One of the frustrations students new to intercollegiate competitive oral interpretation experience is having to learn the "unwritten rules" for the events. These rules are neither intrinsically negative nor positive. Any of the practices embodied in these rules may be used effectively by a student performing an oral interpretation of literature. Ten of these "unwritten rules" are: (1) "teasers" are mandatory; (2) ways to use a manuscript (subdivided into eight additional rules); (3) times to use movement and blocking; (4) minimum time is relative to genre; (5) literature should "fit" interpreters; (6) literature should be new/undiscovered; (7) program oral interpretations manuscripts should follow a compiled script format rather than the format of a traditional program; (8) no transitions; (9) no self-authored literature; and (10) dramatic duo interpretations should only feature two characters unless the work is of an avant-garde nature. Appendixes contain event descriptions of the American Forensic Association and of the National Forensic Association. (RS)