How to qualify for state in high school NFL forensics

Forensics is competitive acting and speaking. High schools and colleges all over the country compete every year to be the best that they can be. One of the hardest things to do is to make it all the way to nationals, but before you do that, you have to make it to state!

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• Determination
• a coach and team that you can trust, and also get along with.
• a good peice that you can preform well
• a positive, patient attitude.

1. Find a piece that you can perform well, and works well for you. A "piece" is a cutting from a book, play, or any other piece of literature that is used as your script. This is what you will be performing at every tournament, so make sure that you know it well and that it fits you. Also you will need to decide which event you will be doing. The different acting interpretation events in NFL (National Forensics League) are Humorous Interpretation, Dramatic Interp., Duo/ Duet acting, and Interpretation of prose and poetry. No matter which event you decide to do, every event will be done from a cutting from a piece of literature. For this reason, you should start by finding a piece that has already been cut, or find a book and cut one of your own.
2. Now that you have an idea of what you are going to do, you need to memorize the selection and practice it with your coach. It can be slightly awkward a t first if you have not performed in front of others before, but this way you can become more comfortable with the idea of it. ( After all, that is what forensics is all about!!) Your coach is able to give you tips as well.
3. Start signing up for tournaments. Once you are comfortable with your performance, you can start signing up for tournaments. That way you can gain more experience with each passing tournament.
4. Break. To "break" is to make it to the final round of the tournament, wich is only possible for the students with the lowest scores (highest ranking is a one- it goes all the way up to six) The judges give the scores based on how they feel you did versus the other students in that round. Each time you break you will be in a classroom for finals performing in front of the other finalists. Although this can be scary, you must try not to be nervous. The better you do, and the more professional you look, the more likely you are to get a one. And the more judges who give you ones, the higher you will place on the tournament.
5. Depending on the number of people in the tournament and how you do in finals, the higher you will place. Award ceremonies are held at the end of the tournaments. All the finalists for each event will be asked to line up on stage to receive their metals. It is usually at this time that the host of the tournament will announce at what place you will be able to qualify.(i.e., first and second place will qualify for state, at some larger tournaments first through third will qualify.)
6. Once the speaker calls your name or code, walk across the stage to receive your metal. (If you don't qualify, don't worry. It's great that you made it this far!!)Shake hands with the person holding the metal. Try to congratulate the others, even if you're not happy with your placing. Remember that your behavior reflects on your school' s reputation.
7. If you do not qualify the first time, don't worry!! Never stop practicing, and never stop trying. If you keep working, you WILL succeed!

Tips & Warnings

• I would recommend that you try cutting your own pieces. This can give you a better feel for the piece and also allow you to find a piece that you can do well. (Some people are better for certain interpretations.)
• For a Novice (First year forensic student) I would say that you should choose a piece that has already been cut, but still works well for you. This is just because you will pretty much have no idea what you are doing.
• practice with your coach and listen to their tips. They are experienced with forensics and can help you improve.
• It's a good idea to tape yourself while performing your piece at school.
• That way you can see what you need to improve on. (I know this helped me!)
• If you are planning on doing Duo interp. that requires you to be with a partner then ofcourse MAKE SURE THIS IS A PERSON THAT YOU CAN WORK WITH!! Duh.
• Make sure that you know all of the guidelines and follow them at every tournament. The time lines, the technicalities, and formalities, are all something you should take into consideration when you go to each tourney, and remember they can be different at each one as well.
• Be respectful of other schools and of the school at which the tournament is held.