Forensics Explained

By Katie Deem
The National Forensics Association identifies nine official events a competitor can present in a forensics tournament. Some of these events allow the competitor to prepare outside of the competition and others are limited preparation events in which the competitor has a set amount of time to prepare their presentation.

In a competition, students can present a prepared speech—meaning they have had time to work on and polish the speech outside of the competition. The speech can have a variety of purposes, such as to persuade for a certain position or inform the public of an issue. Judges not only evaluate the speaker’s delivery, but they also consider the content and form of the speech itself.

An “after dinner speech” is another prepared speech presented with the purpose of making a serious point through humor. The students are required to offer a comedic effort, rather than just a comedy routine.

In addition to the prepared speeches discussed above, two limited preparation events include extemporaneous and impromptu speaking.

In an “extemporaneous speech,” the contestant is given three topics on current national and international events. Forensics team Coach Barbara Harris notes that the topics can be on “anything in the world within the last three months.” She says that students involved in this event will often keep files on current events to refer to after given their topics. They have 30 minutes to prepare a five- to seven-minute speech. Minimal notes are allowed.

In an “impromptu speech,” contestants are given seven minutes to prepare a three- to five-minute speech on a given topic. “Topics are more general…, such as the power of books or politics,” says Harris.

In a “dramatic duo,” labeled by the NFA as an interpretive event, two contestants perform a part of a play. The play can be humorous or serious, and the competitors can portray just the required two characters or several. The presentation is not meant to display acting ability or theatrical interpretation. The purpose is to convey these characters and their message only through the words they speak. The focal point is on the audience, not on one another. It does not include physical interaction. Costumes and props are not permitted. Little movement is allowed.

Harris shares that being involved in forensics “is something that is [a] good [kind of] challenging.” She shares that “It’s pure joy…. There’s a confidence you get from competition.” Not all students who take the class compete in tournaments. Class time allows the student to develop an event until it is ready to be presented. Though trophies are awarded, judges also offer constructive criticism and praise to the competitors, creating an environment in which students can realize their strengths and improve their weaknesses.