WDCA and WFCA Hold Annual Fall Meetings at Ripon College
Posted on September 25th, 2006 by Bill Batterman (Category: Forensics, News, Public Forum Debate, Lincoln-Douglas Debate, Policy Debate)
The Wisconsin Debate and Forensics Coaches’ Associations held their annual fall meetings this past weekend at Ripon College. Mr. Batterman represented the Webster Club at both organizations’ meetings and taught an Advanced Debate Seminar attended by 15 students from seven schools. The handout provided to attending students is available to any interested party; please email Bill Batterman to request an electronic copy.
A few important developments occurred during the fall meetings. In debate, the WDCA rejected a proposal regulating laptop usage during rounds in favor of continuing the existing policy that gives discretion to tournament directors. The James Madison Memorial program also announced that they will be unable to host a tournament this November; the Hilltoppers will seek an alternate destination for our students that weekend.
On the forensics side, several important changes were made to category rules and the topics for Moments in History, Public Address, Special Occasion, Storytelling, and Group Discussion were approved for the 2006-2007 season.
The following changes were made to categories:
- The time limit for both Solo Acting categories (Humorous and Serious) was changed from eight minutes to ten minutes effective this season.
- The time limit for both Group Interpretation and Play Acting was changed from twelve minutes to ten minutes effective the 2007-2008 season.
- In Special Occasion, a rule was added that “visual supporting material may be used but not worn.”
- The grace period (for those categories which have a 30-second grace period) was reduced from 30 seconds to 15 seconds effective the 2007-2008 season.
- Lincoln-Douglas Debate was eliminated as a sanctioned category.
The topics for Moments in History, Public Address, Special Occasion, and Storytelling are as follows:
- Moments in History: 1770-1800 The Age of Revolution
- Public Address:
- The Right To Die: Under what circumstances should a person have the right to terminate his or her own life?
- Tuition: What effect, if any, is the rising cost of tuition having on access to higher education?
- Cell Phone Use: To what extent, if any, should cell phone use be regulated?
- Global Warming: What impact, if any, does global warming have on the environment?
- Special Occasion:
- Speech of Welcome
- Acceptance of Nomination or Office
- Sales/Fundraising Presentation
- Patriotic Speech
- Storytelling:
- American South
- How or Why Story
- Story of Rumor, Gossip, Exaggeration
- Brother Grimm Story
- A Story Involving Gold
The Group Discussion topics for each weekend are available on the WFCA website or by contacting Mr. Batterman.
The following photos are from the Advanced Seminar at the WDCA Workshop.
Students from Appleton West, Bradley Tech, Hortonville, Merrill, Mukwonago, Rufus King, and Sheboygan North attended the Advanced Lab.
During the workshop students learned about the 2006-2007 national service topic, advanced disadvantage theory and practice, and debating critiques and framework arguments.
Neil Jackson from Merrill High School.