LINCOLN DOUGLAS DEBATE
Table of Contents
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What is it
LD Debate Structure
Terms to Know
Constructive Arguments
 Affirmative
 Negative
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Cross Examinations
Rebuttals
Flowing
What is Lincoln Douglas Debating?
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Named for the 1858 debate between Abraham Lincoln and
Stephen A. Douglas (focused on slavery)
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Morals
Values
Logic
Current focus of LD debate (one on one debating)
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Still morals, values, and logic
Reasons for the WHY behind our actions than the actions
themselves
Understanding what action is done, and why people or
governments chose to take such actions, will help you better
understand the decision making process of those in positions of
power.
LD Structure
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Affirmative Constructive (AC)
6 minutes
Cross-Examination (NEG questions AFF)
3 minutes
Negative Constructive (NC)
7 minutes
Cross-Examination (AFF questions NEG)
3 minutes
1st Affirmative Rebuttal (AR1)
4 minutes
1st Negative Rebuttal (NR)
6 minutes
2nd Affirmative Rebuttal (AR2)
3 minutes
Total Prep Time during debate
4 min/EACH side
Terms to Know
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Resolution – topic of debate
 “Capital
punishment is unjust.”
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Affirmative – in favor of topic
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Negative – opposes topic
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Constructive – building of the speech; SCRIPTED
Value – what is most important in the debate (what will be
achieved/protected) (ex.: Equality)
 Criterion – how to achieve value (sometimes based in
philosophy) (ex.: Equal application of all laws and
consequences)
 Contention – major arguments (ex.: 1) low socio-economic
cannot afford top lawyers and legal teams, 2) defendant
more likely to get death penalty if victim is white.)
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Rebuttal – why the other side’s contentions are
wrong/your contentions are right; PARTIALLY SCRIPTED
Flow – keeping track of the debate; points, contention,
and questions
Constructive Arguments
Outline and handouts.docx
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0fgLUQDqtiE
http://speechanddebatecoach.jeffreylylemason.com/?page_id=250
Cross-Examination (NEG questions AFF)
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3 minutes to ask the affirmative debater questions.
Both debaters should stand up in front of the room
next to each other.
BOTH FACE THE JUDGE and not look at each other
during the CX.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=od5R8ijZOA8
Reasons for CX
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To ask clarification questions about
 arguments
that the student missed
 arguments the student didn’t understand
 the exact meaning of definitions presented
 the strategic effects of arguments in the case
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To attack the opponent’s case position
 To
question the veracity of claims made
 To question the logical links between the
arguments
To establish a presence within the round
 to set up the negative case s/he is about
to read
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Tips for CX
Have a plan!
 Favor shorter questions that all build on
each other
 Can ask for clarification
 Pick an argument and just ask variations
on “why?”
 Be careful not to ask totally open ended
questions.
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Replying to CX
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Know the case backwards and forwards.
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Answer questions directly without rambling.
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Yes or no isn’t always yes or not.
Questions may not be a simply yes or no question. Explain
why your answer needs to be more nuanced than “yes or
no.”
 On the flip side, if you are asked a simple “yes or no”
question that can be answered, answer it.
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Finally, remember, be calm and composed.
Negative Constructive
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Tends to not have definitions since many are the
same definitions so it would be a waste of time to
reiterate.
Will have a value and a way to achieve the value
Structured similar to the affirmative case (same #
of contentions)
If time allows, rebuttal should be started
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P6Je1_6qeEM
Cross-Examination (AFF questions NEG)
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See negative CX section
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RObYH3s5omo
Rebuttals
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Explain how you will set up rebuttal (A/N or N/A)
Designed to attack opponent’s value and
contentions
 Explain
what is wrong with them
 Prove they are not valid
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Allows for further development of your own
contentions and link to importance of your value
If a contention is not address (A or N), then it is
assumed that point is conceded
NO NEW INFORMATION
Rebuttal Tactic – comparing contentions
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Give counter evidence or examples to the other side’s
contention(s)
Point out missteps in their logic
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This doesn’t just mean noting that the original argument is making
assumptions, but pointing out what those assumptions are and
saying why they are wrong.
Point out flaws in evidence
Point out why their side of the resolution is not any better
with regards to this issue, meaning they have no unique
advantage
Raise objection as to why their logic won’t work in the real
world
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Even if the claim they are making is true, you can
say the argument is not important due to
 the
probability that the claim would happen being
small
 the scope or magnitude of the argument being small,
meaning that the problem they cite would not affect
that many people or the benefit they are claiming
would not help that many people
Rebuttals tactic – defending contentions
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Citing a logical fallacy
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“Is/ought” fallacy
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Begging the question
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Assuming that because something happens in a certain way that it ought to
always happen in that way.
Second Amendment argument
This is another way of saying the argument is circular meaning that the
argument assumes premises that assume the conclusion of the argument.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OAXKc-rvMa8 (to 1 min)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mKZQ_mu_Jys (1 min to 2 min)
The false dilemma
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Two options are given and forces a choice between only these two options
Ignores other potential options
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Affirmative Rebuttal 1
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SA-UB5_h_gg
Negative Rebuttal
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLx8d-X2PQg
Affirmative Rebuttal 2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HYrnt_P3hnA
Flowing
AC (6 min)
CX – N to A (3
min)
NC (7 min)
CX – A to N (3
min)
AR1 (4 min)
NR (6 min)
AR2 (3 min)
Basketball
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What is the end goal of a game?
 To
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win
How do you achieve that end goal?
 Score
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the most points
Evaluate – What type of players are going to help
score the most points? (short or tall)
Choose short or tall players and reason how that
type will score the most points
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3mhW62NKVI4
You Must:
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Build both affirmative and negative arguments
(construct and rebuttals)
Write a script for constructive and (some of the)
rebuttals – KNOW WHAT YOU WILL SAY!
Determine who will speak/help where – everyone in
the group MUST have an active role
 Individual
grades
 Group mate grades
Helpful Hints to Divide Your Team
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Affirmative Construct is the most straightforward
Rebuttals must understand how to counter and think
on feet
Cross examinations build cases – use individuals
wisely
You may designate “floaters” who help in all areas
BUT you cannot have more than 1 or 2
EVERYONE MUST RESEARCH
REMEMBER!
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What is it
 Started
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with Abe Lincoln and Stephen Douglas
LD Debate Structure
 Timed
debate
 Minimum debate time 32 minutes
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Terms to Know
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Constructive Arguments
 Affirmative
– define, set value, create contentions in
favor of resolution
 Negative - define, set value, create contentions against
resolution
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Cross Examinations
 Question
round
 Plan
 Find
loopholes
 Review opponents’ contentions
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Rebuttals
 Further
support for your side’s contentions
 Refute opposition’s contentions
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Flowing – keep track of debate
Debate is a civilized discussion that presents
organized thoughts and facts to defend a side. It is
not a place for emotion or unsupported opinions.
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http://www.americanrhetoric.com/MovieSpeeches/
moviespeechthegreatdebaterswileycollegevsharvar
duniversity.html