Forensics

Forensics is the term used to described the four speaking events that along with debate form the competitive elements of Cultural Convention. During the convention each speaker is identified by a number and must participate in a minimum of three rounds. In these preliminary rounds each speaker is adjudicated by three judges, and on the basis of ranking achieved in each preliminary round, a group of six speakers per event advances to the finals.

• EXTEMPORANEOUS SPEAKING is the category where the speaker is given a choice of two questions on current events. The speaker has 30 minutes to prepare a speech to answer one of the questions. The speech must be 5-7 minutes in length.

• IMPROMPTU SPEAKING is the category where the speaker has 1 minute to prepare a 3-5 minute speech on one of the two topics provided.

• ORAL INTERPRETATION of literature involves a work of either prose of poetry. The speaker chooses and practices the reading and delivers the piece using voice and facial expressions to interpret the mood and meaning of the piece. It must be 5-7 minutes long.

• ORIGINAL ORATORY requires a speaker to prepare a 5-7 minute persuasive speech ahead of time on a topic of their choice.