Dramatic Interpretation
Encyclopedia
Dramatic Interpretation (often shortened to "Dramatic Interp," "Drama" or just "DI") is an event in National Forensic League
(and NFL-related) high school forensics competitions. DI is sometimes called "Depressive Interpretation" as a joke; however, it accurately describes the sentiment underlying most pieces.
In a typical round of DI, five to seven performers will each perform a "cutting" (excerpt) from a published play, novel, or short story. As the name suggests, the cuttings are invariably from non-comedic (e.g., dramatic) works. Some performers select monologues, others may adopt the roles of several characters, changing their tone of voice, manner of speaking, and bodily position to indicate a change in character.
After all of the competitors have performed, the judge (or judges) in the round will rank them from best to worst, and assign each of them a score. Contestants who score well will "break" out of preliminary rounds and continue to advance through octo/quarter/semi/final rounds if they continue to score well.
In college, DI cuttings must be from a play. Novels and short stories are used in prose.
There is a time limit of ten minutes (although a thirty second grace period is often allowed).
Within the ten minutes, there must be an introduction which states the title and author of the selection. A "teaser" from the selection may precede the introduction
National Forensic League
The National Forensic League is a non-partisan, non-profit educational honor society established to encourage and motivate American high school students to participate in and become proficient in the forensic arts: debate, public speaking and interpretation. NFL is the America's oldest and largest...
(and NFL-related) high school forensics competitions. DI is sometimes called "Depressive Interpretation" as a joke; however, it accurately describes the sentiment underlying most pieces.
In a typical round of DI, five to seven performers will each perform a "cutting" (excerpt) from a published play, novel, or short story. As the name suggests, the cuttings are invariably from non-comedic (e.g., dramatic) works. Some performers select monologues, others may adopt the roles of several characters, changing their tone of voice, manner of speaking, and bodily position to indicate a change in character.
After all of the competitors have performed, the judge (or judges) in the round will rank them from best to worst, and assign each of them a score. Contestants who score well will "break" out of preliminary rounds and continue to advance through octo/quarter/semi/final rounds if they continue to score well.
In college, DI cuttings must be from a play. Novels and short stories are used in prose.
Rules
The use of props is forbidden.There is a time limit of ten minutes (although a thirty second grace period is often allowed).
Within the ten minutes, there must be an introduction which states the title and author of the selection. A "teaser" from the selection may precede the introduction
See also
- Humorous InterpretationHumorous InterpretationHumorous Interpretation is an event in competitive high school forensics leagues such as the National Christian Forensics and Communications Association and the National Forensic League...
- National Christian Forensics and Communications AssociationNational Christian Forensics and Communications AssociationThe National Christian Forensics and Communications Association is a speech and debate league for Christian homeschooled students in the United States. The NCFCA was established in 2001 after outgrowing its parent organization, the Home School Legal Defense Association , which had been running the...
- National Forensic LeagueNational Forensic LeagueThe National Forensic League is a non-partisan, non-profit educational honor society established to encourage and motivate American high school students to participate in and become proficient in the forensic arts: debate, public speaking and interpretation. NFL is the America's oldest and largest...