Lincoln Douglas Debate

History of Lincoln Douglas Debate Gets its name from Abe Lincoln and Stephen Douglas Stems from the 1858 Illinois senate race Both agreed to a series of 7 debates on the issues of the day Main issue addressed was slavery Persuasion was the key in those debates and remains the same in today’s version LD became an NFL event in 1980

Public Forum vs. Lincoln Douglas 4,4,3,4,4,3,2,2,3,1,1 2 Minutes prep time Pro/Con Crossfire: Both ask questions Coin flip determines sides and speaking order Evidence and logic 1 vs. 1 6,3,7,3,4,6,3 3 Minutes prep time Affirmative/Negative Cross Examination: One person asks questions Aff speaks first; sides are predetermined Values, morals, and logic

Speech Format 1AC (6 Minutes): The Affirmative case, canned speech, supports the resolution 1st CX (3 Minutes): Negative cross examines the Affirmative. Neg asks questions; Aff answers 1NC (7 Minutes): The Negative case, canned speech, negates the resolution, attack Aff case 2nd CX (3 Minutes): Affirmative cross examines the Negative. Aff asks questions; Neg answers 1AR (4 Minutes): Affirmative rebuttal, attack Neg case, rebuild own case 1NR (6 Minutes): Negative rebuttal, defend own case, attack Aff case, tell why you won 2AR (3 Minutes): Affirmative rebuttal, rebuild case, tell why you won

LD Topics LD debate is all about what “ought to be done” LD topics are of fundamental interest to the lives of its audience Topics usually deal with what is morally or ethically right. Past Topics