SPEECH AND THEATRE ARTS (ELT 7)

Activity Guidelines
VIRTUAL READERS THEATRE

Readers Theatre is an event in which a group of 10 to 15 students interpretively present

literature.
1. Readers Theatre vs. One-Act Plays. While the One-Act Play is a theatrical performance
of a play (or play cutting) Readers Theatre encourages the students to create a scripted
ensemble performance that focuses on the use of interpretative skills to present prose,
poetry and/or drama without the aid of costumes, make-up, set or props.

2. Selections/Materials. Materials used may include prose, verse, drama, speeches, diaries,
letters, essays, original compositions, etc. The presenter may choose their own
material.

3. Time Limits. The time limit for a Readers Theatre performance including the
introduction is ten minutes.

4. Preparation and Presentation.

A. Manuscripts are optional. They may be held and/or placed on music stands. If
manuscripts are used, members of the group must carry their manuscript as they move
from place to place during the performance.
B. Costumes, make-up, and props are prohibited, but it is allowable for a school to have
the participants dress in a uniform manner. (Revised 7/21 Oral Interp – 9)
C. Limited stage movement shall be allowed. The narrator may move about and the
compositional groupings may change.
D. A narrated introduction or transitional material within the cutting may be given by one
or more members. Only during the presentation of the introduction and/or original
transitional material may physical or eye contact be made with the other members of the
group. The narrated introduction shall be included in the time limit for the selection.

RUBRICS FOR READERS THEATRE

Academy Award Experienced Actor

Winner Level Level Understudy Level (10) New Actor Level (5)
(20) (15)
Individual Clarity, Pace, Most speech is clearly Speech is sometimes Speech is often unclear,
Individual and Volume All speech is enunciated, spoken slowly unclear, soft, and/or too too soft, and/or too fast,
Clarity, clearly enunciated, spoken and loudly enough to be fast, so some of the so most of the
Pace, and slowly and loudly enough heard by most members of character’s lines are not character’s lines are not
Volume to be heard by all members the audience. clearly heard by the clearly heard by the
of the audience. audience. audience.
Individual Quality and variety of Quality and variety of Reading has pleasant, but Minimal expression and
Expression expression and tone makes expression and tone makes largely unchanging, tone makes the reading
 SPEECH AND THEATRE ARTS (ELT 7)
Activity Guidelines
the reading interesting, the reading interesting and expression and tone. difficult to focus on.
and
appealing, and effectively appealing.
Presentatio conveys the character and
n message of the text.
Individual
Gestures, Excellent gestures and eye Good gestures and eye Few gestures and little eye No gestures or eye
and Eye contact with the audience. contact with the audience. contact contact.
Contact
Presentation runs smoothly Presentation is generally Occasional pauses and Frequent stops,
without interruptions or smooth with few prompts during presentation corrections, and prompts
Group
prompts suggesting interruptions or prompts suggest more preparation is during presentation
Preparation excellent preparation. suggesting adequate needed. suggest a lack of
preparation. preparation.
Student worked Student worked Student worked Student did not work
cooperatively with the cooperatively with the cooperatively with the cooperatively with the
group in all aspects of the group in most aspects of group in some aspects of group and rarely agreed
Cooperation
project and shared all the project and shared the project, but sometimes on what to do. Student
with Group responsibilities and ideas most responsibilities and could not agree on what to did not share
exceptionally well. ideas. do and wasted time. responsibilities or ideas
and often wasted time.

VIRTUAL DEBATE

1. Refer to the draw to obtain the Google meet link for the debate
2. Join the virtual room at least 10 minutes prior to the debate start time and setup room,
cameras and seating.
3. Carry out a sound check with Adjudicator or host when both teams are present
4. Oversee the debate to ensure all rules, behavior and etiquette's are followed during the
entire debate as set out in this guide
5. Speakers must wear their complete uniform with flag (green and pink) for identification.
6. Every speaker must be visible in the camera. He/ She must settle himself in a chair and a
table.
7. Speaker’s voice must be audible enough to be heard by the juries.
8. Opposition team should all be clearly visible on camera while opposition is speaking
9. Speakers can bring with them notes and manuscripts. However, reading them during their
speech or rebuttals is not acceptable.
10. Mute microphone when opposition is speaking, un-mute when your team is speaking
11. Where needed, move the camera position during speaker’s argument to focus on the
speaker and then back to the full team when opposition is speaking
12. If the speaker wishes to speak or rebut, he must raise the flag to be recognized.
13. Moderator will determine who speaks next.
14. Time limits will be given for every speaker.
SPEECH AND THEATRE ARTS (ELT 7)
Activity Guidelines

TOPICS:
1. HUMAN RIGHTS TO OWN A GUN
2. JUVENILE DELIQUENCY PUNISHMENT (LOWERING CRIMINAL AGE TO
12)
3. DEATH PENALTY ABOLISHMENT

In order to identify which topic comes first, the chairman of the panel of judges will draw lots
before the debate proper will take place.

DEBATE PROPER:
Debate opens with the affirmative team (the team that supports the resolution) presenting their
arguments, followed by a member of the opposing team. This pattern is repeated for the second
speaker in each team. Finally, each team gets an opportunity for rebutting the arguments of the
opponent. Speakers should speak slowly and clearly. The judges and members of the audience
should be taking notes as the debate proceeds. A typical sequence for debate, with suggested
timelines, is as follows:
1. The first speaker on the affirmative team presents arguments in support of the resolution. (5 –
10 minutes)
2. The first speaker on the opposing team presents arguments opposing the resolution.
(5 – 10 minutes)
3. The second speaker on the affirmative team presents further arguments in support of the
resolution, identifies areas of conflict, and answers questions that may have been raised by
the opposition speaker. (5 – 10 minutes)
4. The second speaker on the opposing team presents further arguments against the resolution,
identifies further areas of conflict, and answers questions that may have been raised by the
previous affirmative speaker. (5 – 10 minutes)
5. The rules may include a short recess for teams to prepare their rebuttals. (5 minutes)
6. The opposing team begins with the rebuttal, attempting to defend the opposing arguments
and to defeat the supporting arguments without adding any new information. (3 – 5 minutes)
7. First rebuttal of the affirmative team (3 – 5 minutes)
8. Each team gets a second rebuttal for closing statements with the affirmative team having the
last opportunity to speak. (3 – 5 minutes each)
9. There cannot be any interruptions. Speakers must wait their turns. The teacher may need to
enforce the rules.

Technical requirements:
 SPEECH AND THEATRE ARTS (ELT 7)
Activity Guidelines
Participants/speakers should ensure they can meet the requirements listed below, a test
connection will be done with all participating schools prior to the start of the competition.

 reliable internet connection

 Desktop/laptop computer with the following peripherals
o Microphone - ability to pick up participant input from anywhere in a reasonable
sized room. They are also “echo-cancelling” which means output from the
speakers is detected and not permitted to loop back through the microphone; very
disconcerting for those speaking at the other end and unacceptable in a debate
scenario.
o High Definition (HD) Camera - HD quality camera preferably one that can
ZOOM and PAN to any position in the room. Programmable pre-set positions are
highly desirable.
o Speakers - sound output sufficient so incoming audio can be heard comfortably
anywhere in the room
o Most of all, be in a room with no, or less noise.

RUBRICS FOR DEBATE:

Unsatisfactory Satisfactory Proficient Distinguished
0-12 15-16 17-18 19-20
Arguments are Organized and generally Well-organized and Extremely thorough, well-
unorganized, incomplete, complete presentation of complete presentation of organized presentation of
or completely lacking in arguments and evidence. arguments and evidence. arguments and evidence.
Opening & evidence. Opening Opening statement outlines Opening statement Opening statement engages
Closing statement and closing or lists arguments and successfully frames the the interest of audience;
Statements statements do little more evidence but does not issues; closing statement closing statement leaves no
than state the position of generate interest; closing summarizes many arguments unanswered issues and
the team. statement does not reflect made in the debate. resonates with the audience.
remarks made during debate.
Is unable to respond to Responds to most of the Responds to issues raised by Responds to issues raised by
issues raised by opponents issues raised by opponents opponents with accurate and opponents with concise,
in a meaningful or with generally accurate generally concise answers. accurate, logical answers.
Rebuttals accurate way. answers. Offers arguments, Challenges the arguments Effectively challenges the
but no evidence, to counter made by opponents; arguments made by
the arguments made by challenges are generally opponents with argument and
opponents. effective. evidence.
Demonstrates an Demonstrates a basic and Demonstrates a sophisticated Demonstrates a sophisticated
inadequate understanding accurate understanding of understanding of the issues, understanding of the issues,
Effective use of the history/ content the issues, events and facts events and facts relevant to events, and facts relevant to
of historical relevant to the topic. relevant to the topic. the topic. Demonstrates the topic. Demonstrates
evidence Supports statements with Demonstrates the ability to thorough and accurate thorough and accurate
/content vague or irrelevant make basic connections understanding of details as understanding of details as
knowledge information or no between facts and concepts. well as the ability to make well as the ability to make
information at all. original connections and original connections and
interpretations. interpretations.
Does not use persuasive Uses some appeals to make Uses logical, emotional, and Makes deliberate and
rhetoric. Uses colloquial, argument more persuasive, ethical appeals to enhance effective use of logical,
overly simplistic but may not include a mix of effectiveness of argument. emotional, and ethical
Use of
language. Uses language logical, emotional, and Uses language that is appeals in order to persuade
persuasive
and syntax that is unclear. ethical appeals. Uses appropriate to the classmates. Uses language
appeals/
language that is appropriate discussion. Uses literary that is stylistically
Language
to the discussion. Attempts devices to add interest. sophisticated and appropriate
Use
to use literary devices to add for the discussion. Uses
interest. literary devices to enhance
the argument.
 SPEECH AND THEATRE ARTS (ELT 7)
Activity Guidelines
Demonstrates little or no Appears nervous, yet Exhibits confidence and Exhibits confidence, energy,
preparation. Fails to somewhat confident, before energy in the course of the and passion in the course of
maintain respectful online classmates. Maintains debate. Maintains respectful the discussion. Maintains
Performance
tone. respectful tone. Use of tone. Uses preparation respectful tone. Accesses
preparation materials does materials effectively. preparation materials with
not distract. ease.