Humorous & Dramatic Interpretation
Script Resources
TFA Rules for Dramatic Interpretation:
This contest enables the student not only to develop skills common in all speech contests, but also to select and condense worthy dramatic literature suitable to the contestant’s personality and maturity, and to convey orally the meaning of that dramatic literature through characterization and narration. TFA, understanding that final judgment must remain with the individual judge concerning effect on ranking, suggests that coaches encourage their students to avoid (1) literature that is devoid of literary merit, (2) literature that is in poor taste and, therefore, may be offensive because of language or subject matter.
1. Selections used in Dramatic shall be cuttings from a single source from published printed novels, short stories, plays, poems, or screenplays. Coaches and/or students must have the original source, including ISBN if one exists to the tournament director upon request. A photocopy is acceptable. Violation of this rule will result in disqualification.
2. Each year, specific documentation will be required by the Executive Council for entry into the State Tournament. During the online registration process, coaches will be required to provide the Dramatic title and ISBN number. The competitors original script and copied script is required to be checked at registration and must be available at the State Tournament.
a. A flat copy of the text with page numbers and all lines being performed highlighted is required.
b. A copy of the bibliographic information page is required.
c. A cover sheet with title, author(s), ISBN number, date of publication, number of transitional phrases, student’s name, coach’s name and signature and the school name must be completed. The cover sheet form can be found online at www.txfa.org
d. The original script, highlighted copy and bibliographic information page need to be placed in a manila envelope with the cover sheet form stapled to the outside of the envelope.
3. The selection shall be memorized and presented without the use of physical objects (script, props, hand props, or scenery) or costume. Students should avoid movement in the presentation that would distract from the literature itself. Violation shall result in being ranked last in the round.
4. No student may use the same selection at a tournament in more than one event, but may change events with the selection during a tournament season. No student can use the same selection in more than one tournament year. In addition, a student may not qualify for nor compete with the same selection at the state meet.
5. The contestant shall name the author and the title of the selection being presented during his/her performance. Violation shall result in being ranked down in the round.
6. Maximum time shall be ten minutes with a thirty-second grace period. Violation shall result in being ranked last in the round by the tab room when visible time signals have been given by the judge or by the authorized timekeeper. Without adding text to the previously performed selection and only considering audience response, the contestant shall not be penalized for exceeding the time limit in all qualifying and state tournament elimination and final rounds.
7. Transitional phrases may be used in Dramatic Interpretation but must meet the following word requirements. Violation will result in disqualification.
a. No selection may use more than 100 total transitional words.
b. These words cannot be used to write new scenes to any piece of literature.
c. The 100 words cannot all be used in one particular location within the selection.
d. All transitional phrases must be written in the margin, by hand, on the copy of the piece of literature for checking in case of protest. At TFA State, this will be used to check that the number does not exceed the 100 word limit.
e. Introductions do not count as part of the transitional phrases.
This contest enables the student not only to develop skills common in all speech contests, but also to select and condense worthy dramatic literature suitable to the contestant’s personality and maturity, and to convey orally the meaning of that dramatic literature through characterization and narration. TFA, understanding that final judgment must remain with the individual judge concerning effect on ranking, suggests that coaches encourage their students to avoid (1) literature that is devoid of literary merit, (2) literature that is in poor taste and, therefore, may be offensive because of language or subject matter.
1. Selections used in Dramatic shall be cuttings from a single source from published printed novels, short stories, plays, poems, or screenplays. Coaches and/or students must have the original source, including ISBN if one exists to the tournament director upon request. A photocopy is acceptable. Violation of this rule will result in disqualification.
2. Each year, specific documentation will be required by the Executive Council for entry into the State Tournament. During the online registration process, coaches will be required to provide the Dramatic title and ISBN number. The competitors original script and copied script is required to be checked at registration and must be available at the State Tournament.
a. A flat copy of the text with page numbers and all lines being performed highlighted is required.
b. A copy of the bibliographic information page is required.
c. A cover sheet with title, author(s), ISBN number, date of publication, number of transitional phrases, student’s name, coach’s name and signature and the school name must be completed. The cover sheet form can be found online at www.txfa.org
d. The original script, highlighted copy and bibliographic information page need to be placed in a manila envelope with the cover sheet form stapled to the outside of the envelope.
3. The selection shall be memorized and presented without the use of physical objects (script, props, hand props, or scenery) or costume. Students should avoid movement in the presentation that would distract from the literature itself. Violation shall result in being ranked last in the round.
4. No student may use the same selection at a tournament in more than one event, but may change events with the selection during a tournament season. No student can use the same selection in more than one tournament year. In addition, a student may not qualify for nor compete with the same selection at the state meet.
5. The contestant shall name the author and the title of the selection being presented during his/her performance. Violation shall result in being ranked down in the round.
6. Maximum time shall be ten minutes with a thirty-second grace period. Violation shall result in being ranked last in the round by the tab room when visible time signals have been given by the judge or by the authorized timekeeper. Without adding text to the previously performed selection and only considering audience response, the contestant shall not be penalized for exceeding the time limit in all qualifying and state tournament elimination and final rounds.
7. Transitional phrases may be used in Dramatic Interpretation but must meet the following word requirements. Violation will result in disqualification.
a. No selection may use more than 100 total transitional words.
b. These words cannot be used to write new scenes to any piece of literature.
c. The 100 words cannot all be used in one particular location within the selection.
d. All transitional phrases must be written in the margin, by hand, on the copy of the piece of literature for checking in case of protest. At TFA State, this will be used to check that the number does not exceed the 100 word limit.
e. Introductions do not count as part of the transitional phrases.
TFA Rules for Humorous Interpretation:
This contest enables the student not only to develop skills common to all speech contests, but also to select and condense worthy humorous literature suitable to the contestant’s personality and maturity, and to convey orally the humor of that literature through characterization and narration. Suggestions for suitable material and specific rules governing this contest are the ones listed for Dramatic Interpretation.
This contest enables the student not only to develop skills common to all speech contests, but also to select and condense worthy humorous literature suitable to the contestant’s personality and maturity, and to convey orally the humor of that literature through characterization and narration. Suggestions for suitable material and specific rules governing this contest are the ones listed for Dramatic Interpretation.
