Wisconsin Speech and Debate
Fall 2021
The purpose of the Wisconsin Speech and Debate Society shall be to train members in the skills of debating and public speaking; to
prepare members to compete in speech, debate, and forensics events as
The Wisconsin Speech and Debate Team; to create forums for members to speak and debate; to foster members of
camaraderie amongst its members and
guests; and to uphold and protect the freedom of speech and expression of its members and guests.
Members of the Wisconsin Forensics Union in 1955
Members of the Wisconsin Speech and Debate in 2019.
Institutional Statement on Diversity Diversity is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation for UW– Madison. We value the contributions of each person and respect the
profound ways their identity, culture, background, experience, status, abilities, and opinion enrich the
university community.
We commit
ourselves to the pursuit of excellence in teaching, research, outreach, and
diversity as inextricably linked goals.
The University of Wisconsin–Madison fulfills its public mission by creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background
—
people who as students, faculty, and
staff serve
Wisconsin and the world.
WISCONSIN SPEECH AND DEBATE SOCIETY Spring 2021 COACH A.J. Carver PRESIDENT
VICE-PRESIDENT
Zach Quasius
Mallory Ellis
SECRETARY Jingyu Chen
CORRESPONDING SECRETARY JuiLin Lu
Jingyu Chen Xaver Davey Zachary Heintz Zach Quasius
COMPETING OR ADJUDICATING MEMBERS Aleksander Cwalina William Darbyshire Ria Dhingra Zachary Dyar Charles Johnson Lusayo Mwakatika Anitha Quintin Gabe Sanders
MEMBERS BY EXPECTED CLASS YEAR 2021 Lusayo Mwakatika Anitha Quintin 2022 Nora-Kathleen Berryhill Mallory Ellis Zach Quasius
Aleksander Cwalina Sophia Staehly
2023 William Darbyshire Anush Ram Reddy Kethi Reddy
Juilin Lu Jonathan Schmidt 2024
Jingyu Chen Zachary Dyar Zachary Heintz Rachel Liang
Ria Dhingra Marc James-Finel Charles Johnson Gabe Sanders
Member Benefits Become a better speaker performer debater listener researcher critical thinker and leader. Make friends from across the university. Practice thinking and speaking under pressure. Access professional coaching. Learn about current affairs. Represent Wisconsin in intercollegiate competitions. Travel to competitions. Right to wear official Wisconsin Speech and Debate apparel. Earn a meaningful résumé line. Inclusion on official roster for graduate school and employer verification.
Washburn Observatory, home of Wisconsin Speech and Debate. Built in 1878, Washburn houses the Letters and Science Honors Program and a 15.6” Alvin Clark and Sons refracting telescope.
Join us We welcome Badgers of all class standings and from all majors, programs, departments, schools, and colleges to join us. Exchange, visiting, special, graduate, and professional students are welcome to join.
There are no fees to participate. No experience necessary but experience is welcome. https://honors.ls.wisc.edu/speechanddebate/#join
Welcome! Wisconsin Speech and Debate members work together to become better speakers and debaters.
I invite you to join us. Scan the QR code or click the link on the left to open the membership form. This booklet introduces why Wisconsin Speech and Debate should be part of your Wisconsin Experience. Generations of Badgers before you are happy that it was. Each week we speak about and debate topics of interest to you, some silly and others serious. Last year, for example, many students spoke about injustice but one also spoke about Minecraft; we debated whether it would be desirable to be immortal, whether the government ought to provide its citizens with internet, the ethics of Pokémon training, and many more topics.
Competing in intercollegiate competitions will fasttrack your development. I encourage you to compete. We also offer special events like “Go Big Read then Speak.” Read the details later in this booklet. Entries are due by October 4th.
A.J. Carver, Coach he/him/his acarver@wisc.edu
Goodwill amongst us should We begin this semester help us speak passionately and expecting to meet again debate vigorously—yet also in person. I’m excited for respectfully—and reconcile it. If policy changes, we when we’re upset. will adapt. Please keep this in mind, especially Besides being fun, our regular as you consider the sessions, competitions, calendar. and events can help you build important academic, This semester the professional, and civic student executive board skills. Through consistent and I have made choices participation it is likely you to further promote will write better essays, pitch camaraderie amongst better for start-up funds, and our members. We often engage in better civic debate. speak and debate about issues that matter, I hope you will join us. some about which we have strong opinions On Wisconsin, or are personally A.J. relevant. The chance for misunderstanding and offense is real.
Executive Board
William Darbyshire is a junior majoring in History and Political Science. He started debating in his first year at UW-Madison, attracted primarily by the fun offered by the chance to apply the knowledge he gained from his studies and general reading to specific problems and arguments. William feels that there is no activity on campus more fulfilling or enjoyable than giving it your all in a debate at WSDS and fully recommends it to anyone that gets the chance. William Darbyshire, President he/him/his
Many people would go on to list their name, major, and a fun fact about them in a bio, but not Xaver. He is not a huge fan of small talk and loves getting into the nitty-gritty. At times, Xaver is quiet, and at other times, loud. The only consistent thing about him is his love for logic, speech, and philosophy. Xaver is looking forward to serving as the Treasurer of the Wisconsin Speech and Debate Society and is even more interested in having a juicy conversation with YOU. Based on our records, he does not bite, so say hello! Xaver Davey, Treasurer he/him/his
Ria Dhingra is a sophomore English Literature and Philosophy major. She is a lover of stories, bike rides, post-it notes, making playlists, and trying to find beauty within the ordinary. Ria also adores talking and learning through conversation; hence, her involvement in WSDS. Ria spent all four years of high school competing in both Impromptu and Original Oratory. She now does BP debate with WSDS. She is more than excited to get to know and talk to all of you. Ria Dhingra Corresponding Secretary she/her/hers
Zach is a sophomore Economics and Political Science major. Zach competed for four years in high school Public Forum debate and has done British Parliamentary with WSDS since he joined in 2020. Outside of WSDS, also coaches high school debate and does Economics research. In his free time, Zach enjoys playing pickup basketball and volleyball, hammocking, lifting, and wearing a yellow Eggo hat. Zach Dyar Secretary he/him/his
E.B.’s Welcome Dear Prospective Member,
Forensics is more than just competition. Public speaking is a life skill necessary for most professions and adult interactions. We recognize that public speaking can be nerve-wracking, even after years of experience! We find that the best way to combat and cope with those nerves is to face them weekly in a community. Our practices not only aim to make students better orators, but aims to help them become confident in all sorts and styles of speaking. We know students have things to say. Most young people do. And in today’s world we witness young people taking on the roles of activists and influencers all whilst being students. Now, more than ever, we emphasize the importance of students finding their voices and learning how to best articulate themselves in a persuasive manner. Learning how to share and shape your thoughts in a way that makes others stop and listen. Our goal at WSDS is to help you, help students, and help future leaders find their respective voices and provide them with the tools to best share them. Forensics is writing and speaking and competing. It’s finding peers and building relationships that could come to define your college experience. It’s overcoming fear and nerves and doubt. It’s learning through conversation, and broadening your worldview. It’s a culture of open-minded discussion that invites new perspectives. It’s students getting up on a stage and sharing what they have to say. It’s a time-honored tradition that brings bright minds together. Above all, forensics is about finding your voice and learning how to best use it. We invite you to come share and find your voices with us. William, Xaver, Ria, and Zach
I WANT YOU We focus on becoming better speakers, performers, and debaters but with us you can also develop leadership and other professional skills. ROLES President, Treasurer, Secretary, Corresponding Secretary, Mentor, Driver, Reporter, Socials Coordinator, Ombudsperson, Graphic Designer, Videographer, Photographer, Social Media Manager, Peer Trainer, Competition Captain, and more!
Prospective Member Info Session Friday 17 September 2:45 to 4:45 p.m. Memorial Union 2nd Floor, Tripp Commons About us, Demo Debate, Q&A Panel Attendance is limited to UW–System Students, Faculty, and Staff; as well as Wisconsin Union Members.
Fall 2021 Monday
Week -1
Aug 23
Week 0 Week 1
Tuesday
Aug 25 ● Dorm move-in begins Aug 31 ● Dorm move-in ends
Sept 6 ● Labor Day
Week 2
Wednesday
Sept 1
Sept 8 ● Classes begin Sept 14 ● Meet WSDS at Org Fair, Kohl Center, 4 to 9 pm
Week 3 Week 4 Week 5
Oct 4 ● OATS 1 ● Go Big Read Then Speak Deadline
Oct 5 ● OATS 1
Oct 6 ● OATS 1
● Speech, Thursday pods by assignment, Washburn Obseratory ● Debate, Friday sessions from 2:45 to 4:45 p.m., Washburn Obseratory ● Special events ● Socials *competitions subject to change
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Aug 27 ● Returning member kickoff Sept 2 ● Speech Pods Sept 9 ● Speech Pods Sept 16 ● Speech Pods
Sept 3 ● Debate & Intro to adjudication ● Social Sept 10 ● Debate ● Social
Sept 17 ● 2:45 pm, New Member Info Session at Memorial Union Sept 23 Sept 24 ● Speech Pods ● Debate+Coach’s ● Virtual Org Fair, intro to debating 6 to 8 pm ● Social Sept 30 Oct 1 ● Speech Pods ● Debate ● Alaska Invite ● Social Oct 7 ● OATS 1 Oct 8 ● Badger ● Speech Pods Family Debate Biochem 1125 ● Social
Sept 18 ● Carroll Sept 19 ● Carroll College’s “The Sir” College’s “The Sir” Sept 25 ● MAFL 1 Sept 26 ● MAFL 2 U. of Minnesota U. of Minnesota Oct 2 ● Social Justice Debates opener ● Alaska Invite
Oct 3 ● Social Justice Debates opener
Fall 2021 Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Week 8
Oct 25 ● OATS 2
Oct 26 ● OATS 2
Oct 27 ● OATS 2
Week 9
Nov 1
Week 10
Nov 8 ● OATS 3
Nov 9 ● OATS 3
Nov 10 ● OATS 3
Week 6 Week 7
Week 11 Week 12
Nov 16 ● WSDS officer elections
● Speech, Thursday pods by assignment, Washburn Obseratory ● Debate, Friday sessions from 2:45 to 4:45 p.m., Washburn Obseratory ● Special events ● Socials *competitions subject to change
Thursday
Friday
Oct 14 ● Speech Pods
Oct 15 ● Debate+training led by member ● Social Oct 22 ● Debate+training led by member ● Social Oct 29 ● OATS 2 ● Debate+training led by member ● Social Nov 5 ● Debate ● Alaska 2 ● Social Nov 12 ● OATS 3 ● Debate+training led by member ● Semester Social Nov 19 ● Debate ● Fall Social
Oct 21 ● Speech Pods Oct 28 ● OATS 2 ● Speech Pods Nov 4 ● Speech Pods Nov 11 ● OATS 3 ● Speech Pods Nov 18 ● Speech Pods Nov 25 ● Thanksgiving recess
Nov 26 ● Thanksgiving recess
Saturday
Sunday
Oct 23 ● MAFL 3 UW–Whitewater ● Loyola–Chicago Rambler
Oct 24 ● MAFL 4 UW–Whitewater
● Alaska 2
UW–Madison has been home to forensics societies since its founding and has a proud history of competitive speaking.
SPEECH
In 1949, Wisconsin faculty member Winston L. Brembeck was a founding member of the American Forensics Association. Wisconsin speakers were American Forensics Association national champions in 1986 (afterdinner speaking), 1988 (informative speaking), and 1989 (communication analysis) and were National Forensics Association national champions in 1989 (rhetorical criticism and persuasive speaking) and 1990 (informative, persuasive, and rhetorical criticism). We welcome complete beginners and experienced speakers to continue that tradition. Members interested in individual speech competition meet weekly in small groups (“pods”). Members are assigned to pods based on information they share when joining. Our goal is for every competitive member to qualify for the National Forensic Association’s National Championship. All members practice impromptu speaking and may choose to compete in any of the other 10 forensics events: prose, extemporaneous, rhetorical criticism, after-dinner speaking, dramatic interpretation, poetry, informative, persuasive, duo, or program oral interpretation.
WSDS senior Lusayo Mwakatika gave the spring 2021 student commencement speech. Lusayo represented UW–Madison at the National Forensics Association National Championship.
Go Big Read then Speak
a speech showcase
Wisconsin Speech and Debate invites current and incoming Badgers to give an interpretative performance or persuasive speech about the 2021–2022 Go Big Read book—Yaa Gyasi’s Transcendent Kingdom. Go Big Read Then Speak, like Wisconsin Speech and Debate itself, promotes Go Big Read’s goals, to “generate vigorous discussions and exchanges of diverse ideas,” “bridge learning experiences inside and outside the classroom,” and “promote connections among students, faculty, staff, alumni, and the wider community.”
ENTRY DEADLINE MONDAY 4 OCTOBER Learn more and enter at: https://honors.ls.wisc.edu/speechanddebate/#gobigread
Wisconsin Speech and Debate members debating at a Friday afternoon session.
In 1893, the University of Wisconsin debated the University of Michigan in the second intercollegiate debate ever held in the USA.
DEBATE
Today—in keeping with UW’s position as a university of global significance and its continued commitment to the Wisconsin Idea— we debate in the World Universities Debating Championship format and in Civic Debates. “Worlds” (also known as British Parliamentary) connects Badgers with students from around the world. It is accessible to new debaters and public audiences while also offering new strategic and competitive challenges to experienced debaters.
Civic Debates partner with issue stakeholders. Together they choose a topic that students research and then debate for an audience of stakeholders. Students often engage in service before the debates. In 2020 Badger debaters presented to diplomats a transatlantic internet policy to respond to violent extremism. Their work was recognized by European Union’s Ambassador to the United States.
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Being involved in Speech and Debate goes to the heart of the mission of a university: education, broadening one’s horizons, knowledge, exploration, the enjoyment of exchanges with others, competitive spirit with an ethical perspective, improving practical public-speaking skills, combining playful performance with an investment in fact-finding an the truth, contributing to a team as an individual. It is my pleasure and privilege to serve as Faculty Advisor to Wisconsin Speech and Debate. Sabine Gross Griebsch Bascom Professor of German Department of German, Nordic, and Slavic
Thank you donors!
supportuw.org/giveto/speechanddebate
Wisconsin Speech and Debate relies on generous donations and grants from supporters. They are giving this generation of Badgers professional and civic skills, relationships, and memories to last a lifetime The students and staff are deeply grateful—thank you! Please join them by visiting the link on the left or contacting: Prof. Sabine Gross sgross@wisc.edu or A.J. Carver, Coach acarver@wisc.edu
“We believe the great state University of Wisconsin should ever encourage that continual and fearless sifting and winnowing by which alone the truth can be found.” — 1894 Wisconsin Magna Carta
https://honors.ls.wisc.edu/speechanddebate/ Version 1.6