Forensics “Newbie's” Manual
Total Page：16
File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb
Forensics “Newbie’s” Manual Everything you ever needed to know about the most important and most rewarding high school activity! Copyright 2013 CHSSA All rights reserved. The top five (5) reasons to join the Speech & Debate team … #1. You love being the center of attention! If you crave the spotlight and want all eyes on you, then this is the place for you… each weekend you take your brains or the comedic/dramatic flare and turn it into a spectacle for judges and fellow competitors. #2. You HATE being the center of attention!! If you clam up at the idea of someone’s eyes turning in your general direction, begin sweating at the thought of an oral presentation, and pass out when you try karaoke, and then this is also the place for you. This is the place to conquer the number one fear in the world … public speaking. #3. You are looking to attend college, and add activities to your resume. The number one item looked for with an Ivy League College is debate, second is competitive speech. There is no other “sport” in the world that stimulates all of the senses, requires constant interaction, develops critical analysis, promotes individual success with an entire team’s support; and all the while refining communicative skills and acting, as well as allowing for your opinions and ideas to be heard. This is drama, the courtroom, and an aerobics workout rolled into one! #4. You want to promote your school’s spirit! If you are looking for an elective that screams school pride then look no further! You can be a member of the Speech & Debate team, and continue to represent your school at the local, regional, state and national level with the area of competitive forensics, sign up now and bring home the “Glitter and Gold!” #5. You enjoy shopping, food and travel … So it’s not one thing, but there are so many exciting perks about forensics you can hardly contain them in (5) little reasons, so join and find out about the most amazing personal and team adventure that you’ll ever have!!! 2 … Myth busters Episode #1 … Myth #1. “I though this was going to be a easy …” Truth: The price of greatness is responsibility. ~ Sir Winston Churchill This activity will provide collective constructive criticism and encouragement, but that is based completely on your individual performance. Individual responsibility is a required skill; either to be grown or gained. Myth #2. “I was going to work on it …” Truth: You can’t build a reputation on what you are going to do. ~ Henry Ford There is no time like the present, and we will all take a nap after graduation, until then it a necessary evil to be on top of the game. Practice, then, is the best of all teaching tools; continue to work on your scripts and cases until they achieve perfection … and since that isn’t possible, continue to work like it is! Coaching sessions, work with teammates, practice every day! Myth #3. “I’m not as good at this as so and so …” Truth: Whether you think that you can, or that you can’t, you are usually right. ~ Henry Ford Due to the fact that this is an individual sport the only person that you are in immediate competition with is yourself. YOU must then push yourself to reach for the unknown grab a hold of it and succeed, at whatever level you desire … you are the only one capable of making the decision for you. You are then the only one to blame as well. Myth #4. “The rules will be bent for me …” Truth: "He who lives in solitude may make his own laws." ~ Publilius Syrus As for the rules of the team they are made with the understanding that it is within the best interest of the team, and thus must be abided by. Deadlines are not negotiable, especially for tournaments and paperwork. Don’t ask for special favors, you won’t get them. Myth #5. “Done it once … done it a hundred times.” Truth: “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then is not an act, but a habit.” ~ Aristotle Revision of your script or case is necessary to ensure you are as enthusiastic about it in April as you were in September. You as individuals, exploding with potential, must understand that precision in performance and execution is the key to perfecting your skill. You have to own your successes and your failures. 3 Dear “Newbie’s:” (This “Newbie” term is an affectionate name you will be called until you have either lasted a year in the program ... or until you have agreed to sell your soul to this activity!) Let me just begin by saying that I am personally honored and truly ecstatic that you would opt to join the Speech and Debate team. Thank you for being willing to take a risk to think outside the box, act like the world isn’t watching, voice an opinion and find the research to back it, and be who you truly are. I can understand if you are a bit nervous! The activity is a performance, competitive public speaking, extra curricular activity … who wouldn’t be nervous?! However, I make you this promise … you are going to love the challenge and grow immensely from every experience, not just within the competitive realm of winning and losing; rather in the life skills that are attached to something like this. You will increase your self esteem as you realize that you are capable of anything!! You will be afraid, but able to take risks, receive critiques, in spite of the initial fears, and look back wondering why the jitters ever got you. You will find friendship, true competition and even a safety net that will emulate a “family” environment. You will always have a challenge, you will always find success, either in the form of trophies or in the most important area; that of personal accomplishments. You will forever be a winner here … In fact you’ve already won my undying affection just by signing up!!! I look forward to getting to know each and every one of you … I hope this is a great year for you … make no bones about it, there will be work to be done, but in the end it makes the “playing” so much more rewarding! Sincerely, Your Coach 4 Activity Objectives: 1. To gain confidence. 2. To articulate ideas and opinions. 3. To increase imagination, creativity, and acting skills. 4. To accept constructive criticism and to make necessary modifications. 5. To enhance writing capabilities. 6. To increase skills in critical analysis, research, organization and general knowledge base. 7. To learn how to win with class and lose with dignity. 8. To develop a strong work ethic and the privileges it affords. 9. To create a sense of community in a diverse student population. 10. To have fun, this can’t be stated enough! (And bring home the gold) ☺ Activity Description: Forensics (Speech and Debate) is the study of public speech and formal argumentation. Students apply what they learn, to the competitions that they attend on the weekend. Tournament Attire: You are expected to be in professional dress, “tournament dress,” at all tournaments. No matter what, your attire should not hinder the judges from understanding what you are saying. The coach and/or assistant coach will determine if your clothing is appropriate prior to the tournament. You must obtain, and present, your tournament attire prior to your first tournament; failure to do so may result in the withdrawal of the tournament. Everyone must have a tournament bag!! You must have a tournament bag that goes with you to each round. This bag should be in good condition, and preferably not your school backpack. Shoulder bags seem to be the most professional, but backpacks can be used if they are approved. Included in the contents of this bag should be the following items: Mandatory Items: * Notebook and pens … may also bring to tournament: * Limited Prep Journals/ Debate Notebooks * Water bottle * Advil/ Tylenol * Kleenex * Cough drops * Identification Card * Money Optional Items: (may include the following) * Hygiene products * Chap-stick/Make-up * Extra pair of nylons & clear nail polish (for nylon runs) 5 * Bobby pins and hair ties, hair spray and/or gel. * Cell phone (Make sure it is turned on silent or off during a round!) * Breath mints or toothbrush/ toothpaste (no gum) * Safety pins and band aids * IPod/ CD Players Note: Scripts are not allowed for any reason. Please note that all bags are the individual students responsibility, they must carry with them at all items. Any lost, misplaced or stolen items will regretfully be lost, misplaced, or stolen. 6 Tournament Dress: Guys: Business Attire ONLY! • Pants: You must wear dress slacks. That means no extra pockets, no baggy pants; also no pants with holes, no cargo pants. • Belts: Wear one! No studs or large, distracting, buckles. • Shirts: A button-up, collared, shirt is required. Solid colors only. • Jackets: A blazer is required. (During winter months especially, summer is optional depending on weather. However, purchase the whole suit.) • Ties: Required. Simple patterns; no silly prints, no bow ties. Note: You may NOT wear a “funny print” tie. If you have to have a” funny tie,” theory is…you aren’t so funny! • Socks: They must match the color of your slacks. • Shoes: Dress shoes only. No skate shoes, no tennis shoes, no sandals. • Hair: May not be in your face at any time. You must be clean shaven, hair styled in a business manner.