Spreading is the act of speaking extremely fast during a competitive debating event, with the intent that one's opponent will be penalized for failing to respond to all arguments raised. It is a portmanteau of "speed" and "reading".[1] The tactic relies on the fact that "failing to answer all opposing arguments" is an easy criterion for judges to award a win on, and that speaking fast and fielding an overwhelming number of distinct arguments can be a viable strategy.[2]
Spreading dominated the US school debate circuit in the 1990s.[3] The public forum debate format was introduced in the early 2000s, with the intent of slowing speakers down by rewarding deeper arguments.[3] As of 2018, spreading was described as still being "de rigueur" at Lincoln–Douglas debate format events.[3]
Senator Ted Cruz, who was a national debating champion in his student days, described spreading as "a pernicious disease that has undermined the very essence of high school and college debate".[3]