The Basics of Speech

Chapter 18: Group Interpretation

Overview

Two important types of group interpretation are choral speaking and reader's theatre. Choral speaking involves speakers blending and combining their individual voices to create a group voice. Reader's theatre involves speakers presenting literature in a dramatic form. To create a choral-speaking performance, you need to select material that works well in a group reading and create script patterns that use voices in different ways. As a choral speaker, you need to know how to speak precisely, use scripts uniformly, use space effectively, and use media supports.

To create a reader's theatre performance, you need to understand the use of suggestion. You also need to know the performance techniques of scripting, staging, eye focus, movement, and technical support. When selecting literature for reader’s theatre, you need to look for strong characters, a clear theme, picturesque language, and obvious conflict. Like all other public speakers, both choral speakers and reader’s-theatre performers need constructive criticism in order to improve their skills. Group interpretation will help you develop self-confidence, performance and analysis skills, and literary knowledge.