If you’re new to competitive speech or interp, you’ve probably heard the word “cutting” thrown around a lot. But what does it actually mean?

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Let’s break it down:

When an interper or interp coach finds a piece of literature they want to perform, it is usually not the perfect speech length of 10 minutes or ~1000-1400 words. If they want to use a movie or a novel, it can be exponentially longer and more complicated than that. In order to perform the work, they will prepare an edited version of part or all of the story called a cutting. This can take several forms:

• A ten minute segment of the story: if there is a particular scene or excerpt that they want to perform, they can ‘cut’ to just this scene/segment.

• A ten minute version of the story: if they want to present a core plot or narrative, they can select key scenes or lines and ‘cut’ a version of the story that is compact, but still complete in the time provided.

• A ten minute reimagining of the story: if they want to create a parody or use the story as commentary or allegory for a message / theme, they can select key scenes or lines and ‘cut’ a new interpretation of the story that is creative, but still consists of the original source’s words.

 

These are just a few common examples of cutting, but no matter the final form, in order to get a long text to fit into a 10 minute performance window, the original material needs to be cut into a speech draft, often referred to as a cutting. 

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Cutting Is Not Just Slicing Pages

Cutting isn’t just shortening a script. It’s a creative process—one where you take a longer piece of literature (a play, novel, film, etc.) and reshape it into a powerful, 10-minute performance that’s clear, emotional, and impactful.

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Think of cutting like being a film editor, screenwriter, and director all at once. You’re deciding:

• What story am I trying to tell?

• Which moments matter most?

• What can be trimmed without losing the emotional core?
   

 

The P.A.T.H. Method: Your Roadmap

We use the P.A.T.H. approach:

Planning: Choose your script and define the version of the story you want to tell.

Assembly: Gather scenes, lines, or chunks that match your goals.  

Trimming: Cut unnecessary content and blend the rest into a coherent draft.

Honing: Refine timing, transitions, and tone until your piece is competition-ready.

 

Start with the Blueprint

Before you ever begin trimming words or formatting transitions, you need a Speech Blueprint. This is a breakdown of:

• Your plot structure (exposition, catalyst, rising action, climax, etc.

• Your character’s emotional journey

• The big takeaway you want your audience to remember
   

That’s where the Zebrapad Cutting Blueprint Generator comes in. It helps you build a strategic map so that your cutting is purposeful, powerful, and performable.

 

You Hold the Power

Remember: You decide what the cutting focuses on. Just because the original work is about many things doesn’t mean your cutting has to include them all. Your job is to distill the story to its core message.

 

Want to retell Titanic in 10 minutes?

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You could focus on:

• The love story between Jack and Rose

• Rose’s transformation and rebellion

• Jack’s immigrant dream

• The sinking itself

• Or tell it through the perspective of Old Rose or Molly Brown
   

All of these are valid, but you have to pick one.

 

 What Comes Next?

After you finish your blueprint:

1. Chunk your script by highlighting, and copying scenes and lines that match your plan

2. Sort & Stack those chunks under the story element (Exposition, Climax, etc.) where they best fit

3. Shape your rough cut into a story. It doesn’t have to be short or perfect, just get something coherent, organized, and aligned to your ideas. Then keep eliminating redundant, ineffective, unnecessary, or distracting material until you have the most compact and clear version of your story.
    

Cutting isn’t easy. It takes multiple rounds of reordering, editing, and letting go of lines you love. But that’s the art of it.

It’s not about including everything. It’s about choosing the right things.

 

Final Advice?

“The less you have to explain, the more you get to play.” 

- Everyone at Zebrapad

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Start with clarity. Finish with creativity.