What is it?
The Long Version:
Lincoln Douglas (LD) is modeled after the Abraham Lincoln-Stephen Douglas debates. It is the only one-on-one debate format and offers a uniquely intense environment geared towards clear, independent argumentation. LD is traditionally regarded as a “value debate” since it is the only event that defines how a society should behave in order to be moral.
Topics often center around government policies as well as current events, with a clever emphasis on philosophy. Students prepare cases every two months to engage in a series of cross-examinations and rebuttals. Because topics rotate every two months, LDers are able to conduct deeper research into current events than any other debate format.
TL;DR:
Hate group projects? Like philosophical inquiry? Both of the above? You'll love LD.
Lincoln Douglas (LD) is modeled after the Abraham Lincoln-Stephen Douglas debates. It is the only one-on-one debate format and offers a uniquely intense environment geared towards clear, independent argumentation. LD is traditionally regarded as a “value debate” since it is the only event that defines how a society should behave in order to be moral.
Topics often center around government policies as well as current events, with a clever emphasis on philosophy. Students prepare cases every two months to engage in a series of cross-examinations and rebuttals. Because topics rotate every two months, LDers are able to conduct deeper research into current events than any other debate format.
TL;DR:
Hate group projects? Like philosophical inquiry? Both of the above? You'll love LD.
WHAt's the format?
Lincoln Douglas starts with a preprepared speech by the side affirming (agreeing with) the resolution. A cross-examination by the opposing side comes next. After this, the negative must combine their constructive with a rebuttal of the affirmative's first speech. After the ensuing cross-examinations come a series of rebuttal speeches: the 1AR, the 2NR, and finally the 2AR.
Speech |
Time Allotted |
Affirmative Constructive (AC) |
6 min. |
Cross-Examination (CX) |
3 min. |
Negative Constructructive (NC) / First Negative Rebuttal (1NR) |
7 min. |
Cross-Examination (CX) |
3 min. |
First Affirmative Rebuttal (1AR) |
4 min. |
Second Negative Rebuttal (2NR) |
6 min. |
Second Affirmative Rebuttal (2AR) |
3 min. |