Hello Grace Families,

We are going to introduce something new this year - Forensics Club! This is a unique opportunity for all of our students in 5th - 8th Grade to practice their public speaking skills. This letter will provide you with information about the club. After reading the letter if you have any questions, please let us know. We’re looking forward to it.

The Forensics Club will be an opportunity for your child to gain experience in speaking clearly, confidently, and skillfully while in public. The FC will meet each Friday from 3:30 - 4:30 to work on their skills. After several weeks of refining their presentations the FC will culminate in a night of presentations where students will be scored by judges with the opportunity to earn ribbons. 

Currently we are in the process of gauging interest for this type of club. The date of the first meeting and the date of the Presentation Night are TBD. If your child has an interest in participating, please complete this simple Google Form. 

Your child will be able to choose from various categories to present in a poised and clear manner.  

These are the items we will be emphasizing with each student. 

- Introduction relating to the selection

- Eye Contact

- Gestures/Movement appropriate to the selection

- Facial Expression

- Words are spoken clearly and with continuity

- Ability to effectively convey the humor/seriousness of the selection

- Varies in volume, speed, pitch to add interest and meaning to the piece

- Engages the audience

Categories

STORYTELLING 

1.   A presentation in storytelling shall be a narrative that is the original work of the teller, or from a source indicated by the teller. The story can be from children’s literature, an adventure story, a mystery, a fairy tale, or a folk story. Whether the material is original or not, the contestant shall give an introduction that he/she has prepared.  He/she may also give transitions to establish a relationship between parts of the presentation.

2.   A story shall be no more than 3 minutes or less than 2 minutes in length, including the required introduction and transitions.

3.   Humorous monologues should not be included in storytelling. The stories should be directed at an audience level of grades K-4.

4.   The selection should be memorized.

5.   Examples of storytelling: The Three Little Pigs, The Three Billy Goats Gruff, Jack and the Beanstalk

PROSE READING

1.   A presentation in the reading of prose may be a selection or cutting from prose literature.  A prepared introduction is necessary.

2.   A reading in this shall be no more than 3 minutes or less than 2 minutes in length, including the required introduction. The material is NOT to be presented as a memorized selection.

3.   Costumes and props may not be used.

4.   Examples of prose reading would include selections from The Secret Garden or some other book.

HUMOROUS READING 

1.   This is a presentation that should be funny.  It may be either poetry or prose.  The selection may be a single piece or cuttings of several pieces.  The contestant should give an introduction and transitions, which are needed to establish a relationship between parts of the presentation.

2.   A reading shall be no more than 3 minutes or less than 2 minutes in length including the required introduction.

3.   The reading is to be from the printed page and must not be presented as a memorized selection.

4.   Examples of humorous reading: Humorous monologues, poems by Shel Silverstein or Jack Prelutsky.

SPEECH 

1.   The speech may be either persuasive or informative.  It is to be written by the student who presents it and is to be on any contemporary problem or issue.

2.   The speech shall be no more than 3 minutes or less than 2 minutes in length.

3.   The speech may be extemporaneous, from memory, or from notes.  

4.   Speeches are not to be personal humorous stories.

5.   Visual materials or props may not be used.

6.   Examples of speech topics:  A Christian’s Stand on Abortion, Heroes for Today, Peer Pressure

POETRY 

1.   A presentation in the reading of the poetry may be a single poem, a cutting from a single poem, or several poems or cuttings.  The student may use their own original poems.  The student should have an introduction to each poem.

2.   A poetry reading shall be no more than 3 minutes or less than 2 minutes in length including the required introductions or transitions.

3.   The poetry is to be read from the printed page and must not be presented as a memorized selection.

4.   Humorous poems should not be included in this category.

5.   Examples of serious poetry: The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere, Casey at the Bat

It is our hope that the above information will answer the majority of the questions, but if not, please do not hesitate to reach out to Mrs. Beilke beilkes@gracestjoseph.org for more information.