Northwest Policy Debate Page

 

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 Washington D.C. said, "My boss says they're going to have me published between five to six times. Debate experience is invaluable for this position. I can research and process information faster than almost everyone in the group." These skills are made even stronger by the kind of teamwork values you learn in policy debate. These values include working with others, strategy, hard work and the individual struggles of competition and cooperation.

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.

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, Gonzaga University

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, Tualatin High School, Tualatin Oregon

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.

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?
You need to research and practice and that takes time but it is not excessive. You put in the time and effort that you want to. Students need to prepare for 3 to 4 hours per week; many put in 5 to 10 hours per work; some put in many more hours. The hours you put in to debate are the hours YOU CHOOSE to put into 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, San Jose State University

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 America. And nothing makes writing a 15-page research paper easier than incorporating your own research abilities with the extensive back-files of debate literature. Debate gives you the opportunity to finely tune analytical and argumentative skills that will be a benefit long after your participation in the activity has ended.

Nick Hesterberg, Lewis & Clark College

In recent years, students around the nation have researched free trade policies, the benefits of our educational system, methods to combat ecological devastation, and ways to improve our relations with southeast Asian nations and Mexico. This academic year, over 200 colleges and universities are exploring the very real effects of racism, sexism and heterosexism upon our culture and the costs associated with combating these evils. The research you do as a college policy debater will prepare you to see connections to seemingly unrelated ideas and events. No other activity or event allows you to explore for yourself the holistic nature of our seemingly random universe of policy options and problems.

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.