CATEGORY DESCRIPTIONS MUSIC COMPOSITION The science or art of arranging music by ordering tones or sounds in succession, in combination or in temporal relationships to produce a composition having unity and continuity. ORIGINAL ESSAY A brief examination of a subject in prose usually expressing a personal view of interpretation of a subject or topic. POETRY A composition, marked by language chosen for its sound, beauty and evocative power. PLAYWRITING A literary composition developed for the stage. Note: The humanities contestants will be required to meet judges for personal interviews.

MUSIC COMPOSITION REQUIREMENTS: 1. Only one (1) original notarized composition with six (6) copies of the notarized original should be submitted on or before the specified deadline. NOTE: The national deadline is the first Friday in May. No materials or copies will be accepted at the National Competition. 2. The top of each page must include the contestant's name, page number and branch. 3. The composition must be neatly and precisely written on music transcript paper, in such a manner that any trained musician could perform the composition. 4. The contestant must be prepared to play their compositions, if requested by the judges. A piano will be the only instrument provided. 5. The composition must not exceed five (5) minutes. Contestants will be Judged By The Following Criteria: • Creative sense • Form • Harmonic and rhythmic interest • Strength of melodic line • Use of theory   ORIGINAL ESSAY REQUIREMENTS: 1. Only one (1) notarized original essay written only by the contestant, with six (6) copies of the notarized original should be submitted on or before the specified deadline. The top of each page must include the contestant's name, page number and branch. NOTE: The national deadline is the first Friday in May. No materials or copies will be accepted at the National Competition. 2. The essay must be typed and double spaced; not to exceed twelve (12) pages. 3. The contestant must be prepared to answer questions by the judges. Essays Will Be Judged By The Following Criteria: I. General Merit a. Ideas b. Organization c. Wording d. Flavor II. Mechanics a. Usage b. Punctuation/Capitalization c. Spelling III. Overall Effect   POETRY REQUIREMENTS: 1. Only one (1) notarized original essay written only by the contestant, with six (6) copies of the notarized original should be submitted on or before the specified deadline. NOTE: The national deadline is the first Friday in May. No materials or copies will be accepted at the National Competition. 2. The top of each page must include the contestant's name, page number and branch. 3. The poem must be typed and double spaced, not to exceed five (5) pages. 4. The contestant must be prepared to answer questions if so requested by the judges. Poems Will Be Judged By The Following Criteria: • Appeal to the senses • Appropriate development of theme • Emotional response • Structure of stanzas • Use of language as it relates to theme PLAYWRITING REQUIREMENTS: 1. Only one (1) original notarized one act play, with six (6) copies of the notarized original should be submitted on or before the national NAACP ACT-SO deadline. NOTE: The national deadline is the first Friday in May. No materials or copies will be accepted at the National Competition. 2. The play must be an original (written only by the contestant). 3. The play must be typed and double-spaced, not to exceed twenty (20) pages. A one page synopsis must be included. 4. The top of each page must include the contestant's name, page number and branch. 5. The contestants must be prepared to answer questions by the judges. Plays Will Be Judged By The Following Criteria: • Characterization - Is there a protagonist of some type? Is there an antagonist? Are there characters in the play developed? Are the roles defined? • Clarity - Is the authors' theme and purpose clearly stated? • Content - Is the subject matter or situation of the play relevant, creative, controversial? • Dialogue - Is the word usage of phrasing consistent with the character? Does the dialogue advance the plot line or develop the character's background? • Mechanics - Is the manuscript clearly typed? Are there errors in spelling and/or grammar? Are the stage directions clearly stated? Are the settings and characters clearly indicated? • Plot - Has the story line been clearly defined? Has the action of the play been chronologically developed? Is the action of: a. Exposition c. Climax b. Complication d. Conclusion • Style - Has the playwright established a definitive method or style? |ACT-SO Main Page| |The ACT-SO Team| |Rules & Regulations| |The Sciences| |The Humanities| |The Performing Arts| |The Visual Arts| |Business| |Verification Form| |Competition Application Form|