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Examines the influence of party affiliation on voter learning and perceptions of candidates' images and issue stances; the manner in which image-based cognitions interact with learning; and the way image and issue perceptions are interrelated in voters' minds. Indicates that image and issue perceptions interact and are often integrated via judgments of candidate performance. (PA)

This study assesses the usefulness of voters' emotions toward presidential candidates in predicting voter attitudes toward, involvement with, and learning of the candidates' statements at a debate. Three different models of the effects of emotions, including the bipolar model, Marcus and MacKuen's (1993) two-dimensional model, and a discrete emotions model were tested for their efficacy in predicting the responses of 81 participants who watched the 2000 Presidential Debate at Wake Forest University. Overall, the bipolar model in which positive and negative emotion terms fall along one continuum of affective valence was most consistent with the data. With regard to both presidential candidates, the more positive the emotion felt toward the candidate, the more positive the voters' attitudes were toward that candidate. Likewise, attitudes predicted greater involvement with the candidates, which subsequently predicted greater learning from the candidate at the debate.

This investigation examined the effectiveness of three distinct television news 'adwatch' formats in deflecting the influence of targeted political attack ads during the 1992 North Carolina gubernatorial campaign. The study featured three treatment groups and two control conditions. Those subjects assigned to the treatment groups viewed a newscast containing one of three adwatch formats: full screen, boxed, or verbal; they then viewed the targeted attack ad, which was edited into an entertainment program that followed the newscast. Those subjects assigned as controls either viewed the newscast without the adwatch and then the entertainment program containing the attack ad, or viewed the newscast without the adwatch and then the entertainment program without the ad. The results partially supported the hypotheses (1) that use of the full-screen adwatch produces a boomerang effect, further enhancing the influence of targeted attack ads, and (2) that this effect is most pronounced among female viewers. The results also suggest that adwatches do not affect viewer ratings of sponsoring news shows.

Analyzes the present nature of topicality argumentation. Argues for an alternative view of topicality as jurisdiction, balancing resolutional ground and focusing debaters' attention and arguments on central substantive policy issues implied by the resolution under consideration. Concludes with an application of the jurisdiction analogy to contemporary topicality argumentation. (MM)

Extemporaneous speaking has long been a cornerstone event in competitive forensic. According to public speaking scholars, organization is of paramount importance in determining the success of a speech. This experimental study examines judges (N=66) responses to two extemporaneous speeches. The results indicated that experienced judges who viewed the speech without a numerated preview and review, which the forensic world considers the normative structure, rated the speech as being poorer than the group that had the normative structure present. Experienced judges also rated the two speeches as significantly different on the speech rating criteria of analysis when that factor was held constant. The findings also show that judges of high experience are more punitive in their scoring of the speech that does not meet the normative organization pattern. This research points to a strong normative convention governing the extemporaneous speaking event. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reports on the 2006 National Communication Association's convention in San Antonio, Texas, wherein information technology trends affecting the debate community were tackled. Major areas of discussions included the ways in which technology forms or changes culture, the implications of technology to the manner through which debate tournaments are run and macro-management of technology.

The article discusses the study which explores non-presidential debates. These debates outnumbered presidential debates and were widespread and integral in shaping political cultures. It highlighted seven studies assessed in a question addressed in the presidential debate literature. In 1991, a study has been conducted to examine pre- and post-debate shifts on issue and image for two Oklahoma gubernatorial candidates. Another researcher in 1998 focused on the North Carolina congressional debate examining voters which was recalled two weeks after viewing the live debate. It also presented eight additional studies on the textual content of debates that assessed specific variables.

The article presents the report of a survey conducted on 84 two-year institutions to measure the responses related to limited speech-communication faculty in them. The survey was an effort to examine the limitations in implementing the recommendations given in the Conference on Speech Communication held in the Community-Junior College. It was found that the most important obstacle in the development of speech programs is inadequate faculty in two-year institutions.

The article reports on the developments related to the practice and mission of debate. Debate can be cooperative. Theories of debate practice and purpose have always been critical moments. The debate about debate looks to strike a balance. Personalization, projects, and performance are reinventions that have attended the practice. There is a schism that besets current debate. Debating coach Roger Solt's assessment of the ideological divide goes beyond culture war to clash of civilizations, he suggests moving toward a synthesis. William Shanahan lauds the contribution of kritik to the community's argumentative health. Jon Bruschke's essay presents debate theory's evolution the last three decades before moving and makes a case for debate which is that debating is not only about competitive pleasures but more about changing society. Jeff Parcher reflects on what happens when accusations about privilege, ignorance, racism and hidden political agendas become the order of the day.

The article presents information on a study concerned with how members of the Montana House of Representatives have perceived two variables in floor debate. The study results seem to indicate that those members of the House of Representatives who were perceived as being most effective were also the members who spoke the most often.