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In this Edition!
Harvard Results
Brown Rudnick Shout Out
Bronx Borough President
Alumni Keep Winning
Tournament #6
Debate Con #3
Volunteers Needed!
NYDI 2013
Summer Debate Camp
NYC Debate Centers
Debate Curriculum
Sign Up Now!
Debate Calendars
2013-2014 Topic
Join Our Mailing List
2012-2013 NYC LOCAL DEBATE TOURNAMENT CALENDAR
 
Below is our schedule of local NYC debates that we host. All grade levels - Elementary School, Middle School, and High School divisions. Everything is free (registration, breakfast, lunch). Debaters should arrive 9:00am, registration closes at 9:30am. 

9/15 - Mini Debate Camp 

10/13 - Tournament #1 

11/10 - Tournament #2 (Institute for Collaborative Education). 

12/1 - Tournament #3
Park Slope Collegiate HS, John Jay Campus. 
Click here for invitation
Click here for Park Slope HS information.

1/5 - Tournament #4 (Brooklyn Tech)
Click here for invitation
Click here for Brooklyn Tech information.

2/21 - Tournament #5 - 
Click here for invitation
Click here for Institute for Collaborative Education information

3/9-3/10 - New York State Championships

Click here for registration

4/5 - 4/8 - All City Debate Championships!
Day 1 - Bronx (Rounds 1 & 2)
Day 2 - Manhattan (Rounds 3 4 5 6)
Day 3 - Queens (Elimination Rounds)
Day 4 - Brooklyn (Final Round & Awards)

May (TBA) - End of the Year Awards Ceremony & Banquet!
 
7/29-8/10 - New York Debate Institute
Click here for brochure
Click here for application

Trophies
Yale 2012 Tournament
 
2012-2013 
NYC TRAVEL TEAM TOURNAMENT CALENDAR
 
Schools interested in travel to out of state debate tournaments each month can join our Travel Pool program. All travel and housing provided by the NYC Debate League and member schools! Contact [email protected] for more information.

9/21- 9/23 - Yale University  
Click here for invitation.
 
10/5-10/6 - Monticello

11/2-11/3 - Vassar College

12/7-12/8 - Ridge Debate Invitational (New Jersey)
Click here for invitation

1/18-1/21 - Big Lexington Invitational (Boston)
Click here for invitation

 

2/1-2/2 - Newark Debate Invitational (New Jersey)
Click here for invitation

2/15-2/18 -  
Click here for invitation

3/1-3/2 - Lakeland Invitational (New York)
Click here for invitation
 
Georgetown Tournament 2012
Georgetown University 
2012 Tournament
 
2012-2013 
VARSITY NATIONAL CIRCUIT TRAVEL TEAM TOURNAMENT CALENDAR
 
For our top teams in the Travel Program that qualify for the Tournament of Champions, we support to travel to the nation's top tournaments. Contact [email protected] for more information.
 
9/28-9/30 - Georgetown University Invitational  Click here for logistics.
 

10/19-10/21 - New York City Invitational

Click here for more information. 

 

11/2-11/3 -  University of Michigan Invitational 


12/1-12/3 - Scranton Invitational & Round Robin



3/22-3/24 - Novice & Junior Varsity National Championships at Woodward HS, Georgia




5/24-5/26 -
(Philadelphia)

(Birmingham, Alabama)
SHARE YOUR WORK!

Calling all debate students, parents, teachers, coaches, volunteers - if you would like to be featured in our next NYC Great Debaters Weekly Newsletter, please send any photos, articles, poetry - anything debate related to Erik Fogel, [email protected]. Thank you for sharing your wonderful work!

QUICK LINKS

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS!

We could not offer a debate league for all of New Yorkers without the generous support of so many!  And if interested in sponsoring a tournament, awards ceremony, debate trip.  Please contact us at [email protected]

THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING OUR GREAT DEBATERS!

Brown Rudnick
Fish & Richardson
Ford Foundation
Fried Frank
McCarthy Dressman Foundation
White House Youth Awards
National Association Urban Debate Leagues
MCU
NY General Contractors
Women Sports Foundation
Jenner & Block
Bickel & Brewer
Generation On
YSA 
Celebration Law Review

THANK YOU TO OUR INDIVIDUAL DONORS!

Eric Aboafe

Stefan Bauschard

David Budinger 

Caitlin Dean

Buskaret Family 

Fogel Family

Catherine Gardner

Victoria Henderson

David Hung

Demetrius Lambrinos

Marisa Perry

 

 

THE NEW YORK CITY
GREAT DEBATERS 
WEEKLY 
"Be Great! Be a Great Debater!"
Join the New York City Debate League!
New York City's Most Award Winning Academic Program!

HISTORY AT HARVARD!
BRONX BOROUGH PRESIDENT RECOGNIZES TOP NYC DEBATERS!
Bronx Borough President
Greetings!

Our NYC Great Debaters made history at the Harvard Invitational Tournament after defeating the top ranked debate team in the nation to reach the Semifinals of one of the nation's toughest tournaments - and an invitation to the Tournament of Champions - the nation's most prestigious debate tournament!  For the first time in history, students from the South Bronx, Queens, and Brooklyn reached elimination rounds of the Harvard High School Debate Invitational!   Days later, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. in his State of the Borough speech shouted out the Great Debaters of the South Bronx!

Thank you to all of New York City - our volunteers, our judges, our teachers, our students, our families, our principals, our schools, our alumni - all of New York City - for making this year the most historical year for debate in New York!  Record number of schools starting debate teams!  Record number of new debaters participating in debate!  And records being broken by our top debate teams.  Thank you everyone for making this possible! 

BE GREAT! BE A GREAT DEBATER!
 
Sincerely,
Erik Fogel, Executive Director
The New York City Urban Debate League
Twitter: @nycdebateleague
Phone: 917-455-1079
FEBRUARY 15TH-17th
NEW YORK CITY DEBATE TEAMS MAKE HISTORY AT THE HARVARD DEBATE INVITATIONAL!
Harvard - Brooklyn Tech
Harvard Schematics
Harvard - T

Hundreds of debate teams from across the country and world!  3 days!  11 rounds of debates!  2 hours each round!  22 hours of debates!  You wont find a more rigorous academic program in the world!  And you wont find any other debate program in the country more competitive than the New York City Urban Debate League! New York City teams dominated the Harvard Debate Tournament in both the Novice and Varsity divisions of Policy Debate as well as Public Forum Debate.  NYCUDL schools of Brooklyn Tech, ACORN Community High School, Poly Prep and the Bronx School for Law, Government and Justice all reached elimination rounds and took some of the top awards in the tournament!  The Bronx School for Law, Government and Justice made history by defeating the top debate teams in the country including the #1 Team in the country to reach the Semifinals and a bid to the prestigious Tournament of Champions.   

We wanted to shout out Harvard Debate, the Buskaret Family and Brown Rudnick for sponsoring the Tournament and providing the opportunities for all NYC teams to visit Harvard, compete at Harvard, and win at Harvard!  Thank you everyone!
Brown Rudnick    
FEBRUARY 15TH
TRIP AND SHOUT OUT TO BROWN RUDNICK!

Every day our Great Debaters are accomplishing extraordinary things! Every week we try to highlight the work and achievement of our debaters in this newsletter.  But what often goes unrecognized is the people who make all our work possible.  We try to thank everyone every day and every week.  We also included a section in our newsletter to recognize all our supporters by name.  But we wanted to also take this opportunity to recognize Brown Rudnick for making our debate league possible this year.  Without the generous support of the Brown Rudnick Center for Public Interest we would not have a debate league for all New Yorkers.  Without the pro bono work of Brown Rudnick we would not have a successful or sustainable debate league for all New Yorkers.  To learn more about the Brown Rudnick Center for Public Interest click here and click here for their introductory video.

And so it was an honor to be invited by Brown Rudnick to make the firm our first visit at the Harvard Tournament and to meet the so many incredible people who have supported our Great Debaters!  And of course nothing beats an all-you-can-eat-pizza-lunch!  It was also an honor to have Al Wallis, Executive Director of the Brown Rudnick Center for Public Interest watch our top team in the elimination rounds of the Harvard Tournament and make some Harvard history!  Thank You again so much to our wonderful and passionate supporters at Brown Rudnick for everything you have done to support the New York City Urban Debate League - as well as all the other incredible work you have done to improve inner city education.  Thank You! 
Bronx Borough President

FEBRUARY 19TH
BRONX BOROUGH PRESIDENT RUBEN DIAZ JR. SHOUTS OUT GREAT DEBATERS IN ANNUAL STATE OF BOROUGH SPEECH!
 

On February 19th, Bronx Borough President, Ruben Diaz Jr. delivered an inspiring speech about the "New Bronx" and how the Bronx is quickly becoming one of the nation's most inspiring communities.  And of course one of the most powerful stories of the New Bronx that is leading the nation are the debate teams in the South Bronx that have defeated the top debate programs in the country at every single tournament from Yale in September to Harvard in February!  According to Bronx Borough President, 

 

"Without great schools, we would not have ... one of the nation's top debate teams at the Bronx High School for Law, Government and Justice.....There is so much to do, and so much I am proud of.  Abraham Lincoln, perhaps one of the greatest presidents, once said that, "The best thing about the future is that it comes one day at a time."  Every single day we are working to build a new future for the Bronx.  Each day in our Bronx - the New Bronx - represents a great step forward to a more better future.  Good things are happening here, and there's more to come.  We spent many years, many decades building our borough.  We've taken past successes and built upon them Generation after generation of Bronxites - including many of you here today and our mayor Ed Koch - put in the hard work to make this borough what it is.  Look around you.  Look at how the work has paid off.  The seeds we planted so many decades ago are bearing fruit.  And it doesn't stop there.  We have to keep going.  We must persevere.  We must push forward. During the next four years we will - together as "one Bronx" - as a New Bronx, bring about meaningful change to our borough.  God bless you, God bless the Bronx and God bless America!"

 

Thank you to Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.!  Thank you to all our Bronx supporters!  And thank you to every Borough in New York for supporting New York City's leading academic program! Every student needs to be a Great Debater!  Every student needs to be a Great Leader!  And that is how we all build a New New York City together.

NDT
 
FEBRUARY 20TH
NYCUDL ALUMNI 
KEEP WINNING!

Congratulations to our debate alumni - Damiyr Davis and Miguel Feliciano for qualifying to the nation's top college debate championships tournament - The National Debate Tournament (NDT).

 

The National Debate Tournament Committee announced 2013 First Round At-Large Bids this past weekend and among the U.S.'s top 16 debate teams are six former urban debaters: Ryan Wash (Debate! Kansas City) from Emporia State; Elijah Smith (Jersey Urban Debate League) from Emporia State; Kevin Hirn (Chicago Debate League) from University of Michigan; Rashid Campbell (Bay Area Urban Debate League) from University of Oklahoma; and Damiyr Davis (New York City Urban Debate League) and Miguel Feliciano (New York City Urban Debate League) both from University of West Georgia.

 

The oldest and most prestigious team policy debate tournament in the U.S., the National Debate Tournament began at the United States Military Academy in 1947. First round bids are awarded to the top 16 teams from across the country as at-large invitations to the NDT. They represent the 16 best teams in the country based on the previous year's debate record. This year is not the first year urban debate league alumns were among the NDT finalists, but it is the first time so many debaters from so many different leagues earned First Round bids.

 

So congratulations again to New York City's Greatest Debaters!

Achievement First Charter School
 
MARCH 16TH
NYC DEBATE TOURNAMENT #6 AT ACHIEVEMENT FIRST HIGH SCHOOL

NYC Debate Tournament #6 will be held at Achievement First High School, 1485 Pacific Street, Brooklyn, NY 11216, Phone: 718-363-2260.  Click here for Google Map.  Click here to register your teams on Tabroom!

Public Forum Debate Topic (High School)
Our March topic is "Resolved: The U.S. government should not require its citizens to have health insurance.To vote on the monthly topic, your school needs to register with the National Forensics League (nation's speech and debate honors society). Membership is free for NYCUDL schools! Also, contact us at [email protected] to access our monthly public forum debate resources. Finally, click here for general Public Forum Debate resources.

Public Forum Debate Topic (Middle School and Elementary School)
Our February topic is "Resolved: On balance, the rise of China is beneficial to the interests of the United States" Our middle school and elementary schools vote on the monthly topic at each tournament. Click here for Public Forum Debate resources and contact [email protected] for the monthly debate topic materials.

Policy Debate Topic (High School and Middle School)
"Resolved: The United States Federal Government should substantially increase its transportation infrastructure investment in the United States."  Click here for policy debate resources and the Starters Packet. Click here for policy debate resources published by the National Forensics League in partnership with the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO).  Click here for policy debate resources published by the National Debate Coaches Association.  The annual policy debate topic is voted on by debate coaches across the nation each year. Your school needs to register with the National Forensics League (nation's speech and debate honors society).  Membership is free for NYCUDL schools! 

Tournament Schedule
Please register your teams by Wednesday, March 13th. Click here for registration.  Click here for tournament information. Debaters, judges and everyone should arrive at the tournament by 9:00am for breakfast. At 9:30am registration closes. Round 1 should begin between 10:00am-10:30am. Round 2 follows soon after. Lunch will be held after Round 2, normally 1:30pm-2:30pm. Elementary and middle school debaters will have an awards ceremony and should be finished between 2:30pm-3:00pm. High School debaters have an additional round after lunch and their awards ceremony should be finished between 5:00pm-6:00pm.  If you are interested in volunteering as a judge, please complete our judge volunteer form. Thank you!

Volunteers!!!
The New York City Debate League is the only organization in New York State that provides free debate tournaments, coaches, workshops, travel so that all students can be Great Debaters!  The only way we can do this is with our VOLUNTEERS!  Volunteers are the backbone of the NYCUDL.  Whether former debaters, alumni who were once NYC high school and middle school debaters, school teachers, or anyone without a background in debate but just interested in providing the best education opportunities for our youth - we would not have a free debate league without you!  So if interested in joining our incredible team of volunteers please click here for more information!
Debate_Con1


MARCH 22ND
NYC DEBATE CONFERENCE #3
 
Our monthly conferences return for Debate Con #3 on Friday, March 22nd!!!!  Our March host will be announced soon!  Guest speakers! Top debaters!  Practice debates!  All you can eat pizza!  Raffles! Snacks!  and More!   

 

Our monthly debate conferences are open to all schools, all grade levels, and all ages!  Come join us for Debate Con #3!  

 

Agenda!

4:00pm - 4:30pm: Arrival and Dinner

4:30pm-5:00pm - Keynote Speakers

5:30pm-6:30pm - Workshops

6:30pm: Raffle, Snacks, Goodies, Departure!

 

Location

To be Announced!

 

How to Sign Up!

Click here for Online Registration

 

Public Forum Debate Topics!

 

High School Topic

"Resolved: The U.S. government should not require its citizens to have health insurance." 

 

Middle School and Elementary School Topic
"Resolved: On balance, the rise of China is beneficial to the interests of the United States." 
Judges_volunteers
CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS!
As the city's free debate league for all students, we rely on an incredible network of volunteers - students, alumni, parents, teachers, and everyone passionate about education, debate, civics and providing the best opportunities for New York City youth! We need judges for each of our monthly tournaments. No experience required, we provide a training session, breakfast, lunch and incredible debates!  So please contact [email protected] or please complete our judge volunteer form.  We would love to have you at our fourth tournament, January 5th!  Thank you so much for supporting all our students to become Great Debaters!
NYCDI - NYC picture
 
JULY 29TH - AUGUST 10TH 2013
APPLY NOW TO THE 
NEW YORK DEBATE INSTITUTE!
 
The New York City Urban Debate League hosts the longest continuous debate institute in New York State.  We are also the only debate institute that serves all New Yorkers!  We offer an intense 2 week program from July 29th - August 10th from 9:00am-2:00pm.  Breakfast and lunch are served.  Students are trained in all debate events including Policy Debate and Public Forum Debate, public speaking, rhetoric, current events, political science and philosophy.  Our staff includes some of the top debate instructors and debaters in the nation.  Click here for Day Camp brochure.  Click here for application.  Contact us at [email protected] for more information or call 917-455-1079.  You can email completed applications to us at [email protected] or mail them to Attn: Erik Fogel, 244 E. 163rd St., Bronx, New York 10451.  Thanks and see you this summer!
Summer Camp
SUMMER DEBATE CAMP OPPORTUNITIES!

Why You Should Apply for Summer Debate Camp!

- if you like debate, then no experience beats debate camp!

- learn from the best debate coaches and debaters!

- looks great on college applications!

- fun!

- food!

- friends!

- trophies and tournaments!

 

THE NEW YORK DEBATE INSTITUTE (NYDI)

New York State's only debate camp serving all students! This is a 2 week program for all grade levels.  Click here for Day Camp brochure.  Click here for application.  Contact us at [email protected] for more information.  

 

XYLUM DEBATE INSTITUTE 

Xylum debate institute is a summer debate institute for high school students that seeks to offer a unique immersion experience for critical debate learning

XDI brings a unique approach to debate teaching that focuses on persuasion, ethos and word efficiency over incomprehensible speed and pointless technicality.  Our curriculum will engage with the most pressing ethical questions in US foreign policy with Latin America by emphasizing critical research on the histories of the topic countries and US policy.  If critical debate is your friend, love thy friend.  If critical debate is your enemy; know thy enemy.  Click here for more information.

 

HARVARD DEBATE INSTITUTE

The Harvard Debate Council Summer Workshop strives to surround students with the highest quality staff any camp can assemble. In 2011 the Workshop boasted student to staff ratios of 2:1, the best of any debate workshop in the country by a wide margin. Students at the workshop will have the opportunity to work with some of the top debate coaches in the country.  For more information, visit https://www.hdcworkshops.org.  


GEORGETOWN SUMMER DEBATE INSTITUTE
The strength of our institute is our staff. Our teaching staff consists of coaches whose teams have won the National Debate Tournament, The Tournament of Champions, The CEDA National Tournament, the NDCA tournament, the NFL tournament and virtually every other major college and high school tournament in the nation. During the institute our staff are committed to providing the best possible educational environment. Location  For policy debaters there may be no better place to be than in Washington DC. Our proximity to the Capitol give our students access to opportunities no other debate camps can provide. In the summer of 2012 many of our students had the opportunity to be present at the Supreme Court for the announcement of the health care decision. And although we cannot guarantee that events like that happen every summer, we are committed every year to having experts on the topic visit the camp and give our students insight into how policy making works. For more information, visit http://georgetowndebate.wordpress.com.

FOUR STAR LEADERSHIP WITH GENERAL TOMMY FRANKS (50 Full Scholarships Available)

Four Start Leadership is a world-class summer leadership program that allows 50 of the top high school students in the US to have a face-to-face experience with national and international leaders.  Click here for more information.

  

THE DARTMOUTH DEBATE INSTITUTE (DDI)

The Dartmouth Debate Institute is a rigorous program for beginners - advanced high school debaters on the Dartmouth campus in Hanover, New Hampshire. Recognized as one of the top debate institutes in the country.  Features small classes with labs capped at 24 students and 1:8 teacher-student ratio.  Teaching staff are some of the top debate coaches in the country.  Argument diversity - instructors that specialize in policy, critical, and non-traditional arguments.  Elective classes that students can choose.  Skills and Strategy - the DDI's unique competitive lab structure promotes constant strategizing against other labs' arguments before and during the tournament. This year, we're adding even more early and structured skills practice with immediate feedback.For more information, visit http://www.ddidebate.org.  Scholarships available!


EMORY NATIONAL DEBATE INSTITUTE (ENDI)

ENDI takes place at Emory University in Georgia.  The Institute offers 2, 4, and 6 week programs.  Emory is home of the urban debate league movement!  For more information, visit http://emorydebate.com.  Scholarships available!


GONZAGA DEBATE INSTITUTE (GDI)

Located in beautiful Washington State the GDI has trained students in policy debate for over 20 years.  Debaters of various diverse backgrounds and skill levels from across the nation seeking a challenging, rewarding, competitive, and enjoyable summer institute have found that experience at the GDI. These alumni have consistently achieved success at the highest levels in both high school and college debate. Students will engage a rigorous curriculum of skill, theory, and practice from one of the top faculties in the nation while working in state of the art classrooms and facilities.  We hope you'll decide to be part of the GDI experience. Visit the links at the bottom of this page to learn more and to apply for the 2013 GDI.  For more information, visit http://www.gonzagadebate.com/GDI.htm.  Scholarships available!

 

THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN DEBATE INSTITUTES

Students at the Michigan Debate Institutes are instructed by the nation's most accomplished and experienced workshop faculty. The faculty is comprised of national champion high school and college coaches and outstanding intercollegiate debaters. In the past decade the faculty members of our workshops have coached numerous college and high school national championship teams. Several of our faculty members are Emory University Barkley Forum Gold Key Coaches. Several have coached Tournament of Champions winners and NFL National Champions. The one attribute the members of this faculty share is a commitment to providing a constructive and stimulating educational environment for students of the Michigan Debate Institutes.  For more information, visit http://www.gonzagadebate.com/GDI.htm.

 

THE NORTHWESTERN DEBATE INSTITUTE

The Northwestern Debate Institute is an unequaled living-learning experience for high school debaters.  The institute will provide an intensive and comprehensive summer debate experience that will prepare debaters for next season and beyond.  Northwestern University's Debate Team has an unparalleled record of success based on the foundations, fundamentals and techniques taught at the Northwestern Debate Institute.  Learn the debate principles that led to 13 NDT championships, 15 final round appearances, 6 top speakers a record of success unmatched in college debate.  Come join our program for rising Sophomore, Juniors and Seniors to learn with and debate against the best competition in the country.  Alumni of the Northwestern Debate Institute have gone on to win every major high school tournament.  For more information, visit http://www.northwestern.edu/nhsi/debate/index.html.  Scholarships available!

 

CAL BERKELEY DEBATE INSTITUTE (CNDI)

The Cal National Policy Debate Institute brings together some of the brightest and hardest working high school coaches, college coaches and current college debaters to provide students a variety of educational perspectives. The institute has a strong commitment to maintaining a low student-to-staff ratio that ensures individualized coaching. A special emphasis is placed on helping students refine their speaking and argument techniques through a number of practice debates and speeches, as well as an end-of-camp tournament. Students will be provided with a diverse set of affirmative and negative arguments when they arrive so practice debates and speeches can begin on the first day. Finally, participants have access to the facilities and resources of the country's leading public university to help them develop their research skills.  For more information visit http://caldebatecamp.com.  Scholarships available!

 

STANFORD DEBATE INSTITUTE

The Stanford National Forensic Institute offers a unique national caliber program conducted by the Stanford Debate Society of Stanford University, a registered student organization of the Associated Students of Stanford University.The SNFI Policy camp offers two, three and four week options.  Special Programs within the three week camp includes the Sophomore Scholars lab for rising stars with widely acclaimed instructors  jon sharp and Judy Butler, and the Critical Argument Lab with Dr Shanara Reid-Brinkley. The SNFI Policy camp, in each of the programs, has received extremely positive feedback from past attending students. In particular, over the last three years, over 95% of attending students said that they would recommend the program to others, and more than 90% of students have rated the quality and effort their instructor made on their behalf as a 9 or 10 out of 10 on their end of camp evaluation forms. For more information visit http://snfi.org/camp/category/14/policy-debate.html.  Scholarships available!

 

TEXAS DEBATE INSTITUTE

The University of Texas debate program is a highly competitive program geared towards competing at the National Debate Tournament (NDT) and Cross-Examination Debate Association (CEDA) national tournaments.  The Texas Debate Institute is considered one of the top debate institutes in the country. For more information, visit http://utdebatecamp.com.

boroughs_nyc
DROP BY YOUR DEBATE CENTER!
We offer debate centers in each borough for any students or teachers to drop in for the best debate training, supplies and snacks - for free!  Click here for more information about our debate centers or click on any of the centers below.

When: Wednesdays, 3:00pm-7:00pm
Where: The Urban Assembly School for Law and Justice, 283 Adams Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201.
Contact: Ben Crossan, [email protected]
 
When: Mondays, 3:30pm-6:30pm
Where: St. John's University, St. John's Hall, Room 203 
Policy Debate Coach: Tommye Weddington [email protected]
Public Forum Debate Coach: Ming Yang Zhao [email protected] 
 
When: Wednesdays, 3:00pm-6:00pm
Where: 
Columbia University, Teachers College, Zankel 406, 525 West 120th Street
Contact: Jen Johnson or Erik Fogel, [email protected]
 
When: Mondays, 3:00pm - 5:00pm
Where: The Urban Assembly School for Law, Government and Justice, 244 E. 163rd St., Bronx, NY, 10451
Contact: Erik Fogel, [email protected]
chabeli
Policy Debate & Public Forum Debate Resources and Curriculum Available! 
Our tournaments feature the country's two most popular and rigorous debate formats - policy debate and public forum debate.  

POLICY DEBATE
Policy debate is the oldest American debate format.  It is also the most popular debate format at the college and high school levels. Policy Debate engages students in a year long study of a single topic where students earn an equivalent of a masters degree on that topic. Policy Debate is unique in (1) freedom of argumentation (there are no limits in strategies of argumentation - the only rule being there are no rules), (2) quantity of information (debaters research and study thousands of arguments), (3) speed of thinking and delivery (debate rounds can reach over 350 words per minute), (4) evidence based argumentation (points go to not how well you speak but how well you read, analyze, question, construct and deconstruct evidence). Click here to access our policy debate resources.

PUBLIC FORUM DEBATE
Our other event of Public Forum Debate is the country's newest, fastest growing debate event, and one of the most popular debate events at the high school level.  Public Forum Debate ("PFD") is the most real world debate format at the national level and one of the best means of preparation for a career in politics and leadership. PFD challenges our debaters to be tomorrow's political leaders with topics that change each month based on current events.  Students engage in presidential style debates of researching, writing and delivering speeches on the most pressing current issues of the day. Points go to debaters who best persuade the audience.  PFD is also the best debate format for younger, beginner debaters and new coaches looking for a quick and easy debate format to learn.  Click here to access our public forum debate resources. And email us ([email protected]) for the latest topic resources available each month.
NYC_Debate_Logo
JOIN THE NEW YORK CITY DEBATE LEAGUE!

The New York City Debate League is free for all students and all schools! Sign up for the 2012-2013 debate season! Weekly workshops, monthly tournaments, professional development, summer debate camps, books, materials, curriculum, scholarships - everything you need to start a debate team at your school is free. Don't have a debate team at your school? No problem!  We provide free tournaments, training, materials and everything else you need! Not sure of what type of debate you want to do?  We have all types of debate - policy debate, public forum debate, international debate and more! Whatever you need! Whenever you need! Wherever you need! Just let us know!! We believe that all students should be Great Debaters! Contact Erik Fogel, [email protected], 917-455-1079, or sign up online!
calendar
2012 - 2013 
DEBATE CALENDAR

Visit our website to check out the 2012-2013 Debate Calendars!  All our tournaments feature policy debate and public forum debate and soon we plan to add international debate! 

Cuba_Venezuela_Mexico
2012-2013 POLICY DEBATE TOPIC ANNOUNCED!!!  
 

On January 10, 2013, ballots from 33 states, the National Catholic Forensic League, National Debate Coaches Association and the National Forensic League were tabulated at the National Federation of High School Associations (NFHS) headquarters to select the 2013-14 national high school policy debate topic. With 70% of the vote the 2013-2014 topic will be, "Resolved: The United States federal government should substantially increase its economic engagement toward Cuba, Mexico, or Venezuela."  The competing topics were also all foreign policy topics which included IndiaExport Controls, Russia, and Southeast Asia.  For more information on these topics click here or (http://www.nfhs.org/content.aspx?id=7349).  Click here for a table of which states voted for the different debate topics (or http://www.nfhs.org/content.aspx?id=8374).

  

And don't forget to sign up for the National Forensics League so you can vote for each annual  topic!  The National Forensics League is the nation's largest academic honors society and host to the largest academic competition in the world - the National Championships in speech and debate! Membership is free for all urban debate schools! Contact nycudl@gmail.com for additional details!

 

  

NYCUDL Wins White House Award!  
PLEASE DONATE TO SUPPORT
OUR CITY'S GREAT DEBATERS! 

 

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"The New York City Urban Debate League is a program that empowers underserved students while immersing them in public speaking, research techniques, civics, law and ethnic studies.  Along with countless debating trophies, the program boasts 10 years of data showing that their alums have higher grade point averages, high school graduation rates, college acceptances and number of scholarships than their peers."

 

-Jim Leach, Chairman of the National Endowment for the Humanities, presenting the NYCUDL with the National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Award for the nation's top after school program.  Mr. Leach is a former US Congressional Representative of 30 years of service, Professor at the Woodrow Wilson School at Princeton University, Interim Director of the Institute of Politics and Lecturer at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, recipient of 13 honorary degrees, and numerous awards.

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