League Policies

1. A. General Rules for All Speeches (see above or ncfca.org/rules/speech-general-rules)

   B. Academic Integrity

   1. Citations. All material presented in the narrative sections must be either the competitors’ original work or include the source(s) for any supporting material. Plagiarism is not permitted.
      1. 1. Verbal mention. Sources must be verbally mentioned.
         2. Works Cited Page. Sources must be included on a Works Cited page in the Format 1 script.
   2. Current Season. Speeches used for competition in a prior season may not be used in any other competition season.
   3. Recited Script. The submitted script must be recited during all competition rounds.
   4. Championships. During the Regional Championship or the National Championship, competitors must perform the same piece that they performed when they earned the invitation to compete at the championship tournament.
   5. Delivery. The vocal and physical delivery must primarily be developed by the competitor.

   C. Content, Preparation, and Presentation

   1. Visual Aids. One or more visual aid(s) of the competitor’s choice must be used during the speech. (This is an exception to Rule A.2.c.)
      1. Box. The visual aid(s) must be able to fit into a lidded box with overall dimensions (length + width + height) of up to 35 inches. The box is not required to be in the competition room but must be present at the tournament.
      2. Limitations. The visual aid(s) may not be live animals, weapons (real or perceived as dangerous), electronics or battery-operated items, hazardous materials (including open flames), or substances that could be spilled and/or left behind on the floor (e.g., poured liquids, glitter, sand, etc.).
      3. Beginning. Until the timer starts the speech, all visual aids must be either in the box held in hands, in the box on the floor visible to the judges, OR held in hands visible to the judges.
   2. Scripture Selection. One or two (1 or 2) Scripture selections must be presented. If two Scripture selections are used, each selection must be separate, not woven together.
   3. Narrative Sections.
      1. Word count. Up to 350 words may be added in the narrative sections. This includes the verbal Scripture reference(s).
      2. Verbal mention. The biblical reference(s) for the selection(s) of Scripture must be verbally mentioned immediately before the selection(s) and include the book, chapter, and (if applicable) verse range of the Scripture selection.
      3. Introduction. The introduction is required and must include the verbal mention of the Scripture selection.
      4. Conclusion. Any words added as a conclusion must be the final words presented.
      5. Clear distinction. Clear distinction must be made from the Scripture selection.
      6. Original dialogue. Original dialogue must not be assigned to a biblical character.
   4. Teaser. A short teaser from the Scripture selection may precede the introduction.
   5. Music.
      1. Singing.
         1. Word count. Singing may comprise up to 150 words of the speech.
         2. Source. Only lyrics in the Scripture selection may be used within the Scripture selection. Lyrics from the Scripture selection or another source may be used in the narrative sections. (Note that Rule B.1.a-b applies.)
      2. Tunes. Any tune (humming, whistling, etc) may be used at any time in the speech and must be verbally mentioned in the introduction. (Note that the Works Cited Rule B.1.b applies.)
   6. Script use. Competitors must announce script use before the speech begins.
      1. Non-championship tournaments. Script use will result in a four-rank penalty.
      2. Championship tournaments. Script use at a Regional or National Championship will result in disqualification from the event.
   7. Script Submission. Every interpretation speech requires two types of scripts: the Format 1 and the Format 2.

   D. Timing

   1. Speech Time. Speech time is limited to ten (10) minutes. Competitors must show their timepiece (set to count up) to the judges before starting their speech and after turning off their timepiece at the end of their speech. The timepiece must be started before beginning the speech and kept running until the conclusion of the speech.
   2. Time Slot. Competitors must present their speech during their prescribed 15-minute slot and are not permitted to infringe on the next competitor’s scheduled time.

   E. Online General Rules (see below or ncfca.org/rules/online-general-rules)

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