Communication Studies Department
- Forensics/Speech Team
Dave Lapakko, Director of Forensics
Augsburg’s Speech Team participates in 8-10 interscholastic speech tournaments each year in eleven different events, which include:
Interpretation Events
Dramatic Interpretation
Students interpret a piece of dramatic literature performed by one individual utilizing two or more characters.
Duo Interpretation
Two students interpret a cutting from a play.
Poetry
Students interpret a poem or a selection of poems.
Program Oral Interpretation
Students interpret a themed program containing two of the three interpretive genres (prose, poetry, drama).
Prose
Students interpret a piece of prose literature using a manuscript.
Limited-Preparation Events
Extemporaneous Speaking
Students give a five- to seven-minute speech on a domestic, international or economic topic, delivered after a half-hour preparation period.
Impromptu Speaking
Students have seven minutes to prepare and deliver an impromptu speech, usually on a familiar saying or significant quotation; may also be an object or cartoon.
Public Address Events
After-Dinner Speaking
Students deliver a humorous speech designed to entertain the audience while persuading or informing.
Communication Analysis
Students deliver a speech in which the speaker describes, interprets, and evaluates a speech or other rhetorical artifact.
Informative
Students deliver a speech that heightens the audience's awareness of some subject.
Persuasive
Students deliver a speech designed to persuade the audience.
At Augsburg, you are welcome to set your own level of participation in the activity. If you only want to attend one or two speech meets per year, that’s fine, and if you want to go to 7 or 8, that’s good too! We are here to serve your needs and make being on the speech team a manageable and worthwhile experience.
Stop by and visit if you’re interested in being involved with speech activities. My office is in 178 Foss, and you can always reach me at lapakko@augsburg.edu
