Last updated 11/21/1993.
Unstructured; basically an ongoing series of arguments about whatever comes up.
Works best with 3 or more facilitators and 10-40 students at a time. As students arrive they are invited to wander about and join in with any group that sounds interesting. The facilitators have two major roles: keep things moving and point out interesting examples of styles or features of argument/rhetoric as they come along. It's pretty much a matter of responding to the moment, so pick your facilitators well. If things are slow, it's often more fun for the facilitators to argue amongst themselves... this can generally be counted on to get things started.
Facilitators should stay aware of and engage immiscible elements. Still, it helps to have a sign by the entrance explaining the deal... sometimes nobody is free to greet new folks. In one class we asked each new student "Why are you here?" and wrote down the answers as they came in... the patterns of repeated answers were sometimes interesting in and of themselves.
Hand each participant a pile of index cards and a marker, and invite them to write down any quote they consider particularly interesting. Tape the cards to the wall. Start out the day with some of these scattered about; they can sometimes help students get started. These are some of my favorites, for no real reason: