Interpretive+Speech

__Purpose:__ To communicate the ideas and emotions of authors other than yourself to the audience by means of your voice, facial expressions and gestures. One of the main purposes is to entertain the audience and maintain its interest.
 * Interpretive Speech Assignment**

__Time Limits__: 2:00-4:00 minutes

__Manuscript__: A complete word for word copy of everything you say including any introductions, conclusion or transitions, should be submitted the day you perform. You may use one or more pieces to complete your speech. Select from any published material – songs, poems, literature, plays, movies, magazines, journals, newspapers, etc. Make sure, if using multiple works, to put the pieces together in a cohesive fashion.

__Guidelines:__ Deliver a story, song or poem you enjoy in a new way. Without adding commentary or changing the content (other than necessary editing) you will deliver this piece in a fresh way to entertain your audience. You will want to specifically focus on strong story telling skills (body language, eye contact, paralanguage – bring the content to life). Speech will be graded on nonverbal delivery and ability to successfully reinvent a song, poem, etc. of your choice.

The ability to use variations in your voice can greatly enhance public speaking, if used appropriately. In fact, vocal variety is one of the qualities consistently identified as a component of the legendary “good-speaker.”

Besides, the use of your voice you should use facial expressions, gestures and a little body movement to bring the piece to life further. This is not as difficult as it may sound! When speaking in everyday conversation, we all emphasize in a number of ways thoughts and words which we feel are important. The difference between conversation and a speech or oral interpretation is a matter of degree. Once you make the words of your presentation your own, you’ll know what to stress, and practice (and the audience feedback) helps you to know how much.

The ability to do accents, dialects and even extensive character voices is not required for the assignment. However, should you choose a selection which requires some of these, you should make an effort to do them.