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Forensic Team

This speech, performance, and debate team offers a high-quality learning opportunity.  Our team competes from September-April, travels to two or three tournaments a semester, and OCC covers the cost of judging, registration and etc.  Undergraduate students in good academic standing can compete in one or more events (Informative Speaking, Poetry, Dramatic Interpretation, Parliamentary Debate and more), earn college credit for their work, and may even be eligible for scholarship money. See event descriptions and sample speech links on this page. 

New and returning OCC students can join the team now! 

  • Team members have started preparing events as we plan for the fall.  Join us at any time! 
  • Remote and in-person coaching sessions are available.
  • Students presenting two or more events at two tournaments can earn academic credit. 
  • Congratulations to our our new president: Donna Lopatin! 

Upcoming Events Include: 

  • Team meetings 
    • Summer team meetings are happening most Tuesdays at 3:30 PM (Zoom or in-person G111 Orchard Ridge), and individual coaching will be added based on participants' schedules and the schedule of our president (Email cabennet@oaklandcc.edu for Zoom link and passcode.) 
    • The first fall meeting is Tuesday, August 26 at 4PM G111 (Come to meet others and consider your options!)
       
  • Tournaments 
    • September 27: Michigan Intercollegiate Speech League (MISL) Novice Tournament and Workshop (held via Zoom) hosted by Oakland Community College and MISL 

      • Tournament Rounds:

Time:    Activity
9:30AM Rd. I (Prose, Informative, Persuasion, DI, Impromptu) 
10:45AM Rd. II (Prose, Informative, Persuasion, DI, Impromptu)
12:00PM Rd. III (Prose, Informative, Persuasion, DI, Impromptu)
1:30-1:50 PM Brown Bag Lunch and General Round Table (Students and coaches can ask questions and meet each other.)
Free Workshops:  
  Instructional overview videos are available by emailing Ms. Bennett.  Watching them prior to a workshop may be helpful, it is not necessary for attendance.
2:00-2:30PM Interpretation Workshop hosted by Carole Bennett (OCC) 
  (Prose, Dramatic Interpretation/DI, Poetry, Programmed Oral Interpretation/POI, Duo)
2:30-3:00PM Public Address Workshop hosted by TBD 
  (Informative, Persuasion, CA/Communication Analysis/Rhetorical Criticism, After Dinner Speaking/ADS)
3:15-3:45PM Limited Prep Workshop hosted by Ryan Rigda (SVSU)
(Impromptu, Extemporaneous/Extemp)  
Awards on Zoom at 3:45  

 

  • December 6: Fall MISL hosted by Saginaw Valley State University (Dec. 5 leave. Travel waivers must be signed prior to attending as an OCC student)

Benefits:

If you join the team, you can help us continue to be successful, and you will certainly benefit too.  As Inc. Magazine says, “Public Speaking is No Longer a ‘Soft Skill.’ It’s Your Key to Success in Any Field." So, any improvement in your presentation skills will support your success in college and beyond!

Why not try something new, meet others at OCC, and network with individuals from other schools!?

To set up a coaching appointment or get the Zoom link, email Ms. Bennett.