Director of Forensics: Genelle Austin-Lett
Office: HGH 214
Phone: 408-924-5382
Email: sjsuforensics@gmail.com

Course Text

Winebrenner, T. (1994). Intercollegiate Forensics. Dubuque, IA: Kendall Hunt.

Course Overview

The focus of 191C is oral interpretation events. 191C fulfills elective units.
A unit of credit is earned by competing in one tournament. The obligations for this class include: research, cutting, and thematic design of at least one event (events listed below), reading, practice, qualifying, and participation in at least one tournament.

Oral Interpretation Events include the following:

• Prose Interpretation
• Dramatic Interpretation
• Poetry Interpretation
• Programmed Oral Interpretation
• Duo Interpretation

Learning Objectives

1. Identify and research relevant literary selections;
2. Design and edit a ten-minute portion of one or more literary pieces;
3. The cutting should have a brief introduction proceeded by a teaser and followed by the selection that shows growth of character and/or plot;
4. Develop an interpretation of the literary piece;
5. Use a 5x7 notebook with plastic sleeves for the cutting;
6. Practice delivery, voices, and page turns;
7. Work effectively in a diverse environment;
8. Cooperate and support one another while traveling to competitions.

Course Policies

1. Since you receive priority registration, you are required to attend debate practices from 3:00 pm – 5:30 p.m. Make sure you arrange your class schedule accordingly.
2. Regular and punctual attendance is required. In the event that you must miss a practice, you are required to notify the coaching staff in advance.
3. To earn one unit of credit, you must adhere to course policies and successfully participate in one tournament.
4. You are expected to know (and stay informed of) the trends in drama, poetry, and prose.
5. You are required, and expected, to do your own original thinking. San Jose’s policy on academic honesty will be enforced. Any form of plagiarism can disqualify your team and/or the entire SJSU squad, not only for individual tournament(s), but also for the full competitive season. As this is an event that requires the use of original documents, make certain you list appropriate sources.

Specific requirements for competing are listed in the Tournament Rules and Contract, attached to this green sheet. You are required to sign this document prior to any tournament travel.

Course Expectations

Students will be required to prepare and compete in one event from the list of events below.

1. Poetry Interpretation. A selection or selections of poetry of literary merit, which may be drawn from more than one source. Play cuttings and prose works are prohibited. Use of manuscript is required. Maximum time limit is 10 minutes, including introduction.
2. Prose Interpretation. A selection or selections of prose material of literary merit, which may be drawn from more than one source. Play cuttings and poetry are prohibited. Use of manuscript is required. Maximum time is 10 minutes including introduction.
3. Programmed Oral Interpretation. A program of thematically linked selections of literary merit, chosen from two or three recognized genres of competitive interpretation (prose, poetry, drama). A substantial portion of the total time must be devoted to each of the genres used in the program. Different genre means that material must appear in separate pieces of literature (e.g. a poem included in a short story that appears only in that short story does not constitute a poetry genre). Use of manuscript is required. Maximum time limit is 10 minutes, including original introduction and/or transitions.
4. Dramatic Interpretation. A cutting which represents one or more characters from a play or plays of literary merit. This material may be drawn from stage, screen, or radio. Use of manuscript is required. Maximum time limit is 10 minutes including introduction.
5. Duo Interpretation. A cutting from a play, humorous or serious, involving the portrayal of two or more characters presented by two individuals. This material may be drawn from stage, screen, or radio. This is not an acting event; thus, no costumes, props, lighting, etc. are to be used. Presentation is from the manuscript and the focus should be off-stage and not to each other. Maximum time limit is 10 minutes, including introduction.

You will be expected to attend at least one tournament for one unit of credit. Students going on overnight trips are expected to enter a minimum of two individual events, more is preferred. Non debaters will need two prepared events not two limited preparation events (impromptu and extemporaneous). Choose a selection of literary merit. The cutting should not exceed 10 minutes. The cutting should be placed in plastic sleeves and anchored in a 5 x 7 black three-ring binder. Practice voices, pacing, page turns. Memorize the material although the interper must act as though the material is read. Prepare your presentation. Schedule and attend practice rounds. Make appointments with the appropriate coach to critique the presentation. A contestant may not use the same cutting or any portion of the cutting in more than one prepared event at any tournament.

Students will work in concert with the coaching staff in order to prepare all events. All topics must be cleared with the coaches before competing with them. No one will attend a tournament unprepared. The coaches will sign off on whether you are ready for competition.

You must clear all hurdles before attending a tournament.

1. Get the interp piece approved
2. Get the cutting approved
3. Get the delivery and style of presentation approved

No literature lacking literary merit, no inappropriate language or gestures, no introduction, no drills, no practices = no tournaments. All are necessary to be able to compete.

Go to Tournament Rules for information on how to sign up for tournaments, tournament conduct, travel preparations, tournament procedures, and the tournament contract.