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Start Here: Teaching Lincoln-Douglas

Start Here: Teaching Lincoln-Douglas
Start Here: Teaching Lincoln-Douglas

Lincoln-Douglas Debate (LD) is a one-on-one event where debaters argue against one another on a specified resolution.

Students prepare cases and then engage in an exchange of cross-examinations and rebuttals in an attempt to convince a judge that they are the better debater in the round.

LD explores questions of how society ought to be and is often referred to as a “values” debate, as questions of morality and justice are commonly examined. 

Students Will Be Able To:

  • Write a persuasive speech that features complete arguments with a claim, data, warrant, and impact. 
  • Present information, findings, and supporting evidence clearly, concisely, and logically such that listeners can follow the line of reasoning. 
  • Evaluate a speaker’s point of view, reasoning, and use of evidence and rhetoric, identifying any fallacious reasoning or exaggerated or distorted evidence. 
  • Listen effectively and respond to attacks against their arguments with limited prep using logic and/or evidence. 
  • Craft a framework with a value and criterion that is tied to the resolution.  
  • Respond to attacks against their arguments and weigh their framework against their opponent’s with limited prep using logic and/or evidence. 
  • Complete a full Lincoln-Douglas round. 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

LESSON 1: The Fundamentals of Argument 1
LESSON 2: Research and Media Literacy: Part 1 4
LESSON 3: Research and Media Literacy: Part 2 7
LESSON 4: Formatting Evidence 9
LESSON 5: Framework 12
LESSON 6: Case Construction and Writing 17
LESSON 7: How to Flow 20
LESSON 8: Blocks, Rebuttals, Signposting, Organization 24
LESSON 9: Cross-Examination 28
LESSON 10: Intro to Philosophy: Part 1 32
LESSON 11: Intro to Philosophy: Part 2 35
LESSON 12: Judge Adaptation 39
LESSON 13: Practice Debates 42

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