If forensic activity is to contribute to student growth and development, careful attention must be given to training and experience in developing ideas. Borrowing from the time-honored premise of invention, forensics educators should highlight argument construction as a foundation in speechwriting practices. Some of the essential premises or reminders to assist in the production of creative ideas that comprise forensic events include the significance of speaker choices, the use of pro-con reasoning, the relationship of invention and organization, the role of listeners in invention, and the complementary natures of idea generation and effective communication. To generate pedagogical applications and a clearer focus upon invention, the following activities can be used by forensics educators: (1) encourage students to declare and discuss the essential arguments of prepared contest speeches at periodic stages in the preparation process; (2) urge students to recall and evaluate the arguments that comprise limited preparation and impromptu event performances; (3) ask students to engage in brainstorming to determine reasons for and against a proposed thesis before the final position is developed; (4) ask students to identify values and personal beliefs that are chosen and refined through the preparation processes of a specific event; and (5) direct students to explore the use of effective delivery as a means of strengthening invention within prepared speeches. (Contains 15 references.) (RS)