Lincoln-Douglas Debate

The Lincoln-Douglas style of debate is modeled after the structure of the famous debates over slavery and abolition between Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglas. Only two people participate in the debate speaking to a judge and audience. Unlike Spar Debating, Lincoln-Douglas debates are about serious issues—no more arguing whether bananas or grapes are better. Debates in the Lincoln-Douglas style are also much longer than Spars and are not impromptu. Participants are given a Resolution about a current world issue, usually several weeks before the debate, and begin to prepare their case. This includes composing their first speech, in which they present their case, memorizing it (sometimes optional but recommended), and collecting evidence to back themselves up.

The important thing to remember about Lincoln-Douglas debating is that it is based on values. Values are what you get when you ask yourself why something is and why that is, and then keep asking until the answer is "Just because." Sort of when an obnoxious sibling will ask "Why?" to every response you give. Values are peoples' assumptions. Many are generally assumed to be true by everyone, like good and bad. If you, your opponent, and the judge don't all believe in a certain value, don't use it to back up your case. Some common values are, life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness, justice, property, fairness, honesty, duty, education, respect, and kindness. All these are assumed to be true principles by, if not everyone, the vast majority.

Lincoln-Douglas debates are over whether the resolution is good/bad or right/wrong, and so their rhetoric is mostly epidiectic. Because of this you need some bases on which to stand that are assumed to be right or are assumed to be wrong no questions asked. Values are those bases. Vitally important to your winning is making your case clear and having easy to follow steps of logic from the Resolution to values. Without this structure, your case may come across as just a jumbled mess of good ideas. Try to make each step of your logic unassailable and smooth the edges of your case so that your opponent has nothing to grab onto.

Another difference between Spar and Lincoln-Douglas is that you will probably be asked to argue both sides (Affirmative and Negative) though in separate debates. What this means is that if an example or path of logic is relevant, then you can usually use it for one of your cases. (You'll need to prepare two.) Spend lots of time finding evidence and thinking of good points you could make so that you can choose from the best of them for your final cases.

Usually, memorization is optional, but it can make you even more effective by allowing more eye contact between you and the judge. You make sure it is optional before deciding not to memorize though.

Here is a list of the normal speech lengths within the debate:

Affirmative presents his case - 6 minutes.

Negative's Cross Examination of the Affirmative case – 3 minutes.

Negative presents his case and attacks the Affirmative's – 7 minutes.

Affirmative's Cross Examination of the Negative case – 3 minutes.

Affirmative defends his case and attacks the Negative's – 4 minutes.

Negative concludes his case – 5 minutes.

Affirmative concludes his case – 2 minutes.

There is also 10 minutes of preparation time that each participant may use and spread out between the separate speeches.

After the debate the judge will usually give some critiques and tips on how they could improve.

The speaker will always face and address the judge. Even during the Cross Examinations both participants will address the judge, and questions will be asked to the judge (Does my opponent agree that nuclear waste is dangerous to life?), even though they are going to be answered by your opponent.

Thanks to Alex Williams for his help with this article.

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