A study investigated the content of individual forensic events ballots. In the study, 150 high school and 274 college ballots were randomly selected from 17 tournaments, and each comment on each ballot was evaluated and coded. Data indicated that the overwhelming majority of comments on high-school ballots (64.57%) were positive comments; 32.68%…

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 social scientific research focus of major United States universities places the forensics programs at these institutions in a unique position. Three areas of tension between forensics and research based communication departments are as follows: research quality/utility, applicability of forensic training, and resource conflicts. Solutions to…

Intervention by judges in CEDA (Cross Examination Debate Association) debates is inappropriate: critics should not strive to impose their views on debates. It is important to consider the ramifications of judge intervention due to the recent increase in critics who impose their paradigm on the debate participants. Two very recent trends are…

A study investigated the reason for the decline in participation in NDT (National Debate Tournament) debate. An anonymous poll of forensic programs was conducted to encourage a frank and open description of the issues surrounding the problem. One hundred thirty colleges and universities in America (out of 354) responded to a questionnaire. The…

Presumption has played a major role in the administration of justice since ancient times, and has a venerable tradition as a component of debate theory. In Cross Examination Debate Association (CEDA) competition, however, the locus of presumption is uncertain. Some authors would place the presumption with one side (typically the negative), while…

At a minimum, tomorrow's forensic educators need formal training that orients the professional to the responsibilities central to forensic education. While a number of opportunities, as well as applications of those opportunities, are available to forensics students, the rooting of forensics in the speech communication discipline is paramount.…

The topic of mentoring is one which has drawn renewed interest in the forensic community. Mentoring does exist in forensic coaching. A mentor can be seen both as one who makes a map for the protege and as a guide more interested in developing the traveler than fixing the road. Experienced coaches tend to see themselves and their mentors as trusted…

Original stories can provide a wealth of opportunity for forensics competitors. Original storytelling requires the sharing of a personal experience or family narrative that is adaptable to audiences differing in age and education. Community organizations and groups are invited to participate as audience members and vary from round to round.…

Forensics programs can be laboratories for small group processes, whether or not they are explicitly recognized by either the participants or their teachers. Small group dynamics, as identified by M. Shaw (1981), are present and clearly define the forensic activity as a small group experience. The combination of being a small group, spending…

Successful forensic tournaments are educational instruments that foster knowledge in areas of public speaking, debate, and interpretation, and can be an integral part of the process in carrying out program and department objectives and goals. Reasons to host a forensic tournament include: a need for competition in that area of the country; a…

Noting that the skill of debate is essential in a free democratic society, this paper presents a rationale for the use of judging philosophy statements at all intercollegiate debate tournaments. The paper considers: the role of the debate critic; discussion of judging philosophy statements; and advantages to be gained through the use of…

Many topics have been discussed over the lifespan of CEDA (Cross Examination Debate Association) debate, but the topic of judge adaptation (debaters adapting to each judge) is consistently ignored. Lay judges normally do not comprehend the debate process. To many debaters, lay judges are the most difficult to adapt to. The biggest problem with…

Noting that the use and utility of judging philosophy statements have long been a contested issue in intercollegiate debate, this paper examines the rationale for using philosophy statements, discusses the effectiveness of philosophy statements, and advocates the use of such statements at Pi Kappa Delta's National Tournament. The paper notes that…

Many of the American Debate Association (ADA) rules merely codify conventions which are almost universally practiced in ADA tournaments. Among them are such standards as who is eligible to debate and judge, what shall be debated and for how long, and restrictions on ballot submissions. Other rules come under the general heading of "which…