The Thundering Word, Marshall University’s speech and debate team, are students interested in enhancing their public speaking through competition. We are members of the National Forensic Association and observe their rules. Team members compete in four basic areas:
- Oral interpretation of literature: prose, poetry, drama, duo and programmed oral interpretation
- Prepared speeches (informative, persuasive, after dinner, rhetorical criticism)
- Limited preparation speeches (impromptu, extemporaneous)
- Lincoln-Douglas debate
Each semester team members travel to other colleges and universities to compete in speech and debate tournaments. On average students travel about four times a semester. In the fall we host the Chief Justice Invitational Tournament here, at Marshall; in the spring we host the John Marshall Tournament.
Tournament Information
The Marshall Thundering Word recently took 2nd place in debate sweepstakes at the Ohio University debate tournament. The team has several upcoming tournaments this semester as well as hosting the John Marshall High School tournament. This tournament will be attended by 25 schools from 14 different states.
The team will conclude this season by attending the National Forensic Association tournament in April.
For information about the MU Speech and Debate Team, contact Clara Adkins, the Director of Forensics, at 304-654-0587 or adkins442@live.marshall.edu. The team practices every Wednesday 6:30-9:00 pm in SH 269, and there are individual coaching sessions by appointment.
