What events can I compete in?
There are eleven different events that you can compete in and their descriptions are described elsewhere on this website.  College competitors are allowed to compete in up to as many as five events.  However, we advise our new members to start out with one event and add more later on.

When are the tournaments?
Tournaments occur throughout the academic year.  We begin attending tournaments in early October and we end in April by attending a national tournament.  The tournaments are usually held on Fridays, Saturdays, and sometimes on Sundays.  We attend one to two tournaments a month.

Where are the tournaments held?
The tournaments are held at other universities and colleges. Most of the tournaments that we attend are held in Wisconsin and Illinois. A few are held in Minnesota and Iowa and occasionally we attend tournaments in Missouri or Michigan.

Are there fees or dues that I must cover as a member?
Dues are instituted on an "as needed" basis.   Most of those costs and costs for basic needs (food, lodging, transportation, and entry fees) are covered through team funding by SUFAC (Segregated University Fee Allocation Committee) .

Can I earn credit for my participation in Forensics?
You can take the forensics credit, now available. There are three options for this credit. For one option, the student must prepare three events and go to two tournaments. The events can be split between the two tournaments. This can even be accomplished at a swing tournament (two separate tournaments in one weekend).  The other two are for either a mix of competition and E-Board service, or total E-Board service. If you are interested in this option or the others, speak with Jeanine for further details.

What if my schedule doesn't allow me to compete?
We understand that our members are involved in other activities outside forensics.  If you are unable to compete during the semester, we ask that you still put a little time into the team.  This can be accomplished by helping out in the forensics office (Heide Hall 113A).  There are a wide variety of tasks that need to be done.  We ask that you put a minimum of 15 hours a semester into the team.  These hours need to be logged in the office logbook.



College Forensics Categories

Impromptu Speaking: An impromptu speech, serious in nature, with topic selections varied by round and by section. Topics will be of a proverb nature. Speakers will have a total of 7 minutes for both preparation and speaking. Timing commences with the acceptance of the topics sheet. Limited notes are permitted. Each speaker in a given section will choose to speak from one of the same two topics offered.

Extemporaneous Speaking: Contestants will be given three topics in the general area of current events, choose one, and have 30 minutes to prepare a speech that is the original work of the student. Maximum time limit for the speech is 7 minutes. Limited notes are permitted. Students will speak in listed order. Posting of topics will be staggered.

Informative Speaking: An original, factual speech by the student on a realistic subject to fulfill the general aim to inform the audience. Audio-visual aids may or may not be used to supplement and reinforce the message. Multiple sources should be used and cited in the development of the speech. Minimal notes are permitted. Maximum time is 10 minutes including introduction.

After-Dinner Speaking: An original, humorous speech by the student, designed to exhibit sound speech composition, thematic coherence, direct communicative public speaking skills, and good taste. The speech should not resemble a night club act, an impersonation, or comic dialogue. Audio-visual aids may or may not be used to supplement and reinforce the message. Minimal notes are permitted. Maximum time limit is 10 minutes.

Communication Analysis: An original speech by the student designed to offer an explanation and/or evaluation of a communication event such as a speech, speaker, movement, poem, poster, film, campaign, etc., through the use of rhetorical principles. Audio-visual aids may or may not be used to supplement and reinforce the message. Manuscripts are permitted. Maximum time limit is 10 minutes.

Persuasive Speaking: An original speech by the student designed to inspire, reinforce or change the beliefs, attitudes, values or actions of the audience. Audio-visual aids may or may not be used to supplement and reinforce the message. Multiple sources should be used and cited in the development of the speech. Minimal notes are permitted. Maximum time limit is 10 minutes.

Prose Interpretation: A selection or selections of prose material of literary merit, which may be drawn from more than one source. Play cuttings and poetry are prohibited. Use of manuscript is required. Maximum time is 10 minutes including introduction.

Dramatic Duo: A cutting from a play or plays, humorous or serious, involving the portrayal of two or more characters presented by two individuals. This material may be drawn from stage, screen or radio. This is not an acting event; thus, no costumes, props, lighting, etc., are to be used. Presentation is from the manuscript and the focus should be off-stage and not to each other. Maximum time limit is 10 minutes including introduction.

Program Oral Interpretation: A program of thematically-linked selections of literary merit, chosen from two or three recognized genres of competitive interpretation (prose/poetry/drama). A substantial portion of the total time must be devoted to each of the genres used in the program. Different genre means the material must appear in separate pieces of literature (e.g., A poem included in a short story that appears only in that short story does not constitute a poetry genre). Only one selection may be original. Use of manuscript is required. Maximum time limit is 10 minutes including original introduction and/or transitions.

Drama Interpretation: A cutting that represents one or more characters from a play or plays of literary merit. This material may be drawn from stage, screen or radio. Use of manuscript is required. Maximum time limit is 10 minutes including introduction.

Poetry Interpretation: A selection or selections of poetry of literary merit, which may be drawn from more than one source. Play cuttings and prose works are prohibited. Use of manuscript is required. Maximum time limit is 10 minutes including introduction.