Louisiana Tech University Debate and Forensics

 

 

ABOUT THE TEAM

 

Louisiana Tech University has a long tradition of debate and forensics that dates back as far as 1927.  Ever since, the team has had a proud history of successful competition in local, regional and national tournaments.  Since the Fall of 2000, the team has earned more than 400 awards including the 2004 IPDA National Championship.

 

Members of the team come from a variety of backgrounds and majors.  Naturally, anyone who has an interest in LAW, SPEECH, PUBLIC RELATIONS, or POLITICS would want to actively pursue a collegiate career in debate for preparation for their real world ambitions.  However, many other fields have been represented on the Tech debate squad.  Competitors have majored in ENGINEERING, PHYSICS, JOURNALISM, MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY, PRE-MED and many, many more.  Debate and Forensics can truly help make anyone a leader in their field.

 

 

EVENTS

 

Each member of the team participates in a number of speaking events that include two forms of debate and up to eleven individual events.  Each of these is important to creating a well rounded team and person.  Below is a list of events.

 

            IPDA DEBATE – (International Public Debate Association)  This is a Lincoln-Douglas style of debate where competitors face each other one-on-one.  Competitors receive multiple topics, deciding among each other which to debate, then prepare for thirty minutes using coaching and research before they finally step in front of a judge and begin their argumentation.

 

            NPDA DEBATE – (National Parliamentary Debate Association)  This is a debate format that involves two-member teams and follows a British parliamentary style.  Each team receives their topic and has fifteen minutes to prepare their arguments.

 

            AFA INDIVIDUAL EVENTS – (American Forensic Association)  There are eleven AFA Individual Events broken into three categories;  Prepared Speaking Events;  Limited Preparation Speaking Events;  and Interpretation Events.  These are nearly all prepared well in advance and are highly competitive.  To be successful, all prepared presentations must be memorized and speeches should be highly supported with source citations.

 

 

REQUIREMENTS

 

As members of the Louisiana Tech Debate and Forensic Team, students must meet the following requirements for participation:

 

1. have a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 (4 point scale) on all completed college credits.  (Applicants who have not completed college credits must have graduated high school with a minimum GPA of 2.75);

 

2. be (or plan to enroll as) a full-time student at Louisiana Tech, and be in good academic standing;

 

3. either be a current active member of the Louisiana Tech Debate/Forensics Team, or declare the intent to become an active member; and

 

4. register for Speech 460, (Applied Forensics) or have completed the maximum number of semester hours credit that a student may enroll in the course.

 

 

 

EXPECTATIONS

 

As members of the Louisiana Tech Debate and Forensics Team, students will be expected to:

           

1. adequately prepare for intercollegiate competition by participating in research, team meetings, team practice sessions and perform individual practice on a regular basis.

 

2. compete at intercollegiate tournaments and other events to the greatest extent possible and to the maximum of his/her ability;

 

3. always be ethical in his/her dealings with coaches, judges, teammates, and other competitors (A student WILL NOT be expected to win at all costs!);

 

4. promote a positive image of Louisiana Tech University, the Louisiana Tech Debate and Forensic Team, and a positive attitude within the team itself;

 

5. assist with tournaments or other activities sponsored by the Debate and Forensic Team;

 

6. remain in good academic standing by maintaining an overall GPA of 2.5; and

 

7. register and attend Speech 460 unless maximum semester hours credit have been completed.

 

 

 

APPLICATION

 

A complete application for the Louisiana Tech University Debate and Forensic Team should include the following:

 

1. a complete application form;
2. two letters of recommendation (if an applicant has prior experience, then one letter should come from their coach/director);
3. a brief (one typed page or less) essay in which the applicant details
   1. his/her reasons for participating in debate and forensics,
   2. his/her experience in forensics (if applicable),
   3. his/her outstanding abilities or characteristics;  and
4. verification of GPA.

 

All information should be mailed to:

 

Director of Debate

Louisiana Tech University

PO Box 3165

Ruston, LA 71272

 

An application will not be considered until all materials listed above have been received.

 

Questions may be addressed to:

 

Mr. Trey Gibson

Work:  (318) 257-4764

Fax:      (318) 257-4492

Email:   Tgibson@latech.edu