The Department of Speech Communication aims to help equip St. Andrew’s students with the tool of public speaking, probably “the single most studied skill in history.” Many aspects of a St. Andrew’s education are designed to provide students with the desire to inquire about life’s most important issues. Experiences at St. Andrew’s in public speaking and debate help students express themselves orally about those vital issues with comfort, clarity, force, and grace.
Speech Communication
(semester course open to sophomores)
Speech Communication gives students practical experience in formal and informal communication settings and teaches them how to prepare oral presentations effectively and deliver them comfortably and confidently before different types of audiences. The course emphasizes thorough research and clear organization of different types of speeches, particularly informative and persuasive speeches, dealing with national and international issues.
Speech and Debate Competition
This course prepares students for interscholastic speech and debate competition in events in four basic areas: debate (policy debate, Lincoln-Douglas debate, and public forum debate), public speaking (original oratory, expository speaking, extemporaneous speaking, extemporaneous commentary, and impromptu speaking), interpretation of literature (poetry, prose, dramatic interpretation, humorous interpretation, duo interpretation, oratorical declamation, and storytelling), and student congress. Students must compete in six tournaments per year.