LINCOLN-DOUGLAS DEBATE

1. LINCOLN-DOUGLAS DEBATE

2. The cornerstone of this debate style is the productive dialogue between two differing moral interpretations (value propositions) of an important issue. • Each debater presents a case in which the thesis/resolution is interpreted fairly. • The complexities of an issue are acknowledged through the acceptance of some harms and risks on both sides. • A good debater should be able to argue against unfair definitions of terms, or the imbalanced assignment of burdens. • In other words, debaters should present a persuasive moral position that they can defend against criticisms, refutation without falling into fallacies, contradiction, or denying the complexity of issues at stake.

3. Lincoln-Douglas Debate Rules • One debater argues the affirmative side, the other debater argues the negative side. • The affirmative speaker must present a position agreeing with the proposition or resolution. • The negative debater must disagree with the resolution and provide sufficient clash. • Each debater should be able to make a positive case for their position and values, as opposed to a purely negative attack of his/her opponent.

4. Lincoln-Douglas Debate Format • 1st Affirmative Constructive (3-4 minutes) • Clearly state the resolution/proposition • Clearly preview your main points/contentions • Clearly support each point with credible evidence and use good reasoning • Conclude by summarizing main points • Cross Examination of the affirmative by the negative (2 minutes) • Negative asks questions • Have a strategy and direction to your questioning • Put the affirmative on the defensive!

5. Debate Format, Continued • 1st Negative Constructive (3-4 minutes) • Clearly state your stance on the resolution • Clearly preview your main points/contentions • Clearly support each point with credible evidence and use good reasoning • Cross Examination of the negative by the affirmative (2 minutes) • Affirmative asks questions • Have a strategy and direction to your questioning • Put the negative on the defensive!

6. Rebuttals • Each side has one minute for the final rebuttal. • No new arguments or evidence are allowed in the final rebuttals. • The affirmative should convince the audience of the need for change and show the burden of proof. • The negative should convince the audience that the affirmative has failed to carry out the burden of proof and defend the status quo.

7. Rebuttals, Continued • Rebuttals may consist of elaboration of points already mentioned, or of points newly introduced. • For example, arguments whose logic and examples are distinct from the points that preceded them. • However, concerns of fairness demand that no new points should be brought up after the first affirmative rebuttal. • If a point is not defended from an attack in any given speech, it cannot be defended for the first time in consecutive speeches.

8. Rebuttals, Continued • In each rebuttal, the speaker must defend his/her own case from previous attacks made by the opponent. • Each debater must also attack the opponent’s specific case. • An argument left untouched or unquestioned by the opponent does not necessarily mean that the debater has agreed with that point. • However, a failure to address all points is important in the “dropped” points cannot be defended later in the debate.

9. Class Exercise • Putting barriers on the Golden Gate Bridge • Making laws against panhandling • Affirmative advocates a position • Negative defends the status quo