Speech and Rhetorical Studies Commons^™

A Rational For Events: An Agenda For Change, David Douglas Dunlap

Proceedings of the National Developmental Conference on Individual Events

This paper takes the position that the maturation of forensics as an activity tends to lead to the institutionalization of internal criteria which do not meet the assumptions others may hold about the goals of desirable programs of speech training. I believe the active pursuit of change for the sake of a dynamic, progressive enterprise is necessary to ensure the continued health, vitality and accepted legitimacy of this educational opportunity. Others may find virtue where I see vice: The continuing value of Individual Events for its participants is made manifest in most participants. However, as more departments decide to cut …

A Developmental Rationale, John Mckiernan

Proceedings of the National Developmental Conference on Individual Events

Michael Kelley, in a 1984 description of the development of individual events competition, claims the expansion of individual events in the past twenty years has been largely repetitive. He felt any experimentation would require "a radical reformulation of what the larger forensic enterprise is about and should be about" (Kelley, 1984). In considering the individual events paradigm, this conference offers the opportunity to develop a rationale for inclusion of events in individual events competition. In this paper, it seems desirable to clarify my presuppositions about forensics competition, then explore some of the problems in the activity, and finally explore two …

A Rationale For Events To Be In I.E. Competition, Norbert H. Mills

Proceedings of the National Developmental Conference on Individual Events

It has been said that forensics should be viewed as humanistic education. Forensic educators are to provide a wholesome and exciting learning environment where students are encouraged to develop positive attitudes toward ideas, themselves, others, and society at large. Any meaningful exchange regarding which I.E. events should be offered must consider these components. Robert O. Weiss capsulized the importance of these considerations when he said "Events are of more value when they approximate a simulation of what actually goes on in human communication, or when they contribute directly to the public discourse."

With these introductory comments in mind, let's now …

Justifying The Present With One Eye On The Future: Criteria For The Selection Of Event Categories, Kenneth W. Haught

Proceedings of the National Developmental Conference on Individual Events

Why does the typical individual events tournament include the specific event categories that it does? Given the many details that forensics coaches must handle when preparing teams and managing tournaments, this fundamental question is often left unasked and unanswered. Sometimes the "standard" nine or ten or twelve events (depending on the national association to which a coach ascribes) seem to perpetuate simply because of inertia and peer pressure. Only occasionally, when a state or national association asks coaches to select an "experimental" event or when a tournament manager looks for a special extra event that will entice added entries, is …

A Philosophic And Pragmatic Rationale For Individual Events, Steve Hunt

Proceedings of the National Developmental Conference on Individual Events

To approach this task. I will have three sections to this paper. In the first section I will discuss what individual events are and their current slams. In the second section I will forward a set of questions I consider fundamental to knowing what we are about and the ways in which we go about it in individual events. In the third and final brief division I will comment on what I think are some long delayed research needs that could help us in responding to the questions raised in the second section of the paper and conclude my brief …

Open Discussion On Tournament Management Practices

Proceedings of the National Developmental Conference on Individual Events

Discussion held at the Tournament Management Practices session at the First Developmental Conference on Individual Events.

Recommendation From Tournament Management Practices, Sharon Porter

Proceedings of the National Developmental Conference on Individual Events

Recommendations from the Tournament Management Practices session at the First Developmental Conference on Individual Events.

Position Paper On Double Entries, Mike Wartman

Proceedings of the National Developmental Conference on Individual Events

I'm not bugged by the name writing and nonverbal symbols used in forensics. What does concern me, however, and what will be the premise and position of this paper, is the increasing number of double entries within conflict patterns that exists in forensics competition. While the idea of contestants trying and gaining experience in many events is admirable, I believe the "double entry movement" is potentially harmful and damaging to the quality of forensics competition and the abilities of most contestants. In this position paper I will briefly explain double entries, describe problems that may be caused by double entries …

Integrating Wellness And Forensics: Tournament Management As A Starting Point, Susan Rickey Hatfield, Timothy L. Hatfield, Cynthia Carver

Proceedings of the National Developmental Conference on Individual Events

Though wellness on college campuses has begun to gain recognition and support, forensics activities have yet to be influenced by the wellness movement. Starting from the premise that attending forensics tournaments is essentially an 'unnatural' experience, this paper examines the basic dimensions of the wellness lifestyle as well as provides specific examples of how wellness can be integrated into forensics tournament management practices.

Forensic Tournament Management Via Computer Program, Virginia Fish, Cathy Marine, Charlotte Patrick, James Riley

Proceedings of the National Developmental Conference on Individual Events

With the increased emphasis on individual events at college forensic tournaments, both high school and college tournaments have become extremely difficult to manage manually. The shift has been to computer managed tournaments, and the reasons for this are as varied as they are valid.

The Gradual Elimination Forensics Tournament, Duane Aschenbrenner

Proceedings of the National Developmental Conference on Individual Events

As our national tournaments become ever larger it is imperative that we devise a system of gradual round by round elimination rather than our current system of going from over 300 entries in an event to only 24 after four preliminary rounds. I would therefore propose that the following plan be implemented in at least one of our National Individual Events Tournaments during the spring of 1990.

Open Discussion On Use Of Workshops For Training Judges

Proceedings of the National Developmental Conference on Individual Events

Discussion held at the Use of Workshops for Training Coaches/Judges session at the First Developmental Conference on Individual Events.

Recommendations From Training Judges Workshops, Anthony Schroeder

Proceedings of the National Developmental Conference on Individual Events

Recommendations from the session on the use of workshops for training coaches and judges at the First Developmental Conference on Individual Events.

Workshops: A Direct And Interactive Forum For Forensics Coaches/Judges, Valerie Swarts, Elighie Wilson

Proceedings of the National Developmental Conference on Individual Events

Forensics is an educational function set in an educational environment While the obligations and concomitant responsibilities are many, forensics personnel preeminently are serving a teaching function ... (McBath, 1975, p. 47)

Most would agree with the assumption that forensics serves primarily a pedagogical function. Consequently, forensics personnel often utilize opportunities for professional growth by actively participating in professional associations and contributing to research in the field. The unique concerns and opportunities in forensics, however, present a need for a more direct and interactive forum, such as workshops for forensics personnel.

A search of the literature has revealed very little emphasis …

Some Answers To Popular Questions About The Use Of Workshops For Training Individual Events Coaches And Judges, Clark D. Olson

Proceedings of the National Developmental Conference on Individual Events

The judging of individual events is a difficult task. Perhaps it is exceeded in difficulty by instructing others how to perform this difficult task. The purpose of this paper is to outline the specifics for the use of workshops for training judges and coaches. It will seek to answer the five "Ws" regarding this important task.

Open Discussion On Creative Events/Original Events

Proceedings of the National Developmental Conference on Individual Events

Discussion held at the Creative Events/Original Events session at the First Developmental Conference on Individual Events.

Recommendations From Creative Events/Original Events, Michael Smith

Proceedings of the National Developmental Conference on Individual Events

Recommendations from the Creative Events/Original Events Session at the First Developmental Conference on Individual Events.

Solving The Forensic Dilemma: Events Teaching Debate And Individual Events Skills, Roger C. Aden

Proceedings of the National Developmental Conference on Individual Events

"Uneasy alliance" is a phrase often used by news writers to capture the essence of a relationship between two dissimilar groups with a similar vested interest The forensic community, although not a frequent subject of news writers, nevertheless also suffers from a sort of uneasy alliance. This relationship is that between individual events and debate.

Even though both activities arise from Greek roots few would argue that, in general, the participants and coaches in the two activities as well as the activities themselves are quite different. Exceptions certainly do exist, but few programs provide a strong commitment to both activities …

Creative Events: An Historical Perspective For The Development Conference On Individual Events, Bruce Wickelgren

Proceedings of the National Developmental Conference on Individual Events

If one can assume that forensics as an organization must continue to change in order to remain alive, it is important to study the events that are used as well as how they became used on the national level. Before an event is adopted by a national organization, it is necessary to give the event a test-spin before adoption. For this reason, it is important for the forensic community to study the use of creative events.

Maintaining Integrity Ii: Further Thoughts On Ethics And Original Literature, Thomas G. Endres

Proceedings of the National Developmental Conference on Individual Events

I have previously argued (Endres, 1987) that allowing original literature in forensics oral interpretation is a bad thing. While I remain true to that sentiment, my focus of blame is shifting from the act itself to the state of the activity, i.e. it seems that lack of policy is the primary culprit which allows the use of original literature to impugn forensics integrity. The primary focus of this essay is on the ethical concerns surrounding the use of original literature, and how the introduction of policy may help preclude unethical behavior. This analysis will first recap arguments from my previous …

Perceived Attitudes Toward The Use Of Original Material In Forensics Oral Inerpretation: A Survey, Keith D. Green, Scott D. Ford

Proceedings of the National Developmental Conference on Individual Events

The issue of the use of original material in interpretation events has been informally debated by the Forensics community for years. Anyone who has taken part in these discussions is aware of both the diversity and intensity of questions held by Forensics coaches, judges, and students. The great scarcity of tournament policies toward the use of original material, the nearly total lack of previous research in this area, and the apparent increase in the use of original material all highlight a growing need for the Forensics community to familiarize itself with the complexities of this issue. The importance of consistency …

Conference Participants, Larry Schnoor, Vicki Karns

Proceedings of the National Developmental Conference on Individual Events

List of conference participants for Perspectives on Individual Events: Proceedings of the First Developmental Conference on Individual Events held in Denver, Colorado, August 18-20, 1988.

Conference Schedule, Larry Schnoor, Vicki Karns

Proceedings of the National Developmental Conference on Individual Events

Conference schedule for Perspectives on Individual Events: Proceedings of the First Developmental Conference on Individual Events held in Denver, Colorado, August 18-20, 1988.

Table Of Contents For Perspectives On Individual Events: Proceedings Of The First Developmental Conference On Individual Events, Larry Schnoor, Vicki Karns

Proceedings of the National Developmental Conference on Individual Events

Table of contents for Perspectives on Individual Events: Proceedings of the First Developmental Conference on Individual Events held in Denver, Colorado, August 18-20, 1988.

Lending A Helping Hand: Some Suggestiong For "Common Sense Meddling", James K. Dittus

Proceedings of the National Developmental Conference on Individual Events

Scholarship in forensics tends to be directed at the experienced coach and the more developed program. However, it is important to remember that there does exist lesser developed and new programs directed by inexperienced directors. This paper suggest some very basic steps the forensics community could take to help these programs develop, including: workshops for new directors, mentor-type assistance, the provision of a division for competition among less advanced students, and more scholarship in the "basics" of program administration.

A Value Approach: Some Notes Toward The Educational/Competitive Aspects Of Forensics Programs, Jan J. Younger

Proceedings of the National Developmental Conference on Individual Events

This study attempted to investigate the educational/competitive values in co-curricular forensics programs. The study made two major assumptions (1) that individual events programs should be linked to the curriculum and (2) that the identification and development of educational values would contribute to the improvement of forensic instruction.

It was the purpose of this study to offer an examination of five current studies in higher education suggesting curricular reform. These studies included; (a) Involvement in Learning: Realizing the Potential of American Higher Education (1984), (b) Project on Redefining the Meaning and Purpose of Baccalaureate Degrees (1985), (c) The report entitled "To …

The Ethical Use Of Evidence In Public Address Events, Sheryl A. Friedley

Proceedings of the National Developmental Conference on Individual Events

As we enter the decade of the '90s and round the corner heading toward the 21st century, American appear to be more concerned than ever about the issue of "ethics." This continued interest in studying moral behavior has lead to the development of more explicit codes of conduct in business, professional, and educational settings. In keeping with this interest, the forensic community has continued to consider the ethical standards that should be established for use of evidence in public address events.

National Individual Events Tournament Qualifying Legs: An Ideas Whose Time Has Passed, Clark D. Olson

Proceedings of the National Developmental Conference on Individual Events

The national individual events tournament hierarchy has a significant impact on practices at invitational tournaments. Regardless of which national affiliation one holds, participants are constantly being bombarded with questions of "7/12?" or "How many legs?" It is the contention of this essay to examine the role that the national hierarchy has had with regard to the at-large qualification method, examine an alternative, and provide implications for an alternative qualifying method.

Community College Programs: How Have The Afa Nationals Affected This Population?, Mike Wartman

Proceedings of the National Developmental Conference on Individual Events

The attached position paper was presented at the 75th annual meeting of the Speech Communication Association. It was presented to surface issues relating to differences in perceptions regarding national forensics competition. The panel at which this paper was given attracted a very small number of audience members and reactors. Consequently, the ideas in the paper have not received much attention. For the purpose of the philosophical concerns topic area relating to organizational hierarchies of Individual Events associations, this paper is offered to examine issues relating to various organizational groups within the forensics community. Although it specifically addresses national competition, the …

Telling The Story Of The Informally Trained Coach/Judge, Colan T. Hanson

Proceedings of the National Developmental Conference on Individual Events

This theoretical article explores the implications of the informally trained coach/judge on the future of forensics. Issues addressed are those involving the relationship between informal training and the financial stability of the forensic program; the perceived professional standards associated with the forensic educator; and the impact on the educational facilitator role played by the coach/judge in the forensic community. The analysis of this paper suggests that the forensic community if placing the forensic professional and the activity itself at risk in the future, if informal training becomes the main means of preparing the next generation of coach/judge participants.