Study Guide
Speech & Theater
Test Design and Framework
The test design below describes general assessment information. The framework that follows is a detailed outline that explains the knowledge and skills that this test measures.
Test Design
| Format | Computer-based test (CBT) and online-proctored test |
|---|---|
| Number of Questions | 100 multiple-choice questions |
| Time* | 2 hours |
| Passing Score | 220 |
Test Framework
| Content Domain | Range of Competencies | Approximate Percentage of Test Score | |
|---|---|---|---|
| I. | Speech | 0001–0005 | 50% |
| II. | Theater | 0006–0010 | 50% |
Domain I–Speech
Competency 0001–Understand elements of communication and the role of speech in public discourse.
For example:
- Demonstrate knowledge of functions, characteristics, and components of the human communication process.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the listening process, including barriers to listening, methods for overcoming them, and strategies for developing effective listening habits.
- Recognize elements and functions of verbal and nonverbal communication, including types and functions of verbal and nonverbal cues, methods for giving clear and concise directions, and relationships between verbal and nonverbal messages.
- Apply principles of ethical communication, including the detection of bias in communication and the responsible uses of language.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the development of public discourse in the United States, including analysis of historically significant speeches by major figures in the United States.
Competency 0002–Understand and apply oral, visual, and written language skills.
For example:
- Examine relationships between oral, visual, and written language, including ways of illustrating the verbal and nonverbal features of language and the skills necessary to communicate effectively in oral and written forms for a variety of audiences and purposes.
- Analyze how the structure and conventions of language affect the communication process, including the use of grammatical structures and conventions such as rhyme, rhythm, dialect, and colloquial language.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the use of speech for the purpose of discourse, including types of discourse, the essential elements of spoken discourse, and skills for using speech effectively for the purpose of discourse.
- Recognize similarities and differences between speech communication and the other language arts, including approaches for integrating listening, speaking, reading, writing, viewing, and presenting activities.
Competency 0003–Understand principles and characteristics of interpersonal and small-group communication.
For example:
- Demonstrate knowledge of theories and purposes of interpersonal communication, including the role of communication in enhancing interpersonal relationships.
- Recognize types and functions of groups and apply skills and techniques for small-group communication, including cross-cultural communication.
- Apply principles of parliamentary procedure in diverse business and professional contexts.
- Analyze factors that influence interpersonal and small-group communication, including the effect of the productive and unproductive contributions of individuals in small-group communication and cultural factors in message interpretation.
- Apply interviewing strategies and skills, including principles and techniques for adapting speaking and listening skills to various interview situations.
- Analyze ways in which interpersonal and group communication can be used as a framework for consensus building, decision making, problem solving, and conflict resolution.
Competency 0004–Understand principles and characteristics of public speaking and debate.
For example:
- Apply principles of audience analysis to public speaking situations, including strategies for making adjustments to language and delivery style during a presentation in order to promote understanding.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the planning, preparation, and organization of speeches, including characteristics of different types of speeches, types of organizational patterns, and appropriate presentational aids.
- Apply skills in speech delivery and critique, including considerations in choosing an appropriate method of delivery, elements of constructive feedback, and techniques for analyzing the content of speeches.
- Understand the principles of argumentation and the format of debates, including types and characteristics of evidence and reasoning, distinguishing features of different forms of competitive debate, research techniques used to gather information for debates, strategies for constructing logical arguments, and the characteristics of different debate formats.
Competency 0005–Understand principles and characteristics of mass communication and media literacy.
For example:
- Examine relationships between audiences and media, including ways in which visual images communicate information and affect opinions, and types and characteristics of networked communication and social media outlets.
- Apply knowledge of strategies and criteria for evaluating messages from a variety of media, including appeals used in advertising messages, principles for evaluating the credibility of persuasive content, ways of identifying propaganda techniques, and criteria for analyzing Internet information.
- Understand types and characteristics of mass communication, including the uses of various types of mass communication, the role of mass media in shaping social and cultural norms, and government regulation of mass media.
- Understand principles and elements of broadcast media and film production, including methods of presenting information via broadcast media or film and the creative and technical aspects of broadcast media and film production.
Domain II–Theater
Competency 0006–Understand principles of acting.
For example:
- Demonstrate knowledge of a variety of historical, modern, and contemporary acting techniques, methods, styles, and characteristics (e.g., Stanislavski, Spolin, Meisner, Grotowski, Brecht, Viewpoints, solo, ensemble).
- Understand how to use improvisation to develop scenes and characters and interact with other actors.
- Apply knowledge of techniques for developing actors' tools (i.e., body, voice, and mind).
- Demonstrate knowledge of a variety of professional acting opportunities (e.g., stage, on camera, voice-over).
Competency 0007–Understand principles of playwriting and directing.
For example:
- Demonstrate knowledge of principles and skills involved in writing or adapting a play, including how to utilize character, plot, conflict, dialogue, stage directions, and the elements of dramatic structure in a dramatic text.
- Understand the use of various techniques (e.g., multiple methods of research/information gathering, playmaking, self-scripting, improvisation) for generating ideas for stories, actions, characters, and dramatic environments.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the roles and functions of the director, including creating a unified production concept shared by all members of the production team.
- Demonstrate understanding of coaching actors; script selection; methods for audition and casting; concept and design decisions; script analysis; staging a production; and effective collaboration with cast, production staff, and community.
- Demonstrate knowledge of how to produce theatrical events, including scheduling, budgeting, planning, promoting, and recruiting cast and crew.
Competency 0008–Understand principles of design and technical theater.
For example:
- Demonstrate understanding of design principles and elements as they relate to sets, props, costumes, lighting, sound, and makeup.
- Identify techniques, methods, and materials used by set and costume designers to represent time and place, establish characters, enhance mood, and create dramatic environments.
- Apply knowledge of health and safety practices and procedures related to design and technical theater.
- Demonstrate understanding of the roles of technical crew and production staff.
Competency 0009–Understand theater history and culture.
For example:
- Demonstrate understanding of the lives, works, and influences of major playwrights from around the world.
- Demonstrate understanding of the historical and cultural context of theater, including influences on dramatic literature, theatrical performance, and theatrical production.
- Demonstrate understanding of periods, styles, and genres of theater in various cultures and historical periods.
Competency 0010–Understand the interdisciplinary nature of theater.
For example:
- Demonstrate knowledge of how ideas, themes, and concepts in theater are expressed in other arts disciplines (i.e., dance, music, visual arts, and media arts).
- Analyze ways in which concepts and themes in other academic disciplines (e.g., language arts, math, science, social studies, business) have been explored through theater.