Guidelines for Participating in Bible Reading at Convention:

Each youth participant will select their own passage to read at the convention. The selection of the reading should follow the criteria listed below. The reading selected should be a unified whole, with a logical beginning and ending (in other words, the passage should contain a unified thought, whether it be a dramatic scene, speech, lyric, prayer, etc.). A good rule of thumb in selecting a passage is to ask, does the verse selection make sense by itself (apart from the larger context from which it is taken).

• Readings must be selected from Luke’s Gospel.
• Readings must be from a standard Bible Version, including, but not limited to, New International Version, English Standard Version, New American Standard Bible, New King James Version, New Revised Standard Version, New Living Translation, Christian Standard Bible, and King James Bible. Paraphrases of Scripture, such as The Message and Living Bible, should be avoided.
• Readings must be given in English, but a dual-language reading is allowable, where an English reading is given in concert with a reading in another language. If the reader chooses to give a dual-reading, he/she must announce this in his/her introduction, identifying the second language that will be used. The time limit of one minute to two minutes remains the rule for the dual-reading.
• A brief introduction is required as the participant begins his/her reading. This introduction must include the name of the participant, his/her LTCSW ID#, the version of the Bible being used, and the book, chapter, and verses being read. Optionally, the participant may also set the reading in context by identifying the speaker (if the passage includes dialogue) and the occasion and/or setting from which the passage originates. The identification of the passage, the translation, and the setting of the passage together should not exceed 20 seconds.
• The entire presentation, including the brief introduction and scripture reading, is not be less than one minute or more that two minutes in length.
• The participant should not attempt to explain or interpret the passages. A brief introduction is required, however participants should place major emphasis on the actual Bible reading and not on prepared statements.
• Participants should speak loudly, clearly and expressively. No microphone will be available.
• Spectators may not leave or enter the room while participants are speaking.
• Video- and audio-recording equipment must be set up prior to the event and must be stationary. No participant may be taped without their advance approval and appropriate notification to the event director.
• Memorization is neither required nor encouraged. The ability to read the passage is what is being judged.
• A podium will be made available for participants to be used, but participants are not required to use it.
• Students may read from the Bible in print or from electronic devices, including smart phones and tablets. Participants may read from photo-copies of the passage, but this is not encouraged. A working familiarity with the Bible is a part of the intended purpose of this event.

 

Judging Criteria:

For each participant there will be three judges appointed by the event director.

• Each judge will use the following criteria for determining the recognition give to each participant.
  1. Appearance & Poise: including the participant’s dress, posture and composure.
  2. Delivery: including voice volume, enunciation/articulation, gestures and eye contact.
  3. Content: including communicating the passage with conviction, the introduction given to the passage, and the coherency of the verses chosen–in other words, does the reading flow logically and have a clear beginning and ending?
  4. Intangibles: which are entirely subjective (as the French say, je ne sais quoi, “a pleasant quality that is hard to describe”).
  5. Time of Reading: which should be between one minute and two minutes in length. The time length of the reading will be noted by the judges, but it will not be a formal criterion for judging.
• For each category the judge will determine EXCEPTIONAL, GOOD, or FAIR.
• An award rating of GOLD, SILVER, or BRONZE (which may or may not be a reflection of the exceptional, good, or fair ratings) will be assigned by each judge.
• Participants are to pick readings from the LTCSW theme book.
• Readings must be selected from Luke’s Gospel. Readings taken from books other than these cannot be considered for a GOLD rating.
• The Event Director will be make the final determination on the award presented to the participant.
• Judges will also provide written comments on the judges forms. These comments are intended to be a positive affirmation of the youth participants and to offer helpful advice for continued growth in the discipline of public Bible reading.