Introduction

Welcome

Welcome to the Montville Forensics website for 2011-2012. 

Updates

2011 CFL National Qualifiers:

Zak Klein

Deep Dheri

Matt Wolfson

Abe Mendelson

Sarah Weinflash

Bryan Kayne

Eden Weinflash

Jason Tuckman

Neville Dusaj

Jerry Zhang

2011 NFL National Qualifiers:

Zak Klein

Abe Mendelson

Jason Tuckman

Forensics? That's like that TV show, CSI!

Sorry, no. Forensics is an extracurricular activity based on public speaking. Tournaments are held almost every Saturday throughout the school year, and students can compete in a variety of categories. The categories that individuals can compete in are separated into "speech" categories and "debate" categories. Speech categories are much more performance oriented, whilst debate categories are based on argumentation and discourse. Competitors do not have to be confined to either one however, and can compete in both speech and debate, and any of their subsequent categories.

So, who should I talk to?

If you have any questions, feel free to come to the meetings held every Thursday throughout the school year in room 301 during lunch.

 

Schedule

Last updated: September 4, 2011.

NJFL/Northeastern Regional/National tentative tournament schedule

2011

Date	Location	Events	Notes
23-25 Sept	Yale University, CT	Speech, LD, PF, Con, CX	Overnight under separate cover
14-16 Oct	Bronx Science, NY	Speech, LD, CX, PF, Con	10/14: 1pm-9pm 10/15: 7am-7pm van all days 10/16: 7am-4pm
22 Oct	Millburn HS - Newark CFL 1	Speech, LD, PF, Con	7:45 am-5:00 pm
29 Oct	Phillipsburg HS - NJFL	Speech, LD, PF, Con	6:45 am-6:00 pm
12 Nov	Union Catholic - Newark CFL 2	Speech, LD, PF, Con	7:30 am-5:00 pm
19 Nov	Randolph NJFL - NJFL	Speech, LD, PF	7:45 am-7:00 pm
19-20 Nov	St. Joseph University, Philly, PA	Speech, LD, PF, Con, CX	11/18: 3:00 pm van 11/20: 6:00 pm tentative overnight
2-4 Dec	Princeton University	Speech, LD, PF, Con	12/2: 12:00 pm 12/4: 6:30 pm
9-10 Dec	The Ridge Debates	LD, PF, Con, CX	12/9: 2:00-9:00 pm van 12/10:7:15 am-6 pm van
10 Dec	Summit HS	Speech, PF	7:45 am- 6:30 pm
17 Dec	Ridge HS - Newark CFL 3	Speech, LD, PF, Con	7:30 am-5:00 pm
17 Dec	Princeton HS - NJFL	Speech, LD, PF	7:00 am-6:00 pm

2012

Date	Location	Events	Notes
6-7 Jan	Byram Hills HS, NY	LD, PF	1/6/12: 1:00 -9:00pm van
7 Jan	Hanover Park HS - NJFL	All Speech	7:45am-7:00 pm
14 Jan	Freehold Twp. HS - NJFL	Speech, LD, PF	6:45 am-7:00 pm
14 Jan	Montville Twp. - Newark CFL 4	Speech, LD, PF, Con	No bus
21 Jan	Bridgewater, Raritan HS - NJFL	Speech, PF	7:15 am- 6:30 pm
20-22 Jan	Columbia University, NY	Speech, LD, PF, Con	?
28 Jan	Ridge Invitational NJFL	Speech, LD, PF, Con	7:30 am- 7:00 pm
3-4 Feb	Newark City Invitational	Speech, LD, CX, PF, Congress	2/3: 2:00- 9:00 pm van 2/4: 7:15 am- 7:30 pm bus
11 Feb	Montville HS	Speech, LD, PF, District Congress	Report to school by 7:00 am
17-21 Feb	Harvard University, MA	Speech, PF, LD, Con, CX	Overnight: under separate cover
25 Feb	Borelli Memorial Tournament - Matawan HS	Speech, LD, PF	6:45 am-7:30 pm
25 Feb	Ridge HS - Newark CFL 5	Speech, LD, PF, Con	7:30 am- 5:00 pm van
2-3 Mar	NJFL State Championships @ Ridge	Speech, LD ,PF, Congress, CX	3/2: 2:00 - 9:00 pm 3/3: 7:15 am- 8:00 pm
10 Mar	NJFL Novice State Championships @ Montville	Speech + Extra Events
17 Mar	Union Catholic - Newark CFL 6	Speech, LD, PF, Con	7:15 am-5:30 pm
23-24 Mar	NJ District Tournament/NFL @ Summit	Speech, LD, PF, CX	3/23: 2:00 -9:30 pm 3/24: 7:15 am- 9:30 pm
14-16 Apr	NDCA Nationals, Las Vegas, NV	LD, PF	Overnight: under separate cover
21 Apr	Southern Lehigh HS - PA	Speech, LD ,PF,	6:30 am- 8:00 pm
28-30 Apr	University of Kentucky, TOC	LD, PF, Congress, CX	Overnight: under separate cover
11-13 May	Northwestern Univ. Chicago, TOC	Extemp	Overnight: under separate cover
25 - 28 May	CFL Grand Nationals in Baltimore, MD	Speech, LD, PF, Con, CX	Overnight: under separate cover
2 Jun
9 Jun
10-17 Jun	NFL Nationals in Indianapolis, IN	Speech, LD, PF, Con, CX	Overnight: under separate cover

Debate

Here you'll find a descrption of the various debate categories one can participate in.

Lincoln Douglas Debate

LD debate is a individual debate where competitors debate over a resolution arguing either the affirmative or negative position every round. At tournaments, debaters will be required to argue for both the affirmative and negative. Case constructive typically include factual as well as hypothetical evidence dealing with philosophical as well as ethical/moral dilemmas. The resolution changes every two months, requiring new cases to be written.

Round breakdown: Your total prep time is generally four(4) minutes per person, but is tournament-dependant.

Affirmative Constructive (AC)	6 minutes
Negative cross-examination (CX)	3 minutes
Negative Constructive (NC)	7 minutes
Affirmative CX	3 minutes
Affirmative first rebuttal (1AR)	4 minutes
Negative first rebuttal (NR)	6 minutes
Affirmative second rebuttal (2AR)	3 minutes

Public Forum Debate

Public Forum Debate is a recently created event that is very similar to the TV show "crossfire". Teams of two people use evidence and effective communication to persuade everyday people on current event issues. The topic is a current event issue which is changed every month. Like Lincoln-Douglas, teams must write cases both advocating (affirmative) and going against (negative) the resolution.

Congress

In Congressional Debate, numerous students gather to participate in a parliamentary syle debate. Legislation is prepared by the students before the tournament in the areas of Domestic, Economic, and Foreign Affairs. Students then debate and vote on the merits of the legislation presented. As the name implies, this debate catagory is very similar to how debating legislation in the real Congress house is done; so this is a great catagory for the future politicians out there!

Speech

Here you will find a description of the various speech categories one can participate in.

Original Oratory

This is the category for you writers out there! This is much like Dec, except you are writing your own speech! The subject matter is whatever you feel passionate about; something that you believe strongly in. It can be a personal issue, a worldly issue, a societal concern, anything you think you can make a case out of! Generally oratories begin with personal anecdotes, where the writer relates the subject matter to a personal experience. The piece should be the standard five paragraphs, with an opening, body, and closing. You should have three distinct points in the body of your piece that support your argument, including veritable facts and statistics. It should be 7-10 minutes in length, memorized. Oratories are judged on written content, as well as your delivery of the speech (articulation, gestures, eye contact, etc). There is a great deal of work that goes into writing an oratory, but if done correctly the rewards can be immense!

Poetry

Poetry reading is a category that many start out with. In this category you hold your piece(s) in front of you in a small, black, binder. No memorization is required, aside from a short introduction explaining your piece. You can either choose 5-10 minutes worth of poems from the same author, or chose poems based on a constant theme. As with prose, this is not simply reading, there is a great deal of performing involved. This category can be as fun as you want it to be, just use your creativity and imagination!

Prose

Prose reading is a category that most start out with. In this category you hold your piece in front of you, in a small, black binder. No memorization is required, aside from a short introduction explaining the piece. The piece should be 5-10 minutes in length. Performers, do not be fooled, for this is not merely reading. When you "read" your piece, you act it out with motions, voices, and emotions, the same way that you would a monologue. You just don't have to memorize ten minute's worth of material!

Impromptu Speaking

This is a very challenging category for some, but for those who can think on their feet it is a perfect match. Once mastered, it can be a great deal of fun! The best part? It requires NO preparation/practice! For each round you enter a room, with your six other competitors. You will pick three topics (folded up in paper, so you can't read them) out of the ones the judge offers you. These topics can be quotes, words, random phrases, etc, such as "The pen is blue," "Smurfs," "To be or not to be," and "I hate my sister Maggie." You will have seven minutes, which you can either split between four minutes of prep, three minutes of speech, or three minutes of prep, four minutes of speech. An organized such as that of an SAT Writing approach is strongly encouraged. During prep you can brainstorm either a scene, speech, etc, in which the phrase you have been given is clearly used. (You MUST say it in your speech/scene at least once) The key is to be as creative as possible, and have as little "dead air" as you can. When your prep time is up you will be asked to perform your skit/scene.

Humorous Interpretation

Humorous interpretation is just that- an interpretation of a humorous piece. Generally, forensics members chose scenes from plays, or books, with more than one character, though some people do perform the traditional one-character monologue. The piece should be 7-10 minutes, memorized. This is one of the most difficult categories, because of all the character "pops" that are involved (switching from one character to another), but once mastered it is a lot of fun. It is most closely related to...

Dramatic Interpretation

This category is just what it says it is- the interpretation of a dramatic piece, or monologue. It should be 7-10 minutes in length, memorized. The actor may perform either a monologue or dialogue, acting as one or more characters. The piece may be from a play or from a book. The subject matter is generally serious, making its name DI not very coincidental. This category is most closely related to Humorous Interpretation (see above).

Extemporaneous Speaking

Participants draw three topics on current issues; chooses one and have thirty minutes to prepare a speech of a maximum length of seven minutes. Any periodical or other published material is permitted in the preparation room.

Duo Interpretation

This is the only speech category, (aside from public forum, which is technically a speech category) that involves partners. This is much like HI/DI except you're not facing a group of people by yourself, but with another member! There are many types of duos out there; some where each partner is playing a variety of characters, others where each represents only one character. You can do a lot with this category in terms of choreography and movements. What you do with it depends on how much time and effort you are willing to give! The pieces are generally from plays, though they can be from books, and range from 7-10 minutes, memorized. *A special note: for CFL tournaments, each partner in duo may only play ONE character - making two characters total. Multiple character duos are not allowed.

Declamation Speaking

This is a good category for beginners, especially for those of you who want to participate in Original Oratory. In this category you are asked to perform a speech that has been previously given and published. You are asked to memorize the speech, which should be 7-10 minutes long. Generally you are judged on your articulation, gestures, and understanding of the piece. You should be able to connect with the subject matter, and demonstrate your understanding to the audience. It is good to find something that you yourself feel emotionally passionate about, because the more you believe in what you are saying, the more your audience will want to believe you!

Contact information

 

Click a name to e-mail that person.
Mary Gormley - Coach
Zachary Klein - President
Neville Dusaj - Vice President of Debate
Jude Tungul - Vice President of Debate
Chuck Richardson - Vice President of Speech
Sarah Weinflash - Vice President of Speech
Sophia Laurenzi - Vice President of Outreach (Speech)
Deep Dheri - Vice President of Outreach (Debate)
Vishu Kumar - Secretary
Abe Mendelson - Treasurer
Jason Tuckman - Freshman Mentor (Speech)
Rahul Upadhya - Freshmen Mentor (Debate)
Molly Smith - Public Relations
Eden Weinflash - Historian
Saif Yasin - Webmaster
Nida Saeed - Webmaster
Andrew Dodson - Fundraising Committee Chair
Alex Leicht - Fundraising Committee Member
Olivia Qui - Fundraising Committee Member
Cristine Oh - Fundraising Committee Member
Monica Coscia - Fundraising Committee Member
Jerry Zhang - Membership Committee Chair
Adam Sullivan - Membership Committee Chair
Christina Costeas - Membership Committee Member
Jason Guss - Tournment Committee Chair
Josh Feldman - Tournment Committee Member
Tolga Sozusen - Tournment Committee Member
Danielle Zhang - Tournment Committee Member

Edited by Saif Yasin and Nida Saeed of Montville Forensics; � 2010.