debate

BIL

Boston Intellectuals · Harvard University

Debate Championship — Qualification Registration

Organized by Boston Intellectuals, Ivy Standard, and the Harvard Students Team, the Debate Championship follows the World Schools style used by the world's leading school championships: teams debate prepared motions (announced in advance — research and coaching allowed) and impromptu motions (one hour of team-only preparation), with points of information keeping every speech interactive. Judges score content, style, and strategy on the international 60–80 speaker scale. Trophies, Best Speaker awards, and dedicated ESL/EFL recognition honor the strongest voices in each division.

The program runs for 3 days, 9:00 AM – 1:00/1:30 PM daily. Includes Harvard visits, workshops, an official campus tour, and a visit to the Harvard Museum.

All debaters must register below for qualification. Pre-registration is required; no prior competitive debate experience is needed — the application interview lets us place you fairly. Registration fee: $595 — free when joining the Ivy League Tour full package as a school group.

World Schools Style Prepared + Impromptu Content · Style · Strategy ESL / EFL Awards Grades 6–12 3 Days · Harvard Campus

Debater Information

Full Name (as on passport/ID) *

Date of Birth *

Grade *

School *

Country *

City *

Division & Language Category

Junior DivisionGrades 6–8 Senior DivisionGrades 9–12

English Language Category *

Following international championship practice, ESL and EFL debaters compete for the main titles AND for dedicated ESL/EFL awards. Your category never limits you — it adds award opportunities.

English Fluency for Debate *

Debate Background

Competitive Debate Experience *

Years Debating *

Formats You Have Debated (select all that apply)

World Schools (WSDC style) British Parliamentary Public Forum Lincoln–Douglas Karl Popper Model UN / public speaking None yet — I'm here to learn

Preferred Speaker Role

Best Debate Result So Far (optional)

Impromptu Readiness *

Half the championship rounds are impromptu: one hour of preparation, team members only — no coaches, no internet.

Points of Information (POIs) *

Topic Areas You Follow (select all that apply)

Politics & international relations Technology & AI Ethics & philosophy Economics & development Environment & climate Education, culture & society

Team or Individual

Following World Schools practice, squads consist of 3–5 debaters from the same school or club, with 3 speaking in each round. Individual debaters are welcome — organizers form composite teams from individual entries.

School Squad3–5 debaters · 3 speak per round IndividualPlaced in a composite team

Squad Name & All Members *

Each squad member must submit their own registration; list the same squad name on all forms.

Contact & Parent / Guardian

Parent / Guardian Full Name *

Relationship to Debater *

Email *

Phone / WhatsApp *

Ivy League Tour

Are you planning to join the Ivy League Tour after the championship? *

The Ivy League Tour visits Harvard, MIT, Yale, Princeton, UPenn, Columbia, and Brown, plus Boston, New York, Philadelphia, and Washington, DC. Choosing the full package as a school group makes championship registration free.

Registration Fee — $595

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Free registration. Available only when you choose the add-on full package — the Ivy League Tour as a school group. Select "Yes — full package as a school group" in the Ivy League Tour question above. Our team will verify your group and confirm your free entry.

Qualification Interview

Your answers are scored by our review panel on the same three criteria our judges use in rounds — content, style, and strategy (the international 60–80 speaker scale). Write in your own words; we evaluate reasoning and voice, not perfection.

1. Motivation — why do you want to compete at this championship? *

2. Your strongest achievement so far *

3. Weekly preparation time *

4. How do you follow the news? *

Motion: "This House believes that social media does more good than harm for teenagers."

5. Constructive case — pick a side and argue it (CONTENT) *

6. Rebuttal — now attack the OTHER side (STRATEGY) *

7. Steel-man test — argue what you disagree with *

8. Speech video link (STYLE — strongest evidence, recommended)

Any language of delivery is fine for the sample; the championship itself is in English. Style is one-third of your score — show us your delivery.

9. Coach / Teacher Reference — name & contact *

A teacher or coach who can confirm your speaking level. We may contact them during qualification review.

10. Availability *

Integrity declaration: all answers above are my own work, written in my own words without AI-generated text; my speeches at the championship will be my own; and I understand that fabricated evidence or misrepresentation leads to disqualification. *

Championship Standards — Read & Accept

Our championship follows international World Schools governance: debates mix prepared motions (research and coaching allowed in advance) and impromptu motions (one hour of preparation, team members only — no coaches, no internet); judging panels score content, style, and strategy independently and impartially — judges may not judge teams they are affiliated with, and personal beliefs must not influence decisions; teams may be required to debate either side of any motion; and all participants follow the Code of Conduct: respectful engagement with opponents, judges, and audiences at all times.

I have read and accept the championship standards above, including impromptu rules and side assignment. * I confirm the information above is accurate, and the debater agrees to follow the Debate Championship Rules & Regulations, the judging criteria, and the Code of Conduct. * As parent/guardian, I consent to the debater's participation and to being contacted by Boston Intellectuals regarding qualification, payment, and event logistics. *

Health and Safety

Confidential — used only for event organization and debater safety.

Health Conditions and Medications, if any

Dietary Requirements

Allergies and Dietary Restrictions — details

Emergency Contact — name and phone *

A second contact besides the parent/guardian above, reachable during the event.

Comments / Questions

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info@bostonintellectuals.org · +1 617 520 6649 · 1 Mifflin Place, Suite 400, Cambridge, MA 02138