Wisconsin Forensics Coaches Association With thanks to Emily Wacker of Brookfield East HS

 John Peschl – Program Assistance Chair  Bonni Knight – Past-President  Wisconsin Forensics Coaches Association

SCHEDULE  Meet in Judge Lounge to receive packets & instructions  3 Rounds  Lunch/Postings  Power Round – if not assigned to judge, you may leave once all power rounds havestarted DO’S & DON’TS  DO return critiques after EVERY round  DO go straight to your next round  DO bring pens and your own stopwatch!  DON’T disclose decisions or give oral critique

 ALWAYS READ THE RULES BEFORE YOU JUDGE A ROUND! EVERY ROUND!  WFCA Rules at WFCA tournaments!  2012 Topics

 Speech event – demonstrating a process or activity  Visual aids, props & costumes are allowed  An assistant is permitted, but not considered a contestant  10 minutes – including setup and tear down

 Interpretation event – bringing a story to life through ensemble characterization  Memorized, offstage focus  No props or costumes allowed  10 minutes

 Speech event, limited prep – 30 minutes to research and answer a question about current events  1 note card, stopwatch permitted  Students will arrive one at a time, then leave  7 minutes (may ask for time signals)

 Interpretation event, multiple selections from at least two literary genres with a single theme (genres must be identified during presentation)  Manuscript required  10 minutes

 Speech event, informative speech on any topic  Notes permitted  Four minutes (duh …)

 Discussion event, roundtable format with focus on interpersonal skills and problem solving  Reference materials allowed  A specific question for each round is provided in advance of the tournament  1 judge per 50-minute round

 Interpretation event, ensemble interpretation of a literary script (no drama)  2-5 participants, offstage focus  Manuscript required  12 minutes

 Speech event, research and present a topic from a historical time period  2012 topic:  The Decade of the 1960s  Notes and visual aids permitted, no costumes  6 minutes

 Interpretation event, interpretation of poetry or prose literature (single works or programs of multiple selections with a common theme)  Rounds alternate prose/poetry – round 1 genre announced at start of tournament  Manuscript required  10 minutes

 Speech event, persuasive speech on a topic of significance to general society  Memorized  10 minutes

 Interpretation event, ensemble dramatic presentation of a scene or cutting from a play  2-5 participants, may interact with each other  Memorized, may use chairs & tables  12 minutes

 Interpretation event, interpretation of poetry material (single work or program with a common theme)  Manuscript required  8 minutes

 Interpretation event, interpretation of prose material  Manuscript required  8 minutes

 Speech category, contribute to the public dialogue on a contemporary issue  2012 topics:  Terrorism: To what extent, if any, has recent US military involvement made the world a safer place?  Fine Arts Programming: Given the current state budget crisis, to what extent, if any, should Wisconsin public schools continue to fund fine arts classes?  Nuclear Power: In light of the nuclear disaster in Japan, what, if any, should be the future of nuclear power in the US?  On-line Schools: What should be the role of on-line or charter schools in public education?  Notes permitted  8 minutes

 Limited prep event, 30 minutes to cut and prepare a timed radio broadcast  Must include international news, national news, state news, weather, and sports  Facial expressions and gestures are NOT judged, only vocal presentation is evaluated  Manuscript required (cut from provided materials)  5 minutes “on the nose” (give/take 10 seconds)

 Interpretation event, performance of humorous drama or other literature  Memorized, no props or costumes  10 minutes

 Interpretation event, performance of serious drama or other literature  Memorized, no props or costumes  10 minutes

 Speech event, presentation adapted to a specific situation or setting  2012 topics:  You have volunteered to act as a docent at your local library or museum for a special event. (I.e. Youth Art Month, visiting exhibit, etc.).  You are to speak before a Wisconsin Governmental regulatory agency concerning policy.  You are to present your school’s “Go Green” initiative to a local organization.  Graduation Speech: You have been elected to present a speech at the class of 2012’s graduation.  Notes and visual aids permitted  6 minutes

 Interpretation event, presenting imaginative material in narrative form  Speaker prepares 4 stories, judge selects one immediately before performance begins  2012 topics:  Story from the American heartland  Story about a fool  Story with puns or other word play  Story about overcoming heartbreak or sadness  Speaker MUST remain seated in chair at all times  8 minutes

 Ballots have T layout  Keep time with a stopwatch only  Write DURING the performance  Comments should always be:  CLEAR – write what you mean, no sarcasm  CONSTRUCTIVE – be nice!  LEGIBLE – if they can’t read it, it doesn’t help  Turn in sheets to TAB after every round!  Ranks: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 5, 5 …

 Evaluation sheets are for students, ballots are the official tournament record of your ranks  Make sure you record all codes and ranks properly  Rank through the round – 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 …  Remain at the TAB table until the tournament rep checks all your paperwork.

 Invest in a stopwatch  Tournaments vs. Festivals – WFCA/WHSFA  WFCA Judge Handbook is now available at