Lafayette Forensics competes in all 11 NFA Events: Prose Interpretation, Poetry Interpretation, Dramatic Duo Interpretation, Dramatic Interpretation, Persuasive Speaking, Informative Speaking, Rhetorical Criticism, After Dinner Speaking, Impromptu Speaking, Extemporaneous Speaking and Lincoln-Douglas Debate.

the events

The interpretation events most closely resemble acting.  Students perform 10 minute selections of prose, poetry and drama.  The students are required to perform with a copy of the manuscript, usually read from a small black binder.  Students are assisted in finding and preparing the literature for performance by the coaching staff.  Dramatic Duo is performed with a partner.

For more information about interp events:

E-mail: plackeh at lafayette dot edu

Interpretation Events

The platform events most closely resemble traditional public speaking.  Students perform memorized speeches that last 10 minutes and are judged on both style and content.  The speeches can be either persuasive or informative and there is one event dedicated to the use of humor as a means to inform or persuade an audience.  Rhetorical Criticism is a more academic event that uses communication theory to evaluate a communication event.

For more information about platform events:

E-mail: plackeh at lafayette dot edu

Platform Events

Limited prep events are exactly that—they are not memorized or performed from a script.  In impromptu, students are presented a quotation that they have a total of 7 minutes to prepare and deliver a speech that interprets the quotation.  In extemp, students are presented with three current events questions.  The student has 30 minutes to choose one of the questions and research and write a 7 minute speech answering the question which is then performed for a judge.

For more information about limited prep:

E-mail: plackeh at lafayette dot edu

Limited Prep Events

LD Debate in college is different than LD in high school.  College LD centers around a year-long policy debate resolution and requires each debater to be prepared to argue in support of and against the resolution.  Students are required to do research throughout the year on the topic to inform themselves for the debates

2008-2009 NFA-LD Resolution: the United States Federal Government should substantially reform domestic transportation infrastructure.

For more information about debate:

Lincoln–Douglas Debate

E-mail: lafayettedebate at gmail dot com