<p>
</p>
<p>No, in a debate/speech you will actually know what you’re talking about, and the things you say you will be held accountable to. A debate encourages logical analysis - it becomes quite obvious to a judge if you are BSing and pulling things out of thin air.</p>
<p>In this timed essay, you make up facts left and right and follow a formula to maximizing your points. You prepare stock essay outlines beforehand, knowing that the essay topics are quite predictable in a broad sense, and are prepared to regurgitate them.</p>
<p>I think you are mistaking “BS” for “thinking on your feet” - they are not the same thing.</p>