<p>Policy Debate is an activity that has quite simply changed my personality and method of thinking. I like to think of debate as an educational opportunity rather than just a competitive event. Through debate, I feel I have, and will continue to, learn more about current events, policy making, social movements, and congressional legislation than I could ever have through attending classes or watching the news. In every debate round I have the opportunity to use my strategic thinking and past knowledge of the topic to out-smart my opponents and win my position. Whether I am debating against the use of fossil fuels, or debating for the use of food stamps for the impoverished, I can, and must, look to not only the facts of my position, but also to the facts on the opposing side. Policy Debate is an event that will continue to impact my life forever.</p>
<p>It was rather wordy. A quick read through allowed me to eliminate a lot of needless phrases/sentences:</p>
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<p>Some other comments:</p>
<ul>
<li><p>“Policy Debate has changed my personality and method of thinking.” Ok, but then that’s what I would expect you to talk about. Instead you talk about what you’ve learned, what you’ve debated about, and that you’ve out smarted your opponents using your knowledge (perhaps you could throw in an example?).</p></li>
<li><p>“I like to think of debate as an educational opportunity rather than just a competitive event.” I eliminated this because it didn’t make sense in context. You do talk about what you’ve learned, but right after you talk about strategic thinking and outsmarting opponents.</p></li>
<li><p>“I look to not only the facts of my position, but also to the facts on the opposing side.” I would clarify what you mean by this.</p></li>
<li><p>“Policy Debate is an event that will continue to impact my life forever.” Eliminated because it’s a nothing statement and is probably false no matter how interested you are in the activity. Find a better way to conclude the paragraph.</p></li>
</ul>
<p>Policy Debate is an activity that has defined my high school career. I like to think of debate as not only a competitive event, but also an educational opportunity. Through it, I feel I have learned more about current events, policy making, social movements, and congressional legislation than I could ever have through attending classes or watching the news. In every round I have the opportunity to use my strategic thinking and knowledge of the topic to out-smart my opponents and win my position. Whether I am debating against the right of abortion, or debating for the use of fossil fuels, I can, and must, look to not only the facts of my position, but also to the facts on the opposing side. Therefore, whether it was qualifying for nationals or taking 1st place at a local invitational, policy debate created memories and experiences that will stay with me forever.</p>
<p>It sounds pretty good to me- not exceptionally outstanding, but not too bad either. Also having done policy myself, I have to lol at parts of it Idk if I would call running Fear of Death/Nietzsche/Borders/other crazy kritiks necessarily knowledge of the topic ;)</p>
<p>Yawn, yawn, yawn. It’s not the topic so much, but your portrait of this activity that needs to be improved. You need a better beginning than “Policy Debate is an activity that has defined my high school career.” Of course you would choose something that’s important to you. But the way it’s written, this activity could be anything… Volunteering at a hospital, tutoring, snorkeling…Instead, start with more zap.
Next, pay close attention to your verbs. is, am, have are all B<em>O</em>R<em>I</em>N_G verbs that say nothing Try some action verbs. (discuss, debate, instill conflicts, assert disagreement…) This essay is just as important as the long one. Try again.</p>
Idk if I would call running Fear of Death/Nietzsche/Borders/other crazy kritiks necessarily knowledge of the topic ;)</p>