Collaborative Writing Challenge Overview

Event Overview

  • The event involves a collaborative writing challenge.

  • Important to engage thought processes and individual creativity.

Structure of the Event

  1. Collaborative Writing

    • Teamwork is essential; each member contributes individually.

    • Writing phases: Planning, writing, and reviewing.

  2. Time Allocation

    • First 30 Minutes:

      • Individual planning with Internet access.

      • No talking to teammates.

      • Plan approach to writing based on chosen topic.

    • Next 60 Minutes:

      • Actual writing phase.

      • No Internet or teammate communication.

    • Final 15 Minutes:

      • Review and discuss the write-ups with teammates.

      • Read peers' work and provide feedback:

      • 5 minutes to read.

      • 2-3 minutes to give advice.

      • 7 minutes to make changes based on feedback.

Collaborative Writing Explained

  • Individual Writing: Initial thoughts form the basis for the final write-up.

  • Interactions with teammates help refine arguments and clarity.

Key Judging Criteria

  1. Strength of Arguments

    • Clarity: Argumentative points should be well-articulated.

    • Logic: Arguments need a logical flow (e.g., A leads to B leads to C).

    • Depth: Arguments should be comprehensive and multi-dimensional.

  2. Cohesion within the Team

    • Work must be coherent; contradicting points could weaken the overall impact.

    • Example: Team members should not have opposing views on a core issue.

  3. Depth of Thought

    • Multi-dimensional arguments exploring various perspectives.

    • Example Topics: Army Budget - Consider economic impacts, alternate funding reductions.

  4. Complexity

    • Address complex topics in a clear and simplified manner.

    • Avoid making simple issues unnecessarily complicated.

  5. Creativity

    • Unique presentation styles are important.

    • Example: Starting with a question can be engaging.

    • Incorporation of curriculum subjects enhances writing.

Structure of the Write-up

  • PERM Structure (Position, Explore, Refute, Meta-analysis):

    1. Position: Clearly communicate the stance on the topic.

    2. Explore: Discuss various perspectives and arguments.

    3. Refute: Anticipate and counter opposing arguments.

    4. Meta-analysis: Relate arguments to wider societal issues.

Tips for Effective Write-ups

  1. Engagement Techniques

    • Utilize attention-grabbing hooks or questions.

    • Introduce unusual elements to stand out.

  2. Use Evidence

    • Base arguments on solid, verifiable facts.

    • Avoid speculative assertions.

    • Inline personal experiences can enhance credibility.

  3. Neatness and Clarity

    • Legible handwriting ensures that judges can read your points.

    • Maintain structured formatting (introduction, body, conclusion).

  4. Conclusions

    • Strong conclusions enhance recall value; link back to the topic.

    • Phrasing strategies can create impact (e.g., "would you choose?").

  5. Presence of Shock Factor

    • Surprise elements maintain judges' interest.

    • Unique argument angles can ensure memorability.

  6. Team Cohesion Strategy

    • Divide roles among team members to balance strengths and mitigate weaknesses.

    • Review each other's work to ensure consistency and clarity.