Lesson 1(TIPS AND TRICKS)

Welcome to WSC!!

By jp van zyl

If you don't know anything about WSC, here is a introductory video to help you understand more!

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1. COLLABORATIVE writing

1. Planning (15 minutes)

   • Each team member picks one topic from six options. Three of these topics won’t be used.

   • Work together to come up with ideas, gather evidence, and outline points.

2. Writing (60 minutes)

   • Write independently and quietly.

   • No communication with teammates during this phase—focus only on your own work.

3. Peer Review (15 minutes)

   • Exchange and read each other’s drafts.

   • Offer brief suggestions for improvements (but avoid making significant changes).

Tips for doing well!

• You don’t have to write a formal essay. You can craft a story, poem, monologue, song, or even a comic—whatever format best answers the chosen topic.

• Focus on being original and creative. Judges value fresh ideas and style over strict academic formatting.

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  How Your Work is Judged

• Clarity: Is your writing easy to understand? Does it flow logically with a clear introduction, middle, and conclusion?

• Content: Do your arguments make sense? Have you backed up your ideas thoughtfully?

• Style: Is your piece enjoyable to read? Does it engage the reader and use language effectively?

• Originality: Are your ideas unique? Have you presented them in an interesting or unexpected way?

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Additional Note

💡 Aim to be imaginative! Creativity earns the highest marks.

2. Team debate

• You’ll have 15 minutes to plan your arguments.

• Each team member delivers a speech of 4 minutes (no extra time allowed).

• Electronic devices are permitted only during preparation for rounds 1 and 2. From 2025 onward, devices won’t be allowed in round 3 debates (each team debates three times).

• Giving feedback to the opposing team is a required and scored part of the debate.

Presentation How you will be scored!

• Speaking: Deliver your speech clearly. It’s fine to use notes, but aim for complete sentences and smooth delivery.

• Presence: Show confidence. Use gestures, maintain eye contact, and treat your audience and opponents respectfully.

Strategy

• Structure: Organize your points well and manage your time effectively.

• Rhetoric: Enhance your speech with metaphors, repetition, and persuasive language.

Content

• Evidence: Support arguments with clear examples, creative ideas, and relevant context.

• Rebuttal: Address and counter the opposing team’s points confidently and effectively.

Teamwork & Feedback

• Cohesion: Ensure all team speeches align and present a united stance.

• Behavior: Show respect for teammates and opponents at all times.

• Feedback: Offer constructive, thoughtful feedback to the other team.

​WSC debate format

​Helpful Tips

• Speak with clarity and enthusiasm.

• Collaboration is crucial—a united team is key to success.

• Avoid reading your entire speech; judges want to see your confidence and delivery.

• Refrain from using filler words like “um” or “ah”—these can cost you points.

Scholar’s Challenge

Format

• You’ll have 60 minutes to tackle 120 questions (or 90 questions if you’re in the Skittles division).

• You can choose multiple answers by bubbling in options A to E.

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Scoring System: How Partial Certainty Pays Off

• Choose 1 option, get it right → 1.0 point

• Choose 2 options, get it right → 0.5 point

• Choose 3 options, get it right → 0.33 point

• Choose 4 options, get it right → 0.25 point

• Choose all 5 options → earn 0.2 point no matter what — this is better than leaving the question blank!

​SUBJECTS!

TIPS AND TRICKS

✅ Begin with the subject you feel strongest in.
✅ Use elimination strategies to rule out definitely wrong choices.
✅ Limit yourself to no more than 1–2 minutes per question.
✅ Use your time wisely; don’t second-guess too much.
✅ Only select all five bubbles if you truly have no idea.
✅ Keep track of time and follow announcements about timing.

Scholar’s Bowl

Format Overview:

• A team-based quiz where players answer using clickers (options A–E).

• Questions cover all subject areas.

• Some parts of the quiz (such as the Lightning Round) require quick thinking and fast responses.

• Expect occasional pop culture references, including memes, videos, and trivia.

• This event earns the highest team points overall at WSC.

TIPS FOR SUCCESS

✅ Stay honest—never cheat, even if you see others doing so.
✅ Focus on your team’s preparation and strategies, not on others.
✅ Let the most knowledgeable teammate make the final call if there’s uncertainty.
✅ Manage your time effectively—there’s no benefit to answering faster unless it’s the Lightning Round.
✅ Memorize specific names, dates, and titles—especially important in music and art topics.

Final word of advice

🌟 “Success belongs to the scholar who puts in the effort.”
🌟 Make use of your breaks and evenings to review smartly, not just work hard.
🌟 Practice with mock bowls and sample challenges.

​https://wayground.com/admin/quiz/685a1cdbc4a8d8f7e2d2a46b?at=685a219fbd8d44008b07411e&MCQ_saved=true

Debate time!

• This house believes that school uniforms should be banned.

• This house believes that social media does more harm than good.

• This house would ban homework.

• This house believes that technology makes people less social.

• This house would make sports compulsory in schools.