Benefits of Speech and Debate
Halie Kircher-Henning, West graduation speaker, June 2015
- Employers want college grads to have strong oral skills Many college graduates are starting new careers. Regardless of their field or profession, employers say new employees need strong oral and interpersonal skills to be successful. From Science Daily and Iowa State University, 2016.
- Forensics, I Love You A former forensicator shares a few of the best things about being on a forensics team.
- The Fight for Forensics A passionate case for maintaining strong speech and debate programs in schools. From The Huffington Post, 2015.
- Why Debating Still Matters From The Guardian, August 2016
- A Better Investment Not Found on Wall Street Former debater Jonathan Carr explains how forensics taught him discipline and organization, writing and speaking skills, how to think theoretically, and how to deal with adversity. Carr became a Fulbright Scholar at the London School of Economics. Published in 2002 in Rostrum
- Forensics and College Admissions Yale University professor Minh A. Luong presents data which support the importance of forensics in the college admission and scholarship awarding processes.
- An Investigation into the Relationship Between Participation in Competitive Forensics and Standardized Test Scores Tammie Peters' research affirms the connection between forensics participation and quantifiable gains in writing and literacy. Published in the October 2009 issue of Rostrum.
- In Defense of Competitive Speech This essay explains the significance of communication skills in a democratic society, and makes a strong argument for the financial support of forensics comparable to competitive sports.
- Giving Youth a Voice: The National Forensic League (now the National Speech and Debate Association) This full-color document explains the mission/vision of the NSDA and key benefits of forensics.
- Speech and Debate: Oprah's Gateway to Success Oprah Winfrey competed in forensics, and did rather well for herself.
- The Power of Forensics - VIDEO - Oprah Winfrey and others explain the benefits of competitive speech & debate programs.
- There's no arguing the benefits of speech and debate Timeless account of our activity from the Christian Science Monitor, 1985.
