Splash Biography
ESMERALDA ALVERDE DUARTE, Cornell sophomore - Environment and Sustainability
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Major: Environment and Sustainability College/Employer: Cornell Year of Graduation: 2028 |
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Brief Biographical Sketch:
Hi! My name is Esmeralda Alverde Duarte :) I study Environment and Sustainability. I’ve been involved in debate for many years and am especially passionate about policy debate, argumentation, and learning how to communicate ideas persuasively. Debate is important to me as it has shaped the way I think and listen. Outside of debate, I’m deeply interested in language. I work as a translator and interpreter in Spanish, and I love learning new languages and understanding how communication works across different cultures. I know that debate can feel intimidating, especially if you’ve never done it before. One of my goals is to make debate accessible and supportive. What matters most is curiosity, effort, and a willingness to learn. Past Classes(Clicking a class title will bring you to the course's section of the corresponding course catalog)H1145: Make Your Case: The Science and Art of Debate in Splash Spring 2026 (Apr. 11, 2026)
Have you ever lost an argument you knew you were right about? Or struggled to explain why something that seems obvious to you isn't so obvious to everyone else? Debate is the key skill you can improve.
Whether you want to convince your mom to extend your curfew, talk your teacher into giving you an extension, or one day argue in a boardroom or courtroom, the ability to make a compelling case is one of the most powerful skills you can have.
In this class, you'll learn how to construct arguments, dismantle weak ones, and communicate your ideas with clarity. First, we'll explore the science behind persuasion, how logic, evidence, and reasoning work together to build a compelling case. Second, the art of delivering it: reading your audience, finding the right words, and portraying confidence in the words you deliver.
Through hands-on debates, real-world examples, and collaborative exercises, you'll develop skills that go far beyond the classroom.
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This organization is a registered student organization of Cornell University.
Equal Education and Employment
Equal Education and Employment