How to SUCCEED in Oral Interpretation

• Come to class
  • Bookmark the schedule; know what is coming up
  • Have chapter read on assigned day
  • Bring in Quiz questions
    • Be on time to not miss quizzes
• Plan for all the performances
  • Read all the assignments early in semester
• Manage your time well
  • Plan your reading/writing for the week
  • Take note of your performance dates as soon as they are posted
• With each chapter covered, ask your self how you can apply the material to your upcoming performance.
• Start preparing for your performance early
  • Understand the genre
  • Choose the right material to fit the assignment
  • Find your selection as soon as possible
• Choose good literature
  • Use suggestions from the end of the chapters
  • Avoid finding selections through the internet
  • Does your selection exhibit universality, individuality and suggestion?
• Do a thorough Dramatistic Analysis
  • Consider these others:
    • Biographical (Wikipedia!)
    • Reader Response
    • Rhetorical (etc)
  • Note all transitions: changes in time, place, thought, emotion, speaker, audience mode
  • Read assignment carefully, especially about analysis
• Choose GOOD performance analogs
  • Have definite answers to all the Dramatistic questions
    • Who is telling the story?
    • What is his/her relationship with the audience?
• Choose EXCITING performance analogs
  • Consider "audience response"
  • Exploit transitions
  • Plan for dynamic use of voice, body and space
  • Interact with the environment of the story
• Rehearse early, rehearse frequently.
  • Remember the power of utterances
  • Shape your performance for dynamics
  • Have several rehearsal sessions over several days
  • Remember to rehearse your introduction
  • Time your selection carefully in performance
• Appear ready and confident on your performance day
  • Set up your space before introducing
  • Extemporize your introduction
  • End introduction with the Title and Author
  • Step back PAUSE and be still for a count of three
  • Step into the opening with panache
  • Be dynamic
  • Keep eyes out of the book
  • Highlight changes and transitions
  • HOLD your ending

How to FAIL Oral Interpretation

• Blow off class
• Be surprised by those you attend
  • Don't read the chapters as due
• Act like you have no idea of what the next performance assignment is
• Live in the moment not for the future
• Forget when your performance is due
• Panic when you check and throw your performance together
  • Find a selection on the internet
  • Read it silently a few times
  • Stand in front of the class and read your selection
• Arrive late, miss the quizzes
  • Don't compose any quiz questions
• Plan your performance at the last minute
  • Skim the assignment
  • Choose the wrong genre of literature
• Don't choose good literature
  • Use silly selections
  • Use Children's literature
  • Assume that because it has been published on the internet it must be good.
• Don't analyze thoroughly
  • Write a plot summary instead
• What's a performance analog?
  • Just wing it
  • There is no need to rehearse
• Drag yourself to the front of the room
  • Read your introduction
    • Mumbling, preferably
  • Rush right into the material.
  • Don't vary voice
  • Don't move
  • Don't look up
  • Let the audience see you giving an oral reading, as monotone as possible
  • End abruptly and undertime