Although technology has created endless benefits for society, these benefits are accompanied by increased responsibilities and dangers. On-line research and the internet have completely altered the surface of forensics. Advantages of using the internet are the access to a wealth of information, which could constitute an equalizer for smaller…

Encouraging debaters to participate in undergraduate research enhances the quality of their undergraduate experience, increases debate student recruitment and retention, and favorably publicizes the benefits of training in forensics. The process of encouraging debaters to participate in undergraduate research does not come naturally, and must be…

This 10-item annotated bibliography presents U.S. government documents suitable for use in preparation for a high school debate on the resolution that the federal government should establish a program to substantially reduce juvenile crime in the United States. Items in the annotated bibliography address correctional philosophy, community response…

Competitive intercollegiate debate programs have long been premised on the unique educational opportunity the activity affords its participants. The central problem with National Debate Tournament (NDT) rounds is that policy advocacy too frequently occurs, reducing questions asked to one of whether advantages outweigh disadvantages. While issues…

Volunteers are those who find that they have the ability to change at least one other person's life for the better. Public service programs can be established within the forensics medium. Such programs as "Kids on the Block," which uses puppetry to teach about individual differences, can benefit from forensics experience. Dramatic…

Philosophy statements have been used in the National Debate Tournament (NDT) since the mid-1970s and the Cross Examination Debate Association (CEDA) National Tournament since its 1986 inception. The statements should help debaters adapt to critics' expressed preferences. Moreover, philosophy statements can guide the study of argumentation theory…

This digest examines the relationship between the political process and the media. The digest discusses the ramifications of advertising in politics; the role of the televised debate in elections; individual voter characteristics and the media; and media coverage and campaign awareness. Fifteen references are attached. (RS)

A preliminary study tested the reliability and validity of an instrument that was constructed to identify and measure the various dimensions, tasks, and worker characteristics associated with performing the functions of a director of forensics. Three-part questionnaires were mailed to 210 forensics programs, representing both public and private…

This document contains a partially annotated bibliography of books, journal articles, government reports, and other documents relating to the 1990-91 college debate topic: Resolved: That the United States should substantially change its trade policy with China, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan. (DB)

When the amount of available information exceeds the ability of the user to process it, "information overload" is created. In an attempt to maintain some control over the quantity of arguments they may face, debaters have developed adaptive behavior, primarily through the generic argument--any argument within a "deliverative"…

Suggests modifying the triparite system of analyzing argumentative statements by using definitional, factual, evaluative and policy classifications. (MH)

This paper provides an overview of the development of sponsors for primary and general election debates at the presidential level and considers the various sponsorship alternatives for future debates. From a historical perspective, the paper discusses the major role that the broadcasting industry played in the early presidential debates and…

This study examined the problem of a suspected decline in the number of schools offering courses in the coaching of high school and college forensics. A list of 127 schools offering graduate programs in the areas of rhetorical and communication theory, public address, and speech communication education was generated from the 1986-87…

Teacher education students surveyed about their perceptions of child advocacy indicated that to become successful advocates they needed to become more self-confident and politically aware and to be able to communicate effectively with knowledge of current issues, advocacy methods, and the political system. In order to facilitate the training of…

Recalling a program session at the 1981 annual meeting of the Speech Communication Association entitled "The Small College Speech Communication Instructor: Jacks and Jills of All Trades," this paper "revisits" that session by reviewing the comments and observations made then and offering reflections on the changes that have been observed in the…