THE KEY STEPS TO PREPARING A GOOD INTERPRETATION
1. Select a piece or pieces of literature.
2. Read the literature.
3. Focus on a thesis--a specific angle.
4. Cut the piece to fit this angle.
5. Choose the section for your teaser.
6. Write your introduction.
7. Check with your coach about your cutting.
8. Mount your pieces into a plastic folder.
9. Practice your piece in front of peers and your
coach. Be sure to time your presentation.
10. Fix the piece and your presentation based on
feedback from ballots.
THE ESSENTIALS OF A GOOD INTERPRETATION
Choose a high quality piece of literature (story,
poem, drama, etc.). Contemporary pieces that use humor or action and that
address important social or political issues usually do best. You will present
for 5 minutes (intramural competition), 8 minutes (high school), or 10 minutes
(college competition).
Your speech should include the following:
1. Begin with a "teaser"--a short (1
minute max.) section of a piece you will present. Choose
a section that grabs your audience's attention and makes them want to know what
happens next. You present your piece by reading from a manuscript (usually a
small black book).
2. An introduction that you write. The
introduction should
1. Explain what is and will happen in the piece
(just enough to allow us to understand and to interest us without giving away
the piece's conclusion).
2. Develop the theme in the piece--what point or
insight does it offer listeners? Be specific about this theme. An example of a
theme would be, for the movie Platoon--how naiveté gives way to the reality of
war. Connect this theme with events in the piece you will read without giving
away the content of the piece entirely.
3. Explain the importance of this theme; how is
this theme helpful or useful for your audience?
4. State the name of the piece and the author's
name.
3. Presentation of the piece. You
continue to read from your manuscript. Present with sincere meaning. Really get
into the piece. Develop different voices for the different characters. I
strongly suggest that you practice in front of a coach before giving the
presentation.
4. The Conclusion. When
you are done with the presentation--you close your manuscript and indicate you
are finished by bowing your head.
BE SURE YOUR INTERP MEETS THESE STANDARDS
1. The quality of piece you chose should be
strong--is it interesting?; is it written well?; does it address an important
issue or offer significant insight on something important?
2. The quality of your reading of the piece should
be strong--do you read with intensity, feeling and sincerity (as opposed to
flat, melodramatic or off-key delivery)?; are your characters noticeably
different from each other?; are your characters given personality that adds to
the piece's meaning?; does the narrative and reading bring out the theme you
say is in the piece?
3. The quality of your theme should be strong--did
you demonstrate an understanding of the piece?; is your theme specifically
linked to the piece?; did your theme offer insight that people would find
unique and helpful?
4. The clarity of your introduction and cutting
(the sections you choose) of the piece should be strong--is it clear what is
happening in the piece?; does the cutting focus on and develop the theme?
TIPS FOR FINDING GOOD INTERPRETATIONS
1. Pick pieces with themes that will resonate with
your audience; pick pieces that are good fits for who you are and for your
acting abilities.
2. Go to www.amazon.com
and look up good pieces
3. Go to your library and look up good dramatic
pieces--stories, plays, poetry
4. Talk to your coach; talk to teammates; talk to
your school’s drama teachers
PRACTICE TO IMPROVE YOUR PERFORMANCE
1. Work on how you present characters so that they
have unique voices, full personalities, gestures, mannerisms, etc.
2. Work on how you use your book; use it to cover
your face in a scene where you are hiding; use it to peak over to indicate you
are looking over a fence; etc.
3. Cut out sections that are not adding to the
theme and interest of your piece.
4. Refine your introduction so that it accurately
identifies the point of your piece.
5. For duos, get your timing right and movements
right with each other.
6. Practice, practice, practice!!! Do it in front
of friends, your coach, teammates, a video camera.