Debate: Wordsmith

WordSmith

Harsha Bhogle has said, “"I am sure you'll never become a lawyer , I understand everything you
say"

Description:
1st Round:
• 50 applicants will be short-listed for this event. The short listing criteria will be decided
on the basis of no. of entries received.
• All the applicants will be given a topic in advance.
• The initial round of eliminations will have all the participants speaking on this topic for 2
minutes.
• 8 out of all participants will be selected for the semi-finals of the event.
Semi-Finals:
• Once the results of the 1st round are announced and semi-finalists are selected, they will
be given a topic for the semi-finals.
• They will also be told whether they will speak for the motion or against the motion.
• There will be a gap of at least 3 hours to allow the semi-finalists to prepare for the topic.
• Topics for both the semi-finals will be different.
• A semi-final line up will be formed with assistance from judges, where two participants
will speak for the motion and the other two will speak against the motion.
• Each participant will be allowed to speak for 3 minutes initially.
• After each of them has spoken, the judges will ask 1 question each to every participant.
• Participants will not be allowed to ask questions to each other.
• 2 each from each semi-final will be selected for the finals.
• The topic for the final will be given at the time of declaration of the results of semi-finals.
Finals:
• The Final will be held on day 2 of the event.
• The format of the finals will be in line with the show “The Big Fight” that is aired on NDTV.
• The participants will have to submit a 1 page write up on the topic to us on the next morning.
• This write up will be kept completely confidential.
• The write-up is only meant for the use of moderator of the discussion to give him/her an
idea of the views held by the participants on the given topic.
• The moderator will prepare his questions based on the write ups that are received.
• This write up will not be shown to judges so that they don’t become biased.
• In the finals, all 4 participants will have to start with a 1 minute address. Then the
moderator will take over and based on the write up received and the initial address, he
will ask questions to the individual participants and the stage will be left open for
discussion.
• The discussion will last for half an hour. Then we will have audience questions for 15
minutes.
• At the end, the judges will ask questions to the participants for 15 minutes.
• The event will end with a closing address from the participants.
Judging criteria:
• Content
• Clarity of thought
• Communication skills
• Instantaneity of response
• Debating skills

Important Dates:
Last Date for Registration: January 15, 2009

Prizes:
1st: INR 3000
2nd: INR 2000

Event Manager:
Rushi Vasani - +91 9727764331
Email: wordsmith.perspective@gmail.com