Forensic educators stand at a pivotal point in the development of National Parliamentary Debate Association (NPDA) debate culture and standards; we have enough experience behind us to see where NPDA is going, but not so much "tradition" as to enslave us to the past. One area of reform that is highlighted by this paper is the removal of…

People's conception of uniqueness in policy debate has changed dramatically in the past decade. Concepts like "we control uniqueness" and "direction of uniqueness" have come to dominate disadvantage debates. Unfortunately, policy debate has suffered as an activity as the result of some of these debating practices. In response, debaters and judges…

Parliamentary debate, while not a new format, has proliferated to all regions of the country. New and growing debate formats, while valuable for students and programs, must maintain sound pedagogical foundations if they are to be considered viable forensic alternatives. A reading of the National Parliamentary Debate Association (NPDA) rules as…

Many administrators and educators have questioned the wisdom of establishing competitive goals for forensic programs. Many appear to believe that the acceptance of competitive goals necessarily leads to such abusive behavior as atheoretical teaching, the prioritizing of style over substance, the promotion of education shortcuts, and the…

Shares demographics that pertain to women and minorities at five national CEDA (Cross Examination Debate Association) tournaments from 1991 to 1995; examines barriers that prevent diversity and representativeness; describes actions taken; and proposes solutions for the future. (PA)

This paper discusses the potential for advocacy in collegiate extemporaneous speaking. It argues that given the inherently civic nature of the event, extemporaneous speaking ought to address higher causes that transcend competitive restraints. Unfortunately, the potential of the event is generally hindered by stylistic trends and other competitive…

The executive director of the Public Agenda Foundation tells how to spot emerging issues for public discussion and characteristics of such issues. (PD)

Discusses how an examination of the 1988 Presidential Debates offers important insights for debate coaches and participants, noting that weaknesses in the debates highlight debate community values. Urges debate coaches and critics of public argument to use the links between those two roles, and make more contributions to public arguments. (MM)

Suggests that the structure of collegiate debate tournaments and the pressures placed on directors has necessarily created an unsustainable cycle that threatens the physical and mental well being of coaches and undermines the long-term health of the activity of collegiate debate. Outlines some problems and pitfalls faced by coaches and some…

Today's collegiate forensic activities have changed in ways that pose profound challenges to directors of forensics. Six primary factors that contribute to the "at-riskness" of directors of forensics are: the changing face of today's forensic program forces difficult choices; the forensics community is seeing signs of a crisis in…

Assesses the current focus of collegiate forensics. Argues that the value of competition has come to outweigh the value of education in intercollegiate individual events practice. Examines the educational and competitive values of forensics, assesses the problems associated with the overemphasis on competition, and makes recommendations as to how…

The purpose of this paper is to create a guide for beginning coaches of the "communication analysis" event in forensics and to attempt to arouse interest in the activity. According to the paper, the American Forensic Association defines communication analysis as an original speech designed to offer an explanation and/or evaluation of a…

This paper looks at the development and management of an intercollegiate forensics program at a small college. It first deals with the context for analyzing a program, and then discusses the analysis itself, which should provide the foundation for a program's development. Some points for program management follow, and the paper concludes with a…

Offers opinions about the 1988 Presidential Debates and their value to high school students. Notes that these debates are at best negative examples of debate. (MM)

Presents a brief bibliographical study in order (1) to provide future historians with some hints about where to locate materials, and (2) to encourage the American Forensic Association to continue its recent efforts to collect materials and deposit them in a well-maintained historical archive. (NH)