Poetry 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.

Poetry Reading: A reading in the six-minute contest may be a single, a cutting from 1 poem or several related poems, or cuttings from poems. There should be a line of thought that runs through-out poem. The piece must be published. The participant will start with an introduction and use of transitions as needed to help establish the relationship of the poems. These components may be memorized or delivered extemporaneous style.

            The Poetry Reading may category is read. The introduction and any transitions must be memorized.

            Properties or visual materials may not be used in presenting a poetry reading.

            This is a contest interpreting a poem. The poem must be of a recognized literary quality.  Emphasis should be placed on the interpretation and how well the poems are connected through the transitions. The judge will use the Poetry 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.

Poetry 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 @ 5:30, ring the bell twice @ 6:00, and ask the participant to stop @ 7:31. 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 @ 5:30. (Virtual events require the timer to say, “Ding.”)

Ring the bell twice @ 6:00. (Virtual events require the timer to say, “Ding, ding.”)

Ask the participant to stop @ 7:31.

Announce the time after the speech 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.

Poetry Reading Speech

Judges Sheet

School Code_______             Student Name______________________

Round (Circle one) 1 2 3        Points _____________

Time______________

Place   (Circle one) 1^st   2^nd   3^rd   4^th   5^th   6^th      

Topic/ Name of Poems____________________________________

Was speech read?  (Circle one): Yes or no.

   Note: Poems need to 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_______________________________

Total number of points _____

Comments:

Judges Signature____________________________________

Print Judges name ________________________________________