What do you think is the most important element to Dec

[Megan]

State your reasons here! :D :D :D :D

[Jssippi]

Out of those 3 options, it has to be how comfy the person looks performing. If it looks like its a chore for them to do it, its just awkward and doesn't come off well.

[GateKeepR]

i agree. i've always looked at poise as being more important than piece selection.

[Megan]

I agree, with poise you can most generally overcome bad writing.

[McKSpeech]

Hi

In Ohio, this event is called Oratorical Interpretation.

The biggest bone of contention we have here is the rift between those who do historical speeches versus those who do student written orations.

I have a problem with the historical speeches in that it tends to become "dramatic interp part 2." If the goal of this event is to help the student develop a style of oratory that is true to himself, it is much better to find a speech that he can actually relate to and make his own.

I have seen too many "wannabe" Martin Luther Kings, etc...who have no clue as to who they are as a speaker, but have replicated the famous speaker's delivery to a T. This, in my opinion, is "charcterization for 10 minutes" and belongs in dramatic interp.

Last year, I coached our state champ in Oratorical and she delivered a speech as herself..not as someone else. this is what I feel this event is.

[chrispac]

I think it is "too easy" to give a speech comfortably, so I chose the content of the speech.
Of course. content is a need. You need the content, THEN you can give it, comfortably.

[Megan]

See, the problem I've seen many OI/Dec-ers run into is that the speech is so awesome and amazing, it's really hard to pull off the poise and naturalness, so it can be a plus or a problem, the content that is.

[Dasy*]

deffinantly how you look when you compete. if the speach is amazing but you look tense...it doesnt bring you into the speach like its supposed to.

I think it is "too easy" to give a speech comfortably, so I chose the content of the speech.
Of course. content is a need. You need the content, THEN you can give it, comfortably.


Poise is the hardest thing to learn. You can help someone with interpretation, you can help them with content, but helping someone gain poise and confidence? --that's a challenge.

[elizaterry]

As the great...um...someone once said, "You can still do well with a bad piece IF YOU DO IT WELL." (or something like that...) Definitely poise.

[HDAguy]

I disagree with all of you. Currently I took part in the IHSA state tourney (IL), and I went in DEC and prose. I beleieve the most important factor(s) is all that you have listed and then some. Your piece needs to be very good, and easy to connect with. Your poise must be good, but poise can easily be handled with command of the room. When I speak, EVERYONE listens, no matter if they like me or the subject matter or not, and I always win! Movenment must be very precise and emphatic. The movement shoudl enhance the piece not just be there to be there. There are soem other things also, but the moral of this story is: In order to have a successful DEC, you must have all the components. They will all tie in and help the other ones shine brighter!

[Sueyness]

we do oratorical interpretation (OI) in california, and we're not allowed to use past student OOs. our piece must be a published speech.

there are two accepted ways to do an OI here. 1- interpret the piece as if you are the actual historical figure giving the speech. this would include adopting the accent, poise, and movement of the original speaker. 2- interpret the piece in your own way, using the content of the speech as guidance. this allows for more creativity and showcases your own skills as an orator.

either way, it's emphasized that Oratorical Interpretation is both ORATORY and INTERP-you must demonstrate your own oratorical abilities as a good speaker, AND you must be able to interpret the content of the speech in a skillful manner using emphasis, body language, etc.

I don't see why we're debating whether a bad piece can be done well by a good speaker or a good piece by a bad speaker. ideally, you should be a good speaker doing a good piece! you should be striving to be the best you can in order to win.

defenitely the speaker.....who cares about selection if its decent a good speaker can work it!...just working it!!!

[HSTDeb8erGrl]

As a former declaimer, I've found that the most effective method for Dec is to develop a profound understanding of your piece. I hate when people do commencement addresses or inagural speeches, because frankly they suck. I loved doing oratories, because they are much easier for a high school student to comprehend, but my league banned it for next year.

[tobnactress]

I have to disagree with all the people saying that you need to have a good piece to do well in dec. I think that the most important aspect is a) understanding the speech and b) performing it comfortably. i was just at the villiger tournament in dec and even in my finals round i saw so many people who, though they gave the speech really well, looked like they were reading off a piece of paper. I think the most useful way to prepare a dec is to really analyze what the speaker is really thinking as they give the speech. I have found that people who really do well in dec. are those who have acted before because they can really make the speech their own. Hey, i tried doing it, and manged to get first, so really, it can work for anyone! :D

[cba4n6]

I think that Interpretation of the Speech is the most important. I feel if the person can relate to the speech and make it their own in someway, than they can give new meanings to the speech. You have to be able to know your piece and then understand it, before you can perfrom it. I think when you interpret it in your own way, you show a great understanding of what the speech, and the author, is trying to get across.