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Establishing a Student Organization
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Welcome!
Forensics
If you like a challenge and you like to talk, then join the team!
Is public speaking in your future: lawyer; teacher; minister; theater; movies; politics; radio/TV reporter; talk shows?
Maybe you like to debate the issues or you like to enlighten or to entertain people?
Are you looking for scholarship opportunities? Do you enjoy traveling for free?
Would you like to be a part of a very challenging, but fun team? If so, consider joining OWC's Forensics Team!
Competitive speaking is an important co-curricular activity through which students are offered training and experience in developing their oral communication skills. In intercollegiate forensics (speech/debate) there are two classes of competition: Debate and Individual Events. Debate events include Lincoln Douglas, Policy, and Parliamentary. Individual events include prose, poetry, screen plays, movie/radio scripts, and several types of platform speeches. There are also two categories of what is called limited preparation; the student prepares the speech as part of the competition and has no idea about the topic until the scheduled event.
A primary travel team and a reserve team will be selected on the basis of a student's audition as well as prior competition experience and academic background. However, no prior experience is required: Everyone is invited to audition for the team!
Websites for new Forensics Students:
1. In order to get a full appreciation of what the individual events at tournaments are all about, go to the University of Florida Debate Team website: http://www.cwoc.ufl.edu/debate/downloads.html.
Click on the link: Speaking Like a Gator. This brings you to a Guide that has just about everything you need to know about tournaments.
At this point it is best to read the Speaking Like a Gator guide in reverse order; that is, read about the different speeches and events first; then read the while traveling section next, and, read the before traveling section last.
2. Another website worth checking out is National Forensic Association at http://cas.bethel.edu/dept/comm/nfa.
The National Forensic Association is the official body of rules under which our program operates and their site contains information about all aspects of forensic competition.
3. To learn and understand more about debating, check out Debate Central. This is a website run by the University of Vermont and has everything about debating: http://debate.uvm.edu.
Another worthwhile website on debate is: http://www.angelfire.com/ok3/meredith/debatetips.html.
Join Forensics
A full scholarship is available for qualified team members. In order to be qualified for the scholarship, students must maintain at least a 2.0 GPA and be registered for at least nine (9) semester hours and participate in at least two tournaments per semester.
A three credit hour elective class (Debate and Discussion) is available to qualified students and at the discretion of the forensics coach.
Contact the OWC Forensics Coach, Cecil Scalf, as early as possible:
Phone: (850) 897-2080
Email: scalfc@owc.edu
Following are rule descriptions for National Forensics Association sanctioned events
PersuasionA speech to convince, to move to action, or to inspire on a significant issue, delivered from memory. Minimum time is 10 minutes.
ExtemporaneousFor each round, contestants will select one of three topics on current national and international events (economics, politics, or social issues). The contestant will have thirty minutes to prepare a five to seven minute speech on the topic selected. Notes are permissible. Maximum time is 7 minutes.
ImpromptuContestants will receive short excerpts dealing with items of general interest, political, economic, and social issues. The contestant will have a total of seven minutes to divide between preparation and speaking. Students should speak for at least three minutes. All contestants in the same section shall speak on the same topic. Maximum time is 7 minutes.
Rhetorical CriticismContestants will deliver an original critical analysis of any significant rhetorical artifact. The speaker should limit the quotation of, paraphrasing of, or summary of, the analyzed artifact to a minimum. Any legitimate critical methodology is permissible as long as it serves to open up the artifact for the audience. The speech must be delivered from memory. Maximum time is 10 minutes.
InformativeThe contestant will deliver an original factual speech on a realistic subject to fulfill a general information need of the audience. Visual aids that supplement/reinforce the message are permitted. The speech must be delivered from memory. Maximum time is 10 minutes.
After DinnerEach contestant will present an original speech whose purpose is to make a serious point through the use of humor. The speech should reflect the development of a humorous comedic effort, not a standup comedy routine. The speech must be memorized. Maximum time is 10 minutes.
ProseThe contestant will present a program of prose literature. Original introductory comments and transitional remarks are permitted. Programs may consist of single or multiple selections. Plays are not permitted. Maximum time is 10 minutes.
PoetryThe contestant will present a program of poetic literature. Original introductory comments and transitional remarks are permitted. Programs may consist of single or multiple selections. Manuscripts are required. Maximum time is 10 minutes.
Dramatic DuoA cutting from a play, humorous or serious, involving the portrayal of two or more characters by two individuals. This is not an acting event. Thus, costumes, props, etc. are not permitted. Presentation must be from manuscript and focus should be off stage. Maximum time is 10 minutes.
Dramatic InterpretationThe contestant will perform dramatic literature, humorous or serious, that represents one or more characters from material of literary merit. This material may be drawn from stage, screen, or radio. Programs may consist of single or multiple sections. Manuscripts are required. Maximum 10 minutes.
Lincoln-Douglas DebateOne man (or woman) debate team which prepares affirmative and negative cases for a resolution established at the beginning of each school year or season. Individuals present evidence from timely sources which propose plans to address the resolution. Debaters must also establish a value into the argumentation.
Parliamentary DebateTwo-member teams are given 15 minutes of prep time to prepare a debate on a philosophical resolution. Format and etiquette generally follow that of the British Parliament.
Cross Examination Debate (CEDA)Two member teams prepare affirmative and negative cases for a resolution established at the beginning of each school year or season. Teams present evidence from timely sources which proposes plans to address the resolution.
OWC has a solid reputation in the Forensics network with several state and national championships. The faculty sponsor and coaches select members, and the scholarships are available.