Talk Like a Turtle

  Talk like a Turtle! Oral Communication is now a general education requirement and Maryland’s new terps are embracing it.  When it comes to speech, the Institute of Applied Agriculture’s oral communication faculty hopes to say it all with a newly formed UMD forensics team!  On October 18, a dozen feisty freshmen came to Symons Hall to engage in debate discussion with IAA Oral Communication lecturer Nina LaTassa, who spoke about participating competitively against other East-coast colleges and universities in events such as persuasion, impromptu speaking, extemporaneous speaking, and Lincoln-Douglas debate.

  “Debate is important for our students to learn because it teaches them to use soft words and hard arguments,” said IAA lecturer Ed Priola, who also attended the meeting.

“The Oral Communication faculty is thrilled to start a new team on campus,” said LaTassa. “These kids are really talented.”

  Among the students eager to take talking to a higher level were Alek Berger, Kelsey Lawley, and Ji-Yoon Song. “I’m looking forward to becoming a better debater!” said Lawley.  Adds Berger, “I just can’t wait to get a chance to use my communication skills and to meet new people at the same time!”

  Meeting new people won’t be hard, since students will have the opportunity to travel to places such as Philadelphia and New York. Currently, the oral communication coaches are grooming the group for its first speech tournament, which is scheduled to take place March 1-2, 2013, in Ocean City, MD.

  “Forensics can definitely be fun. All are welcome to get in on the ground level of this effort. No prior debating experience is required,” said lecturer Tony Pagnotti. “It’s a great training ground for students who are looking to further enhance their public communication skills.”

  Ready to talk like a Terp?  Email Nina LaTassa nlatassa@umd.edu for information about participating on the forensics team.