John Champe High School Speech/Forensics Team
What is it?
Speech and forensics is a nationally recognized club devoted to public speaking and performance skills, with seven different categories that showcase different talents.
When is it?
Competitions occur on Saturdays starting in the fall. Group practices occur before and after school, depending on team schedule needs.
Why join the speech team?
Because it's very fun -- some would even say it's enriching! The skills you learn as a performer will serve you well in all aspects of life where communication is necessary: school, college, work, family interaction, etc.
What are the seven speech/forensics categories?
While there are some differences between the Virginia High School league and the National Catholic Forensics League, these are the common events:
- DECLAMATION: The student (only freshmen and sophomores can compete in this category) recites an interpretation of a previously delivered speech (such a political speech, a commencement address, a TED Talk, etc). Click here for more information about the category as defined by the NCFL. Click here for the critique sheet the NCFL uses for the category.
- DRAMATIC PERFORMANCE: The student performs a memorized dramatic presentation from a single published play, single published script, or single fictional or non-fictional work. Click here for more information about the category as defined by the NCFL. Click here for the critique sheet the NCFL uses for the category.
- DUO INTERPRETATION: Two students perform a memorized dramatic presentation from a single published play, single published script, or single fictional or non-fictional work.
- EXTEMPORANEOUS SPEAKING: The student offers an original synthesis on a designated topic, using numerous sources.
- IMPROMPTU SPEAKING: The student has seven minutes to compose and recite a speech about a given topic, quote, or proverb.
- ORAL INTERPRETATION: The student recites two "programs" (collections) of manuscript-based literature substantially different in content, author, and/or original source.
- ORIGINAL ORATORY: The student recites a speech they composed about a given topic, which includes research. Click here for more information about the category as defined by the NCFL. Click here for the critique sheet the NCFL uses for the category.
How can I obtain more information?
Contact the coaches, Alyson Mullee (alyson.mullee@lcps.org ) and Thomas Scott ( thomas.scott@lcps.org ) ! This year's John Champe Club Fair will be held TBD, and students will be available to discuss their experiences with interested students.