Lincoln-Douglas (LD) Debate

Lincoln-Douglas Debate (LD) 

• Personal prejudices of the judge on the topic are to be set aside. 

• The best argument wins, not the best sounding speaker -- this is a debate, not an interpretive event. 

*If you think of an argument against one of the debater's arguments, don't use it against that debater. You are not debating today. Only judge what happens in the round. 

*There should be no new arguments in the final 2 speeches. 

• Points -- on a scale of 0-30): 29-30 (grade point A) Excellent; 27-28 (grade point B) Good; 25-26 (grade point C) Average; 24-25 (grade point D) Improve. It is only acceptable to give fewer points than these in instances of improper be havior (which must be noted on the ballot). 

*Some ballots have a scale of 1-50. 48-50 (grade point A), 45-47 (grade point B), 43-44 (Grade point C), 40-42 (Grade point D). 

• Write constructive ballots. Give reasons for decisions based on the round ("aff's value of justice outweighed neg's value of home-cooking" or "aff dropped the argument about individual rights") rather than vague generalities ("aff was the better speaker" or "neg was more persuasive.") 

Lincoln-Douglas debate Lincoln-Douglas is a one-on-one debate between two people affirming and ne gating a resolution. The resolutions change roughly every two months, and the topics are along the lines of, Which is Better, Anarchy or Tyranny? or, Is Multicul turalism Good or Bad? or, Is the Death Penalty Just? What the topics usually boil down to is a conflict between the rights of one individual or group of individuals measured against the rights of some other individual or group, or, is a certain ac tion right or wrong (i.e., moral). What the debaters offer in their cases is the greatest inherent value of either the affirmative or negative; they defend that value on their side, while attacking their opponent's value. And the thing is, there's no objectively right answer, which makes the topics eminently arguable. In any tournament, the debaters are required to argue both sides of the resolution; the point is to be persuasive on either side, by acquiring and demonstrating the skills of reasoned argument. 

When the debate begins, the judge usually has to time it. (NOTE: If both debaters have timers, it is perfectly acceptable for a judge to merely keep them honest and not give signals.) After the first minute has elapsed, give time signals with the correct number of fingers showing the time remaining. 

As soon as the debate is over, the debaters will leave the room. Write up your ballot now, while it's still fresh in your mind, If the B flight comes into the room while you're writing up the A flight -- and they will -- tell them to cool their heels for two minutes while you finish your ballot. Try not to take a lot of time, as it may hold up the tournament