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The event, called The World Individual Debate and Public Speaking Championships, is indeed that -- debate and public speaking. So to the prof. who bemoans the fact that this isn't the debate s/he is used to, there are other formats for debate other than policy cross-X. These students are in different leagues than you are used to, though that does not make them less valid, rigorous, or useful. Take them on their own merits. The league that most of the American competitiors are in do speaking tournaments as well as debates (parliamentary and cross-X). Public speaking is a much more creative category, and the lack of improvisation that Oppenheimer calls for, he calls for it because some of the events specifically require the speaker to improvise eloquently. Yes, some people love cross-X, but sometimes it amounts to not much more than intellectual ego-stroking, if you will. Of course there are significant benefits to all kinds of debate, but there is a lot more power in really engaging an audience.
Oppenheimer, nice article. I think you captured the essence of the event well. And I like your brother's reviews.
