Event Name: Poetry Recital
Location: Southern Cross Burwood – Drama Studio
Section Number: 66
General Category Guidelines:
1 piece only to be performed.
Use of offensive language will be penalised, and the performance may be stopped. The content of the poem must be appropriate to the age of the performer and for a school age audience.
Section Specific Guidelines:
Poetry Recital will be offered in three divisions:
-Years 5 & 6
-Years 7/8/9
-Years 10/11/12
Time Limit:
Years 5 & 6 – 1-3 minutes
Years 7 – 12 – 5 minutes
Each speaker will be required to introduce and recite one POEM chosen by the student from a published, acknowledged Australian poet appropriate for a performance. The poem is not to be written by the student. The poem should be at least one minute in length and no more than 3 minutes in duration.
Students will recite their chosen poem from memory, to enable them to connect with the audience.
Participants must speak for 30 seconds prior to the presentation of their prepared poem, introducing the poet, the poem and giving a personal response to (not a literary analysis of) the poem.The personal response is to be spoken, not read, otherwise penalties apply.
The poem should be appropriate for a school age audience.
Speakers should upload their poem with their registration.
Props are not permitted in this section.
Costumes are not required – school uniforms, neat performance wear or theatre blacks are preferred. If choosing to wear a costume, it must be appropriate for the general public.
Provided Equipment:
1 lectern or music stand (as available)
Please note – this is an unamplified section.
Judging Criteria:
- The poetry presentation should appeal to the thoughts and emotions of the audience
- Choice, appropriateness and delivery of the poem
- Interpretation/originality/meaning
- Timing and pace
- Voice and vocal dynamics
- Confidence in presentation, expressiveness appropriate to style and form.
- Impact and rapport in relation to style
Immediate Point Deductions:
- 2 point deduction per 20 seconds over the maximum time.
- 2 point deduction for reading the personal response before the poetry recital.
- 2 point deduction for heavy reliance on poem script.
- 100% point deduction for use of any swearing or “slurs”
