The Forensic Team

The forensics team combines four areas of concentration: public address to meet a variety of occasions and purposes, limited preparation presentations to speak on one's feet, oral and dramatic interpretation of various forms of literature, and single or team debates.  The speaking events within the public address category include rhetorical criticism, informative, persuasive, and after dinner speaking.  The speaking events within the limited preparation category include impromptu and extemporaneous styles.  The typical events within the oral interpretation category include prose, poetry, single dramatic interpretation, and duo dramatic interpretation. The two types of debates include the prepared Lincoln Douglas debate, in which the topic is set for the year, and Parliamentary Debate, in which the topic changes each time the competitor debates. 

Competitors can win awards in each of these categories.  There are also three other types of awards: Pentathalon, PKD sweepstakes, and overall sweepstakes.  A competitor can earn a Pentathalon award by competing in five varied events within three main categories.  PKD Sweepstakes awards are awarded to the top three teams, each having a Pi Kappa Delta chapter.  Finally, the overall sweepstakes awards are awarded to the top six teams at the tournament.  

             The forensics team is academic in nature, but goes beyond the classroom.  The forensics team prepares and encourages students to capture these various styles and perform competitively in an intercollegiate arena four to seven times a semester.  The competition is tough.  We usually compete with 9 to 18 schools per tournament.   The team also serves as a campus club by sponsoring forensic workshops, reader’s theatre events, performing The Crucible LIVE, and other on-campus events or performances. 

           To be competent in forensics, students foster a connection between several academic areas: 1) presentation and oral interpretation skills, 2) writing structure and communication skills, 3) research, analysis, and documentation skills and 4) skills in designing professional audio, visual or computer generated speaking aids. 

           The Forensics Team welcomes all students. We are involved in supporting charitable organizations in addition to participating in campus programs. We are interested in improving academically as well as personally through presentation, organization and study. Come to our next meeting and see if forensicating is for you.

 

Member Expectations

þ                  Team Contract: Each member of the forensics team is required to complete a contract

þ                  Team Etiquette

Contacting Us

þ                  Director of Forensics link or Advisor email

þ                  Forensic Team email

 

Members

þ                  Members 2004-2005

þ                  Members 2005-2006

þ                  Members 2006-2007

 

 

Forensics Links

 

þ                  National Forensics Association (NFA)

þ                  National Parliamentary Debate Association (NPDA)

þ                  cas.bethel.edu/dept/comm/novicenats

þ                  debate.uvm.edu

þ                  www.planetdebate.com  extemp and parli sources

þ                  Pennsylvania Forensics Association (PFA)

þ                  CFA

þ                  Pi Kappa Delta

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