LD
-- LINCOLN-DOUGLAS DEBATE
Named after the famous political debates in 1857, LD debate features one-on-one competition. A topic for the school year is announced in August, providing about 6 weeks to prepare for the first tournament.
To be competitive in debate, speakers must be thoroughly versed in two areas:
- the topic being debated, and
- the theory and practice of argument and debate.
Speakers are prepared to debate both sides of the question, and in a tournament will usually alternate sides from round to round.
A round consists of the following speeches:
- Affirmative Constructive 8 min.
- Negative Cross-examination 3 min.
- Negative Constructive 12 min.
- Affirmative Cross-examination 3 min.
- First Affirmative Rebuttal 6 min.
- Negative Rebuttal 6 min.
- Second Affirmative Rebuttal 4 min.
What you should expect to get out of this event:
- You will learn much about an important public issue, becoming an expert on a pressing problem, and the various ways that have been proposed to address it.
- You will learn about reasoning, what makes an argument good or bad, and how arguments support cases.
- You will learn how to respond to the arguments of others.
- You will learn how to research a topic carefully.
- You will learn how to structure information for clear and effective presentation.
- You will enjoy sharing your observations and insights with coaches and team members in practice, and with opponents and audiences in competition.
- You will learn greater control of your voice and body, making both more expressive.
- You will get better at thinking on your feet, practicing self-control and poise under pressure.
- You will learn to become a more careful listener.
- You will read more widely and perceptively, sorting and gathering material which you can use in your debates.
- You will develop your memory, learning to depend on it to provide you with information you need at the moment.
- You will learn to become a better observer of the world around you, staying alert for information and viewpoints that will make you a better thinker and speaker.
- You will better understand yourself, searching your own experience to help you find worthwhile things to say.
- You will learn a lot by watching excellent debaters.
Special features of this event in competition:
LD is a worthwhile event when done right, as in the NFA-LD style. Unfortunately in some other circles it is not, leading debaters into habits of thought and delivery that hinder, rather than enhance communication. Our participation is limited to where debating means good communication. Debaters should be aware that Bethany's Speech program focuses on Individual Events and Parliamentary Debate. Those who aspire to the National Tournament Team should know that it is unlikely that we will enter LD at Nationals, and to go they will have to qualify in an individual event or in Parli.
What you will do to be competitive in this event:
Initial preparation: about 6 weeks
- select the LD Debate event
- analyze the topic 2-3 days
- learn more about it (preliminary research) 1 week
- build an affirmative case 1 week
- analyze negative options 1 week
- practice rounds 3 weeks
- research, build extensive evidence file continuously
- study, discuss, and practice argument and debate theory continuously
Between-tournament preparation:
- Discuss, analyze cases encountered
- Additional research to strengthen, keep up-to-date
- Rewrite case to strengthen and clarify
- Continue practice rounds
Return to Chooser menu or move on to next event.
Most recent update 8 August 1998
Send comments or suggestions to tkuster@blc.edu