Carly Sesti
  • Public Relations
  • Class of 2020
  • Plainview, N.Y.

Carly Sesti participated in the School of Business Debate Competition

2017 Nov 28

SUNY New Paltz student Carly Sesti of Plainview, N.Y. participated in the newly reformatted School of Business Debate Competition on Nov. 4.

The new structure is that of a parliamentary-style debate, which takes place in a single day and requires students to react quickly, emphasizing argument and rhetoric rather than research. In prior years debaters were given a week or more to prepare for each round, but in the new format they had no more than 15 minutes after learning the topic to organize their thoughts.

"The new format requires students to draw from everything they've learned to date in forming their argument, without the benefit of researching other people's ideas," said Lecturer Christina Bark. "It emphasizes quick brainstorming together as a team and working under pressure. The focus is on thinking on your feet, listening carefully to the other side, and responding with a counter-argument."

Thirty-two teams of students debated for three rounds each on Saturday, Nov. 4, with a four advancing to a semi-final round. The topic of each round of debate focused on a business issue with ethical and bottom-line implications.

To find more information on the School of Business, please visit online.