Charger Challenge

2025 — Draper, UT/US

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Tag Team Spar (Friday)

Event Description:

***This event will be judged by tournament volunteers. No judge burden to the students school ***

You & your partner will debate current event issues facing Utah.

This event will be moderated by former High School debaters & judges trained specifically for this event.

Tag Team Spar (AKA The Charger Challenge)-

Theme: Issues facing future Utah Voters.

Debate Topic:

The topic areas for each SPAR debate round are:

Round One - Utah’s high cost of living.

Round Two - Utah’s Environment.

Round Three -Personal Freedoms & Civics in the State of Utah

Tag Team SPAR Debate Rules

1. Teams & Roles

• 2students per side (Team Affirmative vs. Team Negative).
• Teams may divide speaking roles however they like, but all members must speak at least once.

2. Topic Selection

• The judge/moderator provides two possible resolutions.
• Coin toss: Winner picks side (Affirmative/Negative) OR the topic. Loser picks the other.

3. Preparation

• 3–5 minutes prep time (teams may use notes, but no internet/phones unless allowed).
• Teams prepare a quick case with 2–3 strong arguments.

4. Debate Format (sample 16–20 min round)

1. Affirmative Constructive (2 min) – Presents case.
2. Negative Constructive (2 min) – Presents opposition case.
3. Crossfire (2 min) – Open Q&A between teams.
4. Affirmative Rebuttal (2 min) – Responds to Neg & extends key points.
5. Negative Rebuttal (2 min) – Responds to Aff & extends key points.
6. Team Grand Crossfire (2 min) – All debaters can engage.
7. Final Affirmative (1 min) – Persuasive closing.
8. Final Negative (1 min) – Persuasive closing.

(Adjust times depending on group size and schedule — e.g., shorten to 1–2 mins each for quicker rounds.)

5. Speaker Expectations

• Every team member must contribute (no “one-person carry”).
• Use clear, concise arguments — SPAR rewards persuasion over evidence dumps.
• Clash directly with the other side’s points.

6. Judging Criteria

• Clarity: Did they explain arguments in an understandable way?
• Clash: Did they respond to opponents’ points?
• Teamwork: Did all members participate and support each other?
• Persuasion: Did they make you want to agree with them?