Initiatives

DB101 interaction Initiative:

Problems: There is one major issue which a lot of people faced during DB101s. It was
very theory intensive, it was in a sense, only information offloading. Which is necessary,
since you need a lot of prerequisite info before we can give acceptable speeches. But
the problems this causes was:

●​ Some people will get bored, and will not come to the next sessions since there is
something more fun happening in the institute.

●​ It is harder for the interested people to follow these lectures.

Solution: Give out supplementary sheets for each of the DB101 sessions, to every
participant. Look at the next page for an example. (200-300rs worth of printing). These
sheets will serve a couple of purposes:

1.​ They will make the DBs more engaging and fun: People like to use their brains.
This is similar to why bazinga maths and bazinga physics gets people. We will
have something to write their ideas with, and track the overall session.

2.​ People will learn more: Manes during DB101, they asked us some questions,
and some people spoke. The issue was, while we were trying to think of
meaningful ideas, someone used to blurt a poor argument, and we really couldn’t
track the arguments nor come up with anything ourselves, or have any reason to
do so either. With a paper iny tim front of us, we can track our thoughts, directly
participate, compare our arguments with the speakers, etc. Peer evaluation etc.

3.​ This is free advertisement: This is the equivalent of them coming to us and taking
pamphlets from us, rather than waving them around and trying to distribute.
Distributing pamphlets is really ineffective, say outside MA exams and all, since
we are giving them to random people, and its manpower expenditure. On say our
2 page long worksheet, there will be the WeSpeak logo on page sure, but the last
page, or half of the last page will advertise the next DB session, or FDO, or
winter spars, or FFC etc.

Currently I don’t think we should be collecting the sheets for evaluation or something.
Since it’s a logistical nightmare. Maybe for smaller 10-15 groups later on.
 Session on Linear Flow:

This session will be on linear flow and structure:

Flow: Problem - Solution - Exclusivity - Impact - Likelihood

For the argument: “Poor people don’t have access to good education”, follow the
above format and write you argument:

DO NOT MISS THE NEXT LECTURE!!!

The next session is on….. Rebuttals:

Following are the five types of rebuttals:

●​ Mitigation
●​ Off-clash
●​ True-False
●​ Flipping
●​ Even-if

(I was trying to go for a blur effect… I’ll get better at design…)

ALSO WE HAVE SOMETHING BIG COMING UP…

Some people eat JAM on bread every day…
Some people JAM to music every day…
MA105 JAMs people minds…

JUST A HEADS UP FOR SOMETHING BIG IN THE FUTURE!!!

(I’ll get better at this too…)
A small sub-initiative, Timed Exercise Initiative

The sheet will be present as a form of follow along method, with one really fun aspect
added to them. The timed argument jot down mechanism, essentially, we can play a
little timer on the screen, and the participants can write down ideas. The idea is to mimic
the fun of bazinga maths and physics.

If the DB sheet has say 4 such fill in boxes, three will have a labelled prompt, while one
will be blank, and will be timed on the spot ones. This will function like a once in the
session thing, which will be engaging and like an adrenaline pump.

Note: The prompts will have to be basic and low on spec, so that the freshers will be
able to come up with something.

Overall, sheets are worth the time tradeoff because:

This will take up some more time. And hence this will utilize about 15ish minutes of
DB101 sessions. I think this is a good trade off. Why?

1.​ In the absence of this, there is a lot of friction to take out your notebook, and start
jotting down notes, when no one else is. I remember I was the only one in my
row who used to take notes, which weren’t really bad, since they weren’t guided.
It’s much easier to take notes, when everyone else is doing it, and when it’s in a
guided manner. The idea is not even to read them afterwards, just taking them is
fun and boosts attentiveness.
2.​ There are times in the DB sessions when the speaker used to provide a verbal
argument, or ask the audience for another extension to the case, or try to make it
verbally interactive. The problem is, it’s hard to think of good points in the air, for
new-comers it’s near impossible. Moreover, if we see the question in our sheet,
maybe before it’s asked, we might have some ideas about it passively.
3.​ When someone else is orally explaining his point, this is beneficial for him, but
not really for the rest of the students who aren’t able to track the back and forth
between him and the speaker. So that time is wasted, or rather, a little less
productive, which we are now spending on this activity.
Publicity Initiative:

As a speaking arts club, our posts should be going far more viral than MnP’s. I believe
that the best addition to our current publicity methods is videos. (Posted on YouTube to
a mini WeSpeak youtube channel.)

This can serve to improve the current repository we have. There is a far more detailed
explanation of this in the section on Self Training Program, STP.

Video’s containing 1-2 of the convenors/active members, making a fully edited fun
interactive video explaining the upcoming events or sharing information. These will be
high energy, witty, and informative means of publicity.

These videos will be different from reels, in the way that they will be for information
push, rather than event reveals.
They will serve 2 main purposes:

1.​ Explain the STP: We can create 4-5 minute videos which quickly explains how
each of the installations is to be used, and this allows for us to also ease
everything to them.
2.​ Highlighting of our events: These videos can be uploaded onto our social media,
as well as, and I think more effectively onto whatsapp. Make these videos in the
range of 5-6 minutes, post them on WeSpeak’s main group, they will get watched
by everyone. This is way more interactive and fun than a message, and will stand
out in the post-blackout phase with groups being flooded with this and that
orientation.

How will this serve to improve the current repository(short version):

Problem: Our current repository is a bunch of links and motions thrown out. And nearly
all of my friends who I tried to get into debate with, didn’t come because they couldn’t
use the repository, or because it appeared too intimidating. As silly as it sounds, that
does make an impact on how newcomers would respond to a bulk repository.

Target Audience: This will be helpful for everyone, but those who will benefit the most,
will be those who missed a few BD101 sessions, and those who are trying to get into
debate, but have little experience.

Explicit Solution: Videos on how to use the repository.

Separate Repositories Initiative:

Problem: The current repository faces mainly two problems:

1.​ It’s hard to use. Meaning, a person who has done mainly one-two spars, or
maybe even someone who has done a set of spars, wants to use the repository
to improve, but can’t since it’s hard to understand how to go about it.

2.​ It’s overwhelming for newcomers. Meaning, someone who’s trying to get into
debating, will open the repository, and feel it’s something he can’t learn, or that
there is too high of an entry barrier, the normal elitist perspective.

I tried to bring around 10 of my friends into debating, and I shared the repository, and
none of them used it. As silly as it sounds, my understanding is that they got
overwhelmed and felt the investment was too much.

This poses another unique problem, if there is only one repository, we can’t
accommodate everyone. As in, if we make it simple and minimalistic(STP), then
new-comers are likely to do it, but this is unfair to the rest of us who have done 15+
spars and want to improve, can’t use this.

Solution: Create two repositories, both with a supplementary use video.

1.​ This is explained in STP.

2.​ Why is this second repository so important? The seniors don’t really study out of
the repository. It’s good to have a collection, yes, but few people with 50+ spar
experience use that for learning. Meaning, the first one is essential, for the
newcomers, while the second one can be more of an archive and debate library,
which importantly should be hidden from the new-comers.

This is essential in lowering the entry barrier, since we need them to see the first step,
rather than the full journey, while still providing something that’s beneficial to them.
Before STP, lets understand the problems people could be facing:

Problem 1: Why can’t some people start debating?

1.​ They are nervous, they have trouble in public speaking(but want to improve).
2.​ They missed a couple of DB101 sessions, and feel they can’t catch upto others.
This is nearly the case with 20 of my close friends. They attended the first two
sessions, missed the third due to tech teams, some other event, and then left
debating entirely.
3.​ DB101 sessions weren’t aligned with how they normally learn, they aren’t able to
absorb information in seminar fashion, and hence don’t feel like they can debate.
4.​ They are afraid of failure. Even though nearly everyone is horrible in their first
few spars, some people are afraid of failing publicly in front of multiple
people(This is amplified when they think others have done DB sessions, while
they haven't done anything before).
5.​ They just think this bar of entry is high in events like FDO, Winter Spars, normal
spars, and feel they can’t achieve much since they are underprepared, so it isn’t
worth taking out hours to debate.

Problem 2: Why do people leave debating?

1.​ They get involved in other PORs.
2.​ The second sem is considerably busier.
3.​ Not enough of their batchmates are debating, it’s the herd move mentality.

To solve these problems, I have created the following solutions:

Problem 1:
1.​ DB101 interaction inventive
2.​ Separate Repositories Incentive
3.​ STP: Self Training Program Initiative
4.​ Incentivizing Initiative

Problem 2:
1.​ Monthly Spar Showcase initiative
2.​ FJF: Fresher Judge Form Initiative

Also, the best way to tackle problem two, is to solve one as much as possible, so we
have a large group, so it doesn’t reduce down to a few consistent debaters.
STP: Self Training Program Initiative

The major inspiration for this comes from the website: Debate Lessons — Buildacase —
Buildacase.

If that link isn’t opening try this: [Link]

First installation:

1.​ The recording of all DB sessions will be started.

2.​ The simplest 1 page pdf, basic guide to linear flow and structuring arguments,
there is one in the website, or we can also create one, or get it from somewhere
else.
3.​ 5 debate video recordings will be shared. The website does a really good job of
finding 10 debate motions and recording, in which the people run standard
arguments. For example monopolies, killing animals is not a moral harm, gender
emancipation, why women’s finance is worse off, etc. The pure fundamentals
which can be reused. Or, we can also post videos of our own in accordance to
the other motions we have done.
4.​ The basic idea would be that they get the motion, they time themselves for 15
minutes to create their case, they record themselves. Then they watch the
debate video to get an understanding of what they should have run, if they ran
the same arguments, how they should have set up and run those. One additional
thing will be given to them, a reflection sheet(look at the next page for a rough
idea).
5.​ Simple, catchy, video(titled: HOW TO USE) for the first installation will be shared.

[Reflection break:

Q.) Why not just give them the entire website? Why spend time feeding it slowly?
Ans.- It will overwhelm them. The website mentions that growth won’t be visible for the
first 2-3 months. Our main goal right now is to encourage them to attempt FDO, and let
them know debate doesn't have as high an entry barrier, so that they stand a chance
against those who have attended more DB sessions than them.

Q.) Will they be able to use all this? Considering this is aimed towards someone new?
Ans.- This is exactly why we need the videos…

Reflection break over]

First installation: self tracking sheet:

YOU Debate Video

Motion: THW ban zoos.

Model

Charac provided 1.) 1.)

2.) 2.)
3.) 3.)

Arguments: 1.) 1.)

2.) 2.)
3.) 3.)

Analysis points: 1.) 1.)

2.) 2.)
3.) 3.)
4.) 4.)

Speech length: 6:33

Time taken to arrive are arguments: 8 minutes into prep

Maybe add more rows, maybe keep some blank for the student to himself customize his
sheet. This will be provided as an online template which he is free to utilize to his
preferred extent.

This is not a replacement for spars, sparring is the best way, but, this is the next best
thing, and the easiest way for self growth.
Second installation:

1.​ Re-release all the DB101 recordings.

2.​ We will release 5 more DB videos. Explain to them they don’t need to do all, just
however many they need to be comfortable. (How will we explain this? I’ll explain
later…)
3.​ We will release Vihang's excel sheet Copy of ! Personal Training Spreadsheet -
Google Sheets’s 4 articles. I’m not sure if the link will open, but below is what I
propose to release:
a.​ Basic analysis exercise: Arg. Exercise 1 - Google Docs
b.​ Solution to basic analysis exercise: Copy of Arg. Exercise 1 - Google Docs

The idea is JEE style learning. Question and answer. Above I’ve uploaded my solutions,
in case we do end up doing this, we will deliberate over the solutions, and then send
them. Above is on analysis, we will share a total of 4 such, 2 on analysis, 1 on rebuttals,
1 on clashes say. Up for deliberation.

4.​ We will release the chat-gpt prompt which assesses arguments. A couple of the
seniors, Ojas, Vihang, and Malhar I believe told me of this chat-gpt prompt, with
12 prompts which if we put, it correctly assesses the quality of arguments. This
works hand in hand with the above response, heavily allowing for self learning.

How does this tackle the problems mentioned on the previous page:
1.)​To all those who are shy, afraid of public speaking, afraid of failure, or unsure of
themselves. They now can practice speeches in the privacy of their room, listen
to their recording, and see growth for themselves. If not growth, then at least they
will know they practiced somewhat, and won’t be as afraid of whether or not they
will embarrass themselves publicly.
2.)​To those who missed some DB101 sessions. Recording being provided is good,
but implementing the recording is what’s currently missing. This gap is now filled
with PM speeches and assignments.
3.)​To those who aren’t able to absorb seminar type learning, to those who need
something hands-on to learn, their problem is solved with the debate
assignments. As well as worksheets afterwards too.
4.)​Most importantly, this serves as a mechanism for people who think the bar of
entry into debating to too high, to now assure themselves they can debate. By at
least providing them the platform to practice a little, they know they don’t have to
wait for the next years DB’s, or that it's just a lost opportunity.
Monthly Spar Showcase initiative:

This aims to tackle three things:

1.​ Shortage of senior spars.
2.​ Lack of judges.
3.​ Fresh-senior bonding.

The idea is really simple. Every month, keep a senior spar in the LCs, and call all the
freshers to spectate. The freshers will also take passive participation in the delib.

Why is this good for freshers:

1.​ Wholesome experience: Let them spectate, all freshers look upto the seniors,
they would love to see the seniors in action. This is mainly planned in the first
sem, before they have gotten comp exposure, so senior spar aura is even higher.
2.​ Good bonding: Get some refreshments, Monginis, or pizza, or even a juice box,
and they will love it. This is better than a picnic or other event, since this is
authentic, and not forced like a picnic would be.
3.​ Understand how a delib works: Letting them participate in the delib, meaning, the
judges don’t really take their opinions, but will hear them out, and voice their own
discussion for the freshers to listen to(maybe do some informative explanations
as well), so that the freshers can understand the behind the scenes. Let them
also track, and come up with a call, let each fresher announce his call, during
delib, no justification, just an announcement.
4.​ They learn something out of it.

Why this is good for seniors:

1.​ Let’s them spar: This won’t be advertised to seniors like a showcase debate. To
them, it’s just a normal senior spar, with freshers coming to spectate. The round
will be serious, with comp relevant motions. The seniors, especially fourthies,
who want to debate for fun, or practice before FFC can do so.
2.​ Inter-soc bonding: Mix the room up with a blend of sophies, thirdies, and
fourthies, with freshers coming to watch will help the soc bond.

Why is this good for getting judges:

1.​ If the seniors are being allowed to spar, then they are more connected to the soc,
so they are likelier to judge.
2.​ If they see the freshers rooting for them, or coming for their spars, it motivates
them to do the same.
3.​ Before the spar, or after, while filling out the participation form, we give them the
fresher judge form(FJF), or attach it onto the bottom of the form.
FJF: Fresher Judge Form Initiative

Problem: Seniors are called out a couple of hours before spars, and asked to judge.
This is bad, because they feel like their time isn’t valued, and there is a low chance they
will say yes out of the blue.

It is a waste of effort on the convenors end to go upto seniors, only to get rejected. They
will have to do so, but a small optimization of the process will make this much easier, as
well as likely to be more successful.

Give out a google form, or this can be a part of another google form which they will fill,
asking about if they can come to judge. For example:

Q.) Would you like to judge a spar in FDO(tentative timing September xth-yth)?
​Yes
​No

Q.) Apart from FDO, would you be available to judge spar anytime else?
​Normal freshers spars(once a month)
​Winter spars
​Training sessions spars before FFC
​Seniors spars

Q.) Would you like to grade PM speeches by freshers?

​Yes
​No

… an so on (we can make it a bit more polite)

Floating this form would be most useful after a monthly spar showcase. Of all the
seniors we can compile the list of those who are ready to judge in their preferred event.
And message those seniors first. This does two things:
1.​ Allows us to target seniors marginally better
2.​ Since seniors in the past filled this form, and since they saw the freshers are
rooting for them, they will be far more ready to accept the spar invite, and come
to judge. It’s a play of senti.
Song Initiative:

This is just a silly and light-hearted initiative. It doesn’t aim to solve any problem, just a
funny thing like the birthday posts.

We freshies made a group(We You Us Speak), and one day in the description I wrote
and put on a song, and we had a lot of fun with it. It was:

IITB had a club, We Speak you speak Oh!

And in that club we had speakers, We Speak you speak Oh!
With a speak speak here, and a speak speak there,
Speak here, speak there, speak speak everywhere,
IITB had a club, We Speak you speak Oh!

It was a spin-off of “Old MacDonald had a Farm”. And it was just a silly thing we laughed
at. And the idea was, we would make subsequent paragraphs of the song, related to the
comps we went to, and the funny incidents which happened there, like IIMA, SLS, GLC
etc., and maybe highlight if any IITB team won open, or any freshers broke. However,
we never got into making the subsequent paragraphs, which I regret. It would have
been a fun thing to do.

It’s not really a game changing initiative, but I think having a little song could be a fun
thing. And every year we could modify the paragraphs in between to keep it relevant.

This also runs slightly parallel to the IV movie, maybe they can have matching
soundtracks, maybe not.
Incentivizing Initiative:

This is ambitious, but also a really risky one. And I am including it, since I feel the good
does outweigh the risk, which can be avoided if done right.

Also, in the task sheet, we were told explicitly, if given full freedom, what would we
change. So I am assuming full freedom here. The following pages include changes
which don't demand anything new. No more money will be needed, no more seats are
being offered, nothing is being added. Only, we are providing information and selecting
people in a manner to maximize fresher turnout, with the same resources.

Secondly, I know that a lot of things are uncertain:

●​ The location of FFC, is it IIMA or IITM(I strongly side with IIMA)
●​ The % of FFC we are funding for freshers
●​ The time of hosting FDO

I am making the following assumptions:

1.​ It will be IIMA, but if it’s IITM, in the below pages, just substitute IIMA with IITM.
2.​ It will be fully funded, if it’s not, substitute 100% with x%.

All of the below initiatives are linked to one goal, to bring as many people into the
WeSpeak community as possible, and multiply the amount of debate exposure they get
in the first semester.

I have the following sub-initiatives I would like to put forth:

1.​ Pre-train and Incentivize FDO
2.​ Pre-train and Incentivize Winter Spars
3.​ Provide self-training resources for in-sem newcomers

Considering that our cannon events are FDO, Winter Spars, and FFC, this method is a
redesign to allow for us to maximize what we can incentivize freshers with. Our main
motivation is that we travel. That’s what brings the most amount of freshers in, and
that’s what we should capitalize on, to initially attract them.

I will explain my incentives in chronological order of how they will occur with the current
debate timeline of WeSpeak, along with what problems they target. I’ll explain then in a
story manner, since I feel this will directly get my point across as to how they link up and
play out overall. Also, I’m assuming that we will receive the same amount of funding as
we got in our year.
 1.​ DB101 sessions will occur normally. The advertisement of this will occur in a
similar fashion. One key change, which Anshul bhaiya mentioned will occur this
year, is that he will extensively record these sessions. This is good.

2.​ Secondly, only after DB101 the 6 sessions are done, maybe 2-3 weeks before
FDO, we will release three things:
a.​ FDO announcement
b.​ FFC announcement
c.​ STP first installation(Self training program, explained above)

FDO will be announced to be held in say 3 weeks, along with the prize of it. This prize
will be 8 seats fully funded to be a part of FFC. We will heavily advertise that this is a
game changing debate experience, there will be subsidy of 6000rs (I think this is the
amount that was subsidized for us, if that’s incorrect, then the correct amount), we will
put emphasis on IIMA, emphasize that no other club does this, there is cross campus
India wide exposure, memorises, and that that the 8 finalists get reserved seats as part
of the contingent going to IIMA.

How is this different from what happened to us? We had a rough idea of how the debate
contingent is, the most any of us knew was:
●​ Debate has the largest contingent
●​ 8 spars was the criteria last year

Although this motivated some of us to do 8 spars, hence FDO, this is not good
motivation for new-comers. On top of that, we didn’t know all that we were going to get.
We just thought, we had just heard of going to Pune. We didn’t know about IIMA, we
didn’t know it would be subsidized, it was just, we got more than we expected, which
means, this just wasn’t advertised to the extent it could have been.

The first installation of STP will also be released.. And we will emphasize that even
those who missed the DB101 sessions, all equally stand a good chance for this, if they
see the recording, and do STP.
​
3.​ During FDO, we will pair the way we do according, power pairing, and make sure
we are not missing on who our top 8 actually are. Secondly, and this is important,
we will have a break ceremony, right after that, and explicitly on our groups, we
will make the second announcement:
a.​ Winter Spars selection matrix
b.​ Hint at STP second installation
[Reflection break: ​

Q.) Will the FDO turnout increase?

Ans.- Definitely. In our year, FDO came out of the blue, and hence, the people who
showed up were those who have some exposure to the club, to its seniors, and who
grew to like debating. These people will show up regardless. By putting the clear
incentive of 8 fully funded seats, we will create a craze for debating. Explicitly highlights
all that there is to gain. And it’s important to release this out soon, and not in the same
week and all of a sudden. So the word will spread, and the 8 reserved seats are
glorified. Free-claude pro got 750+ people packed into one LA + LH… But we will
remain authentic, and anyways we are offering this.

Q.) Is this the crowd we want to attract?

Ans.- We still get the current debate lovers, but the people who show up for the funded
seats, they still are the people who we want to attract. I initially showed up to spars
since I wanted to travel around in my collage life, then I started showing up because I
liked debating and saw the non-material benefits of it. Secondly, there are competent
and talented people, who want to debate, but currently are weighing it below other
things, like tech teams, and other clubs. This might be exactly what we need to turn
them to our side. Only after repeated debate exposure, will anyone start loving it and
showing up without incentive. In the start, we need to provide. And note, the new people
we might bring in, might just be more talented than those who already show up.

Q.) How are logistics affected by this?

Ans.- We will have more people. Which means more rooms, more judges, higher
chance of delays, more people to track, and a means to track better. Tho, after hosting
IV, this should be manageable. Since we are putting a bigger prize on the line, we need
to specifically track better and make sure our assessment has as little error as possible.
I touch up on this a little later in my initiatives. Secondly, since this is a tournament
setting, we can emphasize the need for feedback more, and judges will fill it. There is
also high senti for FDO, so we should be able to accommodate the increase in people.

Q.) How is damage control affected by this?

Ans.- After not breaking finals, people will be sad. As I was. Implementing this, will
make them considerably sadder. We will have to do more damage control, explicit
messaging, honorable mentions etc. But importantly, simply telling them they are good
and empathy tactics won’t be enough, we need to then further tell them that their
debating journey is not over. That’s where the Winter Spars matrix comes in.

Q.) Will some of these 8 people back out, or lose motivation?

Ans.- If they back out, then that’s on them. Meaning, that seat will simply now be up for
grabs by somebody else. Losing motivation is extremely improbable. There is a high
chance the 8 finalists will anyways be going, and will anyways be exceeding the 8 spars
criteria, since 6 will happen in FDO itself. Secondly, it won’t be hard to motivate them to
come to sessions, and do winter spars, since they also want to prep before the
tournament. Thirdly, they will be seen as good debaters, their names will be put on the
group, their is soft pressure on them to maintain their reputation among peers, and
hence they will want to do good in spars in general.

Reflection break over]

Winter Spars Selection Matrix: We will announce that there will be 20 more seats being
given to freshers for IIMA. The same branding, but now more seats. This keeps the
fire going. We need to explicitly message the people who were close, or the people who
got into the semis but the finals, and all those who showed promise, as well as
simultaneously do mass public advertising to create a huge prize for the people from
debating. We will explain that during Winter Time, there will be another chance for them
to get selected. We will assess them on participation as well as wins.

[Mini-reflection break:

Q.) Does this undermine the 8 finalists?

Ans.- To a small extent, yes, they won’t feel as special as they did during the breaking
ceremony, but it’s more important to keep the community inclusive and open. These 8
finalists will still hold the breaking ceremony dear to them, it will be an achievement
which will be posted on the groups for all to see. They will still be very proud of
themselves to be the first 8 to get selected. This will be like an open reserve break,
which people value more than just a break.

Mini-reflection break over]

4.​ Winter spars groups will be created, 2-3 weeks ahead of winter spars. And here
we will release the second installation of STP. In the winter spar groups, we will
add nearly everyone who’s done a say 3+ spars, and allow all others who want to
join out of interest to join. We will explicitly advertise that upto 20 out the current
people in the group, will be joining the contingent to FFC. Again the classic
branding. Now, 110 freshers, out of which 8 will already be selected, which
means 20% chance of getting selected. That’s real hope. Moreover, STP also
gives a lot of hope, please do read that as well. Now, importantly, our selection
process remains the same, we do not disbar anyone who has completed 8 spars
 but didn’t do winter spars. The form for FFC will be floated the normal way right
before winter spars starts.

5.​ Winter spars will be conducted as normal, but now with something on the line,
and them knowing they should put their best foot forward. The feedback which I
got from my batchmates, is that they just felt winter spars were boring. This can
be attributed to two things:
a.​ They didn’t know what they were preparing for. Why are they spending
hours of their winter break debating?
b.​ There were no stakes. Stakes bring excitement.
​ It’s easy to see how the above problems get solved now.

6.​ As winter spars end, FFC form will be public as normal. And our criteria remains
the same for selecting, 8+ spars, along with tracking sheets insights. The only
increase is in terms of responsibility to make sure our decision is accurate, since
we put this as a prize. And this increase in responsibility, is if anything only
beneficial to the Soc.

[Reflection break:

Q.) If there are only 30 seats available, and anyways each year we get only that many
people, what exactly is changing?
Ans.- There are 2 major things changing:
I.​ We have more participation in FDO and Winter spars. That in itself is better for
the club, in terms of optics and people. With a larger pool, we can be more
selective and get better people, so comp performance increases.
II.​ We now have a lot more people in the insti with debate experience. Even if they
aren’t a part of the people in sem 2 who are going to the 3-4 comps, they have
done at least 7-12 spars. This directly tackles problem 2 as mentioned above,
and give us more potential judges if we need. Also, I do plan to integrate these
people again, in my later initiative about summer spars/comps.

Reflection break over]

There are harms to implementing the above model:

1.​ There is always a chance that the 8 people selected in the FDO finals won’t be
serious afterwards

2.​ By putting incentives, the people who genuinely like debate, might get side lined
by those who grinded a little more but for the prizes we put forth.

The benefits are also plentiful:

1.​ More people come for FDO. A bigger tournament just means a more fun
tournament.

2.​ People will be more motivated to practice debate on their own.

3.​ There will be more debate exposure in the cohort, meaning next year more
senior debaters, which means more senior spars and judges.
JAM incentive:

I want to improve the way we coach JAM for interIIT. Currently we hired a coach, who
did basic drills, but we could have done much better, with simple small improvements.

The current problems are:

●​ Few people know of JAM, only some PhD students last year.
●​ It’s hard to train for it, because these people will just get introduced to it, there’s
only 5 people doing it, likely they don’t know each other, it’s very hard to motivate
them to give more than 45 minutes a day to training.

The solution I would propose is a mini repository of JAM.

This repository will include:

1.​ Pre-sentence starters.

2.​ Stories being prepared and character lines.
3.​ Time wasting tactics and traps explicitly taught to people.
4.​ For every topic, the best “strings of thoughts” that were used. This can be directly
put on the JAM excel sheet.

Example of this is below:

Story starts:
- A __ walked into a bar.
- A _ visited a doctor
- A __ was on trial for something ridiculous
- A man lived in a town with the Sherif funky
- A fashion show was themed _
- A superhero __
Long story starters:

- A fictional character named Hitler disliked _. He commanded his army to destroy all _.
- A large _ was found in a fictional town called Wakana. The people harnessed the power of the _.
Quick fire:

- A prehistoric reptilian named Carcharodontosaurus ___ __.

- A monarial queen named Evangaline loved _.
- An extensively documented nonsensible plenipotentiary _ __.
- __ was popular in the transcontinental country Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. After this transcontinental country dissolved __.
- Spelunking oversuits are sold with _ _.
- _ was popular in a country called Ethiopia. Ethiopian people ate __ instead of food.
- Intricately calibrated horological instruments historically regulate __ machines/factories.

Above was made 2 hours before round 1, and was used extensively by me and my
teammates(Pranav Shridhar), who used it to get into the semis. With this a little before,
and some more practice using it, we could have gotten into finals.

If we bring in some points during interIIT, it slightly improves the optics of the club.