Othello
2025 — Othello, WA/US
Open Lincoln Douglas Debate
Event Description:
A Lincoln-Douglas debate entry consists of one competitor. WIAA allocation will be based on a single competitor.
FORMAT:
Affirmative 6 minute constructive
Negative 3 minute cross-examination
Negative 7 minute constructive
Affirmative 3 minute cross-examination
Affirmative 4 minute rebuttal
Negative 6 minute rebuttal
Affirmative 3 minute rebuttal
1. The resolution evaluated is a proposition of value, which concerns itself with what ought to be instead of what is. Values are ideals held by individuals, societies, governments, etc., which serve as the highest goals to be considered or achieved within the context of the resolution in question.
2. Each debater has the burden to prove his or her side of the resolution more valid as a general principle. It is unrealistic to expect a debater to prove complete validity or invalidity of the resolution. The better debater is the one who, on the whole, proves his/her side of the resolution more valid as a general principle.
3. Students are encouraged to research topic-specific literature and applicable works of philosophy. The nature of proof should be in the logic and the ethos of a student's independent analysis and/or authoritative opinion.
4. Communication should emphasize clarity. Accordingly, a judge should only evaluate those arguments that were presented in a manner that was clear and understandable to him/her as a judge. Throughout the debate, the competitors should display civility as well as a professional demeanor and style of delivery.
5. After a case is presented, neither debater should be rewarded for presenting a speech completely unrelated to the arguments of his or her opponent; there must be clash concerning the major arguments in the debate. Cross-examination should clarify, challenge, and/or advance arguments.
6. The judge shall disregard new arguments introduced in rebuttal. This does not include the introduction of new evidence in support of points already advanced or the refutation of arguments introduced by opponents.
7. Because debaters cannot choose which side of the resolution to advocate, judges must be objective evaluators of both sides of the resolution. Evaluate the round based only on the arguments that the debaters made and not on personal opinions or on arguments you would have made.
Each Lincoln-Douglas person has four (4) minutes of preparation time to use during a Debate, except that:
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No prep time can be taken prior to cross-examination.
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A person may not take prep time prior to the opposition's speech.
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No prep time can be taken prior to cross-examination. Questioning begins immediately after each constructive speech.
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A competitor may not take prep time prior to an opposing competitor's speech.
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Prep time is to be counted up to the point when the speaker actually begins speaking.
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When a competitor has used all of its four minutes, any additional prep time taken is to be subtracted from speaking time.
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When electronic copies of evidence are being used, once the speaking team has provided the evidence, via electronic filesharing, to the opposing team their prep time shall be stopped. The opposing team should be given a reasonable amount of time to examine the evidence. It is judge's discretion to restart prep time if there is an issue with the storage device provided by the speaking team.