Speech

Chapter 16: Oral Interpretation

Overview

Oral interpretation is the art of communicating works of literature by reading aloud well. It is one of the oldest of human social activities. Recently, storytelling has experienced a rebirth in the United States. When selecting material to read aloud, it is important to consider the quality of the literature, the occasion, and the desires of your audience. Once you have chosen a selection, you must analyze the meaning and feeling of the work and adapt your interpretation to the requirements of the form. In interpreting a work of prose, you must analyze the form of the narration to determine the point of view. When you interpret poetry, you should pay attention to the meter, rhythm, rhyme, and imagery. As an interpreter of drama, you need to help your listeners create a mental image of the characters you are suggesting.

When presenting your material, start with an introduction to establish the mood and help the audience understand the selection. If necessary, cut the material to fit it into the time allowed and to achieve the overall effect you desire. Effective presentation requires mastery of delivery skills such as eye contact, character placement, characterization, word color, and showmanship.