KENNEDY BIF

Tournament Format
Virtual. Regarding health concerns pertaining to COVID-19, the 2021 Kennedy Middle School Speech Tournament will be held online.
Three preliminary rounds. The tournament will host three preliminary rounds, breaking to finals or semifinals as entries warrant.
Hybrid. The tournament will run in a hybrid format, with asynchronous preliminary rounds for platform events and interpretation events. Competitors competing in spontaneous events will participate in synchronous preliminary rounds. All elimination rounds will be held synchronously.

Synchronous (Live): All elimination rounds, preliminary rounds for Spontaneous Argumentation (SPAR) and Impromptu (IMP).
Asynchronous (Video Submission): Preliminary rounds for Dramatic Interpretation (DI), Humorous Interpretation (HI), and Original Oratory (OO).

Online Platform. Rounds will be hosted on classrooms.cloud, which is a video conferencing and watching platform integrated with Tabroom.
All students should have the Zoom app downloaded, and preferably use Google Chrome to access the classrooms.cloud platform.

Asynchronous Video Recordings (OO, DI, HI)
Preliminary rounds for Original Oratory and Interp will be held asynchronously (via evaluation of video submissions).
Please have an unlisted Youtube video of each competitor’s performance. Video submissions will be due on Friday, 26 March 2021.
Entries without a functioning link attached by the deadline are subject to being dropped from the tournament.

Videos should adhere to the following guidelines:

Please upload your video to Youtube, and set your video status as unlisted (anyone with the link can view).

The full length of the youtube video should be within the maximum limit for your event (including grace period).
Title the video with "Full Name (Event Name) - Title by Author"
- Example: Tony Stark (Humorous Interpretation) - Harry Potter by J. K. Rowling
- No need to list an author for Original Oratory submissions.
Please make sure your sound, camera angle, and lighting are proper before recording.
- Do not use virtual backgrounds, professional recording equipment, or edit your recording in any way. If you do so, your entry is subject to being dropped from the tournament.
- The camera should remain stationary, recording the competitor's full body, or the mid-thigh and up

Make sure you remain in the frame for the duration of your recording (including walking and hand gestures)
Try to record in front of a neutral backdrop with minimal distraction

Events and Rules
The Kennedy tournament will be offering 5 events: Dramatic Interpretation (DI), Humorous Interpretation (HI), Original Oratory (OO), Spontaneous Argumentation (SPAR), and Impromptu (IMP). Rules and guidelines for each event are provided below.
No student will be penalized for being undertime, but may be ranked down in a round if the length of the speech detracts from the quality of performance.
Students exceeding the grace period may not be ranked first in a round, and may face a penalty per the judge’s discretion if the length of speech detracts from the quality of performance.

Dramatic Interpretation (DI)
A piece of published work that is written by someone else (books, plays, movies are all accepted), with multiple different characters, and performed like a one-person play. Generally a more dramatic script that includes serious plots and tragic events.

Timing: A 10 minute speech; 30 second grace period
Rules/Regulations: Performers may only use their own bodies, and any use of props will result in penalty within the round. Students may not consult the script during their speech and will be penalized at the judge’s discretion if caught doing so.

Humorous Interpretation (HI)
A piece of published work that is written by someone else (books, plays, movies are all accepted), with multiple different characters, and performed like a one-man play. Generally a more humorous script that includes jokes, silly gags, and fast-paced action.

Timing: A 10 minute speech; 30 second grace period
Rules/Regulations: Performers may only use their own bodies, and any use of props will result in penalty within the round. Students may not consult the script during their speech and will be penalized at the judge’s discretion if caught doing so.

Original Oratory (OO)
A self-written, persuasive speech on a topic of the speaker’s choosing. Competitors craft an argument using the foundations of rhetoric, including utilization of evidence, logic, and emotional appeals. Topics range widely, but should be informative or persuasive in nature. The speech must be delivered from memory.

Timing: A 10 minute speech; 30 second grace period
Rules/Regulations: All direct quotations and primary sources must be cited verbally within the body of the speech (up to 150 quoted words). Use of another person’s words or ideas without crediting them is plagiarism and is strictly forbidden. No props, audio, or visual aids may be used. Profanity, obscene content, and vulgar language are strictly prohibited. The speech must be written entirely by the speaker, though quotes from verbally cited sources may be included. Students may request time signals from the judge, but are responsible for ensuring that their performance is within the aforementioned time guidelines.

Impromptu (IMP)
A spontaneous event in which competitors construct a speech given random topics, which can range from objects around the house to current events. Competitors will generally be offering analysis and commentary on social phenomena and tendencies, but have the creative liberty to present their given topic in a manner of their choosing.

Timing: Either 3 minutes of preparation for a 4 minute speech, OR 2 minutes of preparation for a 5 minute speech; 30 second grace period. Competitors should tell their judge of how they wish to allocate their seven minutes between time for preparation and speaking. The amount of time allocated toward preparation and speaking will not serve as an advantage or disadvantage competitively. Competitors should compete with the format they are most comfortable with.
Note: Impromptu competitors have been given the choice above to accommodate the differences in how Impromptu is offered across states and middle schools.
Rules/Regulations: Notes may be taken during prep time, but cannot be used or consulted by the competitor while speaking. Competitors are not allowed to consult outside resources or materials (i.e. previously taken notes, Internet, etc.) during preparation or while speaking. No props can be used. Competitors are welcome to ask judges for time signals, but are ultimately responsible for ensuring that their speeches are within the timing guidelines above. Competitors are also welcome to time themselves for their reference, though the judge’s time is official. Competitors should have their video and microphone on during prep time and while speaking.

Judging Policy:
Teams are not allowed to provide any judges at this tournament. Students will be receiving high quality feedback from experienced captains and varsity-members of the MV Speech team.
Parent chaperones will be provided by Kennedy Middle School. Parent chaperones will be present in each room to monitor behavior.

Divisions:
The Kennedy Middle School Speech Tournament will be a middle school only tournament, and there will be no distinction between novice/varsity competitors for each event. All middle school competitors (grades six through eight) are welcome to compete.
All competitors must be in middle school. Competitors must be in either sixth, seventh, or eighth grade. No high schoolers will be allowed to compete.

Observer Policy:
While the Kennedy tournament is an excellent opportunity for competitors to showcase their own skills, it also provides the opportunity for students to spectate final rounds and learn from fellow speakers.
Observers will not be permitted to spectate any preliminary rounds. This includes the live spontaneous preliminary rounds. Impromptu and SPAR speakers will report to their rounds at their designated times as to not spectate other speakers. More information on the logistics for Impromptu and SPAR speakers will be provided closer to the tournament date.
Spectating is allowed during the live finals rounds. Spectators are expected to name themselves as “Spectator”, mute their mic and turn off their cameras. Spectators should not interrupt the speaker in any way, either vocally or through the chat.
Spectating is permitted for competitors and coaches only. Parents are not allowed to spectate any round at this tournament.

Double-Entry:
Double-entry is allowed with all events. Competitors are allowed to double-enter in any combination of the five events provided; Original Oratory, Humorous Interpretation, Dramatic Interpretation, Impromptu, or Spontaneous Argumentation.
No triple-entry allowed. In the interest of ensuring the tournament runs on schedule, competitors are not permitted to enter in three or more events. Competitors may enter in up to two events.
Competitors are responsible for getting to your round on time. If a competitor is double-entered, they should ask to go first for the event they plan to do first. Judges will be made aware of expected double-entries and will accommodate accordingly.

Liability Form/Waivers:
We will soon be publishing a liability waiver via Tabroom that will have to be signed and submitted by all competitors. All registered teams’ coaches will be notified via email once the waiver is published.

Equity Statement/Online Etiquette Expectations:
Competitors are expected to be on their best behavior, and failure to meet our expectations may result in follow-up with school administrations and subsequent disciplinary action. All competitors are expected to follow standard Speech tournament etiquette and online Zoom etiquette, including but not limited to: showing support to teammates and competitors, being respectful to judges and competitors, and being punctual to rounds.
We have zero tolerance of harassment, bullying, and/or discrimination of any kind. We expect all competitors, coaches, judges, and staff to make a commitment to providing a safe environment for all students to compete. Competitors are to only use the chat feature for necessary communication and not as a means of socializing or distracting a speaker.

KENNEDY MIDDLE SCHOOL SPEECH TOURNAMENT

10 April 2021

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