Speak Up!
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What's Forensics?
We are not a crime or science club—we’re a competitive public speaking and performance team! Forensics includes 16 unique events split into two categories: Interpretation (more of the acting side) and Public Address (more of the public speaking side). There truly is an event for everyone!
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Freshmen and sophomores can also compete in 9/10 events, which change yearly. You will only compete against others in your grade!
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The tournaments begin with weekly invitationals in March. Once the invitations are over, students are selected based on rankings and dedication to their event to move forward to the Regional and State level tournament.
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Interpretation
Acting Events
POETRY INTERPRETATION
A selection of poems all about the same topic (poems are written by published authors, not by the performer).
E.g. Poems about environmentalism, poems about mothers, poems about bullying, poems written by nurses. Often first person for maximum impact, but can also be second or third person.
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PROGRAM ORAL INTERPRETATION
A selection of texts (must be at least two different genres) that make a point about a topic. Texts can be anything and is performed for 5-8 minutes.
E.g. LGBTQ+ experiences, immigration, foster system, sexual assault, generational trauma, addiction, mental health.
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PROSE INTERPRETATION
A book (novel, memoir, short story, nonfiction). 5-8 minutes and always told in first person.
E.g. The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd, Wild by Cheryl Strayed, The Sun Is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon.
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DRAMATIC INTERPRETATION
Something originally intended for performance: play, movie, podcast, YouTube video, 5-8 minutes .
E.g. The Farewell, Every Brilliant Thing, Our Town, Steel Magnolias.​
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STORYTELLING
A children’s book (can be a picture book or an early readers/chapter book). 5-8 minutes. Often third person (you’ll cut out all of the “he said” tags); sometimes first person character narrator. Story is told with the use of many characters (different voices and body stance for each character). Usually high energy pieces.
E.g. Priscilla’s Purple Plastic Purse, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, The Good Egg.
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DUO INTERPRETATION
Anything that would fit in Prose, DI, or Storytelling (play, movie, book, kids book). Can combine types of text (can use novel and movie script of the same story. Each actor can play multiple characters; there may be narration/voiceover. Note: actors may not touch or make eye contact.
E.g. The King’s Speech, The Parent Trap (could combine lines from the script of both versions of the movie), Bridge to Terabithia.
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Public Address
Public Speaking Events
​INFORMATIVE SPEAKING
To teach/inform your reader about a topic. You may not give your opinion on the topic—only factual information. 5-8 minutes and includes the making of visuals.
E.g. Bananas, slang, bank robbery, service animals, aliens, coding, caffeine .
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ORATORY
To convince your audience that something is a societal problem and offer some potential solutions. Oratory may also be eulogy—speech celebrating someone (not common but allowed). 5-8 minutes.
E.g. Topics you are passionate about and want other people to understand.​
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SALES SPEAKING
To convince your audience to buy a product or service or use a particular company. Your points are usually a) what the product/company does b) varieties/details c) competition. 5-8 minutes and includes the making of visuals.
E.g. Bose headphones, Behr paint, Spotify, Crayola, McDonald’s
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Limited Prep
Events
Writing a different speech every time on the spot
DUO COMMENTARY
You have a partner for this event. Before prepping, you will receive three topics that fit in a category. You pick the one you want to speak on, and then your task is to write a speech where the two of you offer insight/analysis/pros and cons/debate the topic You and your partner sit down at a table for this event. Think of it as a podcast. You will have 30 minutes to prepare with your partner and speak for 5-7 minutes. Both speakers usually have a computer or tablet.
E.g. The topic of the round is “Crushes.” Topic choices might be “Orange Crush,” “celebrity crushes,” “demolition,” and “Crush the Turtle from Finding Nemo”​
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IMPROMPTU
When you enter the round, you will be given a quote, resolution, or political cartoon/image. You have about 1 minute to brainstorm and come up with a hook, three points, and conclusion. You will write these points on a notecard. You will speak for 5 minutes and prep for 1 minute (total of 6 minutes).
E.g. “"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." (Martin Luther King Jr.)
“The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” (Franklin D. Roosevelt)
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BROADCASTING
To choose a selection of news stories and deliver them as a radio/TV broadcaster would. Before each round, you are given one story you have never seen and must give an editorial (your opinion) on it during the broadcast. You will will have 15 minutes to prepare an editorial that is added to an already prepared selection of news stories. The time limit of speaking is 5 minutes.
EXTEMPORANEOUS SPEAKING
Before prepping, you receive three questions about politics/current events. You pick the one you want to speak on, and then your task is to write a speech that analyzes and answers the question. You will get 30 minutes of prep time and a note card to write down your main points. You will talk for 5-7 minutes.
E.g. Has President Biden’s CHIPS program been effective so far in supporting the auto industry? How strict should the United States be about enforcing tariffs on Chinese goods?