<p>I have a few questions about debate/forensics at Berkeley. I've read all of the information on the Cal National Debate Institute page but I still do not understand how the system works. It says that the debate training program/class that can be taken over the summer costs an x amount, etc. However, it does not say whether the class needs to be taken in order to participate in the debate program. So my first question is whether I need to take the class in order to be on the debate team? Also, I would like more information on the debate team in general. For instance, do all of the debates necessitate the fast-talking style that focuses on speed rather than quality of speech and content? Any information would be much apprecited. Thanks!</p>
<p>“do all of the debates necessitate the fast-talking style that focuses on speed rather than quality of speech and content”-these aren’t inversely proportional, u can choose to do whatever u want here</p>
<p>u don’t have to take that class to join…
the workload is similar to taking 12-16 units of classes, so plan accordingly
if ur not into policy, there’s also a parli team</p>
<p>Ok, two more questions. I actually prefer parli-style debates but would being on the parli team mean that I wouldn’t have to fast-talk? And is there I site where I can get more info about the team or where I could sign up to try out, etc.?</p>
<p>Thundercat,</p>
<p>I’m an incomming freshman and also want to join the parli debate team :)</p>
<p>To answer you question about parli style, it’s VERY different from CX and if you spread in it you’ll be laughed out of the room. Parli debate is much more like NFL PF and student congress and involves wit, actual real world logic (unlike CX), and persuasive speaking (also unlike CX). As for the Berkeley parli team, I E-mailed their coach a while back and this is what I got back:</p>
<p>I’ve recently been accepted to UC Berkeley and am really interested in debating on the parliamentary team. I had a few questions about the team since I’ve been unable to find the official site and was wondering if I could get a few questions answered. </p>
<ol>
<li>Are you guys a completely student run organization, or are you funded by the school with paid coaches like the policy team?</li>
<li>Roughly how many tournaments do you participate with in a year?</li>
<li>How often are practices? </li>
</ol>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>Hi Seth,</p>
<p>My name is Vanessa, I’m the current director of the Parli Team. The Co-Director is Victor. To answer your questions: (1) yes, we are currently a completely student-run team. We are funded by the school, but we do not have paid coaches. Having said that we do have great debaters on the team and we pretty much coach each other. (2) That depends on how good of a debater you are and how hard you work. We recognize merit. If you put in the work, we’ll send you to tournaments. Normally, we go to around 7 tournaments a year, but not everyone competes at every tournament. (3) We have practice twice a week from 7pm-9pm T/TH usually in evans or in dwinelle. </p>
<p>Hopefully, I’ve answered your questions. If you have more shoot us another email. When you come to visit Cal if you would like to meet with us we’d be more than happy to drop by and say hello. </p>
<p>Best,</p>
<p>Vanessa</p>
<p>In case you wanted to ask your own questions, her E-mail is
<a href="mailto:ness922010@yahoo.com">ness922010@yahoo.com</a></p>
<p>Wow, thanks Soviet! This is exactly the kind of info I was looking for</p>
<p>No problem :)</p>
<p>Hey, so I’m a recently admitted freshman as well and am planning to do parli debate at berkeley.
All this info was really helpful, so thanks a ton! I emailed the same lady, but the response she sent me was much more brief and less informative. Hope to see you guys there!</p>
<p>On a side note: I’ve done parli debate in high school and am currently tied for 17th place in CA according to pointofinformation.org
Have I ever debated either of you at an invitational or league tournament? If so, tell me because I think it would be awesome to work with a former competitor :)</p>
<p>The reason I put my rank is not to brag - I’d just rather not put my school’s name up on cc</p>
<p>Haha, not me - sadly, my school only has a debate class.</p>
<p>I hope I don’t sound like I’m bragging or being arrogant, but I’m taking the IB in Göteborg, Sweden (My family lives and I spent my Freshman and Sophomore years in Houston, Texas) and compete in the international league (for the national Swedish team) with the WSDC (world schools debating championships). Anyone here do PF with the NFL? :)</p>