Forensics

The Thundering Word speech and debate team competes in intercollegiate speech and debate tournaments, in the following categories of events:

• Prepared speeches, including informative speaking, persuasive speaking, after dinner speaking, and communication analysis
• Limited preparation speeches, including extemporaneous speaking, impromptu speaking, and broadcast journalism
• Oral interpretation, including prose interpretation, poetry interpretation, dramatic interpretation, program oral interpretation, and duo interpretation
• Prepared debate, including Lincoln-Douglas debate and public forum debate
• Limited preparation debate, including IPDA debate and NPDA debate

Team members, who are also members of the Pi Kappa Delta (PKD) Honorary, received 25 awards at national tournaments last year.

WHERE WE DO IT!

We travel to regional and national tournaments and participate in synchronous and asynchronous tournaments from Marshall University. During the 2025-2026 academic year, we plan to travel to regional tournaments at James Madison University, the University of Alabama, Bradley University, Butler University, the University of Indianapolis, Murray State University, Ohio University, and  and other locations. Additionally, we plan to travel to compete in three national tournaments: the PKD National Comprehensive Tournament in Springfield, Missouri, the International Public Debate Association (IPDA) National Championship Tournament in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, and the National Forensic Association National Championship Tournament in Nashville, Tennessee. Marshall University (in partnership with Ohio University) hosts a college tournament each fall and (alone) has been hosting its annual high school speech and debate tournament for 54 years, making it one of the oldest continuous high school tournaments in the country.

INTERESTED IN COMPETING?

No experience? No problem! The Thundering Word welcomes as many students as it can, regardless of experience. Whether you’re a seasoned competitor or new to the world of speech and debate, there may be a place for you on our team.

Interested students should schedule a meeting with Director of Forensics Dennis Taylor by emailing taylor41@marshall.edu or attend our fall or spring showcases to learn more about the team.

INTERESTED IN HELPING?

Financial assistance

If you want to help the Thundering Word financially, you can do so by contributing to the Marshall University Foundation, 519 John Marshall Drive, Huntington, WV 25703 and designate your gift to the Speech and Debate Fund/Fund 207935.

Judging assistance

If you want help the Thundering Word by volunteering to judge, reach out to Director of Forensics Dennis Taylor by emailing taylor41@marshall.edu.

A BRIEF HISTORY

Marshall University, under the direction of Dr. Ben Hope, received its PKD Honorary Charter on January 27, 1950,  and has been competing in intercollegiate speech and debate for more than 75 years. In the 1970s, under the direction of Dr. Maureen Milicia, the Team flourished, regularly finishing in the NFA national tournament Top Ten.

Between 1980 and 2008, the Team continued to compete successfully under the direction of Dr. William Denman, Dr. Bertram Gross, Dr. Mark Borzi, Jeri North and Jerry Bluhm, and then Dr. Kristine Greenwood, the program’s longest serving coach, whose teams were particularly successful in debate.

When Dr. Kristine Greenwood stepped down, the Thundering Word nearly ceased competing before alumnus Danny Ray, along with Sarah Davis, stepped up in 2009 to coach. Under Ray, the Team came to be known as the Thundering Word and regularly finished in the top fifteen team nationally. Ray was followed by two other alumni Clara Adkins and Dennis Taylor.

#ThunderingWord

#MakeYourVoiceHerd

#ThinkCommunicateInspire