Lincoln-Douglas debate is one person debating against another person and is primarily focused on competing values. Every year, a resolution is selected from a list and used at tournaments held during that time period. Resolutions often take the form in which two values are pitted against each other. A classic example is the equality v. liberty resolution – “Resolved: A just social order ought to place the principle of equality above that of liberty.” For this resolution, the goal of the debate should be to determine which value is of greater importance in a just social order.
Other resolutions may not be as straightforward in establishing what values are in conflict. Examples include: “Resolved: Secondary education in the United States ought to be a privilege and not a right” and “Resolved: When they are in conflict, a business’ responsibility to itself ought to be valued above its responsibility to society.” Through an examination of these resolutions, underlying values will emerge. Debaters then write cases (the affirmative should write a 6 minute case and the negative should write a 7 minute case) that are presented in the constructive speeches and extended in the form of spontaneous rebuttals later in the debate.
STOA LD RESOURCES
STOA SPEECH ROUNDS
Speech Order Each debate round will consist of the following speeches & time limits, in order:
- Affirmative Constructive (AC) 6 minutes
- Cross Examination of the Affirmative 3 minutes
- Negative Constructive (NC) 7 minutes
- Cross Examination of the Negative 3 minutes
- 1st Affirmative Rebuttal (1AR) 4 minutes
- Negative Rebuttal (NR) 6 minutes
- 2nd Affirmative Rebuttal (2AR) 3 minutes
OTHER LD RESOURCES
Non-Stoa LD Resources
Handbooks
- Your First Case – Everyday Debate
- The Ultimate LD Handbooks – Marko Djuranovic
- Red-Book-Digital
- Keys to Cross-Examination