Sample Lincoln Douglas Negative Case with Comments
There are many different ways to write a good Lincoln Douglas debate case. This is a sample
case that has all the important components. I have commented in red and explained the different
parts of the case.
Most people start by affirming or negating the resolution depending on what side you are on.
Some people like to add an introduction first.
Today I must negate the resolution (Resolved: Anthropocentrism ought to be valued above
biocentrism)
Terms should be defined here. You should pick terms that make your arguments clearer or
stronger. Keep in mind how much time you use on definitions and only define what will help
your case.
I offer the following definitions for clarification of the debate round:
From the Merriam-Webster Dictionary
Anthropocentrism - considering human beings as the most significant entity of the universe
Biocentrism - considering all forms of life as having intrinsic value
Extinct - no longer existing
Species - a category of biological classification comprising related organisms or populations
potentially capable of interbreeding
Virus - the causative agent of an infectious disease
At this point you should define your value and criterion. The value should be an important goal
that is to be upheld or protected. It should focus your case and help focus your argumentation.
The criterion should be a standard used to measure the impact on the value and evaluate the
arguments during the round. Both the value and criterion should be referred to throughout the
round and the relationship between the two should be clearly articulated.
My value for this debate is life as defined by The American Heritage® Medical Dictionary - The
property or quality that distinguishes living organisms from dead organisms and inanimate
matter, manifested in functions such as metabolism, growth, reproduction, and response to stimuli
or adaptation to the environment originating from within the organism. The criterion I will be
upholding is that of Utilitarianism defined as the idea that when faced with two actions, an
individual ought to choose the action that produces the greatest good for the greatest number. In
this case the correct action is one that benefits the greatest number of life.
Sometime people but observations in their cases to make points that apply to the whole case. The
observation can also be used to frame your argument or to set up the premise of an argument.
This is an optional component of an LD case.
At this point you can give an overview by listing your main points. I have not done it for this
case but it can be helpful to the judge. If the judge knows the major points it can help him/her
prepare the flow (notes).
At this point you will want to make your points. It is very important to be very clear where each
point starts and stops. You can call them contentions, points arguments etc. The name does not
matter as much as being organized and signposting for the judge. (Signposting is letting the
judge know when a point ends and starts.) I prefer to try connecting points by creating subpoints. This way the judge sees how the sub-points support the main point. Sub-points are not
necessary. It is a stylistic decision.
Contention 1 Life is scarce and needs to be valued as such
Sub point A – Earth is the only planet in this vast universe where we can confirm there is
life.
We have sent probes to Mars and the Moon as well as other planets in our solar system and found
no existence of life.
Sub point B – Life can only develop within a very narrow range of characteristics
From NASA - In order for life to evolve on a planet, scientists believe that the planet must be
warm enough to contain at least some liquid water, but not so hot that all of the water turns to
vapor, as appears to be the case on the planet Venus. It must also contain certain important
elements, like carbon and nitrogen, that are necessary to build living cells, and the environment
must be calm enough that life has time to develop - the planets in some star systems may be hit so
frequently by giant meteorites (causing all the surface water to boil or vaporize) that life never
has a chance to form there. Earth is a very special place, in that it appears to be the perfect
environment for life to form and flourish.
Contention 2 All life has value and man has participated in only a tiny portion of the history
of life on the planet Earth
It is the unbridle arrogance of man to assume that he or she has greater value than any other form
of life. According to National Geographic humans have walked the Earth for 190,000 years, a
mere blip in Earth's 4and a ½ -billion-year history. A lot has happened in that time. According to
the History of the Universe. The Universe was formed 15 billion years ago, the earth was formed
4.7 billion years ago, amino acids started forming and bonding 4 billion years ago, Jellyfish
developed 650 million years ago, insects developed 380 million years ago, mammals developed
200 million years ago, Neanderthals developed 200 thousand years ago, and modern man
developed around 100 thousand years ago. Which means that modern man has only been around
for .0021% of the existence of Earth and .00067% of the existence of the universe.
Contention 3 Man is a virus that destroys life
Sub point A Man has caused the destruction of billions of species
According to Conservation International Species are estimated to be heading towards extinction
at a rate of about one every 20 minutes. That’s a pace a thousand times faster than the norm
during Earth’s history. That’s not just fast, that’s out of control. And it’s definitely not good.
This situation is directly tied to two issues – habitat destruction and climate change. In the same
20 minutes, we will destroy 1,200 acres of forest and emit 180,000 tons of carbon dioxide into the
atmosphere worldwide. Less forest cover means fewer acres of habitat for species and more
climate-changing carbon in the atmosphere. As climate, landscapes, and oceans change, species
must move or adapt. Those that can’t simply die out.
Sub point B Man is in the process of making the planet uninhabitable for himself as well.
From Nobel Prize winner Al Gore Carbon dioxide and other gases warm the surface of the planet
naturally by trapping solar heat in the atmosphere. This is a good thing because it keeps our
planet habitable. However, by burning fossil fuels such as coal, gas and oil and clearing forests
we have dramatically increased the amount of carbon dioxide in the Earth's atmosphere and
temperatures are rising. We're already seeing changes. Glaciers are melting, plants and animals
are being forced from their habitats, and the number of severe storms and droughts is increasing.
Sub point C Man is the only animal who kills for pleasure
All other creatures kill for survival or to feed themselves. In addition to killing for fun man
creates weapons of mass destruction that not only kill large numbers of humans and other life
forms, his weapons leave a path of destruction that will last for hundreds of years. All one has to
do is think about nuclear weapons to confirm that man is a virus bent on the destruction of the
world.
The Negative case has seven minutes for their first speech. You must decide how to split the time
between establishing your case and clashing with the affirmative case. I tend to use a rough split
of four minutes of case, leaving three minutes for clash with the affirmative case and a
conclusion. It is a good idea to have some extra examples in case the clash does not use all the
time you have allotted.
The case should end with a strong conclusion. The conclusion professionally ends the speech,
ties your points together, reinforces your value and criterion and includes an appeal for the judge
to vote for your side.
In conclusion, I have proven using my criterion Utilitarianism that man is a destructive force that
destroys my value of life. Valuing biocentrism is best because it support the most life and the
long term viability of the planet. Therefore you should vote for the negative.