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! 

• New team members are welcome.  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 co-presidents: Donna Lopatin and Saamia Waheed! 

Upcoming Events Include: 

Team Meetings

• Welcome Meeting for new team members! Wednesday, May 13 Via Zoom (2:30PM)
• Additional team meetings held throughout the summer
• Tentative Fall Welcome Meeting Thursday, Sept. 3, 2:00PM
• Team meetings will be in G111 Orchard and/or  Zoom - Students don't need to attend all of these
• Individual team member coaching as needed - Schedule with Ms. Bennett
• Email [email protected] for Zoom link and passcode.  Come to meet others and consider your options!

Upcoming Tournaments 

Sept. 26: Michigan Intercollegiate Speech League (MISL) Mini Tournament and Workshop - Via Zoom

• Tentative Timeline:
  • Competition Rounds:

    • 9:30AM          Rd. I (Prose, Informative, Persuasion, DI, Impromptu, Debate) 

    • 10:45AM        Rd. II (Prose, Informative, Persuasion, DI, Impromptu, Debate)

    • 12:00PM        Rd. III (Prose, Informative, Persuasion, DI, Impromptu, Debate)

  • 1:00PM-1:30 Break
  • Lunch and Brown Bag Discussion for New Students / Coaches
  • 2:00PM-4:30PM Workshops 
    • Debate: Sydney Pasquinelli - Wayne State University
    • Interpretation (Performance): Carole Bennett - Oakland Community College
    • Public Address (Speeches): Ryan Rigda - Saginaw Valley State University
    • Limited Preparation Events (Impromptu and Extemporaneous): TBD
  • Awards ASAP

Dec. 5: Fall MISL Tentative Tournament Timeline - hosted by Eastern Michigan University

• (Travel waivers must be received by Nov. 27 to attend as an OCC student, but this event is open to the public.)
• Tentative Timeline: 
  • 9:00 AM Registration - Pray-Harrold - Eastern Michigan University
  • 10:15 Rd I Flight A (Extemporaneous, Prose, Informative, Poetry, Rhetorical Criticism, and Duo)
  • 11:30 Rd I Flight B (Impromptu, Persuasion, After Dinner, Programmed Oral Interpretation, and Dramatic Interpretation) 
  • 12:30  PM Lunch and Michigan Intercollegiate Speech League Meeting
  • 1:30 Rd II Flight A (Extemporaneous, Prose, Informative, Poetry, Rhetorical Criticism, and Duo)
  • 2:45 Rd II Flight B (Impromptu, Persuasion, After Dinner Speaking (ADS), Programmed Oral Interpretation, and Dramatic Interpretation) 
  • 4:15 Final Rounds Flight A
  • 5:30 Final Rounds Flight B
  • Awards ASAP

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.