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- When judging any speech or interpretation event (this does not include extemp) you must know how to keep track of time using time signals. Time signals are hand gestures used to signal to competitors how much time they have left in their performance. Competitors often used what is called “The 2 Down” (hold two fingers out at 8 minutes, 1 finger out at 9 minutes, and hold a fist at 10 minutes). However, competitors may ask for their own time signals. If the speaker goes over 10 minutes and 30 seconds, the speaker is no longer eligible to rank first in the round (please note to not cut them off). 

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- At smaller tournaments Dramatic Interpretation and Humorous Interpretation may be combined together as Dramatic Performance. Pieces are permitted to be judged based on blocking, characterization and story due to the  wide variety of styles and performances. 

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- Popping is the act of quickly shifting a stance or body language in order to represent a different character in the performance. You can do this by shifting your feet or just changing your posture, gesture or tone. Morphing is the slow and gradual shift to another character or even a younger or older version of one main character.

 

-The next  8 pages will explain each main NSDA event and how to judge them.