PURPOSE OF THE CONTEST. The purpose of this contest is to encourage the student to understand, experience and share poetry through the art of oral interpretation.

(1) Oral Interpretation. Oral interpretation, or the study of literature through its performance, can be defined as a demonstration of analysis, performance and communication skills offered publicly on behalf of literature.

(2) Goals of Oral Interpretation. Oral interpretation focuses on literature in performance through expressive oral reading. The goals of this contest are to encourage the contestant’s exploration of a variety of literary selections, and to enhance the performer’s and audience’s appreciation of literature through the performer’s interpretation of the work.

(3) Questions. The oral interpreter should work from these questions:

(A) What elements of the poem are important to performance?

(B) What physical, vocal, intellectual and emotional resources can the performer bring to the poem?

(C) How can this poem be communicated to the audience?

(D) What kind of introduction and commentary will be most effective?

(b) ENTRIES.
(1) Representation. Each participant school in all conferences may enter three students in the contest.

(2) Eligibility. Each contestant must be eligible under Subchapter M. Only students in high school are eligible for this contest. Poetry contestants shall not compete at district in prose interpretation or in Lincoln-Douglas debate. See Section 1000 for specific speech eligibility requirements.