Studies in Debate and Oratory
Abstract
In light of widespread (mis)use of trigger warnings, content warnings, and content notes in intercollegiate competitive speech, in this essay we interrogate the implementation of these devices and propose an intervention to ensure the activity moves toward a better-informed praxis to accomplish its goal of community care. By identifying the activity’s current propensity for misused warnings, missed messages, a misrepresentation of safety, and misguided performances, our intervention aspires to ensure these important warnings are more thoughtfully employed so as to limit potential harm to our messages, our community members, our activity, and our collective educational aim toward advocacy.
Recommended Citation
Smith, Grace P. and Marsh, Mallory L.
(2025)
"Troubling Trigger Warnings: Toward an Informed Praxis of Care within Intercollegiate Forensics,"
Studies in Debate and Oratory: Vol. 2, Article 2.
Available at:
https://scholar.stjohns.edu/sido/vol2/iss1/2