Chapter 2

Understanding & Analyzing the Selection

Selecting your TextWhere to Look…

LibrariesTechnologyCollege LibrariesCollege BookstoresUsed Books

Audio ResourcesNewspapersInternetTestimonyCan you think of

others?

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Selecting LiteratureConsider YourselfConsider Your CapabilitiesConsider Your AudienceConsider Literary ValueConsider Appropriateness

Understanding the TextSpeakerSceneAudienceActAgencyPurpose

Introductions should……prepare the audience…allow the audience to meet you…provide essential information…establish a mood

Introductions should focus on……how you relate to the selection…the category’s requirements…social issues…the writer’s purpose…an element of the selection

Introductions should avoid……running out of time…spoiling the experience by giving away

too much…asking trite rhetorical questions…copying someone else’s introductions…either reading or performing your

introduction

Analyzing your textDenotative meaning

Explicit meaningConnotative meaning

Suggestions, overtonesPersona

The narratorLocus

Physical & psychological state

Structural Components, cont’dClimax

Logical contentRepetitionRhyme

Emotional content

Aesthetic ComponentsUnity

What holds the piece togetherEx. Persona, LocusConnectives: and, then, later…

HarmonySentence structure layout

Aesthetic Components, Cont’dVariety

Associations are similar, but different (ex. Twins)

ContrastAssociations are opposite/different (Ex. “the

Quiet noise”

Aesthetic Components, Cont’dBalance & proportions

RhythmStressed & Unstressed syllablesRhythm Content

Technical ChallengesPreparing script Using ExcerptsPlacing actionIntroduction

Author of selectionPrepare audience for eventsEstablishes persona

Adopting author’s language

Cutting Literature for PerformanceRead the ENTIRE selectionThoroughly analyze the work as a wholeContinuity is critical!Beginning, Middle, EndStay true to author’s intentAvoid cutting vivid passagesCut repetition (in prose)Cut tag linesCut subplotsCut references to something you’ve

already cut

Rehearsal TechniquesEstablish regular schedule110%Seek audiencesMark your manuscriptVideotapeAudiotapeWork with other interpreters