Humorous Interpretation (often shortened to "HI", or "Humor") is an event in competitive middle and high school forensics leagues such as the National Christian Forensics and Communications Association and the National Speech and Debate Association . It consists of a piece from any published work, edited to fit within a 10-minute span with a 30-second grace period (it does not have a minimum and cannot be above 10:30). It is judged based upon how the person portrays his or her characters and whether the piece is humorous. Ideally proper portrayal of characters should achieve a comedic effect to the judge. Humorous Interpretation and Dramatic Interpretation pieces are often used for the National Catholic Forensic League category of Dramatic Performance, which has similar rules but allows for a wider variety of pieces.
22-408: While rules vary by state, a piece must be published, cannot exceed ten minutes, and must be of a humorous nature. Performance must include an introduction that states the title of the selection and the author. The introduction is an original work that should remain very brief. A teaser may precede the introduction. However, there may not be any more than 100 added words throughout the piece, including
44-551: A "fresh" piece is one of the best ways to ensure a successful season. One very good source student can turn to in order to find good pieces is winning pieces of play writing contests and such. Pieces must be memorized in Humorous Interpretation. No scripts are allowed. The number of characters that can be present in the piece is entirely dependent upon the competitor's level of ability. It may range anywhere from one character to multiple characters. Each different character
66-415: A 30-second grace period (it does not have a minimum and cannot be above 10:30). In a typical round of DI, five to seven performers will each perform a "cutting" (excerpt) from a readily available, published (copyrighted or non-copyrighted) play, novel, or short story. As the name suggests, the cuttings are invariably from non-comedic (e.g., dramatic) works. Some performers select monologues, others may adopt
88-444: A dictionary, movie script or a novel. Pieces that tend to be more popular, though, are movie scripts, novels and plays. Picking a piece that can be cut down to ten minutes can be very difficult, but it is important that when choosing a piece, performers keep in mind how they might go about cutting it down. In addition, it is very important that performers pick out pieces that are not commonly done. According to Darren C. Goins, picking
110-627: A presentation by one or two students that is judged against a similar type of presentation by others in a round of competition. There are two general categories of speech events, public address events and interpretive events. Debate involves an individual or a team of students working to effectively convince a judge that their side of a resolution or topic is, as a general principle, more valid. Students in debate come to thoroughly understand both sides of an issue, having researched each extensively, and learn to think critically about every argument that could be made on each side. Many NSDA alumni have risen to
132-430: A prop when necessary. When performing, competitors are expected to dress in business attire and be professional. Humorous Interpretation rounds will often have anywhere between five and seven competitors. The rounds are ranked first to last, the smallest number being the best. Dramatic Interpretation Dramatic Interpretation Dramatic Interpretation (often shortened to "Dramatic Interp," "Drama" or just "DI")
154-638: A variety of sources, ranging from stage, screen, to radio. Unlike dramatic interpretation performances at the high school level, collegiate competitors are required to use a manuscript throughout their performance. Due to COVID-19 , the 2020 tournament was canceled, resulting in no champion. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 tournament was canceled. However, the NFA permitted competitors in their senior year to submit recordings of their speeches for an asynchronous competition. The top performing student in each category
176-464: Is allowed in Humorous Interpretation, but it must be motivated by the text and easily justifiable. Props and costumes are not permitted. Humorous Interpretation must also remain a solo performance. No partners are permitted. Finally, the speech that a competitor is using for Humorous Interpretation, he or she may not use in any other event he or she is entered in. When choosing a piece, competitors may use any form of published material - whether it be
198-676: Is an event in National Speech and Debate Association (and NSDA-related) high school forensics competitions. In the National Christian Forensics and Communications Association and the National Catholic Forensic League , the event is combined with Humorous Interpretation to create the Dramatic Performance event. It consists of a piece from any published work, edited to fit within a 10-minute span with
220-403: Is distinguished by a different posture and character voice. Throughout the piece, competitors switch back and forth between characters with character pops. Pops are a quick transition between characters where the performer quickly re-adjusts his or her body to the appropriate character. There are different styles and ways of popping in and out of characters. A different style of pops is one that
242-568: Is more of a slide into the other character, it is much less abrupt. Regardless of how one decides to go about alternating between characters, though, the one thing performers must make sure of is that it is very clear they are portraying a different character. This doesn't have to be done with just posture alone, a competitor may also utilize different voices to differentiate between characters. The voices that represent each character should be vastly different and distinct. Because competitors are not allowed to use props or costumes, they must pantomime
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#1732851537717264-677: Is ten minutes with a thirty-second period in which a student may go overtime with no penalty, colloquially referred to as a 'grace period.'According to National Speech and Debate Association rules, a student who exceeds the ten minute and thirty-second time limit cannot be awarded the rank of 1st in the round. There is no minimum time limit. A student may choose from a single work of literature to perform. Acceptable forms of literature include: In Dramatic Interpretation, Duo Interpretation, and Humorous Interpretation performers are not permitted to use any type of "physical objects or costuming." In addition, students may not: Students may not perform
286-666: Is the largest academic competition in the world. Dramatic Interpretation falls under the jurisdiction of events under the category defined as “Interpretation” by the National Speech and Debate Association (NSDA). These events are Humorous Interpretation , Duo Interpretation , and Program Oral Interpretation . Events that do not fall under the jurisdiction of the following rules include, but are not limited to Poetry, Prose, and Storytelling. The National Speech and Debate Associations rules are organized into categories of length, material, material availability, performance, re-use, and website approval submission process. The set time limit
308-688: The association retained its original insignia, including keys, pins, and seals. Members in the National Speech & Debate Association's Honor Society earn points and are recognized by increasing membership degrees, including membership, merit, honor, excellence, distinction, special dinstinction, superior distinction, outstanding distinction, and premiere distinction. NSDA provides competitive speech and debate activities, resources, comprehensive training, scholarship opportunities, and advanced recognition to more than 140,000 students and coaches each year. The annual National Speech and Debate Tournament marks
330-531: The capstone of speech and debate activities for more than 140,000 members across the country. Students must qualify for the National Tournament through their District Tournament. To create standards for national competition, the National Speech and Debate Association defined a number of speech and debate events that are prevalent in the United States that have been adopted by many states. Speech involves
352-467: The introduction. In addition to the introduction being original, competitors may also incorporate verbal transitions, so long as they do not exceed 100 words or change the intent of the author. Other than for transitional and introductory purposes, though, no original words may be added to the piece. Gratuitous vulgarity refers to any unnecessary vulgar actions. Gratuitous vulgarity is not permitted and may result in being marked down. Singing and dancing
374-501: The roles of many different characters, changing their tone, manner, and the position of their body to indicate a change in character. After all of the competitors have performed, the judge (or judges) in the round will rank them from best to worst, and assign each of them a score . Contestants who score well will "break" out of preliminary rounds and continue to advance through octo/quarter/semi/final rounds if they continue to score well. National Speech and Debate Association Nationals
396-402: The same work of literature at any National Speech and Debate Association tournament if they have already done so in a separate contestant year. All piece selection is subject to online year-round review. In intercollegiate forensics, a competitor may use one or more theatrical scripts to craft a dramatic narrative involving one or multiple characters. The dramatic material can originate from
418-708: Was an honor society that recognized middle and high school students and coaches for participation in speech and debate activities. Students earned merit points for participation and were held to a Code of Honor. The League's name was changed in 2014 to the National Speech and Debate Association and the National Speech & Debate Association's Honor Society. NSDA includes than 140,000 students and 3,900 coaches each year. It has more than 2,000,000 alumni. Its headquarters are located in West Des Moines, Iowa. NSDA's core values or pillars are Equity, Integrity, Respect, Leadership, and Service. After its name change in 2014,
440-615: Was formed as the National Forensic League in 1925 by Bruno Ernst Jacob . NSDA was founded by Bruno Ernst Jacob , a Ripon College professor, in 1925 as the National Forensic League . As a college student, Jacob created a pocket handbook, Suggestions for the Debater , which led to the founding of the organization. Mundt served as the organization's national president from 1932 until 1971. The National Forensic League
462-550: Was hosted in Salt Lake City, Utah in 2016. National Champions are awarded a scholarship of US$ 1,000. To receive the title a competitor must have the lowest cumulative score throughout the duration of the tournament. The Dramatic Interpretation competitor to receive the lowest cumulative score in the final round is awarded the BAMA Bowl and a US$ 500 scholarship . The National Speech and Debate Association (NSDA) National Tournament
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#1732851537717484-527: Was ranked as the Performance of Highest Distinction. The Performance of Highest Distinction in Dramatic Interpretation was awarded to Trijae from Bradley University. National Speech and Debate Association The National Speech and Debate Association (NSDA) is the largest interscholastic speech and debate organization serving middle school and high school students in the United States. It
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