AWARDS
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1st Place:
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2nd Place:
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3rd Place:
ribbon + certificate + $100 gift card
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ribbon + certificate + $50 gift card
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ribbon + certificate + $25 gift card
***All readers will receive a participation ribbon
COMPETITION RULES
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Contestants will present in random order within their grade brackets
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Timing begins on the first word uttered and stops on the last word. Each reader will have between 3-4.5 minutes. Participants will be penalized one point a second past the allotted time, and 15 points after 30 seconds.
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No one is allowed to enter or leave the room during an oration. All cell phones and electronic devices should be silenced.
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Contestants are not permitted to use props during their reading.
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A minimum of one minute of silence is granted to judges after an oration.
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No pictures or other activities are allowed during an oration other than the official BIG photographer or videographer.
SCORING
100 points total
DELIVERY - 25 points
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Articulation, Pacing and Fluency- 10 points
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Gestures- 5 points
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Preparedness- 10 points
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PERFORMANCE - 25 points
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Eye Contact- 10 points
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Volume- 10 points
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Voice Impression- 5 points
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APPEARANCE - 25 points
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Physical presentation (makeup, costume, etc)- 10 points
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Stage presence- 15 points
OVERALL COMPETITIVENESS – 25 points
BOOK SELECTION LIST SUGGESTIONS
4th - 6th Grade
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“Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry” by Mildred D. Taylor
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“Twilight” by Stephenie Meyer
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“Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close” by Jonathan Safran Foer
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“Antiracist Baby” by Ibram X. Kendi
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“Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing” by Judy Blume
7th - 9th Grade
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“The Hate You Give” by Angie Thomas
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“Half of a Yellow Sun” by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
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“Homegoing” by Yaa Gyasi
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“The Bluest Eye” by Toni Morrison
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“Hunger Games” by Suzanne Collins
10th - 12th Grade
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“Thirteen Reasons Why” by Jay Asher
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“We Should All Be Feminist” by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
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“I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” by Maya Angelou
IMPORTANT NOTE:
​If you are interested in participating in the competition, the registration form must be completed by April 15, 2024 to be considered.
Students MUST physically compete at the competition to participate. Each competitor will be added to the Master Rubric where all scores will be tallied and an overall winner in each category: 4th- 6th , 7th- 9th, 10th- 12th. All participants will be required to memorize their selected reading passage. It will be important that participants feel connection to their selections, and that they are ready to share that passion through their performances.