Forensics Links: Forensics Links & Resources

• Make sure that you have accurately chosen a category (poetry, prose, declamation, original oratory, and duo). 
• Have more than one copy of your material. Enlarge your piece or re-type it in a much larger font and triple space between lines. You will be able to write notes to yourself about tone (loudness or softness), places to pause for effect, and places for eye contact and gestures.
• Attend all practice sessions! During these practice sessions, you will recite / read your piece for the coaches and your teammates.
• Practice, practice, practice!!!! Practice reading your piece out loud at home everyday. Time yourself. Your piece must be at least 4 minutes and no longer than 7 minutes. This time limit includes the introduction, which is 30 to 45 minutes in length.
• Start reading and using eye contact with a family member and a student practice partner. Take advantage of study activity periods to practice.
• Prose, poetry, duo and declamation require an introduction written by you. These few sentences set the scene, offer information about the title, the author, and the history of the speech or literary piece. The introduction should "tease" the listener and entice them to hear more. The introduction must be memorized even in interpretation categories.

1. Explain what is happening and what will happen in the piece (just enough to tease us!)
2. Discuss an important point or insight that the piece offers the listener
3. Develop the theme of the piece so the listener can see how the piece can be useful or helpful
4. State the name and author of the piece

Look for literature that follows this basic criteria:

1. universal in theme
2. memorable beyond the immediate moment
3. tailor matched to the contestant

Follow these basic presentation techniques:

1. Don't allow physical actions to overshadow the spoken word
2. Allow voice, face, eyes, and gestures to work together
3. Realize the importance of the relationship with the audience
4. Remember the binder is the reminder that this is literature and not a performance

Sample Introductions

"Not all heroes find courage easily. Some of them try to avoid a challenge, only to find it waiting and offering them no way out. In John Carroll's "Headlong into the Storm", Terrence, a Navy cook, discusses his unexpected heroic behavior on a World War II battleship during a typhoon."

"What does the American flag mean to you? It is a powerful symbol that can evoke different reactions from different people. Does it mean the same to you if you are rich or poor, black or white, imprisoned or free? "High and Mighty" by Sara Long and "Keep it Waving" by John Lee are two poems that when read side-by-side show powerful contrasts. As you listen, consider what would make your view of American freedom change."

Look for literature that follows this basic criteria:

1. universal in theme
2. memorable beyond the immediate moment
3. tailor matched to the contestant

Follow these basic presentation techniques:

1. Don't allow physical actions to overshadow the spoken word
2. Allow voice, face, eyes, and gestures to work together
3. Realize the importance of the relationship with the audience
4. Remember the binder is the reminder that this is literature and not a performance

Find:
Advanced Search

 Check Destiny or browse the shelves of the poetry, short story and Everybody collections. You may also adapt your favorite fiction book. The corner bookcase contains a selectio of materials specifically for Forensics, including binders with specehes from past competitions and Duo pieces that can be checked out.

Topics for Internet Searches

• famous speeches
• Hall of Fame speeches
• Women's speeches
• Poetry for young people
• short stories
• skits for two people
• published speeches