Sample Scenario

Victoria Woolf is in her last semester of law school in a rural upstate town. If Victoria keeps up her GPA, upon graduation she has been promised a job as a rape prosecutor  in the state capitol. In order to afford law school she has been working part-time in the university book store. Because of recent budget cuts, the school eliminated her job.  After several weeks of searching, the only part-time job she could find was as a waitress in a restaurant called “Shooters.” The job requires Victoria to wear cut-off jeans and a bikini top. The outfit is very skimpy and Victoria feels it is degrading to wear.  The restaurant is usually very crowded and the patrons have been known to grope the waitresses. On the other hand, this job is the only one that she can find that will allow her to continue in her last semester at law school. Should Victoria take the job?

How Does Impromptu Debate Work?

Impromptu debate is a one-on-one switch side debate format in which situational dilemmas are used as the catalyst for debate.  One debater is designated the “affirmative,” and must answer the proposed question, “yes.”  The other debater is designated the “negative,” and must answer the question, “no.”

The use of researched evidence is prohibited but the use of common knowledge is permitted.  For example, in a debate about terrorism, references to September 11^th would be appropriate.

Preparation Time

Initial Preparation Time:                  5 Minutes      

At the start of the round the debaters are handed the scenario and have five minutes to prepare.

Additional Preparation Time:          4 Minutes (each debater)

After the first speech both debaters have 4 minutes of additional preparation time to use however they wish. For example, the negative could use two minutes to prior to the first negative constructive and the remaining three minutes prior to the first negative rebuttal.

Speaker Order

Total Time:                                                     41 minutes