Eastern Illinois University

Forensics

We do for fun what most people fear more than death!


Table of Contents

Welcome from the Director
Who's who
Office
Scholarships

Philosophy
How we work
Team guidelines
Event descriptions
1996-97 tentative schedule

Tournament Results


Welcome!



As the Director of Forensics, I would like to welcome you to the EIU Forensics team.

The E.I.U. Forensics team is dedicated to improving student's speaking skills. Our team is open to the widest variety of students - from those who wish to overcome their fear of public speaking, to those who wish to be national champions.

Your interest in the program is a testament to your understanding the need for effective communication in today's information society. This handbook is an attempt to explain a little about the activity, and to set forth expectations for team members. All active team members must read and be familiar with the rules and guidelines set forth in this booklet.

If you wish to become a better speaker, have some fun, and enjoy a truly competitive activity, the E.I.U. Forensics team is for you.

On behalf of EIU Forensics, welcome.

Sincerely,

Shane Miller, Director of Forensics


Who's Who

Director of Forensics:
Shane Miller
Office: Coleman 115B
Office Phone: 581-6298
Home Phone: 348-1470
E-mail cfsam@eiu.edu
Graduate Assistant:
Jonathan Moore
Office: Coleman 126C
Office Phone: 581-6950
Home Phone: 345-6990
Dept. Chair
Dr. Doug Bock
Office: Coleman 119
Office Phone: 581-2016
E-mail: cfdgb@eiu.edu

Office

Coleman 115A has been designated as the Forensics room. It is a space for students to rehearse, prepare for tournaments, and congregate. Students who need a practice space or are working on speech have precedence over others. Directions to Eastern I llinois University are available here.


Scholarships

The EIU Forensics team is fortunate to have financial support available for students. Such funds are used to recruit new students, and reward and maintain existing students. Financial assistance comes in two different packages. A TSA covers the student 's cost of tuition. A GIA is a gift amount credited to the student's school account. These scholarships are awarded on a semester basis. Receipt of financial assistance one semester does not guarantee future assistance. Because the awarding of these f unds is a significant privilege, students receiving either a TSA or GIA will be expected to abide by higher standards.


Coaching

Philosophy

My belief is that Forensics is an educational activity - an extension (but a fun one!) of the university environment. Unlike athletics, where competitors hone physical skills, Forensics builds mental ones.

Our team is truly open to all levels of students - there are no try-outs in order to become a team member. We welcome students who suffer from severe speaking apprehension and wish to ease their fear. We welcome students who wish to improve their spe aking skills for a future career. And we welcome students who wish to compete against other students from schools across the nation. No matter what your skill level, the E.I.U. Forensics team has a place for you.

Our Commitment to You

In order to facilitate your involvement and success:

  1. You will be given every possible opportunity to compete, within the constraints of the program.
  2. You will not be discriminated against because of race, religion, color, creed,. veteran's status, national origin, sex, sexual orientation/affection preference, age, marital status, disability, status due to receipt of public assistance, or any ot her group or class against which discrimination is prohibited.
  3. You will be given full support for you involvement regardless of the level of that involvement or how much you win.
  4. You will be given ample opportunities for coaching and practice.
  5. You will be encouraged to learn from more than winning.
  6. You are always welcomed and encouraged to bring questions, comments, or concerns to the Director's door at any time.
Our Expectations of You

The EIU Forensics program is open to any interested student. We do, however, have certain basic expectations of you as a member of this program.

  1. You will have each and every event coached prior to each tournament.
  2. You will be available to help out when we host tournaments.
  3. You will always strive to do your best in each and every round of competition; it is attitude and effort, not winning, that matter.
  4. You will be supportive of your fellow team members.
  5. You will not publicly evaluate members of the team. If you have a problem with an fellow competitor, you will bring your concern to me.
  6. You will be a positive representative of Eastern Illinois University and our team at all times.
  7. You will be responsible for signing up for tournaments, being on time for all activities, and fulfilling all requests made to you by the coaches to help things run smoothly.

How We Work

The majority of our tournaments happen on a Friday and Saturday. The tournament schedule will provide specifics. Depending on the distance to the tournament, we will generally leave Thursday afternoon or early Friday morning, and return late Saturd ay night. If you have a class conflict, it is your responsibility to work with your various instructors to make up missed class work. Forensics is not an excuse for not completing all requirements of a particular class, even those in the Department of Speech Communication. Most faculty, however, should recognize the value of Forensic competition, and willing work with you.

Team Guidelines

  1. Tournament participation: There are various levels of tournaments that the EIU Forensics team will attend. When vehicle, financial, or tournament constraints make it necessary to curtail team size, student participation will be based on the followin g:
    1. consistency of rehearsal
    2. consistency of participation
    3. number of events prepared at time of registration
    4. student's ability to abide by the following guidelines
    In addition, some tournaments are designated as "novice" tournaments, while others are designated as "varsity." In such situations, the individual rules of the tournament and mutual agreement between the coaching staff and individual competitors will determine who attends such tournaments.
  2. Students planning to travel must have at least two rehearsals the week prior to registration for that tournament. Students wishing to travel to an out-of-town tournament must have at least one (1) prepared speaking event, with a total of two (2) events to travel. Duo is not considered a second event.
  3. Students wishing to participate in duo must have partnerships approved before beginning rehearsals.
  4. Students who drop after the approved deadline for any reason but an extreme emergency, are responsible to reimburse the team for lost fees and may jeopardize future travel.
  5. No alcohol, illegal drugs, or smoking are allowed in vehicles or in motel rooms. Students attending receptions and/or parties will be expected to follow all applicable laws pertaining to the consumption of alcohol.
  6. Students will be expected to help with the driving on long trips.
  7. Plagiarism and copyright violations will not be tolerated. All public speaking events must be the original work of the student, and not competitively performed a previous year (high school or college). All non-original material must be properly cite d. All literature pieces selected must likewise give proper credit to the authors, have not been previously preformed, and obey all relevant copyright laws.
  8. If fundraising becomes necessary, all students will be expected to help participate.
  9. Minimum G.P.A.: because this is an academic activity, all students will be required to maintain a minimum 2.25 G.P.A. (on a 4.0 basis) to compete. Students receiving financial assistance will have a higher minimum G.P.A., discussed in the scholarshi p section.
  10. It may be necessary at some tournaments for curfews to be set. All students will be expected to abide by the curfew. If students must leave either the tournament, or the hotel where we are staying, permission must be received from the Director of F orensics prior to leaving.
  11. Etiquette: Because of the long hours that team members inevitably spend together, team members will be expected to demonstrate the utmost respect toward each other. When on the road, students will be expected to act as representatives of the universi ty and of the team. This means that loud or profane language will not be used in public areas, and that at the tournament, there will be absolutely no negative talk about other competitors, coaches, or judges. Students will also be expected to refrain f rom complaining about tournament outcomes while at the tournament.
  12. Qualification for a national tournament does not automatically guarantee participation in that tournament. Every effort will be made to allow as many students as have qualified to attend. If this is not possible, cuts will be made based on the crite ria listed above.
  13. Disciplinary procedure: Should a student have trouble following the above guidelines, disciplinary action may become necessary. Should this happen, students will first be provided a written warning, detailing the violation and steps to take to corr ect it. A second violation will result in a missed tournament, and the third violation will result in suspension for a semester, year, or life, at the discretion of the director.

    Events

    "Forensics" is an umbrella term that refers to both debate and individual events. At the current time, the E.I.U. Forensics team is primarily an individual events team. There are eleven traditional individual events that students can compete in. The se events fall into three genres: public address, limited preparation, and interpretation of literature. A description of the events follows below.

    • Public Address
      Persuasive speaking:
      An original speech by the student 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. Minimal notes are permitted. Maximum time limit is 10 minutes.
      Informative speaking:
      An original, factual speech by the student on a realistic subject to fulfill the general aim 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 d evelopment of the speech. Minimal notes are permitted. Maximum time is 10 minutes including introduction.
      Communication analysis:
      An original speech by the student designed to offer an explanation and/or evaluation of a communication event such as a speech, speaker, movement, poem, poster, film, campaign, etc., through the use of rhetorical principles. Audio-visual aids may or may not be used to supplement and reinforce the message. Manuscripts are permitted. Maximum time limit is 10 minutes.
      After Dinner Speaking:
      An original humorous speech by the student, designed to exhibit sound speech composition, thematic coherence, direct communicative public speaking skills, and good taste. The speech should not resemble a night club, an impersonation, or comic dialogu e. Audio-visual aids may or may not be used to supplement and reinforce the message. Minimal notes are permitted. Maximum time limit is 10 minutes.
    • Limited Prep
      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. Limited notes are permitted. Students will speak in listed order. Posting of topics will be staggered.
      Impromptu speaking:
      An impromptu speech, serious in nature, with topic selections varied by round, section by section. Topics will be of a proverb nature. Speakers will have a total of 7 minutes for both preparation and speaking. Timing commences with the acceptance o f the topic sheets. Limited notes are permitted. Each speaker in a given section will choose to speak from one of the same two topics offered.
      Lincoln-Douglas debate (when available):
      Students will debate a resolution, one student in favor, one student opposed. The debate is divided between presentation of position, cross-examination, and rebuttal.
    • Interpretation of literature
      Poetry:
      A selection or selections of poetry of literary merit, which may be drawn from more than one source. Play cuttings prohibited. Use of manuscript is required. Maximum time limit is 10 minutes including introduction.
      Prose:
      A selection of prose material of literary merit, which may be drawn from more than one source. Play cuttings are prohibited. Use of manuscript is required. Maximum time is 10 minutes including introduction.
      Dramatic Interp:
      A 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. Use of manuscript is required. Maximum time limit is 10 minutes including introduction.
      Duo Interp:
      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, or screen, or radio. This is not an acting event; thus, no costumes, props, lighting, et., are to be used. Presentation is from the manuscript and the focus should be off-stage and not to each other. Maximum time limit is 10 minutes including introduction.
      Programmed Oral Interp:
      A program of thematically-linked selections of literary merit, chosen from two of the three recognized genres of competitive interpretation (prose/poetry/drama). A substantial portion of the total time must be devoted to each of the two genres used in the program. Use of manuscript is required. Maximum time limit is 10 minutes including original intro and/or transitions.


    96-97 Tentative Team Schedule

    Sept
    21-22 (Sat & Sun) Henderson Season Opener - Swing Tournament @ UNI & Cornell IE 6/7
    27-29 Blue Raider's Revenge @ Middle Tenn State U, Murfreesboro, TN IE & L-D 6
    Oct
    12-13 Illinois Swing @ ISU, Bloomington, IE 2
    18-19 Sesquicentennial '96 @ Miami University, Oxford OH IE & L-D 5
    Nov
    1-3 Gateway Tournament @ UMSL, St Louis IE & L-D 2
    ? Bradley @ Peoria 3
    Jan
    24-25 Indiana U Championships @ Bloomington IE & L-D 2
    Feb
    7-8 Grace Walsh @ UWEC, Eau Claire, WI IE & L-D 8
    7-9 Highland Invitational, Freeport (novice tourn) 4
    21-22 Land of Lincoln @ Rock Valley, Rockford IL IE 4
    March
    7-8 State Tournament @ NIU, DeKalb IE + Reader's Theatre 4
    15 AFA District Qualifier @ ISU, Bloomington, IL 2
    22 Last Chance Tournament @ WIU, Macomb, IL (no di/poi) 4
    April
    4-7 National Individual Events Tournament, U of T Arlington, TX - students must qualify to attend
    17-21 NFA National Tournament @ Ball State, Muncie IN - only students qualified in L-D will attend
    All tournaments are subject to available funding! Tournaments may be added or subtracted.
    Days listed are only dates of competition. Actual travel days will vary.


    1996-97 Tournament Results

    University of Northern Iowa/Cornell College, 9/23/96
    Sixth Place at both tournaments
    Veda Wunsh, 5th Poetry (UNI)
    Kim Hunter, 5th DI (Cornell)
    ISU/ICC, 10/13/96
    Sixth Place at both tournaments
    Matt Briesbacher, 3rd Impromptu (ISU)
    Julie Ferris, 4th ADS (ISU)
    Kim Hunter, 6th Poetry (ISU)
    Julie Ferris, 5th Persuasion (ICC)
    Miami (OH) University, 10/19/96
    Third Place
    Julie Ferris, 2nd Persuasion, 3rd Impromptu, 3rd Extemp, 5th ADS, 5th DI, 3rd Individual Sweepstakes
    Kim Hunter, 1st Persuasion, 1st DI, 6th OI
    Matt Briesacher, 2nd Electronic Extemp, 4th Extemp
    Morgan Beasley, 3rd Electronic Extemp
    John Grissom, 6th DI
    Anne Bergstrom, Novice Interp.
    University of Indianapolis, 11/4/96
    Third Place
    Kim Hunter, 1st Persuasion, 5th Prose
    Julie Ferris, 3rd Persuasion, 2nd Rhetorical Criticism
    Anne Bergstrom, 1st Novice Impromptu, 6th Novice Extemp
    Tim Anderson, 5th Novice Impromptu
    Bradley University, 11/8-9/96
    Ninth Place
    JUlie Ferris, 3rd Impromptu, 5th Communication Analysis, 3rd, Individual Sweepstakes



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