Lincoln Douglas Debate Terminology

What is Debate?

• Arguing with another person

• Verbally fighting against an opponent

• A formal competition where students debate both sides of an issue

• A debate where students only have to defend their own opinion

This is the topic being debated.

Takes the form of a single declarative sentence.

• Resolution

• Value Premise

• Value Criterion

• Case

The pro side of a debate.

Addresses the topic in its entirety, not just in part.

• Pro

• Positive

• Affirmative

• Negative

 The con side of a debate.

• Negative

• Anti

• Obstructive

• Dissension

(a)   speeches are speeches where you lay out your arguments for/against the topic.

The “goal” your case wants to achieve.

• Value Premise

• Value Criterion

• Value

• Value Presumption

Value (a)  

How you achieve your value premise. Most often written as [verb] + [noun].

Arguments against your opponent’s arguments.

These speeches/arguments are usually prepared during the debate - in response to what your opponents say.

(a)  

This is the question/answer period in the debate where either one side asks the other questions 

(Hint- Two Word Answer)

(a)  

This is time during the debate where debaters/teams can choose to take time preparing what to say - 

usually this happens before rebuttal speeches or other speeches later in the debate.

• Editing Time

• Preparation Time

• Concocting Time

• Composing Time