SPAR (SPontaneous ARgumentation)

SPAR, its full name "Spontaneous Argumentation," is a debate event offered at some competitions but is more often used as "recreational" debate. SPAR is an informal practice strategy, especially to prepare for the more serious Parliamentary debate format. Similar to the formal Parli round, SPAR involves students having no advanced preparation time and "striking" the topic one wishes NOT to debate. They will have fifteen minutes to prepare for the round. Similar to LD, a student debates by oneself without a partner, so they are preparing for the round by themselves. Similar to Policy and LD, the debater will have a cross-examination period to question their opponent. The topics range from serious (e.g. "The Affordable Care Act should be repealed") to silly ("Superman could beat Batman"). The point of the event is for short, quick, pointed statements and questions and the constant movement back and forth between opponents. The round starts and finishes quickly. In this format, students go "head to head." What counts as a well-reasoned argument is more loose and broadly defined than the other formats; SPAR speeches are often humorous. See an example below.

The order of debate is as follows:

Affirmative constructive case (2 minutes): The debater supporting the resolution or advocating the first topic over a second one presents their case/position.

Cross examination (1 minute): The negative debater asks the affirmative debater questions.

Negative constructive case (2 minutes): The debater opposing the resolution or the one advocating the second topic over a first one presents their case/position.

Cross examination (1 minute): The affirmative debater asks the negative debater questions.

Mandatory prep time (1 minute): Both debaters have one minute to prepare for rebuttal arguments.

Affirmative rebuttal (2 minutes): The affirmative debater refutes the negative debater's case and reinforces their own case.

Negative rebuttal (2 minutes): The negative debater refutes the affirmative debater's case reinforces their own case.

Mandatory prep time (1 minute): Both debaters have one minute to prepare for summary arguments.

Affirmative summary (2 minutes): The affirmative debater explains why the judge should vote in their favor.

Negative summary (2 minutes): The negative debater explains why the judge should vote in their favor.