SPAR Debate Rules

SPAR (Spontaneous Argumentation) is a limited preparation debate event where students debate a different resolution or topic each round.

RESOLUTIONS/TOPICS: If the resolution is "RESOLVED: The Affordable Care Act should be repealed," the affirmative speaker argues in favor of repeal while the negative speaker argues against it. Similarly, if the topic is "Dogs vs. Cats," the affirmative speaker argues in favor of dogs and against cats, while the negative speaker argues in favor of cats and against dogs. (SPAR debate typically includes rounds of serious and non-so-serious topics.)

BURDEN OF PROOF: The Affirmative does not carry the burden of proof as in some debate events because the Affirmative does not both open and close the debate. The winner is the person who did the better debating.

REBUTTALS/SUMMARIES: Debaters should not raise new arguments in rebuttals or summaries. Debaters, however, may respond to their opponent's previously made arguments and expand on their own previously made arguments (e.g., by offering evidence to support or rebut a previously made argument or highlighting the importance of an argument).

JUDGING CRITERIA: Judges should decide the round as it is debated, not based on personal beliefs. The following are criteria judges should consider when judging SPAR debate: Understanding of topic, organization, arguments, evidence (facts, examples, statistics, etc.), rebuttal/counter-arguments/clash, and delivery.

RESOLUTIONS: The resolutions/topics will be provided to debaters either: (1) fifteen (15) minutes before the round is scheduled to start for Open SPAR debaters; or (2) thirty (30) minutes before the round is scheduled to start for Novice SPAR debaters.

RESOLUTION SELECTION: Opposing SPAR debaters will go to their competition room. A tournament administrator will enter the competition around the time prep should begin and post three (3) resolutions/topics in the chat box. The negative debater first strikes one (1) of the resolutions/topics, then the affirmative debater strikes another one. The remaining resolution/topic is the one the debaters will debate. The administrator verifies with the debaters the resolution/topic they have chosen and the sides they will be on before excusing them to prep. The tournament administrator then posts the chosen topic and the round start time in the chat box.

INITIAL PREP TIME: In Open SPAR, students will be given fifteen (15) minutes prep time. In Novice SPAR, students will be given thirty (30) minutes prep time. This means that fifteen (15) minutes before an open round starts and thirty (30) minutes before a novice round starts, students will select their resolutions/topics and begin prep.

PURPOSE OF INITIAL PREP TIME: During prep time, students should brainstorm and prepare to present brief arguments for the debate. Students also may conduct online or other research during that time, as well. While evidence may be used, it is not the focal point of SPAR debate and students should not spend the majority of their time searching for evidence.

NO ASSISTANCE DURING PREP/DEBATE: With the exception of Novice SPAR Round Zero, students may not receive assistance in any form from another person during prep time or during the debate. The exception: In Novice SPAR Round Zero (which will not count toward results), a student may receive assistance from their coach or another student during prep time.

ROUND START: At some point before the round is scheduled to begin, the judge will enter the room, look at the topic and round start time in the chat box, and wait to start the round until the prep time is complete.

ORDER OF DEBATE: 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 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.