Policy debate promotes skills that you will find useful as a
student and in your post-collegiate life. Students become better speakers,
thinkers, persuaders, arguers and, most importantly, unparalleled researchers.
Sean Collins, former policy debater, who is in a program in I've done it in high school--what is it going to do for me
in college? You will definitely get more out of policy debate when you are in
college. Specifically: 1) You start school right with a group of friends who share your
interests. 2) You will be challenged intellectually by smart college
debaters. 3) You will have consistently good judges who will give you
valuable feedback. 4) You learn new topics and new strategies. 5) College debate is significantly more sophisticated than high
school. You will grow. I'm debating in college because the debates are better
than in high school. Longer speeches, better cards, near-universal
disclosure, and good judging make for good debates. Couple that with the fact
that the skill level of the best debaters in high school is about the average
in college, and debates are even better. Plus, this competition frequently is
the best way to learn, the community is awesome and the activity is
inherently fun. Matt Schissler, Doing policy debate in college has taught me immensely
more than my four years of courses ever could. The amount of research that
goes into a topic is so in-depth and immense that it cannot be duplicated in
any other forum. Additionally, once that research is put into use in rounds
it becomes necessary to discuss authors and the merits of their arguments. This means that one becomes quite an 'expert' on the
literature of a certain issue. I can apply my debate knowledge to my classes
as well as intelligent discussions. Policy debate is intense, rigorous and
highly evidenced. It enables people from all over the country to come
together and share what they have gathered in an activity that we all love. Kristin Olson, It is difficult to exaggerate the benefit of research
oriented policy debate. |
Start your college years on the right track--with a group
of people you can relate with, that will support you, that
share your interest in debating! College policy debate is a fun and challenging activity that will
give you invaluable research skills while you meet smart, fun people. There
is no other activity where students from different universities challenge
each other’s intellect. There is no other format that lets you express your
own individuality while at the same time making a real impression and
contribution to an academic discipline. I suppose that the biggest factor in my decision to
continue debating in college is the fact that debating seems to train people
for school and life better than any other activity. Debaters seem to gain a
level of critical thinking unmatched by ordinary citizens (and trophies too).
I see that trend among high school debaters, and even more so with the
college debaters I've observed. That plus the fact that its
really really fun make me want to debate in college
more than anything else. Brian Ward, The ability and discipline to research new ideas, and to use the
library and internet research skills will be of benefit for a student's
entire life. No activity or academic discipline available in college will
give you the ability to research ideas and proposals as well as debate. Of all the activities I've participated in, Debate has
taught me more about life than any other.
A creative outlet for intelligent people who want to do more than just
write papers about changing the world. College debate takes the college
experience to a new level. It is the
chance to apply the theories and concepts learned in every other course in a
competitive, educational framework that models the real political world. Dean
Sweberg, WANT TO BE A LAWYER? Learn
how to research intensively in Policy Debate. WANT TO DO POLITICS? Learn
about American policy in Policy Debate. WANT TO TEACH? Learn
great speaking skills and be able to think on your feet in Policy Debate. How much work is it? |
When I talked to my teammates about what they've gotten
out of debate, it's incredible. One person never used to read and forensics opened
the door for him, another person with dyslexia is now able to present
organized thoughts, memorize and perform numerous interps,
others have found ways to articulate their thoughts and present clear
proposals. Sarah Chan, Debate has a
number of benefits that are undeniable. The ability to speak persuasively and
confidently on any number of subjects is only the most obvious and most
noticeable. Policy debate makes you the creator of your own education; you
research ideas, policies and notions in an in-depth way. You can see how your
ideas affect the world in a laboratory of thought and argument. CONTACT THE POLICY COACHES IN THE NORTHWEST Click this link to Contact a Policy Coach in the Northwest! My life revolves around forensics, and the benefits of my
involvement are numerous. Debate provides a wonderful forum for the research
and discussion of pertinent issues that define our world, while providing an
outlet for competitive desires. Becoming a member of the speech and debate
community is also a wonderful way to meet new people, share good times, and
visit cities across Nick Hesterberg, |
In recent years,
students around the nation have researched the war on terrorism, What I get out of College debate: 1. Research skills--debate has taught me how to find
information that I need for academic papers and other school projects. I
think that without debate my research skills would be much worse. 2. Organization--debate has helped me to manage my time
better and to organize my ideas in a coherent fashion. This has been very
useful to me in academic and non-academic discussions. 3. Social life--believe it or not, one of the major
reasons I like debate is because of the people, not only from my school, but
from others (this is especially true in the Northwest). I have made many good
friends through the activity. Jared Ellis, Lewis and Clark Policy debate
values the student and indeed, makes the student the true expert. Do Policy
Debate in College. You will benefit in every way academically, and you will
have a very real benefit from the study of communication, research and
argumentation. Even
more importantly, collegiate policy debate is an organic activity; it grows
and changes depending upon the arguments YOU present in your debates. |