Program Overview

The Ohio University Forensics Team sponsors competition in eleven individual events and an opportunity to compete in one format of debate.  Students, under the direct supervision of the coaching staff, may choose to compete in public speaking events (Informative Speaking, Persuasive Speaking, After Dinner Speaking, and Rhetorical Criticism), limited preparation events (Extemporaneous Speaking and Impromptu Speaking), and oral interpretation events (Prose Interpretation, Poetry Interpretation, Dramatic Interpretation, Dramatic Duo Interpretation, and Program of Oral Interpretation).  This year we will also offer Parliamentary Debate (two-person team debate) at the Ohio Forensics Association sponsored tournaments and a few other regional competitions.

In preparation for nationals, the team travels to approximately 25 regular season tournament each year.  This year, the team will travel to tournaments throughout the state of Ohio and made trips to Kentucky, Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Nebraska, and Virginia.  At these tournaments, students earn qualifications for the National Forensics Association Individual Events Tournament which is held each April.  The 2010 NFA National Tournament will be hosted by Ohio University in Athens, OH.

In 2009-2010, the team has 21 undergraduate competitors.

Program Goals
The goal of the Ohio University Forensics Team is to excel at the National Forensics Association Individual Events Tournament.  Ohio University won the first NFA National Tournament and has placed first in open sweepstakes a total of four times.  Students from OU have earned 22 national titles and Ohio University is only one of four schools that have won the tournament more than once.  Clearly, the Ohio University Forensics Team is the most successful team at OU.

In addition to national rankings, the team is also assessed on growth and participation.  The Ohio University Forensics Team serves as a venue for students, campus-wide, to perfect the craft of public speaking and performance.