LINCOLN-DOUGLAS DEBATE

• The cornerstone of this debate style is the productive dialogue between two differing moral interpretations (value propositions) of an important issue.

• Each debater presents a case in which the thesis/resolution is interpreted fairly.

• The complexities of an issue are acknowledged through the acceptance of some harms and risks on both sides.

• A good debater should be able to argue against unfair definitions of terms, or the imbalanced assignment of burdens.

– In other words, debaters should present a persuasive moral position that they can defend against criticisms, refutation without falling into fallacies, contradiction, or denying the complexity of issues at stake.

• One debater argues the affirmative side, the other debater argues the negative side.

• The affirmative speaker must present a position agreeing with the proposition or resolution.

• The negative debater must disagree with the resolution and provide sufficient clash.

• Each debater should be able to make a positive case for their position and values, as opposed to a purely negative attack of his/her opponent.

Lincoln-Douglas Debate Rules

Lincoln-Douglas Debate Format

• 1st Affirmative Constructive (3-4 minutes)– Clearly state the resolution/proposition– Clearly preview your main points/contentions– Clearly support each point with credible evidence and

use good reasoning– Conclude by summarizing main points

• Cross Examination of the affirmative by the negative (2 minutes)– Negative asks questions– Have a strategy and direction to your questioning– Put the affirmative on the defensive!

Debate Format, Continued

• 1st Negative Constructive (3-4 minutes)– Clearly state your stance on the resolution– Clearly preview your main points/contentions– Clearly support each point with credible evidence and

use good reasoning

• Cross Examination of the negative by the affirmative (2 minutes)– Affirmative asks questions– Have a strategy and direction to your questioning– Put the negative on the defensive!

Rebuttals• Each side has one minute for the final

rebuttal.

• No new arguments or evidence are allowed in the final rebuttals.

• The affirmative should convince the audience of the need for change and show the burden of proof.

• The negative should convince the audience that the affirmative has failed to carry out the burden of proof and defend the status quo.

Rebuttals, Continued

• Rebuttals may consist of elaboration of points already mentioned, or of points newly introduced.– For example, arguments whose logic and

examples are distinct from the points that preceded them.

• However, concerns of fairness demand that no new points should be brought up after the first affirmative rebuttal.

• If a point is not defended from an attack in any given speech, it cannot be defended for the first time in consecutive speeches.

Rebuttals, Continued• In each rebuttal, the speaker must defend his/her

own case from previous attacks made by the opponent.

• Each debater must also attack the opponent’s specific case.

• An argument left untouched or unquestioned by the opponent does not necessarily mean that the debater has agreed with that point.

• However, a failure to address all points is important in the “dropped” points cannot be defended later in the debate.

Class Exercise

• Putting barriers on the Golden Gate Bridge

• Making laws against panhandling

– Affirmative advocates a position– Negative defends the status quo