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.