In addition to focusing on good writing, Hamilton team member Jessica Li, 17, emphasized the importance of logical writing. “In high school we had to write persuasive papers, but I never had to go into as much depth and specificity as in our IPPF essays,” Li said. “It was a departure from our normal school essays because everything had to be very clear and concise. With that word limit you didn’t have words to waste.” Team member Andy Yuwen, 17, also had some words of advice on the qualifying round. “Don’t wait until the last moment to complete your papers,” he said. “Especially with the qualifying paper; you need to finish it well ahead of time. Then you have time to get peoples’ opinions and change it and really perfect it to make sure you qualify. Make sure you scrutinize every last word in your paper and that you mean what you say and can defend every last point.” In March, the “Elite 8” teams are announced. These teams receive an allexpenses-paid trip to New York City to compete in the IPPF Finals during the oral debate rounds at the Harold Pratt House. In last year’s competition, the teams competing in the “Elite 8” represented schools in five U.S. states, Slovakia, Singapore, and Taiwan. “It was cool to see how countries view not only debate, but international politics,” Ramadoss said. “Any time a competition is international you’re going to get a lot of different perspectives. It’s
definitely going to be more rewarding because you learn a lot more.” Thousands of people from 39 different countries also watched the debates online last year. The oral debate proceedings are judged by experts in law, business, debate, politics, and academia. The students are posed questions by judges who are experts in the fields they are studying, challenging them to explain the nuances of their arguments. Past judges have included NYU President John Sexton; Bickel & Brewer Partner William A. Brewer III; Ret. General Wesley Clark; National Speech & Debate Association Executive Director Scott Wunn; former New York City Deputy Mayor Howard Wolfson; and NASA astronaut Mike Massimino; to name a few. Yuwen said that students found deep meaning through the contest, knowing that they were addressing topics that are being debated at the highest international level, among presidents of countries. “We were really debating real life issues and real policymaking,” he said. “That prepares you for real life beyond high school and college.” Students can register for the 2014-15 competition online by visiting www.ippfdebate.com. The website features a topic primer, sample essays, and an MLA formatting guide. Those interested can also visit the IPPF Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ IPPFdebate or follow on Twitter at @IPPF1.
(above) Held on the NYU campus, the IPPF Welcome Reception gives “Elite 8” teams a chance to meet and mingle before the Saturday debates. • (below) The team from Hathaway Brown School in Ohio poses with NYU President John Sexton (left) and Bickel & Brewer Partner William Brewer (right) before the final debate.
(below left) Students from Plano West Sr. High School in Texas attend a Welcome Reception on the NYU Campus during IPPF Finals Weekend. • (below right) Students from Hamilton High School respond to questions from the judges during the final debate. The team won the 2013-14 competition, taking home a $10,000 grand prize.
For more information or to register, visit www.IPPFdebate.com.
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Rostrum | SUMMER 2014