Lincoln Douglas

History Modeled after the actual Lincoln-Douglas debates of 1858 Running against each other for senatorial position Argued over ethical topics such as slavery

What exactly is LD? One on one debate Argue over morals and values Resolutions (topics) decided every 2 months by coaches across the nation These resolutions are used at most tournaments

LD Basics For every debate, you will need several things: Value premise: ultimate value that you seek to uphold and/or achieve in the debate round Value criterion: a way in which you can define and achieve your value premise mechanism by which you weigh the values at stake and ultimately come to the conclusion that your value premise is achieved Contentions: Arguments Warrant: evidence

Examples of Values Justice Morality Societal Welfare Individual Welfare Liberty Democracy Equality Happiness Individual Rights (Quality of) Life Social Progress Privacy Utility

Examples of Value Criteria Altruism Utilitarianism (Social) Contract Theory Cooperation Humanism Pragmatism Teleology

Past topics Resolved: Placing political conditions on humanitarian aid to foreign countries is unjust.January Resolved: Developing countries should prioritize environmental protection over resource extraction when the two are in conflict. Resolved: In the United States criminal justice system, truth- seeking ought to take precedence over attorney-client privilege.September Resolved: In a democracy, voting ought to be compulsory. Oppressive government is more desirable than no government. Resolved: The United States is justified in intervening in the internal political processes of other countries to attempt to stop human rights abuses.

Practice Resolved: The United States ought to guarantee universal health care for its citizens. VP: justice, equality, quality of life, social progress, natural rights, individual rights VC: utilitarianism, altruism, social contract, cost-benefit analysis Resolved: Rehabilitation ought to be valued above retribution in the United States criminal justice system. Your turn !

So… what now? So now you know the basic elements of LD, but how exactly do you go from there to writing a whole case?

Steps for Writing LD Case: Step 1: Research as much information as possible; look for scholarly sources and reliable websites Find as many useful places as possible But, don’t save or print more than what is necessary, makes it harder to be organized and find relevant information during debate Try to look up topic in general, then specifics Look up key words, helpful definitions, etc. Try looking up topic by wording it in as any different ways as possible Step 2: As you find sources, copy down some of the main points of each source in a word doc with a plan for writing out both cases Step 3: Come up with a value premise and value criterion that help support your points Can be done before steps 1 and 2 depending on how much knowledge you have on the subject beforehand Step 4: Finish plan for both cases After you have the main points of each source, categorize/organize them into 2/3 points that will become your contentions Each previous main point will then become warrant (evidence) to support the contention it was put in Step 5: Use plan to write out case Step 6: Check it Read it, make any necessary corrections Read it out loud as you time yourself, shorten or lengthen it as necessary Remember, you don’t want to have to read it too fast Add any more useful information you may have found Step 7: Print it out, and then you’re (almost) DONE! Step 8: Know your cases well and be prepared for a fun day of debating

A Typical Round Time (minutes) Speech Description 6 Affirmative Constructive The AFF reads a pre-written case 3 Negative Cross Examination The NEG asks the AFF questions 7 Negative Constructive The NEG reads a pre-written case and then addresses the AFF case 3 Affirmative Cross Examination The AFF asks the NEG questions 4 First Affirmative Rebuttal The AFF addresses the NEG case and defends own case 6 Negative Rebuttal The NEG addresses AFF arguments and defends case and gives voting issues 3 Second Affirmative Rebuttal AFF covers every argument or only sums of the round to give Each has a total speaking time of 16 minutes 4 min prep time

Tips and reminders Before every round say, “At the leisure of my judge and opponent” Defend own points Attack opponent’s points Mention if opponent hasn’t attacked own points At the end of constructive and 2nd rebuttal, say, “This is why I urge you to vote for the aff/neg side of this debate.” Your rebuttal is when YOU ask questions, don’t let opponent ask you questions Say thank you to cut opponent off during your own crossfire Always seem confident Emphasize important points Look at the judge Shake hands with judge after the debate and thank them for judging Shake hands with your opponent at the end

Videos! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5_nAtHh9Xk&spfreloa d=1 Better Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2O3ppc- UC2s