transfer the pages of the book (perhaps into plastic "sleeves," for example) into a notebook for easier handling during performance? Yes. The student must be cautious to transfer and perform the cutting precisely as it is drawn. May students in Extemporaneous Reading or Storytelling use a dictionary in the preparation room to look up the definition or pronunciation of words in the selections they have drawn? Yes. The student may bring a dictionary to use in preparation. Note is made that the student should not assume that a dictionary will be available (though preparation is often done in library settings), and the student may not communicate with others during preparation, even to borrow a dictionary. May students in Extemporaneous Reading bring (or write in the book) notes on author, selection, etc., into the preparation room for use in creating introductions? Yes. Note is made that the introduction delivered should introduce the actual cutting drawn rather than simply 6

7 providing a "generic" introduction that might be used for reading the entire story or any poem by the author. May e-readers be used by students in Extemporaneous Reading? Yes, if the approved books are available in e-reader editions. As technology advances, however, any capability to access the Internet during preparation and performance time must be disabled. I have a question about Extemporaneous Reading: Must a student who chooses to draw and read from the Prose genre for Round I, for example, continue to draw and read from Prose cuttings in all rounds and at all levels of competition, or may that student draw from the Poetry genre in subsequent rounds or levels of competition or even alternate between Prose and Poetry if he or she wishes? The rules provide that "The student will declare, prior to each draw, his/her choice of genre." The choice of Prose or Poetry is made at EACH Round's draw. Nothing prohibits, for example, a student's choosing Prose in one Round and Poetry in another or Poetry at one level of competition and Prose at the next. At EACH Round's draw, a student must declare which of the two genre she or he is going to draw from and read for THAT round, so a student may NOT draw two cuttings of one genre and one of the other for a single round. In Extemporaneous Reading, may a student use the first paragraph of a drawn cutting as a teaser, then give the introduction, and then proceed with the rest of the cutting without repeating the first paragraph? Under current rules, no. The rules dictating the use of teasers in Extemporaneous Reading are specific to the event and explicit: "The student may use a "teaser" as a part of the introduction. However, the "teaser" must be a part of the actual drawn section of the story or poem. If the "teaser" appears within the cutting, it may not be eliminated within the reading presented." The rules regarding rule violation also address the issue by dictating a rank reduction for "Violation of Extemporaneous Reading teaser rule. For example, if a reader chooses to use a teaser before the introduction and does not repeat it after the introduction, the penalty is to adjust the reader s rank to last in the round." A concern I have is when we come to sub- sections, sections, state how will the cuts be made, not only for Ex. Reading-Prose, but also Ex. Reading-Poetry. Yes, there will be combined cuttings for subs, sections and state. Extemporaneous Speaking If they are using non-electronic files stored in "tubs," may Extemporaneous Speaking students from a single school use one common research file in the preparation room rather than each carrying his or her own? Yes, but they must not communicate with each other as they use that common file. Realizing that two students might be speaking on the same topic during any given round or may even be in different preparation rooms, this may not always be a wise practice, however. It is best to find out preparation room arrangements before the contest to make sure this will be workable. Must students in Extemporaneous Speaking destroy all notes or outlines they create in the preparation room? How can we avoid students' inadvertently forgetting and being disqualified because those notes or outlines from previous rounds are found in their files? The notes and outlines do not need to be destroyed (they might prove useful for reference when examining critiques later on), but those notes or outlines may not remain in preparation room files during subsequent rounds. They may be stored elsewhere between rounds, but they must not remain in the prep. room. As indicated elsewhere, outlines and notes created in the prep. room during preparation time at the tournament are allowed, but those notes or outlines must be removed from the files before the preparation period for the next round begins. Because students from a school may share files, it is especially important that outlines and notes not be maintained in the files (whether stored electronically or in hard copy) from round to round. Coaches should remind students of this to avoid inadvertent violations, and it would be helpful for preparation room proctors to remind students and perhaps provide non-accessible places for extemporaneous speakers to put or dispose 7

8 of their notes and outlines before the following rounds begin. In Extemporaneous Speaking, the rules say that "Speakers may choose from either U.S. or International topics." May a student choose to draw two of one (U.S. Topics, for example) and one of the other? No. For EACH round, the student must draw and subsequently choose from among three U.S. Topic questions OR three International Topic questions. The choice of U.S. or International topics is made before the student draws. Nothing prevents a student from changing for the next round or the next level of competition, however. The choice is made by the student for each separate round of competition. May laptop computers be used during preparation for Extemporaneous Speaking? This has been discussed widely and by the Advisory Committee and the League staff. Laptop computers (and other electronic devices) MAY be used during preparation time in Extemporaneous Speaking rounds to retrieve and view already-stored research information. Wireless capabilities to access the Internet or communicate with others must be disabled before the contestant enters the preparation room. Computers may NOT be used to access the Internet or to actually, DO the researching or to communicate with others. It is not the responsibility of host sites to provide power sources for laptop computer use by contestants. Any use of laptop computers or other electronic devices (including cell phones) to access the Internet or to conduct any other communication during preparation time shall be cause for immediate disqualification. During preparation time, Extemporaneous Speakers may not access electronic mail, or any research information not previously stored in the computer. While stored Topical Indexing is permitted, the downloaded and stored research material must be whole, uncut pages or original sources and may include no written material other than highlighting and citation information (such as publication title and date). As with hard copy preparation materials, extemporaneous speeches, handbooks, briefs and outlines may not be stored in the computer, whether the student accesses those files. Outlines and notes created in the prep. room during preparation time at the tournament are allowed but must be removed before the preparation period for the next round begins. Use of the laptop (or other electronic device) during a preparation period for Extemporaneous Speaking constitutes authorization for judges and other contest personnel to check and verify that these provisions are not being violated. Explanation: The carrying of and use of already-prepared research information are already common practice. Laptop computers and electronic storage devices are simply other ways of achieving these results. So long as no student is advantaged or disadvantaged in content access, the permission to use these devices seems reasonable. May research information be stored in a "jump drive" that students insert into a computer for retrieval rather than stored in the computer itself? Yes. In that case, both the storage device and the computer must meet all other applicable restrictions. My students like to use their ipods, iphones, SmartPhones, and other non-laptop electronic devices to time their speeches during preparation for draw events. It is more convenient than carrying stopwatches. Is that permitted? No. Because these devices can access the Internet for research or be used to communicate with others during the preparation period, they are not permitted in preparation rooms. Only devices that have no capacity to research or communicate or that have those capacities disabled are permitted. All contestants' cell phones must be turned off (not simply turned to "silent" modes) during rounds of competition including preparation time for draw events. 8

9 Great Speeches My Great Speeches contestants have sometimes received comments from their judges that they have been ranked down because they did not organize their analysis using an identified or implied rhetorical model for speech criticism. I have even heard judges argue that the intent of the Great Speeches event is that the student uses a rhetorical/analytical model and show that the chosen speech or collection of speeches is consistent with that model and therefore provides a great example of the model s components. Is this true? If so, why do the rules say, The student may, but is not required to, use a rhetorical model? The language of the Great Speeches rule is, as you say, clear and concise on this matter: The student may, but is not required to, use a rhetorical model. If it is the desire of coaches in Minnesota to revise that description of the event, it must be done through the Speech Advisory Committee. Judges must not evaluate contestants in Great Speeches according to what they personally wish the rules said, but on what the rules actually do say in their current language. To defend a speech s greatness, for example, based on solely on its containing ethos, pathos, and logos or the elements enumerated in any rhetorical model may, in fact, fall short of the rule s expectation that Judging should be on the general effectiveness of the student's interaction with the audience to share the greatness of the speech. The Judge's primary attention should be on the participant's judgment in choosing and editing the material, sensitivity to author's ideas and purpose, and, especially, the speaker's analysis of historical potential, and/or rhetorical importance of the speech. In other words, the contestant must share the greatness of the speech, suggesting that, by whatever criteria the student chooses, the student must successfully argue that the chosen speech displays great use of those elements. Because the rules further require that Secondly, delivery emphasis should be on communication, it is reasonable for a judge in this event to evaluate the degree to which that greatness is effectively conveyed to the audience. Thus, the criteria used for the contestant s analysis and the chosen speech s effectiveness in exemplifying the use of these elements need to be explained and communicated effectively by the student. May selections published only online be performed in Great Speeches? Yes. ("For purposes of documentation, the student is required to provide a citation indicating the source of the selected speech within the written and oral text of the student s speech. Recorded speeches may be used only if their texts have also been published in print or online"). I found an article about a Canadian woman political activist/orator, Nellie McClung, who gave many speeches, but this one was a mock parliament done to create awareness of the need for women's suffrage. Although I found several references to it as a "speech" or "debate" in online articles, and found the text online, I would like to ascertain that it could qualify for the category of great speeches before suggesting it to a student. The title is "Should Men Vote." This would qualify as a great speech. There is a specific purpose, intended audience and a reaction from the audience.it was written by the speaker performed by the speaker and written for a specific purpose for a specific audience. May a student use a piece of literature written and delivered by an author for a public occasion (such as Maya Angelou's "On the Pulse of Morning" and Robert Frost's "The Gift Outright" because they were delivered at Presidential Inaugurations) as a selection for Great Speeches? What about a comic monologue delivered publicly by its author? No. These compositions should be used in the appropriate interpretation events (Angelou's and Frost's poems in Serious Poetry, for example, and the comic's published monologue text in Humorous). Great Speeches selections are to be speeches (public address) delivered publicly by their original authors. 9

10 My student has found a transcript of an interview between a celebrity and a journalist and she finds the content fascinating and worthy of sharing with a contest audience. While the immediate "audience" was one individual journalist, the celebrity answers were intended for sharing with the reading public. Could the transcript of this interview be used as a selection in Great Speeches? The published content of an interview (in full or excerpted), though certainly common, does not fall within the Rules' definition of a "speech" for the Great Speeches event. The Rule explicitly states that, "Each speech (public address) must have been delivered by the speaker before the speaker's intended original audience. The contestant's analysis should convey the delight, edification, and challenge of contemporary or historical public address." In the situation described, the "intended audience" is a reading public who were not present for the interview and neither of the two speakers (the interviewer or the celebrity) is "addressing" the "public" immediately. Such an interview is more appropriately considered information-gathering for a piece of journalistic prose than an example of public speech. In a situation where there is an immediate audience witnessing the interview, use of the content as a Great Speeches entry would be questionable at best, for an interviewer is prescribing the issues the interviewee will address and is generally controlling the organization of the discourse. In addition, the individual being interviewed may or may not be allowed to develop ideas expressed. A contestant would probably be wiser to select the text of an actual speech delivered by the celebrity rather than piecing together answers from an interview. The Great Speeches contestant, in addition to his or her other responsibilities under the Rules, would need to present a very compelling argument that the rhetoric being analyzed constitutes a speech or pair of speeches. Because interviews are conducted in a variety of formats, if coaches have unique situations, they would like considered for inclusion in the Great Speeches event, they should contact the League for a specific ruling. May a speech given by a character in a movie be used as a great speech? According to the rules, each speech (public address) must have been delivered by the speaker before the speaker s intended original audience. For example, Sermon on the Mount and Antony s Funeral Oration are not considered great speech s but Biblical Prose and Shakespearean Drama respectively. Monologues or speeches by a movie character may not be used as a great speech. Humorous Interpretation Could a student compete using two or more children s books by the same author- i.e. The Piggie and Elephant books by Mo Willems? According to the MSHSL rules, Humorous Interpretation uses any published selection, either prose, poetry, or dramatic literature, with literary merit and appropriate to the reader. The operative word is selection. Because the rule specifically states that it is any published selection the student is only allowed to use one piece of literature. Are students allowed to transcribe a video and have it then verified by the publisher? This is a video from snapjudgment.com According to the rules of the MSHSL speech activity, Texts available ONLY in audio/video recording (with no publicly-available, verifiable transcription of the texts) may not be used because the texts cannot be verified. If the text is verified by the author, it is still not available to the general public. If the author is willing to print it on a website, it would then be legal because the text could be verified, AND it would be available to others. Is a humorous scene from a serious play, such as the Porter Scene from Macbeth, entered in Serious Drama or Humorous Interpretation? Entry into Serious or Humorous Interpretation is determined by the essential nature of the cutting rather than of the entire work. Thus, a humorous scene (comic relief) excerpted from a serious play, even a tragedy, is entered in Humorous Interpretation. 10

11 Can a humorous script come from a magazine? If so, do you need the original volume/edition that it was printed it noted on the script? Yes, you may use a selection from a magazine. What you will need is a copy of the article. There are a couple ways you can do this. You can check with your local library to see if they are able to find one of the magazines. I think a better choice is to call the Library of Congress. I have found them to be very helpful and very quick with their help. If they are able to find the article, they will make a copy of it and get it to you. Another option would be to contact the magazine and see if they can send you a copy. Reader's Digest would probably be your best bet. I would start with the Library of Congress or have your local library contact them. I have a question for you about doing musicals for speech! When a theater director wants to do a musical, they go through the MTI publisher and request approval/license to do it at their school. I am wondering how that works for Speech competition. In the past we have handled this the same way we have handled other pieces of literature. We document the title, playwright and composer if you re using any of the music. Informative Speaking In Informative, could a student remove her shoe and use it as visual aid? When a student performed the action of taking her shoes, off, the shoes become a prop and props are not allowed in Informative. The student may use the shoe as a visual, but she should not remove it from her foot. I have a student who would like to use empty prescription bottles as visual aids for her speech. Is this possible? As long as the bottles are empty and been cleaned thoroughly there should be no problem. Make sure the labels with the patient s name is removed. I looked at the rules for Informative and it says "8. INFORMATIVE SPEAKING Informative Speaking is an event in which the student presents an original informative composition of which no more than 10% shall be direct quotation" what I mean...in theory, could we allow a team member who has spent the year in Ext. Reading compete at Sections in Informative with the majority of the speech that was composed and performed by one of my two gals who can't compete at Sections? Does "original" mean original topic, or original to the speaker... In Informative original refers to the speaker. The performer of the speech must also be the one who wrote it. Do the Rules for Informative Speaking allow the use of projections or electronic media such as PowerPoint or slides? Yes, but contestants are reminded that host schools are NOT required to provide projectors, screens (even blank walls), extension cords, or other items required for effective inclusion of visual aids in the Informative Speech. My Informative Speaking contestant carries a lot of projection equipment and several stands and a screen. It takes a lot of time to get the projections focused and the electrical cords connected correctly. May he set this up before the round begins and leave it on a table in front of the room, preset, if it is not in another speakers' way? No. No student may have more time to set up the actual presentation materials as they will be used in the speech than is allowed. If a student wishes to get to a room early and time permits, check that everything works properly, and then put the equipment to the side or back of the room until his or her set-up time, that is permissible, but the equipment may not occupy the performance space while other contestants are speaking. Is an Informative Speaking contestant allowed to draw on or otherwise add to a visual aid during the presentation? Nothing in the rules would prohibit this. As a cautionary note, live adjustments to visual aids should be supportive of rather than interruptions to the speech. That can be a tricky delivery matter, for, if the visual aid rather than the 11

12 speech itself becomes focal, the visual aid could become a distraction rather than an enhancement. I know that students in Informative Speaking may now use three-dimensional visual aids. Does any rule prohibit a student's producing sound effects using the visual aids during his or her speech? For example, may a student use a guitar to demonstrate how to play musical chords or might a student demonstrate how sound effects were produced live during a vintage radio program? Yes! No rules for Informative Speaking prevent a student's using visual aids to produce sound effects. Students and coaches are cautioned, of course, that judges may comment that the presentation's focus should be on the information being presented in the speech rather than on the aids themselves. May a contestant in Informative Speaking toss, offer, or serve visual aids to the audience as part of the speech? No. This would be a violation of the prohibition on audience participation (The rule does not allow for any type of audience participation). What is meant by "expedient takedown"? It is important that the removal of visual aids not unreasonably delay the contest schedule. Contestants are expected to return the speaking area and the room to pre-speech condition as quickly as possible. Caution should be exercised in the use of potentially messy or breakable visual aids. May the student present a demonstration speech in which the contestant himself or herself IS the visual aid or one of the visual aids? For example, may a student demonstrate effective ways to throw a football, with or without using a real football? Nothing in the current rules prohibits this so long as no other person is involved in the action. It should be remembered that all "demonstrations" must be done according to the General Rules specifying that "A student who is physically able must stand during the entire presentation except in Discussion." May a student in Informative Speaking dress in an outfit to demonstrate effective mixing and matching of wardrobe items by putting on or taking off various items of clothing or removing a jacket to show how it has been lined? May a student put on or take off a wig or some other adornment as part of the speech? Nothing in the current rules prohibits this. Judges will likely comment on the degree to which the use of any visual aid enhances the contestant's message. Is wearing a costume or uniform allowed in Informative Speaking as a visual aid when informing an audience about a historical period or a character, for example, or an athletic activity? Nothing in the current rules prohibits this. Judges will likely comment on the degree to which the use of any visual aid enhances the contestant's message. What is the penalty for failing to cite sources as required? Disqualification. "Plagiarism is a serious offense and cases of verified plagiarism must result in automatic disqualification." Contestants are reminded that information on visual aids is also subject to this requirement. No exception to the Rules' "Disqualification" provisions is made for failing to cite sources. Is a specific format for citation (MLA, APA, etc.) required? The rules specify no particular format. It would be reasonable to expect that one could check the source from the citation information provided in the presentation and the submitted script. Must one cite the source of an actual object used as a visual aid? No, but there are times when informing the audience of the source from which an object comes may be informative and useful. 12

13 One of my Informative Speaking students would like to use, as an enhancement to her speech on Russian culture, a slide show including pictures of Russian scenes and an instrumental arrangement of authentic Russian music to screen and play as a visual and musical background while she gives her speech. Is this allowed under the new rules? Your question contains three issues, each of which must be addressed separately. 1-May slides be used as visual aids to enhance an informative speech? Yes. The current rules allow for the use of such visuals so long as the source(s) of the slides is/are credited both in the presentation and the submitted script. 2-May recorded instrumental music be used as "background" for visuals and speeches? No. The rules allow only for the unlimited use of VOCAL music performed live by the speaker to enhance (and not substitute for) the presentation. 3-If the music performed live by the speaker were VOCAL music composed by someone other than the contestant, the lyrics must be counted as part of the 10% quotation limit for Informative Speaking and the source must be credited both in the presentation and in the submitted script. Serious Interpretation DRAMA When doing a cutting, is it acceptable to insert another character s line into the basic monologue in order to make the meaning clearer? In drama you can portray more than one character, but you cannot give one character's line(s) to another character. If you add the character to make it two characters, both characters need to be identifiable by the audience. Poetry: I found two poems to go together by Nicole Blackman. They are from Blood Sugar- a poetry book. Victim is written in poetry style and everything I find says it is poetry. However Missing Natalie is not really written in poetry style- but was in a book of poems. 4 spots on the web say it is a poem and one spot say it is prose. Which is it? Of the five sources I found, 4 had Missing Natalie listed as poetry. The book is also classified as Poetry. You should enter this program in Poetry. I have seen For Colored Girls who have Considered Suicide/When the Rainbow is Enuf used in both Serious Poetry and Serious Drama. Which is it? This selection is described by its publisher as a choreopoem that was originally intended to be staged (though it is not written as a play). As it has been in past years, cuttings from this selection may legitimately be entered in either Serious Drama or Serious Poetry. This is consistent with past practice and with the rule that specifies that There are some situations in which a selection crosses genre lines and can be appropriately entered in more than one category. We have multiple students in our subsection doing the following selection: To This Day by Shane Koyczan or as the students call it Porkchop. Currently most are presenting it in poetry, but it has also been presented in prose. Is it the type of piece that can cross the boundary and be both? Where should it be? "To this Day" should be in poetry. It's considered spoken word poetry. DRAMA We have a student in drama and we are concerned she will be judged for overacting. As I read the rules, it seems to clearly state the use of bodily expression and physical delivery. If she is miming making a drink within her speech, is she over acting? According to the high school league that would not be over acting. I have a speaker that would like to do a transcript from This American Life as a monologue in Drama. I do have a copy of that transcript available and if I Google search the title it comes right to the transcript link. The text is at the end in Act Three of the Transcript. Is this text a verifiable transcription to use in Drama? According to the rules of the MSHSL Rules and Policies of Speech, in order to use a selection, it must be available to the public. In the case of a radio play, there must be a hard copy of the transcript that is publicly available. You have 13