What Is Forensic Speech?

Unlike the detectives on your favorite crime drama, forensics team members work to uncover a different kind of truth. Forensics, as it applies to speech, is the study of formal debate, public discussion and argumentation.

History

• Forensic speech uses debate and argumentation to determine truth. Justice image by MVit from Fotolia.com

  The practice of studying forensics began with the ancient Greeks, who valued oratory skills as essential to democracy, according to the American Forensic Association. The AFA says the word "forensics" has its roots in the Latin ensis, a word closely related to forum.

Legal Association

• Because forensics, or argumentation, is essential in courts of law, the term is associated with using speech to present and argue evidence. Forensic science has come to mean the study of scientific evidence used in legal proceedings.

Forensics in Education

• Studying forensic speech helps students develop communication and critical thinking skills. teen girl singing image by Katrina Miller from Fotolia.com

  Students in high school and college join forensics clubs to study and practice different forms of communication and discussion, including original oratory, prose and poetry reading, group debate, public address, persuasion, informative speaking, rhetorical criticism and academic speaking.

Benefits

• School forensics teams are aimed at helping students become better communicators and critical thinkers, skills which educators feel are needed in a democratic society.