Sample Lincoln Douglas Affirmative 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 to explain 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 affirm the following resolution (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 Encarta Dictionary:
Anthropocentrism: regarding humans as the universe's most important entity
From Merriam Webster Online Dictionary
Biocentrism: considering all forms of life as having intrinsic value
Altruism: unselfish regard for or devotion to the welfare of others
Creative: marked by the ability or power to bring into existence
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 round is Intelligence defined as “the ability to apply knowledge to
manipulate one's environment or to think abstractly as measured by objective criteria.” The criterion I
will be upholding my value with is that of Paternalism defined as “a system under which an authority
treats those under its control paternally (as by regulating their conduct and supplying their needs)”
Sometimes 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. In this case I felt that it was important to show that all life has
value and that the real issue is which has more value.
Observation 1: Humans must be valued above other creatures
This does not mean that biocentrism shouldn’t be valued at all, it only means that anthropocentrism
should be valued above it. As the definition for biocentrism states, all forms of life have “intrinsic
value”; this includes human, animal, and botanic life.
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 organised 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 sub-points. 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: Humans are the most evolved creatures
According to E! Science News “Humans top the list of the most intelligent creatures”. From
Scientific America s “far as we know, no dog can compose music, no dolphin can speak in rhymes,
and no parrot can solve equations with two unknowns. Only humans can perform such intellectual
feats, presumably because we are smarter than all other animal species”
Sub point A: Humans have to ability to be creative
Humans have created many wonders in art, architecture, literature and music. Some of the great
works of art and architecture include the Greek Parthenon, the Roman Coliseum and aqueducts, Da
Vinci’s Mona Lisa or Last Supper, Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel or Pieta, Caravagio’s Conversion of
St. Paul, Monet’s cathedrals or water lilies, and the list could go on and on and on and on. Human’s
spectacular achievements in literature include Homers, The Iliad; The Odyssey, Albert Camus’, The
Stranger, Charles Dickens’, Great Expectations, Ernest Hemingway’s, The Old Man and the Sea,
James Joyce’s , Ulysses. Once again the list goes on and on and on. The achievement of humans in
the field of music also goes on and on and include, works from Beethoven, Vivaldi, Mozart and the
Beatles
Sub point B: Humans have the capacity for science
Humans are not satisfied with the status quo and are always pushing for greater understanding. Not
only have humans developed science they have made great leaps forward in most of the fields. Some
of the many fields include: Astronomy, Biology, Chemistry, Genetics, Medicine and Physics.
Sub point C: Humans have used their intelligence curiosity and creativity to invent and create
many useful tools and processes
English psychiatric and renown author, Anthony Storr once said, “Man seems to be a problemseeking as well as a problem-solving animal. We are programmed to change, develop, and meet new
challenges until we die.” Some of the top discoveries include: the Transistor, Television, World Wide
Web, Xerography, Microprocessor, Penicillin, DNA mapping. Computers for instance are one of
human’s most powerful inventions, allowing communication across the globe, data storage, improved
research and education, produce and run capital equipment. Advances in medical tools have also
improved the lives of humans and animals as well. Vaccines, Cat scans, MRIs laser scalpels are just a
minor number of the equipment developed by man
Sub point D: Humans have the capacity to triumph over adversity
Through out history there are numerous examples of people who have triumphed over impossible
odds or overcome great handicaps. Some examples Helen Keller who was blind and deaf, Steve
Handschu who is a blind sculpture, Canadian Terry Fox who had his right leg amputated due to
cancer and became a marathon run and Lance Armstrong who after battling cancer won the Tour de
France seven times. It is this ability to triumph over adversity that will allow humans to face and
conquer any problem presented to them.
Contention 2: Humans are the only truly altruistic species
According to D.H. Lawrence “Man is a moral animal” It is in our nature to help each other and other
forms of life. All one has to do is look at outpouring of help to the survivors of the earthquake in
Haiti, Asian tsunami, California wildfire or our own experiences with Hurricane Ike to see that
humans go out of their way to help people. These examples are just a tiny number of the great
humanistic efforts made to help people through out history and across the globe. Think about the
accomplishments of Mother Teresa, Dr. King, President Carter, Bill Gates, Andrew Carnegie and you
can see that not only are there groups that help others but there are also individuals that make a
difference in the world. Not to belabour the point but these are humans that are making a difference
not animals.
Contention 3 —Humans are the only creatures capable of paternalism
It is human’s intelligence, altruism and capacity for tool creation that makes humans the best and only
candidate to care for all of the other species on the planet as well as the planet itself. Animals and
plants do not have the intelligence or tool making ability to look after the planet and the multitude of
species that live on it. This paternalism has occurred is occurring and will continue to occur. For
example humankind has gone out of its way to preserve species on the verge extinction. From the
Green Expander “Since the ratification of the Endangered Species Act in 1973, many species have
been saved from extinction. For over three decades, the Endangered Species Act has served as
America’s safety net for wildlife. Its purpose, to protect fish, plants and wildlife from going extinct is
yet to be reached but many species are on the road to recovery. As of April 3, 2007, there are 1,326
species on the threatened and endangered lists but many have been saved.” These include: the Prairie
Dog, Whooping Crane, Grizzly Bear, Bald Eagle, Gray Wolf, Green Sea Turtle and the list goes on
and on.
Contention 4: Human’s paternalistic obligation is necessary
Anthropocentrism must be valued above biocentrism so as to increase our chances of survival in the
long run. Humans are the most evolved form of life in the planet, thus they have the moral obligation
to look after it. It is the duty of humans to look after their surroundings. As already stated, it is not a
choice whether to care for the Earth or let it die; it is an obligation to our ecosystem and our fellow
creatures. In order for all life including humans to survive it is humankind that must take point, and in
order to take point and fulfil its paternalistic obligations anthropocentrism must be valued over
biocentrism
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, you should vote for the affirmative because I have proven that the high intelligence of
humans and their paternalistic nature make them the best stewards for this planet. Contention one
show they are the most evolved and have the highest intelligence and Contention two through four
prove that they are the only species capable of protecting this planet through this paternalistic nature.