Whether you are starting a new team, requesting additional support, or trying to save your program, the following resources will help you demonstrate the significance of forensics to community stakeholders. Click here to download a complete reference page that lists the resources below in APA format. Scroll down to access electronic copies of each resource.

Scholastic Benefits of Speech and Debate Activities National Forensic League. (2011). Scholastic Benefits of Speech and Debate Activities. Ripon, WI: Author.

This four-page document summarizes key pedagogical and scholastic impacts of speech and debate, providing a list of how specific English language arts and social studies standards are achieved.

Advocating Debate and Speech (Forensic) Education National Forensic League. (2010). Advocating Debate and Speech (Forensic) Education. Ripon, WI: Author.

This comprehensive one-page resource summarizes many of the positive outcomes of forensics education, citing relevant research and providing resources for further reading.

Forensics: Enhancing Civic Literacy and Democracy Briscoe, Shawn F. (May 2009). Forensics: Enhancing civic literacy and democracy. Principal Leadership, 9(9), 44-49.

This article provides a synopsis of forensics and its relationship to the broader curriculum. As an article in Principal Leadership (published by the National Association of Secondary School Principals), it may particularly appeal to those making decisions about the future of forensics.

Making the Case for Forensics Minch, K. (2006). The Value of Speech, Debate, and Theatre Activities: Making the Case for Forensics. Indianapolis, IN: National Federation of State High School Associations.

The gives a thorough, research-based defense of competitive speech and debate.

Luong, M. (2000). Forensics and college admissions. Rostrum, 75(3), 5-6.

Yale University professor Minh A. Luong presents data which support the importance of forensics in the college admission and scholarship awarding processes.

An Investigation into the Relationship Between Participation in Competitive Forensics and Standardized Test Scores Peters, T. L. (2009). An investigation into the relationship between participation in competitive forensics and standardized test scores. Rostrum, 84(2), 37-51.

This research documents the connection between forensics participation and quantifiable gains in writing and literacy.

Carr, J.E. (2002). A better investment not found on Wall Street. Rostrum, 76(5), 25-26.

Former debater Jonathan Carr explains how forensics taught him discipline and organization, writing and speaking skills, critical thinking, and resilience. Carr went on to become a Fulbright Scholar at the London School of Economics.

Assigned Advocacy, Argumentation, and Debate in High School Classrooms Wade, J.M. & Zorwick, L. W. (2009). Assigned advocacy, argumentation, and debate in high school classrooms. Rostrum, 83(8), 13-15.

This article presents research suggesting that argumentation and debate in the classroom leads to gains in engagement and participation, skill development, content knowledge, and academic performance.

Forensics Participation as Gifted and Talented Education Carroll, R. C. (2007, February). Forensics participation as gifted and talented education. Rostrum, 81(6), 31, 34-36.

This article explains how speech and debate education fulfills three primary components of gifted and talented education (GATE): acceleration, enrichment, and mentorship.

Enriching Education National Forensic League. (2009). Enriching Education. Ripon, WI: Author.

This pamphlet summarizes the cognitive and academic benefits of forensics, arguing that speech and debate is critical to a well-rounded educational experience.

Find Your Voice National Forensic League. (2010). Find Your Voice. Ripon, WI: Author.

This student recruitment tool introduces the NFL by providing a brief overview of history, services, events, and awards.

Giving Youth a Voice: The National Forensic League National Forensic League. (2010). Giving Youth A Voice. Ripon, WI: Author.

This full-color document explains the mission/vision of the NFL, key benefits of forensics, services to members and coaches, and how to join the League. It provides an excellent introduction to NFL and forensics.

Crawford, Rob. (2003). In Defense of Competitive Speech. Rostrum, 78(3), 19-21.

This essay presents a strong argument for the financial support of forensics in a civil society, likening speech and debate to competitive sports.

Billman, J. (2008). They don’t have to win nationals: The benefits of forensics to parents, communities, and society. Rostrum, 82(9), 97-99.

This piece discusses the importance of forensics on a broad level, covering such topics as emotional maturity, community engagement, political participation, productivity, and quality of life.

Billman, J. (2008). You don’t have to win nationals: Cognitive, professional, and interpersonal benefits of forensics to student participants. Rostrum, 82(7), 35-37.

This article draws on published research to document about the benefits of forensics to students, regardless of their level of competitive success.

Billman, J. (2008). Your school doesn’t have to win nationals: Pedagogical and practical benefits of forensics to educators and administrators. Rostrum, 82(8), 23-25.

This article presents published research which links forensics education higher test scores, improved retention, and increased graduation/college admission.

Powerful Preparation in the NJFL Billman, J. (2009). Powerful Preparation in the NJFL. NJFL Newsletter, 1(3), n.p.

This article focuses on the positive impacts of forensics on middle level students.

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