Wayne State has a proud tradition of competitive speaking lasting more than half a century.  Today, our Forensics team continues in that tradition, striving to educate students in public speaking through competitive practice.  We offer the opportunity for students to compete in 10 separate events, including public, address events, interpretative events, limited preparation events, and debate.  These events are described individually below.

The team travels on weekends to other colleges and universities for tournaments.  We compete throughout Michigan and in the surrounding region.  We also competeat the National Forensics Association (NFA)  national tournament each year.

Why Should I Join
You have much  to gain from membership on the forensics team.   You'll become a more articulate and confident speaker, a quality that is highly important for most careers.  You will also develop a greater ability to analyze ideas and arguments critically.  You have the opportunity to demonstrate these abilities and gain recognition through competition.  In addition, the team provides an opportunity to develop friendships within the university and with other  competitors throughout the region.

Requirements
The requirements for team membership are flexible, and allow you to devote more or less time to forensic competition depending on your schedule.  To travel with the team, however, you must meet some minimum standards. You must attend at least two coaching appointments per week, to be scheduled at your discretion.  These coaching sessions are an opportunity to discuss and practice events prior to competition.  You must also carry at least three events to travel to a competition (only two are required for students in their first semester).  If you have attended coaching sessions and prepared your events, you are welcome to travel to tournaments as your schedule permits.

The Events
Informative: An original, factual speech on a realistic subject to fulfill the general aid to inform the audience.  Audio-visual aids may or may not be used to supplement and reinforce the message.  Multiple sources should be used and cited in the development of the speech.  Maximum time is 10 minutes.

After-Dinner: An original, humorous speech  designed to exhibit sound speech composition, thematic coherence, direct communicative public speaking skills, and good taste.  Audio-visual aids may or may not be used to supplement and reinforce the message.  Maximum time is 10 minutes.

Persuasion: An original speech designed to inspire, reinforce, or change the beliefs, attitudes, values, or actions of the audience.  Audio-visual aids may or may not be used to supplement and reinforce the message.  Multiple sources should be used and cited in the development of the speech.  Maximum time is 10 minutes.

Rhetorical Criticism: An original speech designed to offer an explanation and/or evaluation of a communication event such as a speech, speaker, movement, poem, film, campaign, etc. through the use of rhetorical principles.  Audio-visual aids may or may not be used to supplement and reinforce the message.  Maximum time is 10 minutes.

Poetry: A selection or selections of poetry, which may be drawn from more than one source, designed to develop and support and argument.  Play cuttings are prohibited. Use of manuscript is required.  Maximum time is 10 minutes.

Prose: A selection or selections of prose material, which may be drawn from more than one source, which develops and supports an argument.  Play cuttings are prohibited. Use of manuscript is required.  Maximum time is 10 minutes.

Duo: A cutting from a play, humorous or serious, involving the portrayal of two or more characters presented by two individuals.  This 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 from the manuscript and the focus should be off-stage and not to each other.  Maximum time is 10 minutes.

Extemporaneous: You will be given three topics in the general area of current events, choose one, and have 30 minutes to prepare a 7 minute speech.  Limited notes are permitted.  Posting of topics will be staggered.

Impromptu: An impromptu speech, serious in nature, with topic selections varied by round, section by section.  You should develop and support an argument based on the topic using sound structure and examples.  You will have seven minutes for both preparation and speaking.  Limited notes are permitted.

Lincoln-Douglas: A form of debate in which one person affirms the resolution and another person negates the resolution.  The debate follows the stock issues paradigm and emphasizes persuasive delivery and argumentation skills. 

WSU Forensics:  Individual Events Team
Department of Communication
526 Manoogian Hall
906 W. Warren Avenue
Detroit, MI  48201
(313) 577-9063
wayneforensics@hotmail.com