Every social media site seemingly has its own personality. Wanna get to know other people? Creep around on Facebook. Need to share your random thoughts? Tweet it out on Twitter. Prefer to express yourself in pictures and GIFs? See you around Tumblr. 

While I've had a Pinterest account for over a year, I couldn't shake my initial impression of the site. Pinterest seemed perfect for people who wanted to swap recipes, crafts, and wedding ideas. There was cute stuff on there. But when you're already committing time to other social media outlets (and probably more time than you should), a site needs to be more than just cute to earn time and attention.

If you're not familiar with Pinterest - the premise is simple and the site is easy to navigate. Essentially, Pinterest is a bookmarking site. A "pin" is an image that is accompanied by a description and/or a link to an external web page. "Boards" allow you to collect and organize your pins. Users can browse pins that are posted in a variety of categories ranging from food, drink, crafts, and fashion to science, technology, history, and literature. If someone has posted a pin that you like, you can re-pin it onto one of your boards. If you're browsing the internet and come across a webpage you want to save, Pinterest makes it easy to simply paste the link and post it to one of your boards. Most boards are public - but you can have up to three "secret boards" that only you can view. The Yummy Life has a great tutorial on using Pinterest, and there are videos to walk you through the process as well (such as this one).

Click here to visit SpeechGeek Market on Pinterest.

After trying to find a way to pull together all of the random links, articles, and videos for forensics I had bookmarked on various computers, e-mailed to myself, or screen-grabbed on my phone - it dawned on me. "Why not just put them all on Pinterest?" The site became the perfect organizational tool and a way to share ideas while collecting a few hidden gems. Plus, the Pinterest app is widely available for free on Apple and Android  devices. Need more convincing? Here are ten ways you can utilize Pinterest to prepare for forensics (listed in no particular order):

1. Save articles  and topic ideas for public speaking events. The first two on our list make use of secret boards. Sure, you may be able to bookmark an article on your desktop into a folder or e-mail the link with a description to yourself. The benefit of creating a secret board for topics are two-fold. First, you can keep all your topics together in one central location. Second, you can use the description box to leave yourself notes such as how the article can be turned into a speech topic or what person might be interested in reading it. By using a secret board, you don't have to worry about anyone stumbling across your great ideas.

2. Create a reading list of potential interp pieces. Again, another great use of the secret board. Sometimes you'll stumble across a short story online, but you don't have time to look up the author, search to see if and where its published, only to need to bookmark the site (if it isn't on Amazon). Plus, if your school is responsible for making the purchases, you're often encouraged to lump everything together. The description box, again, can be used to make notes about potential performers/events. By creating a secret board for interp literature pins, you're able to collect a list of options to return to when you're ready to order materials.

3. Browse  quotations to use as exercises  for limited preparation speakers. When you log in to Pinterest, you can click the red icon in the upper left hand corner of the screen. You'll be provided with a list of categories from which to choose. Clicking "Quotes" will allow you to browse and re-pin from hundreds of quotations. Whether you're working on impromptu, extemp, or debate - using quotations to practice analysis, interpretation, and argumentation is always a useful exercise.

4. Bookmark infographics  and interesting information for  attention getting devices  or examples. You don't always have to have an immediate use for a pin. I love collecting bits of trivia, stories, and examples. You can browse the technology, geek, science, nature, and history categories to collect things that are "neat-to-know." They can be added to a limited prep speaker's repertoire of knowledge or used as attention getting devices or examples in a public speech.

5. Hold onto inspirational sayings for team pump-up talks.  Sometimes you need to say more than, "Speak pretty everybody!" You'll find plenty of inspirational and motivational quotations on Pinterest to save for those days when warm-ups aren't doing the trick.

6. Manage a playlist of videos for performance tips and ideas.  Have you ever watched a video and thought, "That character is hilarious! They would be great in an H.I." or "I'd love to incorporate some of this movement into a Duo!" Videos can be great inspiration for performances. Use clips of celebrity impersonators to discuss vocal distinction. Cartoons are a great way to introduce basic, broad characters to new performers. Is there a cinematic clip that can inspire a dramatic performer? It's easier to hop over to a board of videos to reference than it is to try to search for the video you want (or worse, try to describe what you watched a few weeks ago).

7. Illustrate a variety of style options for tournament appropriate  attire. Research indicates that anywhere from 70 - 90% of communication is non-verbal. That means that to some degree, a competitor's appearance is communication a lot about that person before they begin their event. Most forensics tournaments encourage looking tidy and professional, but this doesn't mean competitors must spend a great deal of money to "look the part." A tournament attire board can illustrate a broad range of what is considered tournament appropriate attire. Pins on pairing shirts and ties, versatile and comfortable shoes, suits, hem lengths, and accessories can inform a student on what to look for or provide guidance in creating a professional appearance with the clothes they already own.

8. Hair, make-up, and grooming tutorials  can be useful. As previously mentioned, forensics isn't a beauty pageant but our appearances send non-verbal communication. A competitor's hairstyle or make-up doesn't have to be elaborate to be polished and professional. Still, discussing personal appearances remains a sensitive subject. A Pinterest board of "tournament ready" looks for hair, make-up, and facial hair can be an effective supplement to general discussions of what a coach or team considers competition appropriate appearances. Individuals can browse the pins for inspiration, ideas, and tutorials to achieve a look that is within their comfort zone without feeling singled out or embarrassed.

9. Collect remedies for tournament troubles. Speakers lose their voices, pop buttons, rip panty hose and face all sorts of other tribulations at tournaments. If you're lucky, you have back-up supplies in your bag. If not, it always helps to have tips saved from the DIY and health & fitness boards to help you out.

10. Add flair to tournament hosting  with recipes and decorating tips. Let's not forget the hallmark of Pinterest: recipes and decorating. Coaches have their hands full when it comes to running a tournament. Tournament hosting, however, can be an awesome exercise in team work and hospitality. Pinterest is great at providing ideas that utilize items you already own. Browse party planning and decorating boards for tournament theme ideas. Students can be assigned tasks from making signs to centerpieces, or even simple recipes to put in the lounge. There are plenty of opportunities for students to help host an awesome tournament while coaches are busy with entries, schematics, and running tab.

There's no limit to the number of ways you can utilize Pinterest in your forensics preparation. You can keep some boards secret but you can also share pins with other competitors and coaches. Make sure to follow our boards on Pinterest for inspiration, ideas, items from the store, links to articles about forensics, and anything else we think would be of interest to fellow speech geeks!

In case you missed it, the National Forensic League recently hosted its first online Spoken-Word Poetry Competition. The four winners, Emma Bleker (TX), Jason Fotso (MN), Annika Hansteen Izora (OR), and Erin Phillips (MA) will perform their original poetry as the opening act for Daniel Beaty at the awards ceremony for the 2013 National Tournament. Chosen out of the over eighty submissions, the winners represent just a few of the growing crossover between forensics and slam poetry.

Slam poetry, also known as spoken-word poetry, has had a tremendous impact on forensics. Though the average interper may need to brush up her or his Shakespeare, chances are there is at least one person at any given tournament that can recite at least part of Taylor Mali's "What Teachers Make." As more poets make their literature and performances accessible online, more competitors are finding pieces and voices that speak to their own experience. Moreover, slam poetry offers students who love poetry, performance, and competition an outlet once their forensics eligibility has ended. 

We're chatting with one such alum, Adam "Henzbo" Henze, about his experience in forensics, his new book of slam poetry, and an awesome opportunity for aspiring performance poets to hone their skills.

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

Right now I live in Indianapolis, where I teach on both the high school and college level.  I grew up in Evansville, IN, where I attended F.J. Reitz High.  One day my freshman year I stumbled into the speech office, and my life changed forever.  I went to Western Kentucky University on a speech scholarship, where I was part of their first national championship team in 2003.  After speech I traveled around for a little while, before moving to Indianapolis to pursue a Masters in Education and coach speech at the University of Indianapolis.

What were your favorite events in high school?

I loved all the interp categories in high school: poetry, duo, prose.  But because our school was an NFL school, I mostly focused on dramatic interpretation.  I competed at NFL Nationals 3 times, and in 2001 I was fortunate to place 3rd in D.I. performing a piece called "Jason." It was one of my favorite pieces, because I related to it so much.  The play is about a man with special needs who is applying to live in a cooperative housing unit.  I empathized with the character because my family has a history of advocacy for the differently abled community: my uncle was autistic, and my grandmother was one of the founding members of The Association for Retarded Citizens (ARC).  I enjoyed stepping into the shoes of a character who experiences challenges that are different than what I often go through in my own life.  I guess the script has gotten pretty popular, but when I did it the play was unheard of in the forensics community.

How did you first get involved in spoken word poetry?

I got into spoken word poetry because I really enjoyed the slam artists I explored in my poetry programs.  When my 4 years of eligibility were up in college, I really wanted to keep performing in some capacity.  Slam provided me with a similar catharsis that speech did, and I was surprised to find that other former speechies were popping up in the slam scene as well.  It was a great feeling when I realized there was not an expiration date on my ability to perform and create.

How is competing at poetry slams similar to and different from competing at forensics tournaments?

Slam is really similar to speech: your performance is judged by members of the audience, there are outrounds and breaks for individuals who score high, there are the same networking opportunities and chances to travel, you compete against other communicators from all over the country.  I'd say one of the main differences is in slam you perform your own work.  Also, while in speech we often seek out experienced judges, in slam we really like using judges who are everyday individuals--who've never seen a slam before.  Finally, the biggest change for me: in speech you perform for like 12 hours a day over the course of a weekend.  Slam you really only perform a couple minutes each night.  It was like going from a marathon to a sprint.  You have 3 minutes, and you have to put your all into them.

Where do you find inspiration for your poetry?

I get inspired to write poetry when I feel powerless.  Maybe my boss was picking on me and I had to bite my tongue, or maybe I witnessed someone being treated unfairly and felt helpless to act.  Writing empowers me to use my voice in a different way, and often I feel more capable after putting my emotions into words.

What are some of the central themes/messages in your book, Written In the Dish Pit?

I think speech kids will really like my new book of poetry because of the recurring themes.  It's called 'Written in the Dish Pit,' and is comprised of my first 10 years of work.  I wrote a lot of poems about waiting tables in my 20's, I have a lot of poems about my family and my personal relationships, and a lot of the book is about my travels on the road.  There are definitely a few cuttings in there for speechies looking for new lit.  I've seen my poetry pop up on the forensics circuit a few times, but this is the first time I have a book out with an ISBN number.  Some students from states with different rules could use poetry from my previously released CD's, but now everyone can use my poetry if it resonates with them. The book is available at Amazon.

You're hosting a camp for aspiring slam poets. What would attendees look forward to at the camp?

I am really happy to be hosting the second year of our summer camp, an academic intensive focused entirely on teaching the writing and performance mechanics of poetry slam.  The camp is called "The Gustavus Adolphus College Institute of Spoken Word and Poetry Slam."  In addition to writing and performance, we also expose students to dozens and dozens of quality poems and artists--which is great for speech geeks looking for good lit. We also teach students how to publish their own work, how to book tours and network, and how to strategize in competitive slams.  The camp hopes to take a writer of any skill and turn them into a word warrior by the end of the week.  Another appeal to our camp is that we accept graduating high school seniors.  So many former speechies find themselves left out the summer between high school and undergrad because they can't apply to most speech camps, and we encourage those home-for-the-summer students to take advantage of our camp.  I am really happy with our partnership with Gustavus Adolphus College: the facilities are wonderful, the dorms are big, the cafeteria is great, and the faculty really goes the extra mile to give students a memorable experience.  Kris Kracht, the Director of Academic Camps at Gustavus, offered the following words:

Gustavus is honored to be associated with some of the most successful slam poetry artists in the past decade, and our institute provides aspiring poets an opportunity to learn and hone their skills in an academic environment.  We have students registered from 13 different states, which speaks to the growing popularity of slam poetry and this institute.

If someone is interested in attending the camp, where can they apply and when do they need to submit their application?

The camp is an annual summer institute, and takes place the last week of June. The deadline for registration is coming up quick on June 8th.  Interested students can learn more and register at https://gustavus.edu/camps/slamcamp/.  Both the students and staff had a life-changing experience last year, and we expect no different for 2013.

What piece of writing advice would you give to aspiring poets?

The best writing advice I can give is read, read, read.  Introduce yourself to new writers, diverse writers, writers of different styles and time periods.  The more poetry you read the more tools you will have to help you develop your own voice.

What advice would you give someone about to perform in a competition -- be it slam poetry, forensics, or both?

My first World Poetry Slam, I was so nervous.  There were poets walking around with HBO jackets, who had books published and had appeared on MTV and BET.  I felt like I was going to be sick the room was spinning so much.  A big-named poet named Corbet Dean walked up to me and said, "You are the only one that can tell your story.  The are other artists here who have stories to tell, but none of them are yours."  That was really special to me.  It reminded me that I am unique and that my voice is important.  I think all performers need to realize that they are worthy.

If you think about it, campaigning for public office bears a striking resemblance to competing at a forensics tournament. The days are long, you meet tons of people, you make plenty of speeches, and you're energized by a mix of passion, ambition, and nerves. And in the end, if you've been able to persuade the people listening to your message, you come out on top.

Hopefully the parallels prove useful for William Igbokwe. At twenty-three, Igbokwe is making waves as one of three candidates campaigning for mayor in Jacksonville, Texas. Described as "candid, thoughtful, and well-spoken," the University of Texas graduate isn't letting the age gap intimidate him. (Igbokwe is twenty to fifty years younger than the other candidates.) With the election on May 10th, we were fortunate to get a little bit of time to learn how forensics has helped Igbokwe on the path to public office.

Topics for the 2013 "Sweet Home Alabama" National Forensic League National Speech and Debate Tournament have been announced.

 PROSE
10209 – TYLER RIFE
10213 – RAY ROBERTS
17405 – ISAAC REIMER
16408 - LAUREN ACKERMAN
17909 – KAYBEE BROWN
13613 – THADDEUS FITZPATRICK

IMPROMPTU

16103 - DANIEL HATOUM
17403 - PATRICK SEICK
14501 - ALEX GONZALEZ
10503 - HARRISON POSTLER
17002 - BRENNAN MORRIS
17912 - JACOBY COCHRAN

INFORMATIVE
17004 – ROB WARCHOL
10206 – NICK GILYARD
17904 – CECIL BLUTCHER
17905 – JACOBY COCHRAN
17907 – RYAN TINLIN
16103 – DANIEL HATOUM

POI
16409 – TRAE GRAHAM
17904 – CECIL BLUTCHER
10207 – SARAH BRAZIER
16112 – LARIO ALBARRAN
10211 – LINDSEY WHITE
10222 – RICHARD HEYNE

EXTEMP
10214 – ALEXIS ELLIOTT
14701 – JAMES QIAN
17002 – BRENNAN MORRIS
17011 – A.K. KOMANDURI
17003 – MICHAEL SCOTT
13602 – COLLIN METCALF

DUO
17904 – BLUTCHER/BROWN
17919 – TINLIN/RESTAINO
16404 – PIMENTAL/ACKERMAN
17906 – OCASIO/DILLON
17008 – OHRENBERGER/WILDMAN
17803 – RICHARDSON/CHAPMAN

PERSUASION
16115 – ASHLEY KOHLBRAND
14801 – JARVIS SAM
17905 – JACOBY COCHRAN
17906 – JUNIOR OCASIO
13206 – SHELBY WILDS
17903 – BROOKE STEVENSON

CA
10222 – RICHARD HEYNE
17906 – JUNIOR OCASIO
17004 – ROB WARCHOL
17905 – JACOBY COCHRAN
15505 – LAURELAI HISTED
14801 – JARVIS SAM


ADS
17907 – RYAN TINLIN
17905 – JACOBY COCHRAN
17912 – BEN GADDIS
10208 – TIFFANY MCLARTY
15515 – ROBI MAHAN
15103 – ABBY DEELY

DI
13612 – TAYLOR MCDONALD
10211 – LINDSEY WHITE
15407 – BRETT GRAY
17909 – KAYBEE BROWN
10207 – SARAH BRAZIER
10508 – HARRISON POSTLER


POETRY
13613 – THADDEUS FITZPATRICK
16404 - QUEENY PIMENTEL
17909 – KAYBEE BROWN
16108 - KEVIN KING
17904 – CECIL BLUTCHER
14617 - GRACE KLUCK