LINCOLN-DOUGLAS DEBATE

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LINCOLN-DOUGLAS DEBATE
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• 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.

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Lincoln-Douglas Debate Rules

• 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.

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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!

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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!

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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.

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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.

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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 opponents
  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.

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Class Exercise

• Putting barriers on the Golden Gate Bridge
• Making laws against panhandling
• Affirmative advocates a position
• Negative defends the status quo