This essay advocates the use of "unresolved" speech assignments in introductory public speaking instruction. Unresolved speeches work to decenter persuasion in the speech class by asking students to critically explore the landscape of arguments surrounding controversial topics and issue questions without making the turn to opinion giving…

Many instructors and textbooks encourage the use of debate and critical thinking in the classroom by creating artificial public space in which students then act out engagements. The tools gained from such activities do encourage better thinking and speaking, but they do not adequately prepare students for "real" situations when they must…

For more than 75 years, instructors have taught students to use Monroe's (1935) Motivated Sequence (MMS) when organizing speeches designed to move audiences to action. However, modern approaches to teaching the sequence are needed to help instructors remain relevant and effective. This activity advocates the use of constructivist pedagogical…

Despite the importance of public speaking skills for English for Academic Purposes (EAP) students' academic and professional success, few EAP textbooks incorporate authentic, professional speech models. Thus, many EAP instructors have turned to TED talks for dynamic speech models. Yet a single TED talk may be too long for viewing in class and may…

Narrates how the American Forensic Association (AFA) evolved in ways that involved both adaptation and consistency. Describes issues that have driven the AFA's agenda in the first 50 years. Considers the style through which the organization's members have addressed these issues. Notes that the growth of forensics was not isolated from the growth…

The existence of the American Forensic Association's National Individual Events Tournament (NIET) and the National Forensic Association (NFA), two strong and well-established national tournaments with essentially similar events descriptions, has certainly contributed to a very substantial amount of uniformity of events descriptions and conflict…

Describes documents in the ERIC system on (1) theory about forensics, (2) the coach as teacher, (3) views from other disciplines. (PD)

Explores the worth of high impact/low probability arguments as "real world" policy arguments. Evaluates four National Debate Tournament (NDT) final round disadvantages by students using the subjective probability model. Finds that although NDT disadvantages were perceived to be a technically sound form of argumentation, they were not…

The Developmental Speech Sequence Model (DSSM) can be applied effectively with beginning forensics competitors. It provides a detailed 10 point model, outlined within the headings of introduction, body, and conclusion: (1) Opening; (2) Objective of Speech; (3) Overview of Main Ideas; (4) Statement of Problem; (5) Statement of Solution; (6)…

Proposes that individual forensic events, particularly after dinner speaking, should be modeled after real-world situations. Explores two analogues (comedy clubs and political humor arenas like the Gridiron Club) which could improve the quality of the after dinner speaking events by offering students illuminating principles and practical…

Argues that current forensics contest constraints deemphasize the role of the audience. Examines Barbara Bush's 1990 commencement address at Wellesley College as an example of rhetorical sensitivity and acute awareness of her audience. (SR)

Sketches forensic activities which predate the American Forensic Association's 50-year history. Notes forensic activities and terminology have changed as cultures, philosophies, and educational practices have changed, and future changes are inevitable. (NH)

One course in persuasion reviews six theories of attitude change--five based on Otto Lerbinger's designs for persuasive communication (cognitive design, stimulus response design, motivational design, personality design, and social design), and a sixth (perceptual design) developed by the instructors. Instruction in each includes a variety of…

Offers a brief sampling of four essays describing a variety of approaches to argument and persuasion. Reiterates some useful definitions and distinctions, discusses classical rhetoric, connects the teaching of argument to eleventh grade U.S. literature, and shows how to teach students to respond to literature by asking "why" questions…

The use of computer simulation to aid instruction in speech-communication will be investigated. A computer program called ARISTOTLE will be employed in the teaching of concepts of audience analysis to students enrolled in an advanced communication theory course. The program works as follows. The user first encodes a set of issues associated with a…