This is intended as a general guide for teachers on the Irish Board’s examining criteria.

Of course, our examiners will take into account a number of factors when examining in a particular centre, such as the age of the candidate, the level at which he/she is being examined, whether the centre is a primary/ post-primary school or a speech and drama school, and so on. Consistent with our values as an examining board, our emphasis is on a candidate’s ability to speak in such a way as to be understood, and to convey to a listener that he/she understands the poem, prose selection and/ or drama piece.

Entrance and Introduction

Candidates should be reminded that the examination begins as soon as the candidate enters the examination room. We would like to see the candidate enter the room purposefully, close the door, greet the examiner appropriately (‘Good Morning or Good Afternoon’) and hand his/ her report sheet to the examiner.

Poetry in General

We would like the candidate to show that he/she:

  • is able to speak with clearly defined sounds at a volume which is appropriate for the surroundings
  • displays an understanding of what the poet intended
  • can make meaningful and expressive use of the language and structure of the poem
  • can convey the meaning and mood of the poem with a variety of pace, tone and rhythm
  • does not cause any distraction with the use of his/her body.

Narrative Poetry

We would like the candidate to show that he/she:

  • is able to speak with clearly defined sounds at a volume which is appropriate for the surroundings
  • understands what the poet intended, and conveys the shape and progression of the story
  • is able to make meaningful and expressive use of the language and structure of the poem
  • can convey the mood of the poem with a variety of pace, tone and rhythm does not cause any distraction with the use of his/her body.

Lyric Poetry

We would like the candidate to show that he/she:

  • is able to speak with clearly defined sounds at a volume which is appropriate for the surroundings
  • understands what the poet intended, and identifies with the poet’s emotions
  • can make meaningful and expressive use of the language and structure of the poem
  • can convey the meaning and mood of the poem with a variety of pace, tone and rhythm
  • does not cause any distraction with the use of his/her body.

Choral Verse Speaking

We would like the group to show that they:

  • are able to share responsibility for their performance
  • can communicate clearly as a group
  • understand the meaning of the poem or prose selection chosen
  • can convey that understanding to the examiner by engaging imaginatively with the text.

Action Poems

We would like the group to show that they:

  • are able to share responsibility for their performance
  • can communicate clearly as a group
  • understand the meaning of the poem chosen
  • can convey that understanding to the examiner through appropriate expression and movement.

Drama

We would like each candidate to show that he/she:

  • understands the character being portrayed and the scenario described by the play
  • conveys and sustains this character convincingly through voice, speech and movement
  • can speak clearly uses his/ her voice, body and space in appropriate and varied ways projects and shapes his/her performance for the benefit of the audience.

Mime

We would like each candidate to show that he/she:

  • understands the nature of mime
  • can create a mime which reflects the given story, character or theme has good control over body movement, facial expression and gesture
  • is able to convey texture, shape and weight projects and shapes his/her performance for the benefit of the audience.

Movement to Music

We would like each candidate to show that he/she:

  • can interpret music with bodily movement and facial expression
  • has the ability to use his/ her body and space in appropriate and varied ways
  • can construct and shape a performance for the benefit of the audience.

Musical Theatre

We would like each candidate to show that he/she (alone, in a duet or in a group):

  • engages effectively with the piece being performed
  • understands the character being portrayed and the scenario and mood described by the selection
  • conveys and sustains this character convincingly through voice, speech and movement
  • can speak/ sing clearly with appropriate melody and rhythm
  • demonstrates skills in singing, acting and choreographed movement
  • uses the performance space in appropriate and varied ways
  • projects and shapes his/her performance for the benefit of the audience.

Improvisation

We would like each candidate to show that he/she:

  • can develop a theme relevantly, creatively and dramatically from his/her own imagination
  • is able to sustain the theme and character for a given period of time
  • pays attention to the details of the created scenario.

Prose

We would like each candidate to show that he/she:

  • is able to speak with clearly defined sounds at a volume which is appropriate for the surroundings
  • understands and conveys what the writer of the piece intended
  • is able to speak fluently, purposefully and expressively
  • where appropriate, can give characters in the story clear vocal identities
  • can convey the meaning and mood of the extract with a variety of pace, tone and rhythm.

Reading/ Sight Reading

We would like each candidate to show that he/she:

  • is able to speak with clearly defined sounds at a volume which is appropriate for the surroundings
  • displays an awareness of the listener/ audience, through standing appropriately,
  • introducing the extract clearly, managing the book and using eye contact
  • can read fluently, purposefully and expressively
  • can use a variety of pace, tone and rhythm to convey the meaning and mood of the selection.

Prepared Talks

We would like each candidate to show that he/she:

  • is able to speak with clearly defined sounds at a volume which is appropriate for the surroundings
  • can speak with fluency and expression
  • is able to construct a relevant, informative and appropriately structured talk
  • shows an awareness of the audience
  • has not memorised the talk
  • if using notes, uses them in an unobtrusive manner.

Impromptu Talks

We would like each candidate to show that he/she:

  • is able to speak with clearly defined sounds at a volume which is appropriate for the surroundings
  • can speak with fluency and expression
  • is able to develop a theme relevantly and creatively
  • can shape a talk, with an introduction, development and conclusion
  • shows an awareness of the audience.

Theory

We would like each candidate to show that he/she:

  • knows the set theory and can explain it with reference to the pieces being performed
  • during the examination, using examples where appropriate