I’m interested in politics and I’m wondering either to join the Model UN or the Speech/Debate Team.
Are both equally challenging and what experiences does each one bring?
If you were involved can you tell me about your experience?
<p>I'm in both, and they have some distinct differences. With Model UN you have to be more diplomatic while with Debate it's more passionate (actually that depends if your school does policy debate or values debate. Values is more passionate than policy.) Also with Model UN you have to be up to your toes with current events. It's a good idea to subscribe to the Economist and the IHT. Debate just depends on which topic you are debating but you do have to do extensive research on it. Also, with Model UN there is the issue of writing resolutions and policy statements, though some schools don't do policy statements.</p>
<p>The great thing about Model UN is the conferences and travelling, but I'm sure there are those for Debate too.</p>
<p>Thanks joy. How about JSA? I forgot about that. Also, I'm Filipino too =D.</p>
<p>I've never heard of JSA. haha. :)</p>
<p>Junior Statesmen of America (JSA)</p>
<p>I do debate (LD and public forum(basically like Crossfire on CNN)) You get to know more people and organize your thoughts better than without doing it. FIrst time is probably going to be rough( it was for most of us) but then you get use to it and actuallly enjoy doing it. Speech is more dramatic and impromptu. I do not do these events frankly becasue I not good in them. It also looks good on your resume if you want to know.</p>
<p>blue147, does your school have an established debate team? If so, do you know if it's Lincoln-Douglas, Policy debate, or Public Forum?
I do not have Model UN so I can't compare, but I will tell you that LD Debate was the most reward activity I have ever been a part of. I learned how to do REAL RESEARCH, how to argue effectively, how to speak well and so much more. There is a local and national circuit available so that if you prepare to focus on "passion" and "good spreaking", a local circuit would be ideal, but the national circuit is very open to advanced argumentation. In addition, the level of philosophy argued at the highest level of LD is extraordinarily high, certainly above the level of some first year philosophy majors. So, I'd highly reccomend you to consider debate.</p>
<p>good stuff^</p>
<p>Thank netmet, I'll look into it.</p>
<p>I can tell you that as an ex-debater it was extraordinarily helpful not only for my interest in politics, but for all subject areas. the practical skills you learn are extremely useful- researching, logical organizing, public speaking, and on the spot argumention</p>
<p>moreover adcoms love debaters who have actually spent time in debate.</p>
<p>:) Join the Speech and Debate team! Even if you find that you're not so good at debating, Speech and Debate can offer you many other options.</p>
<p>My two personal favorite events (non-debate) are US Extempt (an impromptu current events event) and HI (Humorous Interpretation).</p>
<p>That's cool dreamkiss, and thanks.</p>
<p>DEBATE!</p>
<p>I think debate was the single most influential aspect of my education thus far. I started out as a driveling freshman barely able to make an incoherent speech over 15 seconds without colapsing out of stage fright. But after much competition I am able to easily give speeches in front of large crowds and defend by positions against just about anyone, including professors. A strong career in forensics requires that you know the intricacies of the positions that are most important to politics today. And ditto to the praises others here have sung</p>
<p>I'd recommend model congress, extemp, or Ted Turner debate (or cross fire or public forum..whatever they call it these days)</p>
<p>Speech/Debate has a lot of variety. You could do prepared speeches like Origanal Advocacy (present a problem and write a solution/bill to solve it). Or impromtu speeches like Foreign (international) extemp or US (domestic) extemp. Even congress will be great for you especially at competitice state and national tournaments. You'd probably like Policy over LD because it's more political. LD is based on values and philosophy but both have a good mix and policy requires a partner so you have to learn to work together which is always a great skill. I say, find out how your school team works because you'll need really committed and involved coaches if you want to go to a lot of tournaments. We don't have a model UN or JSA but I do know that JSA does some really great summer programs. Several people I know really enjoyed those summers. There's also debate camps which is a great way to meet people from all over who do what you do. Hope this helps.</p>
<p>Thanks sunnydaysee. Great info and insight.</p>