by Logan Scisco
The main reason that extempers dislike domestic social rounds is that they cover sensitive issues that many judges have already made up their mind about. Whereas judges rarely have preconceived notions or feelings about Thailand’s political crisis or Brazil’s ability to hold the 2016 Summer Olympics, they will have attitudes about the American education system, abortion, Title IX, affirmative action, gay rights, and illegal immigration. This is one of the reasons why I argue that United States Extemp is harder than International Extemp because although the most capable extempers usually assemble in the International Extemp pool at NSDA Nationals, they do not have to walk through a minefield of hot button issues that could inhibit their ability to advance in the tournament. This strategy piece will provide some tips for extempers on how to navigate controversial issues in domestic social rounds.