Seattle University High School Speech and Debate Tournament
2023 — NSDA Campus, WA/US
Open SPAR
Event Description:
SPAR:
Speakers will be paired and flip a coin to determine who is aff and who will be neg. The speakers will have one minute before speaking to prep. The first affirmative speaker will give a two minute speech in favor of the resolution; immediately after that speech, the first negative speaker will refute the position in a two-minute constructive. Following the opening statements, there will be a three-minute
open cross-examination. The pair should question each other, and should be prepared to take at least a few
questions from the audience, other competitors, and even the judge. Two rebuttal speeches of the
affirmative and negative respectively (2 minutes each) complete the round. Judges should time and provide
timing signals for the competitors.
Times: Aff-2; Neg-2; CX-3; Aff-2; Neg-2.
If an odd number of students show up for the round, one student may give a repeat (unscored) additional
performance. Answers by debaters to questions from the audience during the open CX period should be
used in the scoring of the competitors who are actually debating, but should not be considered as relevant in
the scoring of those who are merely asking questions, particularly since some students may be doubleentered and will not have the opportunity to participate in the questioning process.