Lincoln-Douglas Debate

Lincoln-Douglas debate, named after the famous 1858 debates between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas, is a one-on-one format that pits competing values against each other. Unlike team policy debate, LD focuses on philosophical and ethical questions: 'Is civil disobedience justified in a democracy?' or 'Does the right to privacy outweigh national security?' Each round lasts about 35 minutes, with alternating constructive speeches, cross-examination periods, and rebuttals. LD rewards deep thinking, clear value analysis, and persuasive speaking over the rapid-fire evidence delivery common in other formats.