River City Lights
2021 — Richmond, VA/US
Lincoln Douglas
Abbreviation
LD
Format
Debate
Entry Fee
$0.00
Entry
1 competitors per entry
Event Description:
PURPOSE & OVERVIEW
Lincoln-Douglas debate or LD has its origins in the political debates of Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas in 1858. L-D is one-on-one debating as opposed to team debating. In addition, L-D debaters consider propositions of value rather than propositions of policy. Topics are selected by the National Speech and Debate Association monthly. Topics range from individual freedom versus the collective good to economic development versus environmental protection. Students may consult evidence gathered prior to the debate but may not use the internet in round. An entire debate is roughly 45 minutes and consists of constructive speeches, rebuttals, and cross-examination.