Towson University Speech and Debate

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Towson University Speech and Debate
[[Image:|center|200pxpx|Towson University Speech and Debate]]
Establishment 1960s
University Towson University
Location Towson, MD
ADA District 7
Director Darren Goins
Assistant Director Elizabeth Skinner
Coach(es) Chris Baron
Andy Ellis
Shawntia Diggs
Brian Bittner
Homepage wwwnew.towson.edu/speechanddebate

Towson University Speech and Debate is the forensics team at Towson University in Towson, Maryland, United States. The team participates in several speech events and policy debate.

Contents

[edit] History

The team has been a part of Towson for at least over forty years, and was started as the "Forensics team" in the mass communication department. Earliest affiliations were with the American Forensic Association, National Individual Events Tournament and National Debate Tournament. They are also the first chapter of Pi Kappa Delta, the nation's oldest speech and debate honor society in the state of Maryland.

[edit] Debate

Part of the series
Policy Debate
Organization
Policy debate competitions

Inter-Collegiate policy debate

Format
Structure of policy debate · Resolution

Constructive · Rebuttal · Prep Time
Evidence · Flow

Participants

Affirmative · Negative · Judge

Types of Arguments

Stock Issues · Case· Disadvantage
Counterplan · Kritik
Impact calculus · Topicality

Argumentative Concepts

Offense · Defense · Turn · Drop

The debate team participates in policy debate tournaments sanctioned by the Cross Examination Debate Association and District 7 of the American Debate Association. The team is often touted as one of the most culturally diverse in the nation, due to its scholarship programs for inner city students, as well and international students.

[edit] Speech

The speech team competes in several areas at speech tournaments around the country. According to the team's website, the events they compete in are:

  • Limited Preparation
    • Impromptu Speaking
    • Extemporaneous Speaking
  • Platform Address Speaking
    • Persuasive Speaking
    • Informative Speaking
    • After Dinner Speaking
    • Communication Analysis
  • Oral Interpretation of Literature
    • Prose Interpretation
    • Poetry Interpretation
    • Dramatic Interpretation
    • Dramatic Duo Interpretation
    • Program Oral Interpretation

[edit] Accomplishments

  • One of the team's most competitively successful members, Shawntia Diggs, received the "Julia Burke Award" from the Julia Burke Foundation in 2005. The award is given to people who "exercise passion in policy debate". She received a trophy and was able to donate $1,000 to the Baltimore Urban Debate League and the Bread for the World Institute.

[edit] Community outreach

One of the staples of the team has been helping the inner city school children in Baltimore in their urban debate league. They often help judge tournaments, manage data for the league, and even hosts a tournament at least once a year on the campus.

The team also offers an "Urban Debate Scholar" award to one graduating senior per year to go to the university. It offers four years of tuition and fees, plus a $500 book award.

[edit] External links

Towson Speech and Debate Team website