Competition Guidelines

Competition Guidelines:

The Poetry Reciting Competition is divided into two seperate categories:

• 1) Arabic Poetry Reciting
• 2) English Poetry Reciting

Schools that wish to be part of Poetry Reciting can choose to compete in either one of the two categories above (Arabic or English), or in both (Arabic and English). Schools competing in both categories will need to have different contenders for each.

Individuals will compete in this category respecting the following guidelines:

• Each contestant will need to prepare to recite five poems (2 to 4 minutes for rounds one and two, up to a maximum of 8 minutes in the semis & finals).

• Each contestant is free to select poems from any period or style
  • Assortment of styles is highly recommended.
  • Only one colloquial & slang poem would be allowed.
  • Poems that contain profanity or political implications are not admissible.
  Selection must be submitted as PDF files to the Event Planners (EP) for conformity checking, the date of submission will be shared in due time.
• Each participant will need to start by introducing himself/herself, his/her school, the poet, and the title of the poem he/she will be reciting.
• Contestants should be trained to recite in an expressive & spirited way. They should be able to articulate well. They must learn to project their voice as the proceedings may be held in a large classroom without the use of microphones, except for the final round which will take place in the auditorium where microphones would be used.
• Contestants should stay close to the podium while reciting (within a couple of meters).

Judging Criteria:

For English Poetry Reciting:

Each participant will be judged mainly on the following criteria:

• Articulation
• Pronunciation
• Expressiveness
• Rapport with Audience
• Body Language
• Pace
• Tone
• Confidence

For Arabic Poetry Reciting:

• التّفاعل مع المضمون
• لغة الجسد
• الثّقة بالنّفس
• التّنغيم والنّبر والإيقاع
• احترام علامات الوقف
• الضّبط السّليم
• احترام مخارج الحروف

The above-listed attributes will be graded from 1 to 5 (Poor to Excellent respectively).