Speech Activities: Individual Events

Students may participate in broadcasting, dramatic interpretation, duo commentary, duo interpretation, extemporaneous speaking, impromptu speaking, informative speaking, multiple interpretation, oratory, poetry interpretation, program oral interpretation, prose interpretation, sales speaking, or storytelling. The particulars of these activities are discussed in another section of this booklet [Speech Activities, Individual Events Activities: Specific Individual Events]. Each year, for senior high schools, one (1) of the public address events and one (1) of the interpretation events will be exclusively for ninth and tenth grade students. Another competition in these same events will be "open" for competitors at all grade levels; thus, there will be two (2) competitions in these categories. For more information on the current or upcoming “9/10 Events”, please visit www.themifa.org.

Each specific event is subject to a series of general rules and regulations for contests discussed in an additional section of Speech Activities [Individual Events: Eligibility through Sanctions]. Modifications in the following event rules for the Middle Level contestants [Speech Activities, Individual Events: Middle Level Individual Events] are found in other sections of this publication. For specific event rules and guidelines, please see the official MIFA ballots.

Any senior high school, junior high school, or middle school in Michigan is eligible for participation in the individual events program; however, to participate in the senior high school elimination series or the middle school level Fall and Spring tournaments, a school must be a member of the Michigan Interscholastic Forensic Association. [Refer to Middle level section of Speech Activities for more specific ML rules] Schools indicate an intention to participate in the individual events competition on the enrollment form for MIFA membership. The individual who participates in individual events activities sponsored by the Association must be considered a full-time student and must represent only one school in which the individual is enrolled [Speech Activities, General Policy: Student Eligibility]. A student may participate in only one of the specific individual events per tournament. The only exception is the interpretation pentathlon tournament.

Middle level schools participate in a special tournament structure [Speech Activities, Middle Level School Individual Events: Introductory Section]. Senior high school students compete in a multi-level tournament structure to determine the state champion in several individual events. For senior high schools, three levels of participation including local (school), regional, and state contests are held.

The local contest (if any) is administered within the school.

Please follow the instructions given at the judge’s meeting concerning speaking order. MIFA tournaments including Regionals & State Finals will DRAW FOR ORDER in the round (or prep room). Contestants should be listed on the ballot in speaking order. Invitational tournaments may follow another process.

In all circumstances involving the order of a presentation, the fifteen (15) minute rule is applicable. Should a contestant fail to appear within the fifteen (15) minute time period following the scheduled start of the round or in extemporaneous speaking and broadcasting the scheduled time for preparation, the contestant will be disqualified from participation in the particular event. In the case of a withdrawal, the speaking order of the contestants present will be advanced accordingly.

In most events, should the contestant who is assigned the first position not be present at the scheduled start time, the judge(s) may advance the second contestant in the presentation order to the first position. In this circumstance, if the contestant who is unavailable appears within the fifteen (15) minute time period following the scheduled start of the round, the particular contestant would then assume the second presentation position, with all other contestants retaining pre-assigned presentation positions. Before disqualifying a contestant, the judge(s) should check the entrance(s) to the contest room to make certain the non-attending contestant is unavailable. If a contestant is waiting outside the entrance to the contest room for a presentation to finish before the expiration of the fifteen (15) minutes, the contestant should be allowed to perform. In events of ten (10) or more minutes in length, the disqualification of the contestant assigned the first position should occur between the first and second presentation. For example, if the pre-assignedsecond orator is advanced to the first presentational position, the judge(s) should wait the necessary time period to the expiration of the fifteen (15) minute rule following the presentation of the advanced contestant to determine if the absent contestant in the assigned first position will appear.

For public address events that have a scheduled time for preparation, such as extemporaneous speaking, duo commentary and broadcasting,all contestant(s) will be assigned a speaking order. Should the contestant(s) assigned the first or second positions in the presentational order be unavailable, no advancement of other contestants in the presentation order will occur. If the unavailablecontestant(s), assigned the first or second presentational position, appears prior to the expiration of the fifteen (15) minute disqualification time period, the individual can participate in the event; however, the contestant will lose the expired preparation time. Thus, a contestant who appears ten (10) minutes after his or her preparation starttime for an event with thirty (30) minutes of preparation time will have only twenty (20) minutes to prepare.

All MIFA individual events have suggested time limits.

Dramatic Interpretation, Poetry Interpretation, Program Oral Interpretation, Prose Interpretation and Storytelling are all 5-8 minutes. Duo Interpretation is 7-10 minutes and Multiple Interpretation is 10-15 minutes.

Broadcasting is 5 minutes, Duo Commentary, Extemporaneous Speaking is 4-7 minutes, Impromptu Speaking is 0-6 minutes, Informative Speaking and Sales speaking are 5-8 minutes and Oratory is 5-8 minutes.

Presentations that do not conform to the suggested time parameters may be penalized at the discretion of the judge. Penalties are not mandatory for timing irregularities.

At all levels of competition, the timing of all events is mandatory. In all events, except impromptu speaking, timing starts when the presentation of the contestant begins. In impromptu speaking timing begins when the contestant receives the topic from the judge.

The judges are responsible for supplying time cards and supervising timekeeping in all events. Either the judge or a timekeeper under the supervision of the judge is responsible for using an appropriate timing device such as a stopwatch to time contestants and to display time cards that are clearly visible to the contestant throughout the presentation (unless the contestant does not desire access to the visual display of time). The number showing on the cards indicates the amount of time remaining.

An oral report of the actual time per contestant must be given at the completion of each performance. The judge will write the announced time on the critique sheet of the particular contestant and on the ballot.

The contestant should immediately report any timing errors to the judge(s). If a time is contested, the judge will consult with the timekeeper and, if appropriate, the contestant, and render an immediate decision which becomes the official time for the presentation. In the circumstance where the presentation of the speech or the interpretation selection is just beginning, the notification of a discrepancy should enable the contestant to restart the presentation. Any time loss due to unavoidable interruptions shall be made good to the contestant. Upon receipt of the ballot, the Tournament Director must assume that the timing for the particular round is accurate.

All selections performed in oral interpretation events, except for the Original Interpretation Tournament that allows original compositions, shall not be the writing of the contestant(s). Individual events directors and their schools are responsible for adhering to current copyright laws and the financial obligations with royalties. Humorous or serious literature is acceptable in all events. Compilations are acceptable in all events. A participant (including members of multiple or duo) in oral interpretation may not use a selection from the same piece of literature that they have used in any previous year, including in middle school events. Selections used at the Michigan Speech Coaches, Incorporated, spring tournament in the previous year may be presented without sanction. Modifications in material can occur during or between invitational tournaments, during or between the local and regional tournament and during or between the regional and the state tournament.

Directors are responsible for establishing the authenticity of each interpretation selection. Issues that the director must be able to provide appropriate information, include proof that:

1. A selection conforms to the characteristics of a literary genre;

2. Proof of publication with proper documentation is readily available to all. The contestant must take either the original script or a photocopy of the appropriate pages from the original source to all rounds.

3. The selection(s) are not the original work of the contestant(s); and

4. All directors will submit evidence of the publication of their qualifying students’ material within seventy-two (72) hours of the conclusion of the Regional tournament. Submission must be made through the online process at www.themifa.org. Any changes of material should be submitted not less than seventy-two (72) hours prior to the State Tournament. Failure can result in the disqualification of the student.

Selection(s) of the various literary genre used in MIFA interpretation activities should reflect a reasonable standard for good quality literature, which is appropriate for middle school or high school competition. The selection(s) should be adapted to the age, temperament, and capabilities of the interpreter. The selection(s) should be of the type that show insight into human nature and create an impact on the listener. The imitation of characterization in video presentations is discouraged. The selections should be judged for their appropriateness as contest material and their suitability to the particular contestant using them.

The interpreter may gesture and move around the platform as necessary. Good interpretation requires total physical, vocal, and emotional involvement. Interpreters should identify with the characters in the scene being presented. The degree of physical expression depends on the literature. The presentation should not be dominated by choreography, and movement should be appropriate to the theme of the presentation. An exception to the guideline for physical representation may occur when the characterization requires the use of sign language. In the situation that involves the presentation of literature that has characterization that includes an individual(s) who communicates by sign language, a relaxation of the regulation on the use of gestures for the appropriate character is acceptable. In duo and multiple interpretation, direct eye contact and touching are prohibited. Accidental "bumping" or "eye contact" that is corrected quickly should not disqualify contestants. Direct eye contact with the audience is at the discretion of the performers. The use of a manuscript or notes is optional, except in POI, where a script binder is required. Anyphysical manipulation of a binderduring a POI round is allowable and permissible, but it must remain in contact with the contestant at all times. NO hand props, decorative scripts, lighting, scenery, readers' stands, benches, platforms, or risers are permitted. Any physical manipulation using a chair/stool/bloxduring a round is allowable and permissible, except in POI where chairs/stools/blox are not permitted. (BLOX with an X is defined as: An object with a flat base, top and sides, typically square or rectangular.)The contestant may sit and/or stand.

Original characterizations are encouraged. Only sound created by the voice and body of the interpreter is allowed. Mechanical aids or instruments are not permitted. Singing, humming, and/or whistling must be appropriate to the theme of the presentation. Sound effects or singing should heighten and develop the literature. The interpreter(s) should show genuine appreciation of the selection and demonstrate imaginative insight into its mood and meaning. Vocal expression should communicate the relationships between ideas and should be clear and audible.

Street attire that suggests mood and character is permissible. Costumes that are unique to the stage, such as period dress and robes, are prohibited.

Editing is permitted, but the author's intent must be preserved. For example, the rewriting of a selection to change the gender of the primary characters is inconsistent with the author’s intent and, thus, is not permitted.

Interpreters will generally wish to begin with some remarks introducing the plot, scene, author, and/or characters; such information may also be used as transitional material. Introductory or transitional material is included in the time limit and may include singing, humming, or other creative approaches. Transitions and/or introductions may not dominate the presentation in terms of time or portion of the script. Transitions and/or introductions must enhance the literary selection(s) rather than become the focus of the interpretation.

Dramatic interpretation is the presentation of a serious or humorous selection from a play written for either the stage or the electronic medium. Adaptations of works from other genres (adaptations of poems, novels, or short stories) that are written for performance on the stage or in an electronic medium (radio, film, television) are permitted. Multiple character selections are permitted. The suggested time limit for dramatic interpretation is five (5) to eight (8) minutes.

Duo interpretation is the interpretation by two participants of a single selection of humorous or serious literature from any genre or a selection that combines genre (e.g., drama and prose); each performer may portray multiple characters. Each contestant may also perform narration. Duos will be identified at tournaments by the appropriate code and the last names of the participants. The suggested time limit for Duo Interpretation is seven (7) to ten (10) minutes.

Multiple interpretation is the performance of a humorous or serious literary selection with three (3) to five (5) participants in front of, but not necessarily facing, the audience at all times. The event is designed to encourage the analysis and performance of literature of literary merit. The presentation must consist of a single selection of prose, poetry, or drama, or any combination of genres (e.g., prose and/or poetry, and/or drama). Source materials for Multiples alternate between any genre including musical theater/musical film when the State Tournament falls in an odd year and any genre excluding musical theater/musical film in even years. Original material may be used only as an introductory or transitional device, may not dominate the presentation in terms of time or portion of script, and must enhance the literature presented. The suggested time limit for Multiple Interpretation is ten (10) to fifteen (15) minutes.

Poetry interpretation is the performance of a single selection of poetry or a compilation of poems. Either humorous or serious literature is acceptable. The suggested time limit for Poetry is five (5) to eight (8) minutes.

Program Oral Interpretation (POI) is the presentation of multiple selections, sharing a common theme or message, chosen from two or three of the following genres: Prose, Poetry, and/or Dramatic. A minimum of two pieces of literature from at least two separate genres must be used. Either humorous or serious literature is acceptable. The suggested time limit for Program Oral Interpretation is five (5) to eight (8) minutes.

Prose interpretation is generally a cutting from a novel or short story. The cutting may be from a single selection of literature or a compilation. Either humorous or serious literature is acceptable. The suggested time limit for Prose is five (5) to eight (8) minutes.

Storytelling is the delivery of a single selection, or a compilation of material. Any material for children will be accepted, including contemporary literature, myths, legends, fairytales and folktales. Acceptable selections for storytelling must come from children's literature for any age. A manuscript, notes, or book are not permitted. The suggested time limit for Storytelling is five (5) to eight (8) minutes.

In public address events, contestants are expected to prepare original presentations. Contestants participating in oratory, sales speaking, and informative speaking must have manuscripts or outlines in their possession in all rounds. The manuscript must be provided to the judge upon request. All directors will submit evidence of the originality of their qualifying students’ material within seventy-two (72) hours of the conclusion of the Regional tournament. Submission must be made through the online process at www.themifa.org. Any changes of material should be submitted not less than seventy-two (72) hours prior to the State Tournament. Failure can result in the disqualification of the student.

Contestants must choose an original topic and prepare the speech prior to each tournament. A contestant may modify or revise a speech at any time, including for the regional or state tournaments. At each stage of the elimination series, the contestant and the contestant's director must certify, prior to the start of the tournament, that the speech is the original work of the contestant. Written certification of the originality of the speech must be given to the tournament director prior to the start of the contest.

Plagiarism (i.e., the use of the words or ideas of others as if they were your own) is considered to be a serious offense and is a basis for disqualification. Also, rewriting an author's words in a manner that alters the author's thematic intent is a serious offense and is the basis for a disqualification. Editing is allowable. Failure to provide accurate credit to the author(s) of directly quoted material or paraphrased material constitutes plagiarism. Contestants must have proper documentation. MLA style is a reference, but the key requirement is that the resources be clearly cited to enable ready location of the material. The source(s) for the content ideas and for visual representations used in the presentation should be indicated in the end notes.

In public address events a different speech must be used each year. Speeches used in competition at a middle school level tournament are unacceptable for use by the same contestant in high school competition. However, speeches used

at the Michigan Speech Coaches, Incorporated spring tournament in the previous year may be presented without sanction during the current individual events season.

A good speech includes suitability of subject, originality, depth, organization, clarity, and interest. Supporting material should be presented in a logical manner.

BROADCASTING, DUO COMMENTARY, EXTEMPORANEOUS SPEAKING, AND IMPROMPTU SPEAKING The particulars of the limited preparation public address events — broadcasting, duo commentary, extemporaneous speaking, and impromptu speaking — are discussed on the individual ballots at the end of this section. All Broadcast, Duo Commentary, Impromptu and Extemporaneous speakers are to stay in the competition room until all contestants in their section have spoken. In limited preparation public address events, individuals with visual impairments will receive copy or topics from the tournament director. When feasible, participants with visual impairments may be given enlarged broadcasting copy, editorials, or questions.

The purpose of this event is to familiarize the student with the important medium of broadcasting and to test the ability of the participant to read with authority, intelligence, and audience appeal while understanding the necessity of visual communication with the audience. The suggested time limit for Broadcasting is five (5) minutes including a one (1) minute editorial.

The purpose of Duo Commentary speaking is for two students to work together to provide perspective on a given topic. Topics for Duo Commentary are often vague and/or utilize unique wording/phrasing. Students should explore the prompt thoroughly, defending their points with analysis and supporting material. Students must present from a seated position. During the process of the speech, the speakers may only use notes made during the one-half hour preparation time preceding the time of speaking. Topics may be on any subject but must be presented as plain text. The suggested time limit for Duo Commentary is four (4) to seven (7) minutes

Topics for the state elimination series will consist of questions on current events as of January 1, of state, national, and international political and social issues. The topics generally reflect subjects reported in popular news media. The suggested time limit for Extemporaneous Speaking is four (4) to seven (7) minutes.

Impromptu speaking should develop the speaker’s ability to provide reasoned responses with minimal preparation to a topic of general knowledge. The impromptu speech will reflect knowledge about general subjects presented in an articulate manner within an organized framework. The suggested time limit for Impromptu is six (6) minutes which includes preparation and presentation. Prompts will be short quotes, resolutions and/or visual prompts.

An informative speech is an original speech designed to clearly explain, define, or illustrate a particular subject. Because the basic purpose of the speech is to inform, material that is argumentative, persuasive, or entertaining may be used only to illustrate, enliven, or clarify the information the speaker presents. The suggested time limit for Informative Speaking is five (5) to eight (8) minutes.

An oration is an original, persuasive speech. The oration may eulogize a person, alert the audience to a threatening danger, strengthen the devotion of the audience to an accepted cause, or present a solution to a problem. The suggested time limit for Oratory is five (5) to eight (8) minutes.

A sales speech combines informative and persuasive techniques to convince members of an audience to respond favorably to the subject. The speaker should carefully analyze the audience and develop appropriate persuasive appeals for an actual product or service. The suggested time limit for Sales Speaking is five (5) to eight (8) minutes.

Protests at all MIFA tournaments can only be filed by the head coach or the official designated head coach (if the head coach is unavailable at the tournament) or the individual judging the round. In the case of a rule infraction, the Tournament Director and/or the representative of the Forensic Council should immediately suspend the conduct of the particular event, investigate the situation, reach a reasonable decision under the circumstances, and then proceed with the conduct of the event. As feasible, it is important for the Tournament Director and/or the representative of the Forensic Council to initially suspend the particular contest until the resolution of the conflict.

Contestants must use different readings or a different speech each year. Failure to use new materials each academic year in MIFA high school events and each semester in middle school events will result in the disqualification of the contestant. Speeches and/or selections used at the Michigan Speech Coaches, Incorporated spring tournament in the previous year, however, may be presented without sanction during the current individual events season.

In interpretation events original material may be used only as a transitional device, may not dominate the presentation in terms of time or portion of script, and must enhance the literary selection(s) rather than become the focus of the interpretation. Contestants using original material in interpretation events, with the exception of introductory and transitional segments, will be disqualified. The exception to the guideline would be MIFA tournaments that have events that allow original compositions.

Violation of time guidelines may result in a penalty, at the discretion of the judge.

A contestant who violates the Fifteen (15) Minute Rule [Speech Activities, General Policy: Rule Interpretations (Fifteen Minute Rule)] will receive a four (4) with no percentage points from each judge for the round. A one (1) round violation of the fifteen (15) minute rule will not disqualify the contestant from consideration for advancement to further rounds of competition. If more than one (1) round is missed, the individual events contestant is automatically eliminated from consideration for further advancement.

Prompting by a member of the audience will result in a contestant's disqualification in that round.

Violation of the concept of an event and/or action and platform conduct shall result in the disqualification of a contestant. With the exception of the notification provision of the Fifteen (15) Minute Rule, a disqualification precludes the contestant(s) from further competition. The judges must consult with the Tournament Director prior to the penalty. With panels of two (2) or more judges, a majority of judges must agree that a disqualification is the appropriate action for the sanction to take effect.

In some circumstances, a disqualification is appropriate for a contestant in a final round. In this situation, the Tournament Director should advance each appropriate contestant, ranking lower than the disqualified contestant, one (1) place. No change should be made in the ranks and percentages of the contestants, in this circumstance, for any round of the competition. The final round at the State Tournament in extemporaneous speaking and impromptu speaking will be audio taped. If the tapes reveal fabrication of material, a revocation of awards and sweepstakes points for offenders will occur.

Many rule infractions lack a specific sanction. Without specificity, the nature of the sanction is at the discretion of the judge(s); however, the judge(s) must consult with the Tournament Director prior to any disqualification.

The State IE Tournament will have approximately twenty-four (24) entries in each of the Class A events (except Multiple which will have approximately twelve (12), and twenty-six (26) entries in each of the Class BCD events (except Multiple which will have approximately twelve (12). Advancement to the State Tournament is earned in one of three ways - by pre-qualification bid, by successful participation in the appropriate Regional Tournament or by Special Circumstance bid.

Approximately twenty (20) entries will advance from the Regional Tournaments to the State Tournament for Class A events (except Multiple, which will advance eight (8) entries). Approximately twenty-two (22) entries will advance from the Regional Tournaments to the State Tournament for Class BCD events (except Multiple, which will advance eight (8) entries). The number of contestants advancing from each region in an event will be proportional to statewide participation. Each Region will be guaranteed a minimum of one (1) contestant advancing to the State Tournament per event. The number of entries advancing from each Region in each event will be calculated by first determining the total number of entries statewide for each event. The number of entries registered in a region’s event will be compared to the total statewide number of entries in all regions in that same event, to determine the region’s proportion of statewide participation. The same proportion will be used to distribute available advancement slots to the State Tournament. For example, the total number of entries in Class A Storytelling across all regions is thirty (30). Region 1A has eight (8) storytellers registered to compete at the Regional Tournament. Region 1A accounts for 26.7% of all Class A Storytelling

entries registered to compete at the Regional Tournament. Since there are approximately twenty (20) advancement slots available for Storytelling in Class A, Region 1A will be allotted five (5) advancement slots.

Pre-Qualification Bids will be awarded based on the contestants best 3 tournament results in an event from the current invitational season. A maximum of three (3) contestants will be awarded Pre-Qualification Bids per event in each tournament class.

The IE Committee will determine the contestant’s average rank and percentage, based on the invitational results. Pre-Qualification Bids will be awarded by the MIFA Office to the contestants with the best average ranking. Ties will be broken in the following order: best average percentage points, best single tournament (placement divided by total number of entries). If the tie remains unbreakable, both contestants will advance to the State Tournament. A contestant who is awarded a Pre-Qualification Bid, will advance directly to the State Tournament, and is ineligible from competing at Regional Tournaments A contestant who receives a Pre-Qualification Bid is considered part of the two entry limit per event per school at the Regional Tournament and schools will be invoiced for those entries accordingly. If a Pre-Qualified student reports that they cannot compete at the State Tournament prior to the Regional Tournament registration deadline, the school may forfeit the Pre-Qualification and register two entries in that event at the Regional Tournament.

Contestants may also advance to the State Tournament with a Special Circumstance bid. Special Circumstance bids will typically be awarded in instances where a contestant has reasonable cause for being unable to compete at the qualifying Regional Tournament. 1.In the case of the death of an immediate family member, the petitioner must submit an obituary or a letter of verification from the principal with the application. 2. In the case of a medical emergency, the petitioner must provide a written statement from a certified physician explaining the medical procedures that prevented the student from competing. 3. In the case of a scholarship opportunity, the petitioner must submit written documentation from the college, university, or foundation that indicates that the applicant’s attendance is mandatory during specific dates and times that will preclude participation in the regional tournament. 4. In any other case, the petitioner must submit appropriate documentation, as requested by the Individual Events Committee. Applications will include a summary of the experience of the contestant and the recommendation of the director of the program. No documents other than responses to the categories on the MIFA application form will receive consideration, unless the nonparticipant applicant is providing external support to explain the special circumstances. The deliberate inclusion of inaccurate information on the application is grounds for rejection of the bid, even if the verification of the misrepresentation did occur post notification of the acceptance of the applicant. Incomplete applications will not be considered; inaccurate applications will be evaluated based upon the accurate information. The recipients of Special Circumstance bids for an event are determined by the majority opinion of the Individual Events Committee. For a committee member to vote, he or she must be in attendance at the appropriate meeting. In the circumstance where a contestant of a committee member is an applicant, the committee member is unable to vote or participate in the discussion of the individual unless a request for factual information regarding his or her applicant is appropriate. Also, a committee member is ineligible to vote on the determination of recipients for his or her specific regional tournament. Criteria to consider in the choice of Special Circumstance applicants include the strength of the applicant, and pertinent league or invitational tournament experience of the applicant.

The MIFA Office must receive Special Circumstance Bids within twenty-four (24) hours or one school day from the conclusion of the qualification tournament. Payment of a non-refundable application fee must accompany each application for the bid to receive consideration. To be considered, payment must be received within seventy-two (72) hours of the submission of the bid. Withdrawals are still responsible for payment of the application fee. The funds provide support for the review of the request, including distribution of materials and the appropriate review of materials. If a Special Circumstance Bid is accepted, the contestant shall also pay the normal registration fees for the tournament.

If a qualifier to the State Tournament in an individual event is unable to participate at the next highest level, the next highest competitor in that region will be permitted to compete. In cases where an alteration is necessary, the Regional/State Tournament Director is to advance the alternate from that region to the State Individual Events Tournament. A school is unable to substitute internally a replacement for a qualifier unless the alternate also attends the school.

Should the alternate be unable to compete, the State Tournament Director should extend an invitation, in order of final round placement at the Regional Tournament. If no final round contestant at the qualifying tournament is able to participate, the State Tournament Director may advance a contestant who was eliminated following the conclusion of the semifinal, or preliminary rounds using the order of the placement of the contestants who were eliminated. It may be impossible to secure a replacement in all cases. Without a suitable replacement from the original region, the State Tournament Director, will choose a replacement, by random draw, using the pool of alternates from all other regionals in that event and class.

In duo or multiple interpretation, a school may add or delete contestants within the numerical limitations of the event only between (but not during) levels of competition (between the Regional and State Tournament). At least one (1) member of the original group of participants at the regional level must also be part of the group at all subsequent levels of participation.

Should it be necessary for a school to withdraw a contestant prior to the contest, the Director of Individual Events must notify the State Tournament Director of the alteration by e-mail or telephone. If notification is provided ten (10) or more days prior to the date of the tournament, there will be no financial responsibility for the alteration; however, it is necessary that the change be received personally by the State Tournament Director.

Specific dates for local and regional programs are set by the particular director inside the window set by the MIFA calendar (see the MIFA website for the exact dates of the window). Regional directors should consult the participating schools for date preferences. Regional directors should not require the attendance of any school on a scheduled vacation day without first considering a date change.

Individual events tournaments may be three (3), four (4), or five (5) rounds in length depending on the number of schools and students participating. The primary requisite is that each student be given the opportunity to compete twice before being eliminated. It is possible to have a combination of a three (3) and four (4) round tournament in the same

program, with some events lasting three (3) rounds and some lasting four (4) rounds. In general, Regional Tournaments must have two (2) preliminary rounds and one (1) or two (2) elimination rounds, including a final round for each event, dependent on the number of contestants in each event.

The State Final Tournament usually has four (4) preliminary rounds, one (1) semifinal round, and a final round, dependent on the number of contestants in each event.

In some cases, a Regional Tournament will have an event with total entries equal to or fewer than the total number of contestants to advance to the state tournament. In this circumstance, the contestant(s) need only participate in one (1) preliminary round to be conducted at the tournament site as part of the Regional Tournament. In the case of a regional event with a minimal number of contestants, the placement of the contestants in the one preliminary round will be the official result for the particular contest. The signature of the Tournament Director on the Regional Report form indicates that the Tournament Director does certify that the contestants in minimal entry events meet the appropriate rules.

Coaches volunteer or are assigned by the MIFA Office to be Regional Individual Events Tournament Directors. The MIFA provides each Individual Events Tournament Director with a variety of items, including instructions for hosting the tournament, appropriate sample forms, ballots, and results report forms.

The Tournament Director should select at least one (1) coach of schools assigned to the Regional Individual Events Tournament to assist in the management of the tournament. At the Regional Individual Events Tournament, the Executive Director or a designee of the Forensic Council will assist in the administration of the contest. Regional Directors and the representative of the Forensic Council will work together prior to the tournament to ensure that the contest follows MIFA guidelines. The assigned Forensic Council representative, as the final authority on all decisions made at the tournament and a representative of the Individual Events Committee, should be available for consultation throughout the contest and will be assigned no other duties by the Tournament Director. The Tournament Director tabulates results with the assistance of at least one (1) other coach of a school participating in the tournament. No persons other than those specifically assigned to assist in administration will be allowed in the tabulation room.

The Tournament Director must give priority in administering the tournament to following the rules for the events even at the expense of the time schedule. The Tournament Director must rework the time schedule when the time is jeopardized by compliance with rules for an event.

In addition to the normal room requirements for a tournament [Speech Activities, General Policy: Tournament Directors], an Individual Events Tournament Director will need one (1) to three (3) rooms for contestants in extemporaneous speaking, impromptu speaking, and broadcasting, to receive appropriate copy or topics, and to prepare for a presentation. Each of the preparation rooms must have a coach as a supervisor [Speech Activities, Individual Events: Specific Individual Events]. Whenever possible, the director of a MIFA tournament should avoid placing an individual in charge of the preparation room if they have a contestant in one of the events requiring preparation.

The postings for semifinal, or final rounds at individual events tournaments are displayed in a predesignated area. To ensure that all participants in a semifinal, or final round are able to see the postings, only the Tournament Director should remove the written listing of semifinal or final round contestants.

In some circumstances, protests on the results of the Regional Individual Events Tournament(s) may be in process beyond the notification deadline for the State Individual Event Tournament. In this eventuality, the Executive Director may suspend the notification deadline of ten (10) days prior to the tournament in order to enable a resolution to the protest to be determined. The suspension of the notification deadline would be effective for only those participants directly involved in the protest.

A registration fee and/or a judge fee will be charged each participating school at all levels of competition in individual events. Each school must pay the required fees in order for contestants to participate. The Regional Tournament Director is to use these funds to pay for tournament expenses and to compensate the necessary hired judges.

The determination of the amount of the judge fee to be paid by each school is the responsibility of the Regional Tournament Director who should notify all hired judges of the stipend in advance of the tournament.

The Tournament Director should provide the cost of each Regional Tournament to participant schools at least fifteen (15) days in advance of the contest. Withdrawals and cancellations within ten (10) days of the date of the contest are responsible for the payment of these fees.

Registration fees will be waived on all drops executed prior to the close of registration. If a replacement contestant is available, fees are the responsibility of the school with the replacement contestant.

If a school executes a drop within seven (7) daysof the contest the school is responsible for payment of thecontest fees for that contestant or his/her replacement and a $10 drop fee. In such a case, the school providing a replacement contestant will have no additional financial liability to the tournament.

If a school executes a drop within twenty-four (24) hours of the contest the school is responsible for both the original contest fees and a $20 drop fee. If a school executes a drop on the day the tournament begins the school is responsible for both the original contest fees and a $40 drop fee. If a school executes a drop after the tournament has begun the school is responsible for both the original contest fess and a $80 drop fee.

No drop fee will be assessed on a contestant removed involuntarily from the tournament by the tournament director.

A director is responsible for the fulfillment of judging assignments unless appropriate alternate arrangements are made [Speech Activities, Individual Events: General Tournament Procedures (Judges, Introductory Section and Regional/State Judges)]. Failure to fulfill an assigned judging responsibility will result in the assessment for each assignment missed by the delinquent coach.

Check the current fee schedule on www.themifa.org website.

Only those judges who are one (1) year beyond (post) high school graduation, with experience in the judging specialty, are eligible to judge at a Regional, or State Individual Events Tournament. In addition, for an individual to judge, he or she

must complete an individual events judge certification workshop, maintaining either initial or renewal individual events certification status.

A school that is delinquent in notification of the need to hire a replacement judge for the head coach will be assessed a per diem fee until the appropriate information is made available to the tournament director.

All judges are expected to have knowledge of the rules and regulations of the events judged in the tournament. Judges should bring time cards and an appropriate timing device to all tournaments.

A contingency request to the Tournament Director to change judge assignments with good cause should occur prior to the start of the tournament.

At the regional/state level the contests will be judged primarily by coaches. Typically, a panel of two (2) judges will be used in the preliminary rounds and the semifinal round, a panel of three (3) judges for finals. Where extra judges are needed, the Tournament Director may hire them.

The head coach or the MIFA registered assistant coach, with written notification of the unavailability of the head coach of each school qualifying a student for regional/state, must judge. Only emergency exceptions may be made, and in those cases the coach excused must hire a substitute judge through the Tournament Director. In a tournament, which requires the head coach of a school to judge, if the head coach is less than three (3) years beyond high school graduation, the school where the individual is the head coach is expected to hire a certified judge who has the approval of the Tournament Director.

For the initial five (5) entries or fraction thereof that a school qualifies for the Regional/State Final Individual Events Tournament, the school is responsible for providing the Director of Individual Events to serve as its judge or one (1) certified judge meeting the approval of the Tournament Director. Duo Commentary, Duo Interpretation, and Multiple Interpretation entries each count as two (2) contestants for purposes of calculating a judge ratio for the State Individual Events Tournament. For each additional five (5) entries or fraction thereof that a school qualifies for the regional/state tournament, an additional certified judge is necessary.

No modification in the contestant-judge ratio can occur after tournament registration has closed. In other words, if a school with six (6) entries withdraws a contestant seven daysor less prior to the tournament, the school still must provide two (2) judges (1 judge per each 5 entries).

Directors will be given the opportunity at online registration to provide the names of all judges. Failure to respond with a sufficient number of judges within forty-eight (48) hours will result in a daily penalty for each missing judge until the information is received. If a school's at-large bids require an additional judge(s), the school must provide the MIFA with the judge(s) name(s) within forty-eight (48) hours of notification of acceptance of the at-large bid.

At the regional tournament, the Forensic Council representative and/or the Individual Events Committee representative will determine the appropriate judge replacements in emergency situations. The state tournament director will determine the acceptability of each additional judge, per his or her qualifications.

An assigned judge may not schedule another judge in his/her place. Any school whose designated judge fails to show for a scheduled judging assignment will be billed for each round missed. Assignments include attendance at the State Individual Events Tournament judges’ meeting. Any exceptions to these specifications must be obtained in writing from the Tournament Director prior to the tournament.

The following principles will dictate the development of the tournament schematic. Multiple competing precepts are at play in schematics including mix, balance, and regional protections.

A minimum of three (3) rounds will be held at most tournaments. At some Regionals, total entries may be equal to or fewer than the total number of contestants to advance to the state tournament. In those Regionals, all contestants need only participate in one (1) round with one (1) judgefor placement. Dependent on the number of entries, a tournament may have two (2) preliminary rounds and a final round or just three (3) rounds. The basis for the distinction is whether the Tournament Director must cut the number of contestants/groups for a final round. When there are seven (7) or fewer total contestants/groups in most contests (five (5) or less for multiple) the contestants all participate in all rounds. Two (2) preliminary rounds with one judge andthe last round will be considered the final round with three (3) judges. With eight (8) or more contestants/groups in most contests (six (6) or more for multiple), all contestants will participate in the two preliminary rounds with two (2) judges; however, a cut will be made for the final round with three (3) judges. In the event of a tie, seven (7) contestants are allowed to compete in all elimination rounds.

At the regional level all advancing contestants must compete in the final round. This would necessitate an exception to the rule that typically limits multiple rounds to five (5) contestants and all other events to seven (7) contestants.

The maximum number of contestants/groups for any preliminary section of any event is seven (7), except multiple interpretation, which has a maximum of five (5). The minimum size is one (1).

The assignment of judges for an individual events tournament begins with the final round of the tournament and proceeds in the reverse order of the conduct of the tournament. The assignment of judges for the Final Individual Events Tournament is the responsibility of the Forensic Council or the Tournament Director. Judges representing schools will be placed in the regions of their schools for purposes of judge assignment. Judges hired by the Tournament Director will have no regional affiliation for purposes of judge assignment. No judge shall hear the same student twice in a tournament except in original interpretation.

At all tournament levels, it is desirable for a judge to adjudicate different events. In circumstances where it is necessary for a judge to adjudicate the same event twice, the judge must not adjudicate the same contestant twice. The criteria, subject to modification on the basis of tournament circumstance, for the placement of judges in the preliminary rounds of the Final Individual Events Tournament include the following provisions:

1. A minimum of four (4) rounds of competition must be judged by each director;

2. Directors should judge with individuals from other regionals;

3. Directors should judge contestants in events in which their school is a non-participant;

4. Judge panels should avoid repetition;

5. Within the limitations of the schematic, directors should judge contestants from other regionals; and

6. Tournament administrative personnel should avoid judging assignments.

Participating students will be in mixed sections for preliminary rounds. The number of contestants in each section shall be equalized.

In preliminary rounds, the Tournament Director should make appropriate adjustments, as necessary, to achieve equalization. If a contestant withdraws after the tournament has begun, subsequent rounds will be restructured to balance the sections. Notification to coaches, contestants and judges will occur prior to the next module. The financial penalty for withdrawal during the tournament is 2x the day of drop fee. ($80)

No two students from a given school are to be in the same section in any preliminary round unless there are seven (7) or fewer contestants in an event.

At the Regional and State Tournament, each school and/or student will be assigned a unique code.

The general principle is to advance the top half of the total number of contestants who have competed in all preliminary rounds. A maximum of twelve (12) contestants can participate in the semifinal round and six (6) contestants in the final round, unless the procedures to determine eligibility produces ties(with Multiple being an exception). The minimum number of preliminary round contestants to hold a semifinal in any event is 24. The minimum number of preliminary round contestants to hold a quarter-final in any event is 48.

When choosing the total number of contestants for advancement, ties in ranking shall be broken by totaling the percentages of contestants. If both rank and percent are tied, both contestants will advance to the next round. In the event that a contestant who would qualify for elimination rounds withdrawals prior to the posting of that elimination round, the next seed should be advanced.

Semifinalists are sorted by order of qualification. The contestant with the lowest ranks is first. The order continues using total ranks as the first ordinate and points as the tie-breaking determinant. The contestants are then placed in sections using the following structure. In Section A will be contestants 1, 4, 5, 8, 9 and 12 in Section B will be contestants 2, 3, 6, 7, 10 and 11. Should ties exist in ranks and percentages of contestants, the Tournament Director will rank the tied contestants in the alphabetical order of the city of the schools. In the case of a tie in rank and percentage by two (2) contestants from the same school, the placement for assignment to sections of semifinal rounds will be determined by the alphabetical order of the last name of the contestants. This progression will be violated only when necessary to avoid having two (2) students from the same school in the same section.

In the circumstance where two (2) contestants from the same school would be in the same section of a semifinal round, adjustments in sectioning are necessary. The operator of the pairing program will input alternatives to maximize mix while balancing relative strength.

Once sections are determined, the contestants should be posted in alphabetical or numerical order. Names should be posted along with codes for all qualifiers.

The final placement in MIFA tournaments will be determined by adding the total ranks of the contestants. Final placement in any Regional tournament will reflect the accumulative total ranks for all preliminary and elimination rounds. The contestant with the lowest total ranks receives the higher placement.

In case of a tie in ranks with two (2) or more judges in the final round at a Regional tournament, the following priority order in criteria will be used to break the tie:

1. Total ranks in the final round;

2. Preferential ranking of the final round ranks;

3. Total percentages in the final round; or

4. Total percentages in all rounds.

The final placement in the MIFA State Tournament will be determined by application of the following procedures: The contestant with the lowest total ranks receives the higher placement. In the case of a tie in ranks with two (2) or more judges in the final round, the following criteria will be used to break the tie:

1. The final round ranks of the tied contestants will be totaled and the higher placement is given to the contestant with the lowest rank total;

2. Preferential ranking of the judges in final round; (SEE BELOW)

3. The total percentage points in the final round of the tied contestants;

4. The total percentage points for all elimination rounds added to the sum total of the percentage points for the preliminary rounds to produce a composite percentage score for each of the tied contestants. The higher placement will be given to the contestant with the highest percentage total.

In the MIFA preferential ranking system the ranks of each judge for each participant in the final round provide a basis of comparison. When three (3) or more contestants are tied on total ranks, the ranks of each judge for each participant are compared. The contestant with the highest number of judge preferences in the final round is awarded the higher placement.

All contestants will be identified by a code and listed on a schematic. At all tournaments, schematics for each round should be available at least fifteen (15) minutes prior to the scheduled start for the particular round. At a minimum, a schematic should include the time, room, judge(s), and contestants for each section of each event.

The Michigan Interscholastic Forensic Association requires all individual events judges for the regional and state tournaments to have MIFA judge certification for the current academic year. Certification, either initial or renewal, is in effect for a time period.

Initial individual events certification requires either of the following: a) participation in a six (6) hour MIFA workshop with a focus on judging in individual events, or b) passing the initial competency test. Participation in the complete workshop and judging four (4) rounds, post the workshop experience enables an individual to receive certification for an initial five-years. In addition, as part of the certification process each individual must rank judging preferences for the fourteen MIFA contest events, including specification of a minimum of three (3) events as “most competent” for purposes of judge placement. An individual may meet the four (4) round judging requirement for initial certification through league and/or invitational tournament experience. Renewal of certification occurs by participation in an additional workshop.

The initial certification workshop includes a discussion of the process of judging, standards for evaluation, exercises in writing critiques including sample criticism, a written test that reviews rules and procedures for judging, and an application of the complete process using sample contestant presentations.

To maintain certification, a judge must complete a certification renewal testing on-line during the two years prior to the expiration of the initial certification. If the initial certification of a judge will expire at the end of the current academic year, the MIFA will automatically renew it if the individual attends a renewal workshop during the current academic year. If the initial certification of a judge did expire at the end of the previous academic year or earlier, the individual must renew certification prior to judging in MIFA events. Judge certification renewal will be conducted as a competency test on themifa.org website.

The Individual Events Committee schedules annual workshop dates. No additional workshops will be administered without the approval of MIFA. Facilitators of workshops receive automatically the appropriate judge certification, including a waiver of registration fees.

The MIFA must receive payment for the certification workshop prior to approval of the certification of a judge. The fee will cover the development of workshop materials, compensation for workshop personnel, and miscellaneous administrative costs. Retired coaches, who have been involved with judging individual events for ten (10) or more years, will receive a waiver of fees.

At all regional and state final tournaments, the judges for individual event tournaments must also meet criteria as noted in the appropriate section of this booklet [Speech Activities, Individual Events: General Tournament Procedures (Judges) and General Policy: Judges]. For league and invitational tournaments, the Tournament Director will specify the criteria for judges in the invitation.

At all levels of individual events competition, all Tournament Directors must assure that tabulation results are available on the day of the tournament. Coaches and contestants are expected to remain at the tournament site through the announcement of the awards in case an error has been made in the tabulation. Copies of the final results should be sent to the State Office immediately. Tabulating with the online tabulation program provides immediate reporting. If the tournament is not tabbed online, overnight mail or a scanned copy of the results form and tab sheets is critical. The official results for the regional must be submitted to the MIFA Office. All corrections must be called to the attention of the Tournament Director or the State Office within forty-eight (48) hours or two (2) school days from the end of the tournament. At the conclusion of forty-eight (48) hours or two (2) school days, the results are official unless a protest is in process. In general, the MIFA will only recognize protests post-contest involving tabulation errors. The participants at the site of the contest should call irregularities in the conduct of a tournament to the attention of the tournament director on the day of the activity to facilitate an appropriate corrective action.

Each judge shall rank the participants as 1, 2, 3, according to the relative merits of the contestants. All other contestants should receive a rank of 4. The judge shall also assign a percentage grade, ranging from 100 to 75 percent. No two (2) contestants are to be given the same percentage. All point scores must be assigned in whole integers. One hundred percent must be assigned to the best contestant with the points for all other contestants in the range of 99-75.

The contestant with the lowest rank does not have to receive 75 percent. The assignment of a score between 75-79 should be reserved for special circumstances, such as failing to complete his or her presentation, exhibiting inappropriate behavior in the round, or performing highly inappropriate material. A judge should use discretion in the application of sanctions for improper behavior.

In interpretation events judges should note favorably the use of good literature and score accordingly the selection devoid of literary merit.

Ballots are to be given to the Tournament Director or returned to the tabulation room at the conclusion of each round.

If a contestant competes in the wrong section of a tournament, the contestant will receive a rank of 4 and points of zero from each judge in the round for a first infraction and disqualification for a second infraction.

At all levels of competition, judges are to complete a ballot for each round of adjudication. The ballot should be completed, including all contestants’ names (or Multiple title), code, author(s) (if an interpretation event), rank, percentage score, and length of the presentation. The tab room should not accept any ballot that lacks a judge signature.

At all levels of competition, judges are to write critique sheets for each contestant. Critique sheets are to be given to each contestant at the conclusion of the tournament by the tournament director. The name of the judge, code, and school affiliation must be included on each critique sheet. In addition, the judge must write on each critique sheet the contestant draw number, the title and writer for each oral interpretation selection, or the topic for each public address presentation. The rank, percentage score, and length of the presentation will be indicated on the critique sheet.

Critique forms have general standards for judging near the top of each form, including physical performance, vocal performance, and total effect. In oral interpretation, the critique includes the quality of literature criterion. In public address, additional standards include the quality of the selection and the organization of the topic.

At the bottom of each critique sheet, each judge will complete the evaluative area, “Reason for Rank/Score.” In the appropriate space, each judge will provide an explanation of the score and the ranking for the specific contestant.

At the Regional Tournament, all contestants eligible to advance to the State Tournament may receive certificates, which are available on www.themifa.org for Tournament or School Directors to distribute. At the State Tournament, all semifinalists receive plaques and final round participants in each event receive trophies, which indicate the place of the finalist. SWEEPSTAKES AWARD. 1. The MIFA will present a school classification sweepstakes award for the Individual Events Final Tournament. 2. The first place school in each school classification is the recipient of a school classification traveling trophy. The name of the school and the director of individual events are engraved on the traveling trophy on an annual basis.

3. The top six (6) schools in class B and class C/D will receive school awards. The top ten (10) schools in class A will receive school awards.

Preliminary Round Participation Points. 1 point per contestant. To receive the participation point, a contestant must provide a complete performance in each round. If a contestant is disqualified, the disqualification will invalidate the award of a participation point to the contestant.

Preliminary Round Performance Points. 3 points per contestant per first place ranking per judge per preliminary round will be awarded. With the same stipulation, each second place ranking will be worth 2 points and each third place ranking will be awarded 1 point.

In computing the sweepstakes award, points are given for performance and participation in preliminary rounds. Semifinal/final round points reflect performance in a section. Thus, the sweepstakes award recognizes performance on a round-by-round basis. The general formula for the computation of the awards follows:

Semifinalist Points. In each semifinal section, four (4) points will be given for a first place ranking, three (3) points will be given for a second place ranking, two (2) points will be given for a third place ranking, and all other participants will receive one (1) point per judge in the section.

Finalist points. A first place ranking will receive six points, a second place ranking will receive 3 points, a third place ranking will receive 2 points, and all other participants in the final round will receive 1 point per each of the three ballots.

School ties in total point accumulation will remain. In the case of a tie in total points between two (2) or more schools, the higher position is awarded to the tied schools with the lower position omitted in subsequent computations. (For example, in the case of a tie for first place in total points, Charlevoix High School and L'Anse High School would be announced as first place, second place would be omitted, and the appropriate school(s) listed as third.) In the case of a tie for first place between two (2) or more schools, an equal sharing of the time of retention of the traveling trophy would exist.