This anthology of literature contains selections that can be performed in classrooms, workshops, and speech and theater conventions as reader's theater, defined as a dramatic approach to literature. Divided into six categories--comedy, mystery/suspense, Christmas specials, folklore, children's classics, and the human spirit--the anthology features…

A study investigated the national status of graduate degree programs in Performance Studies in 1990. Of the 37 institutions offering master's of doctoral degrees in oral interpretation who were sent surveys, 22 (59%) responded. Results indicated (1) the loss of graduate programs was problematic; (2) some scholars had difficulty with securing…

Forensic coaches can follow certain strategies to best instruct new recruits. The novice should be encouraged: (1) to check the particular rules for each tournament; (2) to stick with traditional oratory forms--innovation can come later; (3) to watch "60 Minutes" or the evening news--excellent sources of timely topics; (4) to avoid…

The key element to the survival of speech communication and its status in academe is the basic course, which tells the academic community what speech communication is and what it can produce in terms of observable student behavior. This basic course, upon which many communication departments depend, must produce students who are obviously trained…

This bibliography includes the more important books and articles on the oral interpretation of literature published (unless otherwise indicated) in the calendar year of 1972. Publications from ancillary fields of study, such as drama, literary criticism, aesthetics, linguistics, psychology, and education, are included if there are significant…

Argues that by acting out, rather than only reading Shakespeare's plays, they can be better interpreted and appreciated. (SRT)

How teachers can help students overcome resistance to the language of Shakespeare. (CH)

Presents an annotated bibliography of documents from "Resources in Education" on oral interpretation theory, research, and instruction. (PD)

Describes an experiment confirming the prediction that readers exposed to an explanation of the dramatistic approach to oral interpretation form more detailed and complex initial impressions of the literature than do persons not exposed. Whether this exposure produces better oral performances, however, is a question that should be further…

Teachers, researchers, and performers in the field of Performance Studies often find themselves defining what it is that they do. Boundaries are often hard to draw, however. Is the work they are doing "art?" The distinction is important to funding agencies, tenure committees, and university administration. One definition of art…

This book contains papers presented at an "Interactive Research Conference" held in June 1996 at the University of Central England. The conference focused on the pioneering work of Professor Dorothy Heathcote in the field of drama in education. Twenty-three different countries were represented at the conference. The book has three…

A pilot study examined the kinds of comments made on oral interpretation ballots and whether the comments suggest a useful criteria for an effective oral interpretation performance. A total of 1,737 comments were recorded from 304 ballots from two forensics tournaments. Classifications of comments were created as ballots were analyzed. A total of…

Monetary support is essential to the survival of speech interpretation programs in the 1980s, and the community is one viable alternative to dwindling academic channels of support. Two strategies have proved vital to securing community support for the interpretation program at an Indiana university: (1) networking, maintaining a group of faculty…

Suggestions for teaching oral interpretation in English and speech courses. (CH)

The past, present, and future of oral interpretation are explored in this publication. Separate articles deplore a lack of growth and development in the area of oral interpretation, examine oral interpretation's current status, describe the ideal beginning oral interpretation course, point to the value of oral interpretation in the college…