Participants

  • Dramatic Interpretation Overview 

    In the Dramatic Interpretation category, participants may choose to enter in one of three different sub-categories:

    Serious - Solo

    Humorous - Solo

    Duet - Two Participants

    In all three sub-categories, participants memorize a published work such as a play, monologue, short story, book excerpt, newspaper, or poem to perform.

    In solo performances, whether serious or humorous, there is one participant.

    In duets, there are two participants working together. Duets are assessed as one and so the performance of one partner is not separate from the other.

    Guidelines for Serious, Humorous, or Duet Speeches

    Material: Selections must come from published works (no original scripts). Edits are acceptable as long as the author’s intent is not changed. A physical or digital copy of the source must be available for judges if requested. Material must be appropriate for a Christian audience. Classic works are encouraged.

    Performance: Participants act as one or more characters, using vocal changes, facial expressions, and minimal movement to convey the story. No props or costumes are allowed.

    Solo participants may use one chair. Duet participants may use two chairs. Chairs may not be used as props. Children are not allowed to stand on chairs.

    Introductions and Closings: Participants may begin with a brief introduction stating their name, the author, and title of the piece. This is permitted but not required. “Hi, my name is ___ and I will be performing the speech titled ___ by ____” 

    A brief “thank you” is permitted at the end of the speech.

    Time Management: Stay within time limits, including the introduction and closing.

    Judging: See "Judging Criteria" below.

  • Homeschooled children in grades 3-12.

    This is an in-person event and the league intends to serve youth in South Florida.

  • Choose your material

    Choose a published play, novel, poem, short story, magazine article or newspaper selection to memorize and perform. Bring the characters and scenes to life through voice and movement.

    Material must be appropriate for a Christian audience. Classic works are encouraged. Selections may be edited, but the author's intent must remain. More than one participant may perform the same piece; each child brings a different interpretation.

    Grade school: Look for clear narratives and relatable characters. Avoid mature themes.

    Middle and high school: Look for emotional depth or complex characters that allow you to explore your acting range.

    Find solo and duet scripts

    The sources below offer scripts to explore. Review each selection for age, content, length and suitability before choosing it. Ken Bradbury is one author to consider.

    Brooklyn Publishers

    Green Room Press

    Tara Meddaugh - 5-minute monologues

    Duet example

    The Allegory of the Cats by David J. LeMaster has been enjoyed by middle schoolers and performed in about six minutes. The link below is a sample, not a complete performance script. Read the sample here.

    Buying and using a script

    Some selections are available to read online; others require a purchase. Prices and performance permissions vary. Check the publisher's terms for your intended use, including any license or royalty requirements. Buying a script or finding it online does not automatically grant permission to perform or repost it. Email the League if you have questions about a selection's length or whether it may be used at a Sovereign Speech League meet.

    Poems and other pieces to explore

    • Casey at the Bat by Ernest Lawrence Thayer

    • The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein

    • Huckleberry Finn monologue from the work of Mark Twain

    • The True Story of the Three Little Pigs by Jon Scieszka

    • Mrs. Stein by Bill Dodds

    Book ideas

    Choose a suitable selection from a book below. Review the passage for Christian-audience appropriateness and fit it to the League's time limits.

    • Are You My Mother? by P. D. Eastman

    • The Mitten by Jan Brett

    • The Berenstain Bears and the Spooky Old Tree by Stan and Jan Berenstain

    • The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett

    • The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien

    • Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

    • The Tell-Tale Heart by Edgar Allan Poe

    • Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë

    • Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll

    • The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame

    • Caps for Sale by Esphyr Slobodkina

    • The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum

    • Peter and Wendy by J. M. Barrie

    • Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak

    Need help choosing?

    Contact the League for suggestions or questions about speech material.

  • • Grades 3-5: at least 1 ½ minutes

    • Grades 6-12: at least 3 minutes

    • Maximum for everyone: 7 minutes

  • Participants may begin a brief introduction with their name.

    A closing with “thank you” is permitted but not required.

    Introductions and closing count toward the total speech time.

  • The guide is meant to give tips for participants. Please see the HANDBOOK for competition rules and guidelines. If you have any questions, please contact the league. 

    • Whether you are performing in the Humorous, Serious, or Duet categories, be sure to connect with the content of the speech. This will help memorization and engagement. 

    • It is important to emphasize that children are working to become better communicators and speakers. Memorizing a speech and having the courage to perform it is no easy feat. All students should be very proud of their efforts regardless of the outcome.

    • For the Dramatic Interpretation duet category, make sure that you and your partner are on the same page when it comes to practicing and goals. Duets cannot be performed without a partner, so it is important that you both have time to practice together. 

    • Perform in a variety of settings to practice. Whether in front of a mirror, in front of family or friends, the repetition will help you on the day of the competition. 

    • Children should be suited to the speech. Males should play male characters and females should play female characters. 

    • Children should be prepared to make eye contact with the audience and judges. Failing to do so could result in a lower score. 

    • All gestures, movements, and actions should be suited to the speech. However, there is a range of interpretations. Two students may have the same speech and choose very different gestures, movements, and tones. 

    • Students should practice so that they feel able to move confidently and smoothly. Stiff movements, excessive pacing, and fidgeting will distract from the speech. 

    • A participant should hear an opinion from someone about their speech prior to the competition. This will prepare them for the judges’ feedback. 

    • Please note that some speeches, including duets, are listed as being 10 minutes in length. These speeches are often shorter than that when acted out. For example, a number of 8-10 minute speeches have been performed within a 6-minute time frame. Please email the League with any questions.

  • Children will be judged based on a scoring system and the following three criteria:

    • Auditory: volume, rate, clarity, tone 

    • Visual: gestures, eye contact, movement, expressions, using the space

    • Character: character believability, differentiation, and ability to convey the story’s tone, mood, and message. 

  • Someone else is performing my speech. Can I still perform it?

    Yes. The performance aspect of the speech is based on the individual.

    I am not sure if my speech should be serious or humorous. What should I do? 

    If your speech has a potential serious or humorous interpretation, it is up to you. Generally, a serious speech may have a humorous moment or two but the underlying message has a serious tone. Whereas for humorous, most of the speech will be perceived as funny. Points will not be taken off if a serious speech has an occasional comedic moment or a humorous speech has a serious moment. Children are scored according to their performance not the interpretation of the content.

    I practiced my speech and it was under seven minutes, but the next time I practiced the speech it was over seven minutes. What should I do? 

    The pacing of the speech is up to the speaker. Strategic pauses may also be helpful for clarity. It’s important to practice consistently so you have a time that you can expect to hit. You may also edit a few lines to keep the speech within time limits. 

    Why do you have time limits? 

    Each competition will be under a time constraint to finish. We also set minimums to provide a standard for participants to set goals.

    I can’t find a speech that I like. What should I do? 

    Email us for suggestions. Classic works are encouraged.

    May I use props? 

    No props are allowed.

    May I wear a costume? 

    No costumes are allowed.

    Can my sibling perform the same speech as me? 

    Yes. 

    I want to do a duet but cannot find a partner. What should I do? 

    We do not offer pairing for duets, but please consider asking friends and family. Please note that duet partners may be in a different grade but not division. For example, a 6th grader cannot perform with a 9th grader but may perform with an 8th grader. 

    How much does it cost to participate in a speech league competition?

    We want the league to be as accessible as possible for families. The cost is $10 per family. This covers the awards for the meet as well as any associated costs with the location.

    If you need to purchase a speech, the costs typically range from $5-10. Your family may use this speech more than once, however. Further, we consider the speech meets an intellectually rich and fun experience that your child will remember for years to come.

    Can I perform a duet with a sibling?

    Yes, so as long as you are in the same division.

    Why don’t you offer classes or workshops?

    The league wants to give as much flexibility and freedom to families as possible. The only formal meeting is the contest itself. We do not want to over schedule families and hope that this format allows families to bond over the experience.

    Why don’t you allow phones during the meets?

    The children have prepared very diligently for the meet and the competitive environment must be distraction-free.