Lincoln-Douglas (LD)

  • n this one-on-one format, students debate a topic provided by the Association. Lincoln-Douglas Debate topics range from individual freedom versus the collective good to economic development versus environmental protection. Students may consult evidence gathered prior to the debate but may not use the Internet in round. An entire debate is roughly 45 minutes and consists of constructive speeches, rebuttals, and cross-examination.

     

    Considerations for Lincoln-Douglas Debate:

    Lincoln-Douglas Debate typically appeals to individuals who like to debate, but prefer a one-on-one format as opposed to a team or group setting. Additionally, individuals who enjoy LD like exploring questions of how society ought to be. Many people refer to LD Debate as a “values” debate, as questions of morality and justice are commonly examined. Students prepare cases and then engage in an exchange of cross-examinations and rebuttals in an attempt to convince a judge that s/he is the better debater in the round.

     

    Traits of Successful LD Debaters:

    When considering what event you should choose, or in which direction to point a student when selecting an event, below are some general traits of successful LD debaters to keep in mind:

    • Independent  
    • Thinks logically
    • Analytical  
    • Intrigued by philosophy  
    • Determined  
    • Thoughtful

     

    Current Topic:

    November/December –

    Resolved: In a democracy, the public’s right to know ought to be valued above the right to privacy of candidates for public office. 

     

    List of Past LD Topics:

    Resolved: Targeted killing is a morally permissible foreign policy tool.

    Resolved: Individuals have a moral obligation to assist people in need.

    Resolved: The United States is justified in using private military firms
    abroad to pursue its military objectives.

    Resolved: In the United States, juveniles charged with violent felonies
    ought to be treated as adults in the criminal justice system.

    Resolved: The abuse of illegal drugs ought to be treated as a matter
    of public health, not of criminal justice.

    Resolved: The United States ought to guarantee the right to housing.

    Resolved: Public colleges and universities in the United States ought not restrict any constitutionally protected speech.

    Resolved: The United States ought to limit qualified immunity for police officers.

    Resolved: Countries ought to prohibit the production of nuclear power.

     

    Basic Understanding:

    Lincoln Douglas Debate (LD) is a one-on-one event where debaters argue against one another on a specified resolution. Therefore, it is imperative when students begin LD, they know the resolution being debated. If you visit www.speechanddebate.org/currenttopics, you will see the topics assigned by month. Additionally, the Association specifies a separate topic for the first two months of a novice season. It is important to note that not all tournaments use the topic suggested for their competition. Therefore, be sure to check the invitation for complete information.

    Once a debater knows the resolution, the student should begin brainstorming arguments on the topic. An argument’s basic structure is referred to as claim, warrant, and impact (more details below). The debater should also construct their cases (more details below). Finally, they should consider their opponent’s arguments and brainstorm responses. At the end of the round, a debater should also offer summary reasons as to why they should win, which are commonly referred to as “voting issues.”

     

    Research:

    After students do an initial brainstorm session, conduct research. Look in reputable journals for articles written by experts in the field and texts written by philosophers. Additional sources include, but are not limited to, newspaper articles, think tanks, and credible websites. Check with your school’s Media Center/Library Services Department for research tips and information on what you have access to through your school.

     

    Structural Components:

    Affirmative Constructive 6 minutes

    Negative Cross-Examination 3 minutes

    Negative Constructive/Negative Rebuttal 7 minutes

    Affirmative Cross-Examination 3 minutes

    First Affirmative Rebuttal 4 minutes

    Second Negative Rebuttal 6 minutes

    Second Affirmative Rebuttal 3 minutes

    *Each debater is also entitled to 4 minutes of prep time.

     

    Organizing:

    Argumentation First, a debater must clearly establish their claim. This is generally a declarative statement that establishes the point they are setting out to justify. Next, a debater must clearly establish why their argument is valid. This is known as the warrant for an argument. Debaters need to go beyond asserting their claims by backing them up with analysis explaining why the argument is true. The warrant can come in many forms, but is necessary for the development of the argument. It is important to note that having an author simply make an assertion about a topic is not a warrant. Finally, a debater must provide an impact for their argument. This means the debater establishes why the argument is significant in the round.

     

    Casing After students brainstorm arguments, it is time to construct cases. While there is no rule requiring a specific structure, there is a traditional approach to constructing a case. Most commonly, LD debaters use a value and criterion model to structure their case, however debates on the Austin circuit include progressive arguments including Kritiks, Policy Options, Counter Plans, and more. Under the model of Value Criterion, the students propose a specific value that they feel is the ultimate goal debaters should be striving for in the round. Subsequently, they offer a criterion which offers a specific mechanism to determine if the value is being achieved by either debater in the round. A common example is offering a value of Justice with a criterion of Rights Protection. A debater should offer definitions of these terms, as well as explain how the value best fits the resolution and how the criterion best measures if the value is achieved. After they establish their value and criterion, they would offer contentions. These are the main arguments of the affirmative or negative and would strive to assert that the value/criterion is being achieved. When developing arguments the arguments should link back to the value/criterion.

     

    Refutations Lincoln Douglas debate is more than just cases! Debaters engage in refuting each other’s arguments. Students may refute cases by denying the validity of the argument, which is most common. Additional strategies include, but are not limited to, asserting the reverse of the argument, showing the opponent’s arguments do not carry as much weight as their arguments, or taking out the link between the opponent’s argument and the value/criterion being used in the round. Students can pre-write their answers to arguments they expect their opponents to make. These are commonly known as “blocks.”

     

    Flowing It is important for debaters to learn how to keep track of arguments in the round. Typically debaters “flow” the debate round—making note of the arguments that are presented and refuted in the round. This note-taking approach requires students to abbreviate terms, phrases, and ideas so that they can get as much of the debate written down as possible. Here are some tips:

    • Two sheets of paper. One page will be for anything said about the affirmative, the other for anything said about the negative. Each speech in the round will receive its own column on these pages.  
    • At least one pen, but we recommend two, in different colors.
    • If your opponent is speaking, you should be writing (do not try and determine what is or isn’t important— just get as much down as possible)
    • Orient both pieces of paper vertically, as in a book. Fold (or draw lines) on the sheet of paper into 5 columns of equal width. This can be achieved by folding an initial 1.5” column from either side. Flip the paper and fold in another column to match; continue until the piece of paper has 4 folds to produce 5 columns. This is your affirmative flow.
    • Fold the other sheet of paper into 4 columns of equal width. This is your negative flow.
    • Label the top of each column on the affirmative flow with the names of the speeches, in chronological order from left to right.  
    • Label the top of each column on the negative flow with the names of the speeches, in chronological order from left to right.

     

    Standing it Up/Practicing:

    It is a great idea to do practice rounds before going to your first tournament. At first, it may seem that you do not have enough to say to fill up the speech times. However, that will change with practice. The first round could be a stop and go round where a coach or observer stops you when there’s a missed opportunity or confusion about what you are saying. During these rounds, you may re-give speeches until you or the observer/coach are satisfied with the speech that is delivered. Additionally, since your cases are prepared in advance, students should spend time working on the delivery of that speech. A student should work on emphasis, eye contact, and fluidity.

     

    Performance Tips:

    It is important to remember that you are communicating to your judge. The decision rests solely in the hands of the judge! You must focus on persuading them, which means that you should be directing your speeches and crossexamination questions and answers to the judge, and not to your opponent. When at your first tournament it is important to keep in mind that it gets easier with more practice. The goal is not about where you begin, but where you end. If you get better from round to round or tournament to tournament—you’re successful. Focus not only on what you could improve upon, but also on what you did well. Celebrate what worked and try and emulate that in future rounds or tournaments. Take feedback from judges as opportunities to improve. If judges provide oral feedback, take notes on what they share to review with your coach. Finally, do not fixate on the outcome of a round— focusing on wins and losses won’t lead to greater success!

     

    Resources:

    The Association offers great resources to our members. These include lesson plans for introducing Lincoln Douglas debate to novices, recorded videos on casing, flowing, and drills, written topic analysis, research guides, a textbook, and more! Once you have joined the Association and registered on our website, you can access these through your “dashboard.” From there you can click on “debate resources” and then select “Lincoln Douglas.”