Sometimes people misunderstand the title, Oral Interpretation, to mean that the presenter's role is to talk ABOUT the literature selection. 

Actually the "interpretation" is the vocal & physical coloring the presenter gives to the author's exact, original words while reading them aloud, verbatim.

Oral Interpretation of Literature puts the emphasis on several of the presenter's "external" skills. The presenter doesn't have to spend as much time researching and structuring  & then creating a full speech, most of the preparation time will be devoted to rehearsing the selection aloud--using the voice & body to make the words "come alive" to a listener. This focus is well suited to early in the semester since we have not yet covered creating & structuring extemporaneous speeches but we have addressed voice and delivery.

It is possible to take a course called Oral Interpretation which goes into more detail about the art of language & the structure of literature genres. For our purposes in this class, the focus is on VOCAL Competence (via Chap 15 (13th ed = Ch14) & Voice slide show & class activities), PHYSICAL Competence (via Chap 15 (13th ed = Ch14) & class activities), and LANGUAGE Awareness ((via Chaps  4 & 14  (13th ed = Ch3) & class activities)  

 In this presentation, you will get to use Vocal Variety , Physical  Gestures/Movement  &  Overall Animation in order to make the written  excerpts/selections "come alive" for your listeners. [i.e. by bringing out the emotion, meaning, and theme of the selection(s)].  This is great practice & a  foundation for being more meaningful with all of the words that come out of your mouth-- no matter what type of communication you are engaged in.

 This presentation is one of the few times this semester that  you will be assigned to use "Manuscript" delivery style  [i.e. you will be reading your "literature"  selection(s) aloud:   word-for-word,  but you  ALSO need to maintain frequent eye contact.]  You'll make use of your vocal and physical skills to make the words "come alive" for your listeners. F'15 variation: After you read aloud your chosen paragraphs, you then will read a 1-2 minute prepared statement { i.e. additional manuscript delivery style} consisting of your thoughful reaction to the MESSAGE in the excerpt you have just presented to us orally.

PREPARATION: Here's the sequence at a glance:   

   1. Select ANY 2-3  paragraphs from the particular column/interview that you select to use.  The Corner Office -by Adam Bryant - THIS LINK IS A SAMPLE ONLY - TO CLARIFY WHICH NYT COLUMN I AM REFERRING TO [If link doesn't work, try searching online inthe  New York Times  for "Corner Office" . Please be aware that for non-subscribers, the NYTimes puts per month  limitations on how many times you can access their online content. Instead, you should co through the Library's NY Times online archive ]

   2. Analyze Your Selection. Consider the writer's / interviewee's  messages in those paragraphs & in the Column/Interview as a whole.

   3. Submit a Preliminary Analysis Paper [specifications listed below]

   4. Devise an Introduction, a Conclusion, and a Transition to get you from the exxcerpt to your prepared reaction statement.

   5. Practice (i.e. Rehearse) the Presentation [including reading the excerpt + the reaction statement aloud with feeling, appropriate vocal inflection & physical skill]

   6. If necessary, revise the emailed Analysis Paper as specified by your Professor's emailed feedback. Be sure to have a hard copy of your revised Analysis Paper ready to be submitted on your scheduled "day of presentation"-- Due BEFORE you give your presentation. You will NOT want to wait until the last minute to print it out!

   7 Keep Practicing.

PREPARATION:  Here are the details one by one :

         WHERE TO LOOK :

Next, complete a careful  Analysis  of your paragraph(s).  This is necessary because  you really need to understand and appreciate the inner workings of the selection(s), in order to present it/them effectively for others to understand and experience the writer's work.   This step also will help you develop your preliminary & final analysis papers as assigned below.

For your analysis, take note of such things as:  language style ,  word choice ,  the overall writing style , the structure of the selection , the author's underlying message ,  your own thoughts/reactions which were sparked by the selection. In particular, consider the concepts we discussed during our recent language workshop ( e.g. tool/culture/art) 

Structuring the Presentation:  In addition to reading the actual selection(s) out loud to your audience [verbatim] , there are other components to the presentation. As an oral interpreter, your goal is to prepare your listeners to understand and appreciate what you are reading to them and to ensure that they understand the main points  & underlying message of the selection(s)  you have read. Therefore, you also will need to:

     A. Devise an INTRODUCTION (30 sec - 1 minute in length)

     B. If needed, devise TRANSITIONS (to use between excerpts/selections / 1-2 sentences each) 

    C. If appropriate, devise a CONCLUSION (30 sec - 1minute in length )

Delivery : Be sure to read what your text has to say about  the "Manuscript" method of speech delivery. AND, don't forget the importance of using eye contact, vocal variety, & natural gestures-- even when you are reading from a "manuscript."

Be sure to have a hard copy of your revised Analysis Paper ready to be submitted BEFORE you give presentation. Do NOT wait until the last minute to print it out!

OPTIONAL VARIATION   --  If you would like to maximize your options for moral support & buddy system feedback, this presentation can be done as a collaboration between 2 people.  However, if   you  select  this alternative, please note  that:   EACH INDIVIDUAL WILL PREPARE /  REHEARSE/ SUBMIT SEPARATELY, AND EACH PERSON WILL BE GRADED SEPARATELY.

TIMING:  The entire presentation should total  3 - 4 min.  This includes the introduction +  the actual selection(s) + any transitions that you think are appropriate  +  and the conclusion.  Note: the only way you can determine the length of any type of oral presentation is to time a practice session.

FOR SUBMISSION:  Each speaker is required to prepare &  submit an "ANALYSIS PAPER" .  The preliminary version is due in advance, no-later-than the date listed below. The final, revised version is due to be handed to the professor on the "day off" --  before the presentation  begins. 

The Analysis Paper consists only of  the following 4 items-- 

 Contents of the "ANALYSIS PAPER"  =

Due in advance:

This semester, presentations begin on  LS:  Weds 9/30.  Refer to your  class's specific Presentation schedule page to be finalized by 9/27-5pm   in order to find out the specific date you are scheduled to speak & the date you are scheduled to serve as a written evaluator.  This  Presentation Schedule <listing Speakers &  Evaluators>  also will be accessible via the course calendar as well as via the Presentation Schedule shortcut button on Dr. Plummer's main web page.

 You are always welcome to volunteer for a particular presentation date, but once the schedule is published/posted (generally 2-3 days before the presentations begin), no changes can be made unless YOU make arrangements to switch slots with someone. If you do, be sure to notify me of any switches asap.