Lincoln Douglas History n Modeled after the actual

+ Lincoln Douglas

+ History n Modeled after the actual Lincoln-Douglas debates of 1858 n Running against each other for senatorial position n Argued over ethical topics such as slavery

+ What exactly is LD? n One on one debate n Argue over morals and values n Resolutions (topics) decided every 2 months by coaches across the nation n These resolutions are used at most tournaments

+ LD Basics n For every debate, you will need several things: n Value premise: n n n Value criterion: n a way in which you can define and achieve your value premise n mechanism by which you weigh the values at stake and ultimately come to the conclusion that your value premise is achieved Contentions: n n ultimate value that you seek to uphold and/or achieve in the debate round Arguments Warrant: n evidence

+ Examples of Values n Justice n Morality n Societal Welfare n Individual Welfare n Liberty n Democracy n Equality n Happiness n Individual Rights n (Quality of) Life n Social Progress n Privacy n Utility

+ Examples of Value Criteria n Altruism n Utilitarianism n (Social) Contract Theory n Cooperation n Humanism n Pragmatism n Teleology

+ Past topics n Resolved: Placing political conditions on humanitarian aid to foreign countries is unjust. January n Resolved: Developing countries should prioritize environmental protection over resource extraction when the two are in conflict. n Resolved: In the United States criminal justice system, truthseeking ought to take precedence over attorney-client privilege. September n Resolved: In a democracy, voting ought to be compulsory. n Oppressive government is more desirable than no government. n Resolved: The United States is justified in intervening in the internal political processes of other countries to attempt to stop human rights abuses.

+ Practice n n Resolved: The United States ought to guarantee universal health care for its citizens. n VP: justice, equality, quality of life, social progress, natural rights, individual rights n VC: utilitarianism, altruism, social contract, cost-benefit analysis Resolved: Rehabilitation ought to be valued above retribution in the United States criminal justice system. n Your turn !

+ So… what now? n So now you know the basic elements of LD, but how exactly do you go from there to writing a whole case?

+ Steps for Writing LD Case: n Step 1: Research as much information as possible; look for scholarly sources and reliable websites n Find as many useful places as possible n But, don’t save or print more than what is necessary, makes it harder to be organized and find relevant information during debate n Try to look up topic in general, then specifics n Look up key words, helpful definitions, etc. n Try looking up topic by wording it in as any different ways as possible n Step 2: As you find sources, copy down some of the main points of each source in a word doc with a plan for writing out both cases n Step 3: Come up with a value premise and value criterion that help support your points n n Can be done before steps 1 and 2 depending on how much knowledge you have on the subject beforehand Step 4: Finish plan for both cases n After you have the main points of each source, categorize/organize them into 2/3 points that will become your contentions n Each previous main point will then become warrant (evidence) to support the contention it was put in n Step 5: Use plan to write out case n Step 6: Check it n Read it, make any necessary corrections n Read it out loud as you time yourself, shorten or lengthen it as necessary n n Remember, you don’t want to have to read it too fast Add any more useful information you may have found n Step 7: Print it out, and then you’re (almost) DONE! n Step 8: Know your cases well and be prepared for a fun day of debating

+ A Typical Round n Time (minutes) Speech Description n 6 Affirmative Constructive The AFF reads a pre-written case n 3 Negative Cross Examination The NEG asks the AFF questions n 7 the AFF case Negative Constructive The NEG reads a pre-written case and then addresses n 3 Affirmative Cross Examination The AFF asks the NEG questions n 4 First Affirmative Rebuttal The AFF addresses the NEG case and defends own case n 6 and gives Negative Rebuttal The NEG addresses AFF arguments and defends case voting issues n 3 give Second Affirmative Rebuttal AFF covers every argument or only sums of the round to voting issues n Each has a total speaking time of 16 minutes n 4 min prep time

+ Tips and reminders n Before every round say, “At the leisure of my judge and opponent” n Defend own points n Attack opponent’s points n Mention if opponent hasn’t attacked own points n At the end of constructive and 2 nd rebuttal, say, “This is why I urge you to vote for the aff/neg side of this debate. ” n Your rebuttal is when YOU ask questions, don’t let opponent ask you questions n Say thank you to cut opponent off during your own crossfire n Always seem confident n Emphasize important points n Look at the judge n Shake hands with judge after the debate and thank them for judging n Shake hands with your opponent at the end

+ Videos! n https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=Q 5_n. At. Hh 9 Xk&spfreload=1 n Better Video: https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=2 O 3 ppc-UC 2 s