JPII Forensics 2015-2016

Ms. Ellie Walsh

615.822.2375

Course Information

In addition to exploring a wide variety and range of public speaking skills, Forensics will introduce students to the world of interscholastic speech and debate competition. As part of the course, students will prepare specific performance pieces in individual and team categories for class demonstrations and competitive tournaments. The course will develop students’ research skills with original speeches and writing skills through regular reflections and analytical pieces. Students will also practice argumentation through public forum debate. Students in Forensics will cultivate discipline as much of the course relies on independent practice and self-evaluation. As members of the Forensics team, students will have the opportunity to compete in local and state tournaments to further hone their skills.

Contact Information

Coaches are available for extra help by appointment. At times, I will ask a lot from you—but you are not on an island—Iwant to help you succeed in meeting your goals.

Policies

  • Class Supplies
  • 1” black binder, 5 ½ x 8 ½ (You will use this binder to compete in categories that allow use of a manuscript.)
  • Class Guidebook and Notebook (In this notebook, you will record each step of the process for the pieces you develop this year.)
  • Pens (A variety of colors), Highlighter, Loose-leaf paper
  • Professional Attire* (see Tournament section)

Come prepared to class. This includes having your piece as well as your Forensics notebooks. Much of the work in this class will require you to be self-motivated and hold yourself accountable for practicing outside of class.

  • In-Class Rehearsals

Students in Forensics are expected to be highly motivated. They must maintain organized work habits and be willing to work hard to attain the benefits of the course. The student must make maximum use of class work time- JPII students are busy so coaches will design class time to alleviate the outside requirements. Students will often be asked to work or practice alone or with other students while the teacher works with others. In such cases the student is expected to work on task without direct supervision of the teacher. Inappropriate use of school computers and the Internet will not be tolerated.

  • Tournaments and Transportation Costs:

Forensics tournaments cost some money and, while the class will cover your first four entries of the season, you may be asked to cover any additional entries and any cancellation fees. Students are responsible for their own food/drink at tournaments. While the group will fundraise for additional resources and to supplement travel, some larger tournaments may require additional funds (details will be communicated well in advance). We would like everyone to be able to participate so if the monetary requirements pose a problem for you or your family, please see Ms. Walsh privately to discuss a solution.

  • Parent and Family Support:

There are many opportunities for parents and family members to help our team be most successful. For example, each tournament requires a judge to volunteer for every 5-6 entries. In addition, the team will be hosting a middle school tournament in January and could use any available help coordinating food, judges, and other needs that day. Finally, the team will staff the JPII Football concession stand in September and will rely on parent assistance. Please contact Ms. Walsh if you would like to volunteer with the team.

  • Behavioral Expectations

Be a good teammate! Support each other and work together to become better speakers. Bullying or otherwise disrespecting class members will not be tolerated.

Additionally, if you make choices that prevent you from being able to participate in an activity or purposefully distract yourself or your peers from the given task, there will be escalating consequences. Coaches will determine the severity of particular incidents and assign appropriate consequences.

  • For example, 1st Incident in a class meeting: Verbal Warning -> 2nd Incident in a class meeting: Afternoon Forensics Tutorial/JPII Student Life Detention -> 3rd Incident in a class meeting: Visit to the Student Life Office
  • Cell Phones

In this class, there will be times that your cell phones will be allowed for Forensics purposes (timing, documenting, etc.). Without explicit permission from a coach, your phone must remain out of sight. If you are using your phones for a non-Forensics purpose, there will be escalating consequences.

  • For example, 1st Time in a class meeting: Verbal Warning -> 2nd Time in the same class meeting: Ms. Walsh will collect your phone and keep it for the remainder of the school day. (Refusal to surrender the phone, lying, or otherwise being disrespectful will result in turning the phone into Student Life and assigning a Student Life detention.)
  • 1st Time in a second class meeting: Ms. Walsh will collect your phone and keep it for the remainder of the school day AND you will be required to turn your phone into Ms. Walsh at the beginning of each Forensics class for the remainder of the quarter.

Students will “reset” the process at the beginning of each quarter.

Grading and Assignments

In-Class Activities: The Forensics classroom is unlike a typical classroom and you will be regularly accountable for your own progress. Often, the whole class will join together for a skills workshop, improvgame, critique exercises, or other activity. Class grades also include professional conduct in class and diligent completion of in-class assignments.

  • Impromptu: Each student will have multiple opportunities to practice impromptu speaking for the class. These speeches will be assessed on content (organization, effective introduction, support, conclusion) and delivery (movement, vocal variety, eye contact, avoidance of filler words, etc.). These performances will be worth approximately 25 points.
  • Audience Grades: During student performances you, as a part of the audience, will also earn a grade. Ten (10) points can be earned each day of performances (for your oral and written critiques). As a result, you will develop critical listening skills and make observations that will help you to become a better performer yourself. It is your responsibility to be an attentive and supportive audience member.
  • Daily Rehearsals: Effective use of daily rehearsal time will be crucial to your success in Forensics. Pieces can only be perfected if they are worked on over and over again. Finalists at tournaments and National Qualifiers do not stop working on a piece after one or two performances. Frequently, much of class time will be spent in careful preparation for tournaments. Focus is crucial during this time. You will work alone, or with others, during this time. You will receive daily grades for helping others, using your time wisely, fine-tuning your selections, rehearsing, rehearsing and…rehearsing. Ten (10) points will be assigned at the end of each rehearsal day. If you are not in your assigned rehearsal spot or choose to do something else during that time, you will lose those points. Failure to complete assigned tasks related to rehearsal will also result in lost points.
  • Other activities such as monologue challenges, cold reads, etc. ranging from 10-50 points.

Homework: While much of class time will be dedicated to refining student pieces, you are expected to practice regularly outside of class. Occasionally, there will also be additional assignments to be completed as part of a broader unit of study or preparing for a tournament. These will range from 10-50 points.

Selections: You will be responsible for have three distinct selections “tournament-ready” by the end of the each semester for six total selections over the year. These may be either HI, DI, Duo, Prose, Poetry, Oratory, After-Dinner Speaking or Storytelling. (At least one must be a memorized event and no more than one may be a limited preparation event). The process of getting a selection ready involves many steps (each of which you will be graded on separately and featured under other grading categories).

  • For example, choosing a piece and obtaining a clean copy to work with, writing the introduction, memorization of lines, performing the selection, and/or completing a self-evaluation of the performance by watching the video

Tournament Participation: Forensics is competitive Speech and Debate and therefore, requires outside participation in league events. Appreciating that JPII students have lots of commitments, you are required to compete in a minimum of three competitive tournaments of your choice this year in addition to one in-house tournament and assisting with the JPII Middle-School invitational on January 9, 2016 for a total of 5 tournaments.A tentative tournament schedule will be distributed at the beginning of September.

  • Students with scheduling conflicts must submit these to the coach by Wednesday,September 9, 2015. Student must bring any conflicts that arise after that point to the coach privately as soon as they become aware of the conflict.

You can always participate beyond these requirements! All tournament participation will be followed by reflections that will be added to the student’s portfolio each semester. Student conduct as representatives of the JPII team will be factored into this grade. Therefore, You will receive 200 points per tournament (100 – competing in all scheduled rounds, 40 –conduct, 60 – ballot reflection)

  • Important Note (because someone will ask): At NO point will your competitive performance at a tournament affect your grade. Tournament grades depend on attendance, preparation, professionalism, and behavior. Your win/loss or up/down record will never be considered when it comes time to put in grades.

Self-Evaluations: Over the course of the year, students will reflect on their own performance both from memory and in video-evaluations. These are important activities because performers are able to assess their own strengths and areas of growth. These will range from 50-75 points.

In-Class Performances: Students will be assessed on both rough and final in-class performances for 4-6 selections over the course of the year. All performances will be done on the assigned day. If you are absent on your assigned day, you should expect to perform on your first day back. The grade you receive on these performances will reflect your preparation. All aspects of tournament readiness are expected to be included in these performances (i.e. memorization, appropriate and meaningful line interpretation, characterization, posture, articulation, focal points, facial expressions, etc.). Your coach (es) and/or peers will evaluate these performances and offer constructive feedback. These will range from 50-100 points.

Semester and Final Exam: Students will perform two chosen pieces (including one memorized) in an in-house tournament and will be judged by their coach and peers. For the Final Exam, there will be a video portfolio component to wrap up the year. Exams will count for 20% of your respective semester grades.

Description / Abbreviation / Notes
Pending / Pending / Assignment has not been graded or the deadline has not arrived
Complete / - / Completed assignment
Not Turned In / NTI / Student was present but did not turn in the assignment. Late penalties apply.
Missing Assignment / M / Student was absent. Student can receive full credit for the assignment when returning to school.
Incomplete / Inc. / Student failed to finish or hand in an acceptable quality of work on a major assessment.
Not Required to Complete / NREQ / Student is not required to complete the assignment

*Late work will receive a maximum of a 70% if completed by the next class period, 50% thereafter. No work will be accepted after one week. For larger papers/projects, you are responsible for meeting with Ms. Walsh immediately to discuss the situation and determine appropriate penalties and/or additional assignments.*

Veracross Codes:

I will use the following codes to communicate student assignment progress on Veracross.