Section 1. Poetry is writing which expresses ideas, experience, or emotion through the creative arrangement of words according to their sound, their rhythm and their meaning. Poetry relies on verse and stanza form.

Section 2. Time: Presentations shall not last more than seven (7) minutes including required introduction which will state at least the title(s) and author(s). The introduction must be memorized. The participant may complete a sentence after time is called. If an official timekeeper is assigned, a participant shall be penalized if the time limit is exceeded.

Section 3. Selection: One or more selections of poetry shall be read from the printed manuscript during the performance.

a. “Printed” shall be interpreted to mean either the printed manuscript or a typewritten copy.

b. Only published printed words may be used. No play scripts or other material in script form may be used. In the event of a challenge of material, the coach or sponsor must produce the original or copy of the publication at the regional and state festivals pr championships.

c. The selection or selections shall NOT be memorized.

d. Selection shall be made by the student and prepared before the tournament.

e. No properties shall be allowed.

Section 4. Presentation: Performances must be from a manuscript (which may be in a folder). Reading from a book or magazine is not permitted. Since the contestant will be holding a manuscript, use of that manuscript should be an integral part of the performance. Responsive use of the body (i.e. spontaneous changes in posture and gesture) is permissible so long as this active use of the body is appropriate to the demands of the selection and a natural outgrowth from the literature being preformed. With the exceptions of a small step at transitions, the performer’s feet shall not move. Along with appropriate, effective physical presentation, the contestant will also be evaluated in terms of technique (breathing, tone, pitch, enunciation, phrasing, pace, etc.) and to artistry (presentation of mood and imagery, vocal characterization, etc.). The final test of good interpretation is the ability to use all these factors so successfully and unobtrusively that the audience forgets that this is a contest in a created atmosphere and is carried into the real or imagined world of the selection(s).