This project was designed and implemented at San Diego State University to provide experiential education for speech communication students by serving community organizations that have an interest in developing, maintaining or improving a speakers' bureau. Stage one of the project utilized eight students to conduct research of two types: library…

Abolitionist-feminist Angelina Grimke's "Pennsylvania Hall" address in 1838 is more than an important early feminist document. Through the use of rhetorical techniques (such as those known to contemporary feminists as elements of "consciousness raising"), Grimke empowers herself and her women listeners through the act of…

Established in 1874, the Interstate Oratorical Association (IOA) represents the nation's oldest competitive collegiate speaking association. It is now composed of collegiate speaking associations in 19 states. Begun by three student members of the Adelphi Society at Knox College, the IOA held its first contest on February 27, 1874 at the Opera…

The mirror state counterplan is a straightforward form of negative refutation used in debate in which the negative team proposes that each state enact a miniature version of the affirmative plan that was to be adopted on the federal level. For example, the 1981-82 national debate proposition resolved that the federal government should…

Effective instructional approaches for dealing with stage fright can be developed by examining A. H. Buss's theory of audience anxiety. Buss argues that audience anxiety correlates with feelings of self-consciousness, characteristics of the audience, and the novelty of the speaking role. From his perspective, the experience of anxiety is divided…

The proposals of this segment have been designed to help the elementary school child learn to evaluate the motive or intent of speakers. (Author)

A study of the type and frequency of speeches given by blue collar workers. (CH)

Comparison of Asian and American rhetoric with a view toward understanding the Asian culture as well as Asian public address. (CH)

The counterplan is a recent strategy used in debate whereby the negative team can urge adoption of a new policy rather than defend the status quo. This paper isolates some of the requirements for a debate counterplan, discusses its strategic implications, and describes three conditions which debate theorists define as necessary for a valid…

Intercollegiate forensics training and experience are no longer relevant, nor do they provide a useful service for the particpant. The irresponsibility of contemporary forensics has taken three forms: unbelievable growth in the number of forensic tournaments and events, the inclusion of too many individual and impromptu events, and an orientation…

Forensics judges rank students, determine the outcome of tournaments, and are in positions to give the contestants feedback that can help them learn. Several ideas that can help improve the quality of judging include: event rules should appear on the ballots, suggested criteria for judging should appear on the ballots, tournaments should use…

The characteristics of demagogic discourse and a methodology appropriate for its analysis can be illustrated by examining Huey Long's "Every Man a King" radio address on February 20, 1934. The demagogue is similar to the revered public figure in that both are mass leaders, charismatic, and heroic. But the demagogue elicits powerful…

In an attempt to explain why Aristotle devotes a substantial part of Book Two of "The Rhetoric" to methods for arousing jurors' emotions, despite stating previously that such emotional appeal is nonessential and unethical, this paper examines the nature of the Athenian jury courts, or dikasteries. It first discusses the historical…

Because of problems involved in traditional impromptu contests, which require contestants to speak on topics that they know little or nothing about, administrators of the Big Sky Intercollegiate Forensic Tournament at the University of Montana modified the traditional contest structure in 1969 to permit impromptu speeches on sub-topics of general…