Public Speaking Dramatic Reading

Aim: How can we understand the importance of understanding what we read?  Do Now: “First learn the meaning of what you say, and then speak.” --Epictetus  Interpret this quote.  HW: Begin researching a passage to read. LIBRARY Wednesday-Friday.

“First learn the meaning of what you say, and then speak.” --Epictetus

Oral Interpretation — really a form of performance art. --The speaker attempts to communicate his or her sense of the meaning and beauty of a work of literature by reading it aloud to an audience. --Involves experimenting with your voice, facial expressions, and gesture.

How do you choose literature for your class oral interpretation? * Selection should be based on your interests, your knowledge of the literature, and the interests of the crowd. A.Types of literature available: 1)Prose 1)Prose— writing that corresponds to everyday patterns of speech. Examples: fiction and nonfiction Poetry 2) Poetry— appeals to emotion and imagination through creative arrangements of words on the basis of their sounds and meanings. --Unlike prose, much poetry is compressed, musical language. Drama 3) Drama— written to be acted out for an audience.

B. What selections are suitable? 1) Obviously, if you don’t like or understand the selection, don’t pick it. 2) Then decide whether it has universal appeal— relevance to the experiences of all humans, or at least to many in the crowd who’ll be in attendance in your performance. 3) Does it offer readers insight or new perceptions of life? 4) Does it appeal not only to the mind, but to your readers’ emotions?

Dramatic Reading  Meet in the Library Wednesday – Friday.  Choose a text to read. Don’t settle on the first thing you look at. You need to read for a minimum 2.5 minutes and a maximum of 8 minutes.  Have it approved my me.  Begin working on the analysis – extra copies are found on my HW page.  You need a print out or photocopy of your selection – something you can write on.

 Mark up the work with suggestions on how to deliver lines, pacing, etc.  Include notes that will help you deliver your speech.  For example: when to pause, what words to emphasize, when to include personal commentary (what you will add), etc.  You will hand in your annotated text and introduction after you deliver your speech.

A.Why bother writing an introduction for your reading? Purpose  to gain the interest of your audience and to provide information they will need in order to understand and enjoy your presentation. B. How do you prepare the introduction? a) Give your reasons for choosing the particular work. b) Identify the author and the title of the selection. c) Provide background information about the author or selection. For examples, explain the author’s reasons for writing the piece or tell when and where it was written. d) If you are using a portion of a play or story, review the action that precedes the passage and introduce any necessary characters. e) Describe any special features of the setting. f) Be brief. The most important part of the presentation is the oral interpretation selection itself.

Report directly to the LIBRARY Wednesday – Friday. Analysis Form due by the end of class on Tuesday, 11/13 Readings begin Thursday, 11/15 You will hand in a copy of your text with your notes AND your introduction after you present your reading.