SPAR Debates

SPAR (SPontanteous ARgumention) debates are short debates about a specific argument. They are a great way to practice speaking, arguing and thinking on your feet - plus they can be fun, too.  In a SPAR debate, a topic is chosen and students (either in teams or as individuals) take 5 minutes to prepare and then start to debate. The speeches are short: two Minutes for the constructive one minute for cross examination one minute for rebuttals.  When SPAR debates are over you should discuss with your coaches what you did well and what you could have done differently to make your arguments stronger.

Here are potential SPAR debate topics:

Resolved: Racial profiling is justified.

Resolved:Immigrants should have rights

Resolved: Police Cameras are good for neighborhoods

Resolved: If you have nothing to hide you should not be afraid

Resolved: Cell Phones should be allowed in schools

Resolved: Soda machines should be allowed in school

Resolved: School uniforms are good

Resolved: Zero tolerance arrests are unfair

Resolved:Students should be able to choose their school

Resolved: We should give up rights to stop terrorists

Resolved: The terrorists want to kill us all

Resolved: The death penalty is bad

Resolved: The O’s are better than the Nationals

Resolved: Music on the radio should be censored

Resolved: The driving age should be lowered

Resolved:The voting age should be lowered.

You can also work with your teammates, coaches, family & friends to come up with your own SPAR debate topics.  We won't name names, but one BUDL staff member has SPAR debates over dinner with their family.  If you have any questions, please contact us.  And most of all, HAVE FUN!