NSDA Formatting Interpretation Script Rules

 It is the affirmative duty of each coach and each student entered in Interpretation contests to determine absolutely that the cutting being performed meets all rules for material. Interp source material must be available at all district tournament contests in the event of a protest. However, it shall be the choice of each individual District Committee whether or not to require these materials be submitted prior to the district contest. At the National Tournament, all competitors are required to turn in the following items during the registration process unless officially notified otherwise by the National Tournament director. Any contestant failing to produce the following items will not qualify for the semifinal rounds of competition.

1. 1. The original published source of any selection used must be immediately available at the tournament. When requested by tournament officials, access to the source material upon demand, either in electronic or print form, must be presented.

• For print publications, the original source is the physical book. Photocopies of original literature are not acceptable.

• For PDFs, an original, unaltered PDF via flash drive, email, or on an electronic device (e.g., laptop) must be presented. Manipulation of a PDF script outside the scope of the rules will be subject to disqualification.

  • PDF publications from an online source that meets the above standards and e-books are permitted. Competitors may turn in an e-book via flashdrive, email, or e-reader. For e-books, an original, unaltered e-pub or other recognized e-book format via flash drive or email must be presented; however, as some e-book formats are exclusive to their specific apps or electronic readers, students must provide the required technology and/or internet access to verify the material performed for tournament officials.

• For non-English publications that are being performed in English, both the original non-English source and the official English transcript must be provided.

• For a digital publication, a printed manuscript will be turned in as the original source. Only the printed manuscript shall be considered adequate proof of authenticity. 

  • • The material the competitor performs must presently appear on the website if questions arise in competition. The website and online version of the digital publication need to be available for comparison if challenged. Online access is the fundamental responsibility of tournament officials and/or individual filing the protest. NOTE: If tournament officials cannot gain online access and the above requirements have been met, the piece is considered legal for use.

    • Manuscript items to be printed directly from the screen for digital printed materials:

      • • The first page in the website (the home page)

        • All other linked pages needed to navigate to the literary text selected for competition shall be printed out and the link must be highlighted in the manuscript

        • All web pages upon which the cutting appears

    • Each page must have printed in the header and/or footer including:

      • • Date the page was printed

        • Web address

1. 2. A photocopy or printed screenshot of every page of the original source from which any line of the cutting was taken. The photocopy will be kept for evaluation during the semifinal round.

• Pages are to be placed in the order in which they are performed (e.g., if text from one page is used more than once within the cutting, that page should be copied again with those words highlighted and re-inserted where it is used in the cutting). Students are not required to photocopy or print pages that are not used in their cutting.

• All words used from the script should be highlighted (any words/lines not used should be left unmarked).

• Any word changes (to eliminate profane language) and/or additions (for transition) must be indicated clearly in ink. Failure to clearly indicate the addition of words will be subject to disqualification. More information below about adaptation of the script

1. 3. A printed, typed copy of the cutting. This must be the final cutting that the student is using for the tournament, and it must match the copy of the cutting uploaded during registration. 

   4. Quarterfinalists in POI, OO, and INFO must also turn in a works cited page of all sources used. Please note that competitors in POI must turn in original sources and photocopies for every source used.

   5. Re-Use: A student may not use a cutting from a work of literature the student used in National Speech & Debate Association district or national competition in any previous contest year. A student entered in two events may not use the same selection of literature in both events.