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Central Wisconsin Students at State Level
Central Wisconsin Students at Regional Level
GUIDELINES
Poetry Recitation
From memory, students will state the name of the poem and its author, then recite the poem designated for theirlevel.
Contestants receive A, B, or C ratings at both contests. The ratings are based on the following:
1. INTERPRETATION - demonstrates a clear understanding of the author's meaning, intent, and emotional content throughout the recitation.
2. PRONUNCIATION - produces the components of spoken language, including awareness of special sounds, élision, and liaison in French.
3. INTONATION - shows total meaning of the utterance through the rise and fall in pitch of the voice.
4. MEMORIZATION - accurately reproduces the selection.
Some Additional Notes:
> Students recite, from memory, the poem designated for their level.
Extemporaneous Prose Reading
Students read a short prose selection extemporaneously at both contests. They will have 5 minutes to practice reading the selection in an assigned preparation room. Students cannot consult anyone or anything during the preparation time. Students may mark their practice copies, but will be given "clean" copies for presentation before the judges.
Students receive A, B, or C ratings at both contests. The ratings are based on the following:
1. INTERPRETATION - demonstrates a clear understanding of the author's meaning, intent, and emotional content throughout the reading. To whit:
a. the rise and fall of the voice to indicate statements, questions and exclamations.
b. the use of pause to show an understanding of how the words are grouped together.
2. PRONUNCIATION - produces the components of spoken language; including awareness of special sounds, élision, and liaison in French.
3. INTONATION - shows total meaning of the utterance through the rise and fall in pitch of the voice.
Some Additional Notes:
> Students read a short prose passage extemporaneously at both contests. The piece will be different at each contest.
> Students will have 5 minutes to practice reading the passage in an assigned preparation room.
> Students cannot consult anyone or anything during the preparation time.
> Students may mark their practice copy, but they will be provided a clean copy for the actual reading before the judges.
Extemporaneous Conversation
Student groups randomly draw 2 conversation situations and then choose one to present. Conversation situations are based on a variety of topics commonly studied : home life, school, eating out, shopping, etc. The state coordinator supplies conversation situations. A sample is found at the end of this section.
Students prepare their conversations in a practice room separate from the presentation room. Students cannot consult anyone or anything during their preparation time. Students cannot use their own notes during their delivery before the judges, but, they may use the English copy of their situation to help guide them through the conversation.
All levels have 10 minutes preparation time. Required delivery times are as follows:
Junior High I, II 2 minutes
Senior High I, II 3 minutes
Senior High III, IV, V 4 minutes
University I 3 minutes
University II 4 minutes
Special 4 minutes
Each group receives one rating; students are not rated separately. Students receive A, B or C ratings at both contests. The ratings are based on the following:
1. Communication/time
a. Develop, with relative ease, a storyline based on a given situation and reflecting an exchange of information.
b. Show ability to introduce, sustain and conclude a conversation for the required amount of time without long gaps of silence.
2. Vocabulary/Grammar
a. Use vocabulary appropriate to the situation.
b. Use the most complex grammatical patterns and tenses.
3. Intonation - Show an understanding of the meaning of the utterance through the rise and fall of the voice.
4. Pronunciation - Produces the components of spoken language, including an awareness of special sounds, élision and liaison in French.
SAMPLE:
Imagine that a friend has invited you both for dinner at his house. Discuss the occasion for the dinner; what the menu could possibly be; your likes and dislikes; what you plan to wear; what time you must be there; how you will get there; who else might be there; the last time you were invited and how you think this occasion will compare with the last time.
You may choose to use all these elements or only some. These are just suggestions. Judges will allow you to digress provided you don't branch out into something completely different for the greater part of your dialog. Do try to use the most difficult way to express yourself while staying in correct French . . . BONNE CHANCE!
Some Additional Notes:
Organization
> Student groups will randomly draw 2 conversation situations and then select one to present.
> The situations are based on a variety of topics. They include, but are not limited to such things as the home, school, eating out and shopping.
> The state coordinator supplies the conversation situations.
Preparation
> Student pairs prepare their conversations in a practice room separate from the presentation room.
> Students may not consult anyone or anything during their preparation time.
> Students may NOT use their own notes during their delivery for the judges. They may use the English copy of their situation to help guide them through their conversation.
> Students must carry on their conversation for the amount of time required for their level.
> A timekeeper, using time cards, will indicate how much time is left during the delivery.
Vocabulary / Grammar
> Students use vocabulary appropriate for the situation.
> Student form questions with varied interrogative pronouns and constructions,
> Students use learned, grammatically correct speech patterns appropriate to their level of French studies:
> Jr. High I, II present tense
> Sr. High I above, plus future tense with aller
> Sr. High II all above, plus passé composé
> Sr. High III all above, plus passé simple
> Sr. High IV & V all tenses and moods, including subjunctive
> Special all tenses and moods, including subjunctive
Théâtre de Chambre
A student group consisting of two to six members acts out a scene or cutting of French literature (prose, poetry, drama) . Each group:
Chooses its own scene or cutting.
Memorizes all the lines of the scene and the introduction.
Prepares and presents an introduction in French, including the name of the scene, the author's name, the characters' names and any transitions.
Blocks the scene properly so the actors' movements are like that of a fully produced play.
Costumes, make-up and props ARE PERMITTED but not required.
A clean copy of the script or cutting must be sent to the appropriate coordinator (regional first, then, another copy to state if proceeding to state level) at least two weeks before (three weeks for state) the contest date. Groups who do not submit scripts on time will be disqualified.
Each group receives one rating; students are not rated separately. Each level is judged separately, with more proficiency expected from students inadvanced levels than those in lower levels. Students receive A. B or C ratings at both contests. The ratings are based on the following:
1. INTERPRETATION - Shows a clear understanding of the scene's meaning. Shows believability of the characters via costumes and/or personal interpretation (voice and facial expression). Uses proper blocking, maintains the pace, and works towards the climax of the scene.
2. MEMORIZATION - Accurately reproduces the scene.
3. INTONATION - Shows total meaning of the utterance through the rise and fall in pitch of the voice.
4. PRONUNCIATION - Produces the components of spoken language, including awareness of special sounds, élision and liaison in French.
5. INTRO/TIME - Presents an introduction as required and does not exceed the 15-minute time limit.
Some Additional Notes:
Preparation
> A student group, consisting of two to six members, acts out a scene or passage of literature (prose, poetry or drama) in French. Passages may be modified by the teacher to accomodate the group.
> Each student group chooses its own scene or passage, memorizes all the lines of the scene, prepares and presents (in French) a memorized introduction which includes the name of the scene, the author's name, an introduction of the characters, and any transition or background the audience would need to comprehend the ensuing action.
> The entire presentation, including introduction and set-up, is to be accomplished within 15 minutes.
> The group is to block the scene properly so the actors' movements are like that of a fully produced play.
> The use of costumes, make-up and / or props is encouraged.
Théâtre de Chambre (cont.)
> A clean copy of the script is to be received by the coordinator a MINIMUM of two weeks prior to the contest date. A second clean copy is to be sent to the state coordinator (if the group qualifies for state level presentation) at least three weeks prior to the state contest date. FAILURE TO MEET THIS DEADLINE AT EITHER LEVEL WILL RESULT IN FORFEITURE OF PARTICIPATION FOR THAT LEVEL. THERE WILL BE NO REFUNDS OF FEES PAID IN THIS INSTANCE.
Evaluation
> Each group receives ONE rating; students are not rated separately. (Each student receives their own ribbon/medal, however.)
> Each level of participation is judged separately, with more proficiency being expected from the advanced students.
Reader's Theater
Please note that Reader>s Theater is not the same thing as Théâtre de Chambre with a script in hand. A student group consisting of two to five members presents a cutting from French literature (prose, poetry, drama) . Each group must convey meaning and emotions through their voices. The group is performing a radio show. They are not meant to be seen. Each group :
Chooses its own scene or cutting and assigns parts.
Prepares and presents an introduction in French, including the name of the scene, the author's name, the characters' names and any transitions.
Costumes and decor are not necessary because the judges will not be looking at the group.
Only props to help with sound effects are allowed.
A clean copy of the script or cutting must be sent to the appropriate coordinator (regional first, then, a second copy to state if proceeding to state level) at least two weeks (three weeks for state) before the contest date. Groups who do not submit clean scripts on time will be disqualified.
Each group receives one rating; students are not rated separately. Each level is judged separately, with more proficiency expected from students inadvanced levels than those in lower levels. Students receive A. B or C ratings at both contests. The ratings are based on the following:
1. INTERPRETATION - Shows a clear understanding of the scene's meaning. Shows believability of the characters via personal interpretation (voice). Maintains the pace, and works towards the climax of the scene.
2. INTONATION - Shows total meaning of the utterance through the rise and fall in pitch of the voice.
3. PRONUNCIATION - Produces the components of spoken language, including awareness of special sounds, élision and liaison in French.
4. INTRO/TIME - Presents an introduction as required and does not exceed the 15-minute time limit.
Some Additional Notes:
Preparation
> A student group, consisting of two to six members, reads a scene or passage of published literature (prose, poetry or drama) written by an acknowledged author from France or other Francophone country. Passages may be modified by the teacher to accomodate the group.
> Each student group chooses its own scene or passage, familiarizes themselves with the lines of the scene, prepares and presents (in French) an introduction (memorized or read) which includes the name of the scene, the author's name, an introduction of the characters, and any transition or background the audience would need to comprehend the ensuing action.
> The entire presentation, including introduction and set-up, is to be accomplished within 15 minutes.
> Props are ONLY PERMITTED for sound effects. No costumes or other accessories.
> Judges are to place themselves so that they focus on the voices.
Reader's Theater (cont.)
> A clean copy of the script is to be received by the coordinator a MINIMUM of two weeks prior to the contest date. A second clean copy is to be sent to the state coordinator (if the group qualifies for state level presentation) at least three weeks prior to the state contest date. FAILURE TO MEET THIS DEADLINE AT EITHER LEVEL WILL RESULT IN FORFEITURE OF PARTICIPATION FOR THAT LEVEL. THERE WILL BE NO REFUNDS OF FEES PAID IN THIS INSTANCE.
Evaluation
> Each group receives ONE rating; students are not rated separately. (Each student receives their own ribbon/medal, however.)
> Each level of participation is judged separately, with more proficiency being expected from the advanced student.
