Lincoln-Douglas debate is also known as L-D
debate, which is the source of many
stupid jokes by
policy debaters. In L-D debate, two debaters face off on opposite sides of a
resolution. The person taking the
affirmative side begins with a six-minute opening
argument. The timing of the typical L-D round is as follows:
1. 6 minute opening argument by the affirmative
2. 3 minute cross-examination by the negative
3. 7 minute opening argument and response by the negative
4. 3 minute cross-examination by the affirmative
5. 4 minute response by the affirmative
6. 6 minute response by the negative
7. 3 minute response and closing arguments by the affirmative
L-D debate is value debate. The resolution forces each side to take on competing
values and argue about which one is supreme. For example, if the resolution is, "Resolved: An
oppresive government is better than no
government at all," the affirmative side might value "
order" and the negative side might value "
freedom". Such a debate would revolve around whether order is more valuable than freedom.
Each side supports her/his arguments with a
criterion, or a
paradigm for judging the values. For example, a
political resolution such as the one mentioned above might call for a debater to use
Rousseau's
On Social Contract to judge whether order is more valuable than freedom.
The outcome of the debate is decided by one to three
judges, who, in
theory, judge the round on such things as
value,
criterion, speaking ability, individual arguments, and cordiality. In
reality, rounds are often decided on what side the judge argrees with or which debaters the judge is attracted to.
L-D debate is offered as a course in many
high schools across the nation, and students often have the opportunity to compete within the
National Forensic League. Debate is an excellent opportunity for teenagers to learn
philosophy,
research skills, and argumentation.