LD: Lincoln-Douglas Debate

1. LD: Lincoln-Douglas Debate History: 1858 - Illinois senatorial debates between Abraham Lincoln & Stephen Douglas 1980 - Became high school competitive event

2. Types of propositions • LD uses propositions of value: good or bad, right or wrong, useful or useless • Different from CX which uses propositions of policy: what should be done about a problem, what changes should be made

3. LD Format & time limits • 6: AFF constructive • 3: NEG CX • 7: NEG constructive • 3: AFF CX • 4: AFF Rebuttal • 6: NEG Rebuttal • 3: AFF Rebuttal • Also: 4 minutes of prep. time allowed

4. LD Format • AFF speaks more than NEG- AFF has burden of proof • Times are equal for both AFF & NEG

5. LD Speaker Responsibilities • AFF constructive: 6 min. Present AFF case including definitions • NEG constructive: 7 min. Present NEG case (approx. 5 min.), present arguments that clash w/ AFF positions in 1st speech (approx. 2 min. to attack AFF); will not be able to introduce new arguments in rebuttal (only new evidence, reasoning, or responses to arguments already stated), so set up arguments now • For each case- have at least one quote per argument; use philosophers for support

6. LD Speaker Responsibilities • 1st AFF Rebuttal: 4 min. Respond to NEG case, reestablish AFF issues by comparing them to NEG’s issues, proving AFF to be better position • NEG Rebuttal: 6 min. Challenge comparisons established by AFF, extend arguments denying AFF’s case w/ evidence & reasoning, reinforce NEG positions, summarize debate to NEG’s advantage • 2nd AFF Rebuttal: 3 min. Reestablish comparisons of value, proving AFF position to be strongest, summarize debate to AFF’s advantage • ALL: Include voting issues- why you should win!

7. Case Construction • Topic analysis • Case needs to include: • Intro. • Statement of resolution • Definition of terms • Value to be defended • Criteria for evaluating debate • Outline of issues to be debated w/ evidence & reasoning to support issues • Justification of issues or values as key elements

8. LD Values • Values- something so prized by society it becomes a goal in life (liberty, security, safety, equality, justice, progress, etc.) • Types: • Moral- ethical means • Political- constitutional principles, power • Utilitarian- efficiency of means; usefulness or effectiveness of behavior

9. Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs • Physical- survival (food, water, shelter) • Security- protection from threats • Belonging- love • Self-esteem- status, respect • Self-actualization- fulfillment, being all we can be!

10. LD Criteria • Needs to relate to value! • How to judge if value is met • Keep value & criterion upheld throughout debate

11. Cross examination • Prepare questions ahead of time • Set up arguments to be used in your rebuttal • Avoid open-ended questions unless getting opponent to explain how or why • Be polite & direct • When being examined… • If you don’t understand, have them clarify • Try to give direct answers • Don’t fall into a trap!

12. Steps of Effective Refutation • State opponent’s argument as close as you can • Provide brief summary of what they said • Indicate what they left out • Give your arguments • Summarize & move on (For each argument)

13. Rebuttals • Where you win the debate! • Be organized • Don’t just summarize speech • Answer every point on the flow • Signpost- tell judge which point you are refuting

14. Making evidence cards • Get articles • Bracket evidence in articles (put brackets around 2-3 sentences you chose as evidence) • Cut out the evidence • Tape or glue the evidence to paper • Source cite the evidence (Author, qualifications, date, book/mag./etc. name & page number right before each piece of evidence) • Tag the evidence (Write a 4-9 word complete sentence that accurately & persuasively states the main point of the evidence