AFA event rules
(taken from national AFA national bylaws):
Definition: Contestants are
given three topics in the general area of current events. 30 minutes to
prepare. 7 minutes. Limited notes permitted. Students will speak in the listed
order. Posting of topics will be staggered.
Key Tips: 1) Need at
least six source citations in the speech; 2) Need to avoid past-present-future
organization; 3) Have a clear answer to the question; 4) Go beyond the basic
news report on the subject.
Definition: topics will be
of a proverb nature; 7 minutes for both preparation and speaking; limited notes
are permitted.
Key Tips: 1) Need to show
appreciation for the topic’s meaning; 2) need developed, interesting examples;
3) need a unique twist on the topic so it stands out from other people’s
commentary.
Informative
Speaking
Definition: an original,
factual speech. Audiovisuals may or may not be used. Multiple sources should be
used and cited. Minimal notes permitted. 10 minutes.
Key Tips: 1) pick a topic involving science or
technology; 2) pick a topic that would be directly useful to any judge’s daily
life.
Persuasive
Speaking
Definition: An original
speech designed to inspire, reinforce or change beliefs, attitudes, values or
actions of the audience. Audiovisuals may or may not be used. Multiple sources
should be used and cited in the development of the speech. Minimal notes are
permitted. 10 minutes.
Key Tips: 1) pick a topic where the judge him
or herself can do something to solve the problem.
After Dinner Speaking
Definition: Original, humorous speech designed to exhibit sound speech
composition, thematic coherence, direct communicative public speaking skills,
and good taste. The speech should not resemble a nightclub act, an
impersonation, or comic dialogue. Audio-visuals may or may not be used. Minimal
notes permitted. 10 minutes.
Key Tips: 1) the speech should cause people to
laugh; 2) the speech should make a point, usually persuasive.
Definition: An original
speech by the student designed to offer an explanation and/or evaluation of a
communication event such as a speech, speaker, movement, poem, poster, film,
campaign, etc. through the use of rhetorical principles. Audio-visuals may or
may not be used. Manuscripts are permitted. 10 minutes.
Key Tips: 1) intro should raise interest in the
artifact you will study; 2) lay out a 2 to 4 point communication “model” for
studying the artifact; 3) provide insight beyond what others would see in the
artifact at first glance; 4) your conclusion needs to revise/add
to/modify/reject communication theory AND provide insight on the artifact that
is directly useful to the judge; 5) pick an artifact that is unusual; that is
important yet not well known or at least not well understood; 6) pick a
contemporary artifact (the past year)
INTERPRETATION
EVENTS
Prose: 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
required. 10 minutes.
Drama
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. Manuscript required. 10 minutes. (AFA has passed a rule that
will allow manuscripts to be optional in this event at a future national
tournament.)
Poetry
Interpretation: A selection or selections of poetry of literary merit,
which may be drawn from more than one source. Play cuttings are prohibited. Use
of manuscript required. 10 minutes.
Duo: a cutting from
a play or plays of literary merit, humorous or serious, involving the portrayal
of two or more characters presented by two individuals. May
be drawn from stage, screen or radio. No costumes, props, lighting, etc.
Presentation from manuscript and the focus should be off-stage and not to each
other. 10 minutes.
POI: 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 the material must appear in separate
pieces of literature. (e.g. a poem included in the
short story that appears only in the short story does not constitute a second
genre). Only one selection may be original. Use of manuscript required. 10
minutes.
Key Tips: 1) Your introduction needs to develop
the theme; explain the main point and why it is important; 2) Need to interpret
the feeling and thoughts and emotions of the characters as they would actually
say them; 3) Need pieces that speak to you and your judges.