American Forensic Association National Speech Tournament

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The American Forensic Association National Speech Tournament (AFA-NST) is an intercollegiate, individual events based forensics tournament held in conjunction with the first Saturday in April, beginning on the prior Friday and continuing through the subsequent Monday. [1] In comparison to National Forensic Association Nationals, another prominent college-level individual events national tournament, the AFA-NST has significantly more stringent qualification procedures and a smaller, but more exclusive field of competition. [2] [3] The AFA-NST represents the culmination of the forensics season for many collegiate speech teams. [4]

Contents

Arizona State University - Host of the 2014 AFA-NST Asu campus 1.jpg
Arizona State University - Host of the 2014 AFA-NST

The 2025 AFA-NST will take place at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte during April 4–7. [5]

History

Formed in 1949, the American Forensic Association was created with the goal of teaching students to utilize the skills of argumentation and advocacy. In the first decades of its existence, the AFA was primarily focused on promoting debate competitions, with little to no interest in individual events.

As a result in the rapid rise of interest in individual events in the late 1960s, Dr. Seth Hawkins of Southern Connecticut State University, Dr. Raymond Beaty of Ohio University and Dr. Jack Howe of California State University, Long Beach began to propose ideas of an organized national tournament focused on individual events. Dr. Beaty reported that his proposals were disregarded by the debate community. [2] During the 1970-71 forensics season, Dr. Hawkins made the decision that, despite the lack of support from the debate community, the increased interest in IEs (individual events) justified the establishment of a national championship tournament. This tournament was held on the campus of Ohio Northern University, 23 schools participated, and the annual IE tournament that would eventually become known as NFA Nationals was established. [6]

Realizing that the NFA's new IE national tournament could perpetuate the already existing split within the community regarding the competitive validity of IEs, the AFA began working towards a solution in 1972. Jerry Anderson, the president of the AFA at the time, began calling meetings to address measures that could be taken to incorporate IEs into the AFA's agenda. Anderson proposed a change to the AFA's constitution to allow for the inclusion of IEs; this change was ratified in 1973. Anderson, along with E.R. Tame, the Chair of the Educational Policies Committee, proposed that the AFA enact institutional changes to accommodate IEs. In 1973, the AFA voted to establish the AFA Committee on Individual Events. [7] In the three years following its establishment, the Committee worked towards developing an inceptive procedural standard for the AFA-NST. This effort was bolstered in 1976, as James Weaver assumed the presidency of the AFA. Weaver proved a staunch advocate of the NST's establishment. Within the first year of taking office, Weaver established the National Individual Events Tournament Committee, and appointed Larry Schnoor of Minnesota State University, Mankato as Chair. Shortly thereafter, Schnoor and the committee began making preparatory arrangements for the inaugural AFA-NST. [7]

In April 1978 the inaugural AFA-NST was hosted by Illinois State University. 58 schools attended the 1978 AFA-NST. [8]

  1. Bethel College (Kansas)
  2. Bradley University
  3. George Mason University
  4. Kansas State University
  5. Minnesota State University, Mankato
  6. University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire [8]

The tournament was known as the AFA-NIET (American Forensics Associational National Individual Events Tournament) prior to a name change in 2019. [9]

Previous AFA-NSTs

List of Sweepstakes Champions

Team and individual sweepstakes awards are awarded to the best overall performing team and individual at each AFA-NST, respectively.

Team sweepstakes awards are given to the teams with the highest aggregate total of sweepstakes points earned by the team's individual competitors. At the AFA-NST, team sweepstakes points are awarded as follows:

When tabulating individual sweepstakes, only the individual competitor's ranks and placings are used, and points awarded for preliminary ballot ranks are doubled. Otherwise, individual sweepstakes are tabulated identically to team sweepstakes. [1]

YearIndividual ChampionTeam Champion
1978Meg Langford, George Mason University Eastern Michigan University
1979Meg Langford, George Mason UniversityGeorge Mason University
1980Kim Norris, Iowa State University Bradley University
1981Sean Patrick O'Rourke, Humboldt State University Bradley University (2)
1982Laura Gordon, Clarion University of Pennsylvania Bradley University (3)
1983 Patrick Page, Whitman College Bradley University (4)
1984Patrick Page, Whitman CollegeBradley University (5)
1985Greg Dolph, Bradley UniversityBradley University (6)
1986Greg Dolph, Bradley UniversityBradley University (7)
1987Tom Doyle, Bradley UniversityBradley University (8)
1988Ken Klawitter, Bradley UniversityBradley University (9)
1989Cam Jones, Cornell University Bradley University (10)
1990Peter Tagg, Southern Utah University Bradley University (11)
1991Karon Bowers, Bradley UniversityBradley University (12)
1992Karon Bowers, Bradley UniversityBradley University (13)
1993Tim Schultz, Kansas State University Bradley University (14)
1994Tim Schultz, Kansas State University University of Texas at Austin
1995August Benassi, Bradley UniversityUniversity of Texas at Austin (2)
1996August Benassi, Bradley UniversityBradley University (15)
1997Matthew Whitley, University of Texas at AustinBradley University (16)
1998Nance Riffe, George Mason UniversityBradley University (17)
1999Rajni Shankar, George Mason UniversityBradley University (18)
2000Chris McLemore, Kansas State UniversityBradley University (19)
2001Steve Zammit, Cornell UniversityUniversity of Texas at Austin (3)
2002Bonny McDonald, University of Texas at AustinUniversity of Texas at Austin (4)
2003Zenobia Harris, West Texas A&M University Western Kentucky University
2004Courtney Anderson, George Mason UniversityWestern Kentucky University (2)
2005Ryan Hubbell, Arizona State University Illinois State University
2006Natalie Sintek, Western Kentucky UniversityWestern Kentucky University (3)
2007Lydia Nelson, Western Kentucky UniversityWestern Kentucky University (4)
2008Jessy Ohl, Kansas State UniversityWestern Kentucky University (5)
2009Merry Regan, University of Texas at AustinWestern Kentucky University (6)
2010Amanda Voirol, Bradley UniversityBradley University (20)
2011Quincey Smith, George Mason UniversityWestern Kentucky University (7)
2012Jacoby Cochran, Bradley UniversityBradley University (21)
2013Jacoby Cochran, Bradley UniversityBradley University (22)
2014Nick Gilyard, Western Kentucky UniversityWestern Kentucky University (8)
2015Farrah Bara, University of Texas at AustinWestern Kentucky University (9)
2016Farrah Bara, University of Texas at AustinUniversity of Texas at Austin (5)
2017Nathan Leys, George Mason UniversityUniversity of Texas at Austin (6)
2018Andrea Ambam, Western Kentucky UniversityUniversity of Texas at Austin (7)
2019Andrea Ambam, Western Kentucky UniversityWestern Kentucky University (10)
2021Anna Kutbay, University of Alabama Western Kentucky University (11)
2022Anna Kutbay, University of AlabamaUniversity of Texas at Austin (8)
2023Terrence Mayfield, Illinois State UniversityUniversity of Texas at Austin (9)
2024Fernando Cereceres, University of Texas at AustinUniversity of Texas at Austin (10)

Due to COVID-19, the 2020 tournament was cancelled, resulting in no sweepstakes winners. [10]

Events

There are 11 events that are sanctioned by the AFA and held at the AFA-NIET. All events fall into one of three categories:

Interpretation Events

There are five AFA-sponsored events which fall into the interpretation category. Interpretation events involve the performer selecting and cutting a script (usually from a play, book, or movie), and acting out the scenes. All AFA interpretation events require the performer to hold a 'black book' that contains their manuscript. This book can be used as the competitor sees fit, meaning it may be used as a prop, but the use of other objects as props is prohibited. All interpretation events have a 10-minute time limit.

Poetry interpretation involves the performance of a selected cutting of poetry with significant literary merit. The performance may be one poem, or a combination of multiple pieces (often referred to as a 'program'). Play cuttings are prohibited from use. The focus of this performance should be on the development of language. [11]

Prose interpretation features the performance of a prose piece of significant literary merit. The performance may feature only one work, or it may be a program. Play cuttings and poetry pieces are prohibited from use. The focus of this performance should be on development of the narrative. [11]

Under the AFA rules of Drama Interpretation, the performer is to create a cutting from either stage, screen, or radio with significant literary merit. The performance may feature only one play, or it may be a program. The performer may portray multiple characters. The focus of this performance should be on the development of characterization. [11]

Program Oral Interpretation is an event that is unique to the AFA-NST and is not sanctioned by NFA nationals. [12] In POI, the performer is to create a program of selections linked by a common theme, and consisting of at least two of the different genres of forensics interpretation literature (prose, poetry, and drama), with the pieces being of significant literary merit. Each genre must be represented by a unique piece of literature; one piece may not represent multiple genres. One selection may be original. The focus of this event should be on the development of the theme through the established narrative. [11]

Dramatic Duo is the only AFA-sponsored event to feature two competitors in the performance. The performance may feature cuttings from any genre of literature; the cutting may be only one piece, or it may be a program. The selected cutting can be either humorous, serious, or a combination of the two. The performers are not allowed to directly look at each other or touch each other. The performers may each portray multiple characters if they so choose.

Public Address Events

There are four AFA-sponsored events that fall into the category of public address. Public address events involve the performance of an originally written speech covering a specific topic or issue. Audio and visual aids are permitted for use in all public address events. Performers are heavily encouraged to integrate multiple sources into their speech. All events in this category have a 10-minute time limit.

Persuasive speaking involves the performer delivering an original speech that is intended to inspire action or change the beliefs of the audience. [11] Minimal notes are permitted, but heavily discouraged. Visual aids are permitted, but not mandatory. Judging should be based on the performer's public speaking skills and the effectiveness of the message.

In informative speaking the performer delivers an original, factual speech that is intended to inform and educate the audience about a unique subject. [11] Minimal notes are permitted, but heavily discouraged.

Known as 'rhetorical criticism' at NFA nationals, communication analysis is an original speech centered on the evaluation of a communication event, often referred to as the 'artifact' (speeches, movements, advertisements, etc.). The evaluation should utilize rhetorical principles and theories. [11] Manuscripts are permitted, but heavily discouraged.

After dinner speaking is an original, humorous speech centered on a single theme or subject. While the speech should be mostly humorous, it should not resemble a stand-up comedy act. Judging should be based on speaking skill, speech coherence, and good taste in humor. [11] Minimal notes are permitted, but heavily discouraged.

Limited Preparation Events

There are two limited preparation events sponsored by the AFA. Limited preparation events are unique from other forensics events in that the speech is written 'on the spot' with a limited amount of time allocated to preparation. Both events are performed as speeches. Limited notes are commonly used in these events. Audio and visual aids may not be used. All limited preparation events have a 7-minute time limit.

In extemporaneous speaking, competitors receive three topics covering a range of current events. The competitor will select one of the three topics, and is then given 30 minutes to prepare an original speech utilizing multiple sources. Due to its preparation time, extemporaneous speaking is the only AFA-sponsored event where competitors speak in a previously assigned order which is generally not flexible or subject to change. [11] Limited notes may be used.

In impromptu speaking, the competitor receives a quotation to use as the topic of their speech. The competitor's 7-minute time limit starts at their reading of the quotation. The speech may be humorous, serious, or a combination of both, but should stay relevant to the quotation and the speaker's interpretation of it. [11] Limited notes are permitted.

Qualification

There are two ways that a competitor can qualify an event for the AFA-NST:

At-Large Qualification

For an event to be qualified through the at-large process, the competitor must obtain three 'legs' (placings) in the event that total out to 8 or less. (e.g. 3rd, 3rd, 2nd; 5th, 2nd, 1st; 6th, 1st, 1st; 1st, 1st, 1st) In the event that a final round contains more than six competitors (e.g. unbreakable tie), no placing beyond 6th will count as a leg under any circumstances. A leg can be acquired at any tournament in which at least 9 schools are participating. [1]

Placings will only count as a leg if the requirement for number of competitors in the event is met:

District Qualification

Events may also be qualified for the AFA-NST by placing in the top 10% of the field at their school's respective district qualifying tournament.

All AFA member schools are placed into a district. District placement is largely (but not entirely) based on the state that the school is located in:

Note: Schools may enter a petitioning process if they wish to be placed in a different district.

The respective district committees determine when the district qualifying tournament will be, specifically, but it must take place after January 15 and before the third weekend of March. Events that have already been qualified through the at-large process are ineligible for competition at the district qualifying tournaments. A student qualifies an event for the AFA-NST when they place in the top 10% of that event, rounding up. (e.g. 20 competitors: top 2; 21 competitors: top 3) If an individual has two legs coming into the district qualifier and finishes at a placing sufficient for their third leg, then that event is qualified at-large, and everyone who placed below said individual is moved up one spot, allowing them to potentially qualify. [1]

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "AFA-NIET bylaws" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2014-03-06.
  2. 1 2 Bartanen, Michael (November 7, 2013). Forensics in America: A History. Rowman & Littlefield. p. 107.
  3. ↑ Renz, Mary; Keith Green (1989). "Factors Affecting Choice Among National Tournaments: Reports on a Survey" (PDF). National Forensic Journal. 7 (2): 107. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2014-02-21.
  4. ↑ Burnett, Ann; Jeffrey Brand; Mark Meister (2001). "Forensics Education? How the Structure and Discourse of Forensics Promotes Competition". Argumentation and Advocacy. 38 (2). Retrieved 6 February 2014.
  5. ↑ "UNC Charlotte's speech team to host the 2025 National Speech Tournament after a successful 2023-24 season". ninertimes.com. Retrieved 2024-10-02.
  6. ↑ Fryar, Linda (1984). "A Brief History of Individual Events Nationals" (PDF). National Forensic Journal. 2 (2): 73–83. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2014-02-21.
  7. 1 2 Yates, Guy; Larry Schnoor (2000). "AFA-NIET History". Argumentation and Advocacy. 37 (1).
  8. 1 2 "AFA-NIET attendance over the years" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2013-05-12.
  9. ↑ "History and Results". AFA-NST - Google Sites. Retrieved 4 April 2021.
  10. ↑ "National Tournament Results". AFA-NST. Retrieved 3 May 2021.
  11. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 "AFA-NIET events" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2013-12-21. Retrieved 2013-12-28.
  12. ↑ "NFA Event rules". Archived from the original on 2013-12-19. Retrieved 2013-12-28.
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