Lincoln Douglas Debate

National Forensics League hosts debate tournaments around the united states during the year so high school students can compete. There are three different debate events in these tournaments. Lincoln Douglas, Public forum, and Policy debate. Lincoln douglas debate is a one on one debate event. This type of debate has a resolution that usually involves morals. Each debater will write two cases. One on the affirmative side and one on the negative side. The case usually begins with a quote supporting the side of the resolution you are on (aff/neg). The debater then recites the resolution and begins their case. The debater will choose a value and a value criterion to support their case and also explain why they chose that value and value criterion in their introduction. For example, values that could be used are unitarianism, justice, freedom, excetera. The value criterion is suppossed to support the value. These two things will uphold your entire case and it is very important you do not drop them or forget to address them during the debate. Essentually Lincoln douglas (also called LD) is the debate that requires the least amount of evidence. Although, you will need some evidence seeing as it is debate and you need some way to support your evidence other than your values. Without any evidence what so ever, the debate would boil down to opinion against opinion. You will have three contentions in your case. Contentions are just like main points. Just your main arguments. You'll have six minutes to read your case so make your explanations of your contentions lengthy so you fill up the six minutes. At the end of your case, it is important you sum up what you just said so it is easy for the other debater to flow (write down) the main points of your case.