Speech Categories

Description: The mostly memorized oral interpretation of a serious selection. A declamation is the oral interpretation of persuasive or inspirational material originally prepared by another person. (Example: Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address)

● Time limit: 3-6 minutes

● Rules are the same as for Dramatic Interpretation with the exception that a script is allowed for this category.

● A podium or notebook is allowed, however, the participant should not be “tied” to the script. They should be so familiar with the selection that the script is only there as a guide. Eye contact MUST be made with the audience and the judges.

● Do not register poetry in this category.

● No costumes or props are allowed for this category.

● If a selection is chosen that has several characters speaking, the participants should make use of the “Dramatic V” technique.

Description: The mostly memorized oral interpretation of a humorous selection.

● Time limit: 3-6 minutes

● Rules are the same as for Humorous Interpretation with the exception that a script is allowed for this category.

● A podium or notebook is allowed; however, the participant should not be “tied” to the script. They should be so familiar with the selection that the script is only there as a guide. Eye contact MUST be made with the audience and the judges.

● Do not register poetry or scripture selections in this category.

● No costumes or props are allowed for this category.

● If a selection is chosen that has several characters speaking, the participants should make use of the “Dramatic V” technique.

Description: The teaching of a Bible doctrine, concept, or story of a Bible character.

● Time limit: 4-8 minutes

● Participants may be male or female.

● A missionary biography or contemporary story is not sufficient.

● Each lesson should include an introduction that gives the main Scripture verse and/or the Christian truth that is being taught.

● Each lesson must be intended for a class of junior-age children, ages 9-12.

● Each lesson MUST include some type of visual aid, such as flannel graph, object lesson, chart, poster, etc.

● All lessons must be original and cannot be taken from published or unpublished sources.

● Reference materials may be used for background explanatory material.

● The outline must include the following:

1. Objectives of the lesson 
2. Specific principles to be taught
3. Scripture references
4. Materials required
5. Brief summary of the lesson
6. Bibliography

● Outlines must be submitted to the judges along with the three judge forms. Two points will be deducted from the final score if the outline is not submitted.

● Outlines may be used by the participant, but the entire script should not be written out. Please use a simple outline. Make sure to engage the audience. This is meant for an audience of younger children.

Description: Expository Preaching – a form of preaching that expounds upon the meaning of a particular text or passage of Scripture. Expository preaching differs from topical preaching in that the former concentrates on a specific text and discusses topics covered therein, whereas the latter concentrates on a specific topic and references texts covering the topic. Topical Preaching – A topical sermon is one in which the topic governs the main points. The main points should be supported from various texts that pertain to the topic.

● Time limit: 5-10 minutes

● Participants will be restricted to young men.

● Only the King James Version of the Bible may be used.

● Dress code for preaching should be dress pants, dress shirt, suit jacket, tie and dress shoes.

● Outlines must be submitted to the judges along with the judge forms. Two points will be deducted from the final score if the outline is not submitted.

● Participants may use the outline to preach from, but should not have the entire message written/typed out.

Description: A presentation using puppets that teaches a Bible story with a moral or other Bible truth.

● Time limit: 4-8 minutes

● Puppet teams must be made up of two or more participants.

● Only students (no adults) registered for the competition may be involved in the puppet show.

● Music for the puppet show should not exceed more than 1 ½ minutes of the performance time. ALL music must be pre-approved according to the music guidelines.

● Scripts may be pre-recorded. However, the students who are working with the puppets are the only ones allowed to speak, whether recorded or live.

● If it is not pre-recorded, scripts are permitted to be used during the performance.

● The puppet show will be judged on the following criteria:

1. Do the puppets seem real?
2. Do the mouth and body movements match the dialogue with a natural flow? 
3. Was it effective in teaching a Bible truth or Bible story with a moral?
4. Did it keep the attention of the audience? (Audience interaction is suggested)

● Puppet teams may use an “MC,” but it must be a student participant.

● All participants must supply their own puppets and puppet stage. If pre-arrangements are made, two or more schools may share a puppet stage provided by one of the schools.

Description: The oral presentation of a dramatic, poetic, or prose material by a group focused on the audience

● Time limit: 4-10 minutes

● Group size may be three or more participants

● Participants may use small hand props and costume accessories.

● No make-up, lighting, full costumes, or furniture other than a table, chairs, stools, and music stands or podiums are allowed.

● Platforms or prop boxes are allowed.

● Participants may use scripts. However, the participants should not be “tied” to the script. They should be so familiar with the selection that the script is only there as a guide. Eye contact MUST be made with the audience and the judges.

● It is suggested that participants use some type of stand on which to place their scripts, so hands are free for gestures.

● Characters may NOT interact with each other as they do in duet acting. All actions are toward the audience. No eye or body contact should be made with other characters.

  Description: An extemporaneous oral presentation designed to move an audience toward personal action or to sway audience opinion.

● Time Limit: 3-6 minutes

● Scripts may NOT be used; however, the participant may use a basic outline. No more than 10% of the speech can be direct quotations.

● Small hand props or costume pieces are permitted.

● Outlines must be submitted to the judges along with the judge forms. Two points will be deducted from the final score if the outline is not submitted.