Humorous Prose Reading
Judge Instructions
For the judge:
The judges shall not confer with anyone to decide the rankings of a student. Rather, each judge shall render a separate and individual opinion. Judges shall be asked not to make evaluative remarks to individual students during the rounds. Any student who is rude or who argues with a judge may be reported to his/her coach for a reprimand. If the situation is serious, the student may be barred from further competition, or from awards. The decision of the judge regarding the ranking of the contestant is final. Judges may not ask where the students are from.
Humorous Prose Reading: A reading in the eight-minute contest may be a cutting from prose literature. The piece must be published. It must easily be recognized as belonging in the humorous prose category. The participant will have an introduction and use of transitions as needed to help establish the through line of the piece. These components may be memorized or delivered extemporaneous style. Conclusions or summations are not permitted.
The Humorous Prose Reading category is read. The introduction and any transitions must be memorized.
Properties or visual materials may not be used in presenting Humorous Prose Reading.
This is a contest interpreting a piece of prose. Emphasis should be placed on the interpretation and how well the prose is connected through the transitions. The judge will use the Humorous Prose Reading Judge Sheet to score each participant.
At the end of each round, judges are to determine which participant comes in 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th place. No 2 students can have the same ranking.
*After the timer gives the bell ringing instructions, the judge will ask that everyone take their seats and then advise the participant that they may begin.
Humorous Prose Reading
Timer Instructions
For timer:
Close the door. (Physical or virtual depending on location)
Explain to the participant that you are going to ring the bell once @ 7:30, ring the bell twice @ 8:00, and ask the participant to stop @ 9:31. Confirm that the participant can hear the bell or ‘Ding” in virtual events).
Start the clock with the first word that the participant says.
Ring the bell once @ 7:30. (Virtual events require the timer to say, “Ding.”)
Ring the bell twice @ 8:00. (Virtual events require the timer to say, “Ding, ding.”)
Ask the participant to stop @ 9:31.
Announce the time after the reading for everyone to hear, and make sure that the judge records the time on the judge’s sheet.
Open the door of the presentation room between contestants and check off who has finished. This will assist coaches and visitors.
Humorous Prose Reading Judges Sheet
School Code_______ Student Name______________________
Round (Circle one) 1 2 3 Points _____________
Time______________
Place (Circle one) 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th
Name of Prose____________________________________
Was prose read? (Circle one): Yes or no.
Note: This piece must be read or, the speaker is disqualified.
DIRECTIONS: Place a number which best represents your response to the question in the blank. (Please note that this point scale is to help judges determine final placement of participants)
The value scale is:
1-Below average, 2-Average, 3-Good, 4-Very Good, and 5-Excellent. Half points may be used.
Introduction and transitions (Does the speaker have it memorized and does it sufficiently do what it is intended to do) __________________________
Speaker’s Pose (includes eye contact and body language) _______________________
Speaker’s Delivery Style_______________________________
Speaker’s use of Voice______________________________________
Total number of points _____
Comments:
Judges Signature____________________________________
Print Judges name ________________________________________
