Speech Events

DRAMATIC PERFORMANCE

The speaker must offer a memorized dramatic presentation. If the speaker refers to prepared notes of any kind or a script during the presentation, the speaker will be disqualified.
The presentation must be from a single published play, single published script, or single fictional or non-fictional work (not poetry). It is the affirmative obligation of all NCFL coaches to ensure that all materials presented in interpretation events must be available and readily accessible to all members of the league. Lines which are attributed to one character in a published play or script must not be attributed to another character in the performance. The author's words as published in the literature must not be altered for the presentation with the exception that cutting is permitted.
No properties or costumes of any kind may be used. Using “properties” means manipulating articles of clothing or objects to enhance the performance. Speakers using properties and/or wearing costumes will be disqualified.
Positions other than standing should not be excessive in length or dominate the performance.

Master Ballot for Dramatic Performance (Last updated 2025)
Critique Sheet for Dramatic Performance (Last updated 2015)

DUO INTERPRETATION OF LITERATURE

The selection, delivered by two students each representing the same member school, must be from a single play, fictional, or nonfictional work. A series of poems is permitted. The poetry may be taken from a variety of published sources united by a single poet. It is the affirmative obligation of all NCFL coaches to ensure that all materials presented in interpretation events must be available and readily accessible to all members of the league. Performing the author’s exact words from the published original work is a core value of interpretation in NCFL. Cutting, the removal and rearrangement of the author’s words to shape a 10 minute performance, is permitted.
The selection must be memorized. If the speaker(s) refers to prepared notes of any kind or a script during the presentation, the team will be disqualified.
No properties or costumes of any kind may be used. Using “properties” means manipulating articles of clothing or objects to enhance the performance. Speakers using properties and/or wearing costumes will be disqualified.
Performers are not allowed to make deliberate physical contact with each other during the performance, except during the introduction. Physical movement is restricted to performers moving around one another, switching position, pivoting from side to side, or turning around completely. Should the performers make deliberate physical contact with each other during the performance, except during the introduction, or make deliberate physical movements other than those permitted herein, the performers will be disqualified.
Positions other than standing should not be excessive in length or dominate the performance.

Master Ballot for Duo Interpretation of Literature (Last updated 2025)
Critique Sheet for Duo Interpretation of Literature (Last updated 2015)

EXTEMPORANEOUS SPEAKING

The speech must be an original synthesis by the contestant of the current fact and opinion on the designated topic as presented by numerous sources. Source materials must be represented with relative accuracy in the speech. The speaker is responsible for the ethical use of source information.
The speech must be extemporaneous and delivered without notes. If the speaker refers to prepared notes of any kind or a script during the presentation, the speaker will be disqualified.
During the competition round, students must not access any research materials, oral, written, or electronic, outside of the preparation room.
Speakers must not be penalized for expressing views with which the judge happens to disagree.
Positions other than standing should not be excessive in length or dominate the performance.

Master Ballot for Extemporaneous Speaking (Last updated 2025)
Critique Sheet for Extemporaneous Speaking (Last updated 2015)
Extemp Prep & Connectivity Rules (Last updated 2022)

ORAL INTERPRETATION OF LITERATURE

The speaker shall prepare two programs of manuscript-based literature substantially different in content, author, and/or original source. Each program shall consist of a single piece, a cutting, or a series of short pieces united by author or theme. One program shall be published prose; the other, published poetry. If using a series of pieces, all titles and authors must be cited. It is the affirmative obligation of all NCFL coaches to ensure that all materials presented in interpretation events must be available and readily accessible to all members of the league.
Each program must contain an introduction for purposes of explication, setting, or selection transitions.
Lines attributed to one character in the published source must not be attributed to another character in the performance. The author's words as published in the literature must not be altered for the presentation with the exception that cutting is permitted.
The literature chosen may include any form of prose or poetry, fiction or non-fiction. Drama, including theatrical monologues, is prohibited. Speeches written to be delivered in real-life are prohibited.
Speakers may use a persona and/or character voices, but it is not necessary.
No properties except a manuscript or binder may be used. Using “properties” means manipulating articles of clothing or objects to enhance the performance. Speakers using properties and/or wearing costumes will be disqualified.
Only the performer’s feet may touch the ground.

Master Ballot for Oral Interpretation of Literature (Last updated 2025)
Critique Sheet for Oral Interpretation of Literature (Last updated 2015)

ORATORICAL DECLAMATION

A selection used in Oratorical Declamation must have been originally delivered in the form a speech by its author, a person other than the present speaker. The speaker must have an introduction which is at most one minute and names the work, author, and describes the circumstances under which the speech was originally presented. The original speaker's words must not be altered for the presentation with the exception that cutting is permitted. Selections may include professional speeches, public orations, eulogies, and sermons. Stand-up comedy routines are prohibited.
The selection must be memorized. If the speaker refers to prepared notes of any kind or a script during the presentation, the speaker will be disqualified.
No particular style should be demanded of the speaker; rather, the contestant should be free to select and to develop a personal style and be judged according to the degree of perfection attained and the effectiveness in influencing the listeners. While the specifics of the speech and any style of delivery which the speaker adopts should be judged in light of the purpose of the speech, artificiality is to be discredited. This event is an interpretation, not an impersonation.
This event is limited to freshman and sophomore students.
No properties or costumes of any kind may be used. Using “properties” means manipulating articles of clothing or objects to
enhance the performance. Speakers using properties and/or wearing costumes will be disqualified.
Positions other than standing should not be excessive in length or dominate the performance.

Master Ballot for Oratorical Declamation (Last updated 2025)
Critique Sheet for Oratorical Declamation (Last updated 2025)

ORIGINAL ORATORY

The speaker should be expected to discuss with a degree of originality, and in an interesting manner, the topic chosen.
The speakers should be given wide latitude in the ideas they express, but they should be held closely accountable for the manner in which they are expressed.
Speakers must not be penalized for expressing views with which the judge happens to disagree.
It is suggested, but not obligatory, that the topic be a subject of contemporary significance.
The speech must be one that has been composed by the student delivering it.
The speech must be memorized. If the speaker refers to prepared notes of any kind or a script during the presentation, the speaker will be disqualified.
The number of words quoted from authors other than the contestant must not exceed 150. Extensive paraphrasing of other sources is prohibited and constitutes grounds for disqualification.
Visual and audio-visual aids are not permitted. No properties or costumes of any kind may be used. Using “properties” means manipulating articles of clothing or objects to enhance the performance. Speakers using properties and/or wearing costumes will be disqualified.
While singing is permitted it should not be excessive or dominate the performance. Judges' ranks may reflect if singing has dominated the performance.
Positions other than standing should not be excessive in length or dominate the performance.

Master Ballot for Original Oratory (Last updated 2025)
Critique Sheet for Original Oratory (Last updated 2015)