First Lady Awards for Vision and Creativity Interpretive Reading Guidelines

The purpose of Verses and Voices is to develop learning experiences that teach students to see, shape and share the creative meaning of words. This special and unique program integrates the creative arts through poetry.

The student entering poetry interpretation will read a selection, or selections, chosen by the student, from the works of the state or National Poet Laureate.

• The student will prepare an introduction to the selection(s) read.
• Performance should not exceed five minutes, including introduction.
• The contestant will stand in place except for minor stance alterations.
• Material will be read from the printed page, not memorized.

Evaluation criteria:

• Comprehension
• Vocal delivery
• Physical delivery
• Appropriateness of interpretation

Contestants who exceed the time limit may be penalized by the lowering of the contestant’s speaking rank by one or more places in the final rankings at the judges’ discretion.

Download a PDF of these guidelines here.

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