UIL PROSE/POETRYLand of the “little black book”

PROSE7 minute maximumUse small black binderMust come from copyrighted,

printed, and published materialMaterial must come from sources

OTHER THAN plays and poetryThe selection must have LESS THAN

50% dialogueSelection must meet theme/content

guidelines provided by UIL each year.

PROSE (cont’d.)Prepare an introduction

(memorized)Make the printed page come to

lifeShould be “well in mind” but not

memorizedStand in place except for minor

stance alterationsDon’t use the book as a prop

(sometimes)

EXAMPLESEditorialsAutobiographiesNon-Fiction/Fiction Books

POETRY (* = same rule as Prose)

7 minute maximum *Use small black binder *Poems must come from published,

copyrighted, printed literature *Prepare an introduction (and transitions

between poems, if necessary); memorized *

“Well in mind” but not memorized * Don’t speak in a “sing songy” pattern

(especially if it rhymes…)Selection must meet theme/content

guidelines provided by UIL each year.

Basic technical elements that give the poem its shape:

RHYTHM RHYMEPlacing words in

patternsThe occurrence

of the same stressed vowel sound and all succeeding sounds in two or more words (i.e. night/light/bright)

SOUND HARMONIESContribute to the

poem’s musicality as the words are spoken

REPETITION – short words back to back; i.e. “No, no, no;” creates a word echo

ALLITERATION – repetition of an initial consonant sound; i.e. Freddy, my friend

ONOMATOPOEIA – use of a word that suggests the sound of the word itself; i.e. hissing, plop, fizz, buzz, murmur, wheeze, rattle, etc.

Brain research suggests that these sounds connect with and excite the right side of the brain one way they can

help you to “enchant the audience

Types of Poetry

NarrativePresents a story in verse form; The elements of the story (plot, character, setting) are of primary importance; i.e. “Paul Revere’s Ride” by Longfellow and “Cremation of Sam Magee” by Robert Service

LyricOne word: emo. ; deals specifically with emotions and senses; most intense/personal form of poetry; doesn’t reveal a fully developed story; i.e. “A Lover’s Toy” by Janell Howard

DramaticMakes specific use of dramatic techniques; generally the speaker communicates through a monologue; a dramatic situation is either implied or stated; i.e. Spoon River Anthology by Edgar Lee Masters

Choosing Poetry Selections

Single title poemTheme-centered

poems: two or more poems revolving around the same theme/idea (i.e. baseball, love, depression, school, vacations, dieting, etc.)

Poet-centered poems: two or more poems from the same author (i.e. Shel Silverstein, Maya Angelou, Taylor Mali, etc.)

Preparing Prose/PoetryType it out, in bigger font than usual

(at least 16 point font)Mark it w/ places that you intend to

pause or gestureCharacters should have specific focal

points (just like HI/DI)Once typed, cut out and glue to black

construction paper; put in bookDon’t move book around a lot while

performing – hold it steady and strong

Preparing… (cont’d.)Always practice with your book!!!Don’t be fooled! Just because this

doesn’t need to be “memorized,” you still need to practice just as much for this event and be “virtually memorized”

Your book should be: ◦Closed during intro.◦During performance – “L” shaped/in front

of you/away from body/low enough that we can see facials

◦When finished, close book again