Welcome to the forensic team

1. Welcome to the forensic team Speech, Debate and Competitive Acting

2. What is forensics? • The word, “forensics,” is derived from Latin and is closely related to “forum.” A forum is an open exchange of ideas in an atmosphere of respect and responsibility. • As practiced by the ancient Greeks, the “forum” was the actual seat of government, a place where the people got together to make the decisions by which they ruled. Later, in Roman times, the “forum” became a place where people could speak out in an attempt to persuade their representatives to one course of action or another.

3. Does the Forensic Team have anything to do with the study of dead bodies? • No, although both do share some origins. “Legal speaking in the law courts was referred to as forensic discourse.” (Rhetoric of Western Thought, 3rd edition, Kendall/Hunt, 1983, p. 39). • Forensic medicine is the application of medical science to legal problems. It typically has to do with the application of scientific or medical knowledge to legal matters as in the investigation of crime. A formal argumentation or public debate usually takes place in the determination of the cause of death, thus the term forensics.

4. Why forensics?Source: James Madison University, http://www.pbs.org/accidentalhero/benefits/index.html • Forensics offers an opportunity to develop research, critical thinking, organization, persuasion, and oral communication skills. • Forensics appeals to individuals with different goals and interests. It provides useful career preparation in law, education, politics, broadcasting, religion, public affairs, business, and other professions requiring critical thinking and communication skills. • Forensics enables you to clarify your personal and social values through confrontation with the value judgments of others. • You learn respect for dissenting opinions and acquire knowledge and skills crucial to effective participation in a democratic society. • Forensics provides you with an opportunity to develop social skills, including teamwork. You develop realistic attitudes toward competition through competing responsibly and effectively in an intellectual environment.

5. So, what are the requirements? • The Forensic Team… • is a team just like any other athletic team • has strict requirements for participation, uniforms, effort, behavior and competition • practices and competes September through May (practices twice a week) • travels across northeastern and central PA to compete • competes on Saturdays- for long days (12-15 competitions a year) • earns AHHS varsity letters • has an honor society & awards • competes nationally and the potential for scholarships and tremendous local, state, and national recognition

6. Is the Forensic Team… fun?! • YES, YES, YES! • But – we are all about work, too. • We work and prepare first, then have fun. • Competitions & travel are a blast. • You meet people from all over the state and country.

7. What does the Forensic Team do? • Competition Events… Competitive Acting • Humorous Interpretation Humorous interpretation is a humorous cutting which represents one or more characters from a play or plays of literary merit. This material may be drawn from stage, screen or radio. Maximum time limit is 10 minutes, including transitions and the delivery of an original introduction. • Dramatic Interpretation Dramatic interpretation is a dramatic selection representing one or more characters from a play or plays of literary merit. This material may be drawn from stage, screen or radio. Maximum time limit is 10 minutes, including transitions and the delivery of an original introduction.

8. Competition Events… Competitive Acting • Duo Interpretation A cutting from a play, humorous or serious, involving the portrayal of two or more characters presented by two individuals. The material may be drawn from stage, screen, or radio. This is not an acting event. Thus, no costumes, props, lighting, etc. are to be used. Presentation is memorized from the manuscript and focus should be off-stage and not to each other. Maximum time is 10 minutes including introduction. • Oral Interpretation of Prose and Poetry In this event, students choose a cutting from a prose and a poetry selection. Students interpret each selection in different rounds of competition. The time limit is 10 minutes, including the introduction and transitions.

9. Competition Events… Oratory/Speech • Original Oratory In original oratory, speakers choose a topic that interests them and develop a 10 minute persuasive speech on that subject. The topic does not have to be serious. They address current problems and propose solutions. The key element in original oratory is the persuasiveness of the work. • Extemporaneous Speaking Contestants will be given three topics in the general area of current events, choose one, and have 30 minutes to prepare a speech that is the original work of the student. Maximum time limit for the speech is 7 minutes. Students will speak in listed order. Posting of topics will be staggered.

10. Competition Events… Debate • Lincoln-Douglas Debate Lincoln-Douglas Debate is a one-person (per side), persuasive, philosophical debate on issues of value to society. Competitors in Lincoln-Douglas will be evaluated on their analysis, use of evidence and philosophy, and ability to effectively and persuasively organize, deliver, and refute arguments. Speeches should be pleasant, comprehensible, and persuasive in tone. Students should only use evidence that is accurate and thoroughly referenced in their speeches. • Policy Debate Policy Debate is a two-person team debate, in which you and a partner support the affirmative or negative position of a resolution against another team. The resolution deals with public policy and competitors must create a plan or policy to address the resolution. At each tournament you have the opportunity to compete in several rounds, on both the affirmative and the negative side of the resolution. The affirmative must present a case that supports the resolution. The negative must attempt to disprove the case. Rounds are carefully structured so that each side has adequate opportunity to present their side.

11. Competition Events… Debate • Public Forum Debate Public Forum Debate is a two person partner debate where students debate issues that are “ripped from the headlines” of current events. Through preparation on both sides of an issue, debate partners work to present and defend the strongest arguments of their case. Speeches should be pleasant, comprehensible, and persuasive in tone. Students should only use evidence that is accurate and thoroughly referenced in their speeches. • Congressional Debate Congress is modeled after the procedure for floor debate in a legislature. Bills and resolutions to be debated have been determined in advance, and students have had time to prepare to speak on these issues. It is designed to test a student’s ability to speak to an issue in both an extemporaneous and impromptu manner and to reveal the individual’s knowledge of parliamentary procedure. Sessions of congress range from 1.5 to 2 hours long.

12. Possible November 2011 PF Debate Topic • Resolved: Direct popular vote should replace electoral vote in presidential elections. • Resolved: The U.S. federal government should increase economic incentives to encourage job growth.

13. Competition Leagues • The National Forensic League • The National Catholic Forensic League • The PA High School Speech League