The George Washington Tournament 2
2026 — NSDA Campus Rooms, US
Spontaneous Argumentation
Event Description:
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. 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 The topics range from serious (e.g. "The Affordable Care Act should be repealed") to silly ("Superman could beat Batman").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.
The order of debate is as follows:
- Topic Reveal & Prep Time: Debaters receive the resolution/topic just minutes before the round starts (2 minutes of prep time with no internet access).
- Affirmative Opening (Constructive): 2 minutes
- Negative Opening (Constructive): 2 minutes
- Cross-Examination / Open Question Period: ~1 to 4 minutes of direct questioning or back-and-forth interaction between both sides.
- Affirmative Rebuttal / Closing: 1 to 2 minutes
- Negative Rebuttal / Closing: 1 to 2 minutes