As an alternative to the traditional practice of the instructor serving as judge to individual two-to-four-person debates in front of the class, a communication instructor holds in-class debate tournaments in which all students are involved in one-on-one debates at the same time. Such a format avoids difficulties involved in two-person teams, can…

A study examined the beliefs and attitudes of students, coaches, and judges on the use of manuscripts at the college level in oral interpretation events (prose, drama, program oral interpretation, dramatic duo, and poetry). Survey data were collected from students, coach-judges, and hired judges participating in a Midwestern forensics tournament…

A study investigated the use of source citations and evidence in the final round of Informative Speaking at the 1998 American Forensic Association-National Individual Events Tournament (AFA-NIET). The "AFA Code of Forensics Program and Forensics Tournament Standards for College and Universities" was the framework for the analysis.…

An assignment focuses on introducing students to the complexities involved in rendering a decision concerning the First Amendment to the Constitution. During the first week of classes, students are asked to read the introductory sections to the topic-specific chapters in "Freedom of Speech in the Marketplace of Ideas" by Fraleigh and…

Understanding communication (of which individual events is a part) requires a triangle among theory-practice-criticism, and any missing component dramatically hinders understanding and ability. Students compete in, and judges judge, forensics to better enhance communication understanding and abilities. The process of oral interpretation requires a…

The goal of forensics is to teach students the complexity and impact of communication on the human condition. The ballot is the key to the educational process within the competitive realm of forensics. The judge is both an adjudicator and a teacher within each round, and, therefore, ballots should provide students with comments indicating reasons…