Carolina Kickoff
2020 — NSDA Campus, SC/US
Lincoln Douglas
Event Description:
Varsity Lincoln/Douglas Debate
NFL Description: This popular style of debating features one person on each side. Propositions of value are debated with the emphasis on developing logical argumentation rather than an accumulation of information. You will learn values analysis, argumentation skills, sound and ethical uses of persuasion, and clear audience centered communication. You will have the opportunity to debate several topics during the school year.
Good debaters construct value-driven cases that are consistent, coherent, combine original analysis with carefully chosen evidence, and tackle the issues in the resolution head-on. Over the course of the debate, they thoroughly defend and expand their own arguments while meticulously deconstructing the arguments of their opponents.
In the spirit of the debates of Lincoln and Douglas, LD Debate should be a clash of ideas rather than personalities. Competitors are expected to be assertive rather than aggressive.
Varsity competitors will debate the following resolution:
Resolved: In a democracy, voting ought to be compulsory.
Specific timing information appears on the ballot. 4 minutes prep time.