Note: all event descriptions are quotes from The Speech Equity Project website, a free  resource for all current and hopeful Speech and Debate competitors to gain access to event examples, guides, tools, and so much more. The GMU Forensics team is incredibly proud and thankful for their mission and commitment to Speech and Debate Equity. 

Speech Equity Project Website

AFTER DINNER SPEAKING

"LAUGHTER IS ABOUT DEFYING EXPECTATIONS"- MOLLY HOKE '15

CURRENT COACH:
TYLER WATKINS

"After Dinner Speaking attempts to persuade or inform an audience through the use of comedy and humor."

​COMMUNICATION ANALYSIS

"CA- PUSHINGYOU ANALYTICALLY AND INTELLECTUALLY"-DESIRAE LUNA '16

CURRENT COACHES:
BRENNA FUHR, 
​STAN POLIT

"Communication Analysis is a collegiate competitive public speaking event that uses a communication theory to analyze an artifact’s message."

DRAMATIC INTERPRETATION

"IT ALLOWS YOU TO EXPERIENCE ADVOCACY AS AN EMOTIONAL EXPERIENCE THROUGH PERFORMANCE"           

CURRENT COACH: 
​MELVIN RICHARDSON

"Dramatic Interpretation is a performance event centered around the growth and development of a character."

DUO INTERPRETATION

 "IT IS MY FAVORITE THING...EVER"-LUCAS MURATORE '18

CURRENT COACHES:
TYLER WATKINS,
​MELVIN RICHARDSON

"Duo Interpretation is a performance-based event that involves two competitors interpreting a prose, poetry, drama, or programmed piece.​

EXTEMPORANEOUS SPEAKING

"THINK QUICKLY, SPEAK SLOWLY"- JIM WELTY '18

CURRENT COACHES:
BRENNA FUHR,
​​KATE POLIT

"Extemp is a limited preparation (30 minute prep) event based on the speaker quickly being able to answer a question involving global or domestic economics, policy, or social issues."

IMPROMPTU SPEAKING

 "QUOTATIONS ARE REALLY JUST INSPIRATION FOR THE UNINSPIRED"- JOE DINEEN, FORMER COACH

CURRENT COACH:
KATE POLIT
​BRENNA FUHR

"Impromptu Speaking is a limited preparation event in which the speaker prepares and delivers a 7 minute speech analyzing a specific prompt."

INFORMATIVE SPEAKING

 "IT'S INFORMATIVE. YOU LEARN NEW THINGS!"- ALEKHYA TALLAPAKA '18

CURRENT COACH:
DAWN LOWRY

"Informative Speaking is a public address event in which you teach an audience about something you find important. However, you also have to convince your audience your topic is relevant and significant."

PERSUASIVE SPEAKING

"PERS ALLOWS FOR THE PROMOTION OF VOICES THAT ARE OFTEN IGNORED"-JESS RAUCHBERG '17

CURRENT COACH:
​DAWN LOWRY
​JOHN HENRY

"Persuasive Speaking is an event which employs persuasive appeals to urge action or change from the audience. The topics are typically systemic, serious in nature, and include solution steps the audience can take to address a problem."

POETRY INTERPRETATION

 "WHEN I DIE, I WANT TO BE BURIED IN POETRY"-EMMA BLEKER '17

CURRENT COACH:
​TYLER WATKINS

A performance that conveys an important message through the use of a poem or multiple programmed poems.

PROSE INTERPRETATION

"IT'S CLASSIC AND CLASSY ALL AT THE SAME TIME."-MEGAN STORKAN '18

CURRENT COACHES:
DAWN LOWRY,
​TYLER WATKINS

"Prose Interpretation is a performative event where you orally deliver a narrative to move your audience, often providing new insight on a particular subject."

PROGRAM ORAL INTERPRETATION

"CRAFT ARGUMENTS THROUGH THE TRUE EXPRESSION OF PERFORMANCE"-JOHN HENRY '19

CURRENT COACH: 
MELVIN RICHARDSON

"Programmed Oral Interpretation, or POI, is a persuasive, performance-based event where you use a compilation of literature and characters to move your argument forward."