Lincoln-Douglas debate

Speech order

The Affirmative (Aff) supports the resolution and speaks first and last. The Negative (Neg) opposes it and gets two longer speeches in the middle. Sides are usually assigned by the tournament, and each debater gets the same 13 minutes of speaking time.

1. Affirmative Constructive (AC)6 minutes
2. Cross-examination3 minutes, Negative asks
3. Negative Constructive (NC)7 minutes
4. Cross-examination3 minutes, Affirmative asks
5. 1st Affirmative Rebuttal (1AR)4 minutes
6. Negative Rebuttal (NR)6 minutes
7. 2nd Affirmative Rebuttal (2AR)3 minutes

Prep time: under NSDA rules each debater has 4 minutes in total to use between speeches. Some invitational tournaments and state leagues set a different amount, so check the tournament's rules.

What each speech does

Value and criterion

Most LD cases start with a framework that tells the judge how to decide which side is right. It has two parts:

• Value (or value premise): the big goal the round is about, such as justice, morality, human dignity or well-being. Many resolutions name a value for you, for example a resolution asking whether something is "just" points to justice.
• Criterion (or value criterion): the standard used to measure that value, such as "protecting human rights" or "maximizing well-being". It explains how the judge can tell who achieves the value better.

Debaters then argue that their contentions best meet the criterion. Often both debaters accept the same value and fight over the criterion. A debater who wins the framework still has to show that their arguments meet it, so winning the framework alone rarely wins the round.

Topics

LD resolutions are usually about values: what ought to be, not only what is. The NSDA sets five topics a year: September/October, November/December, January/February, March/April and the National Tournament. Real examples:

• Resolved: The United States ought to guarantee the right to housing. (September/October 2023)
• Resolved: In the United States criminal justice system, plea bargaining is just. (September/October 2025)

A debater does not need to prove a side is true in every case, only that it is more valid as a general principle. Evidence must be cited out loud with at least the author's last name and the year, and arguments can come from philosophy, logic and expert opinion as well as research. Browse more topics in the Motion Bank.

Traditional and progressive LD

LD is debated in two broad styles, and judges in your area may prefer one. Traditional LD uses a value and criterion, speaks at a normal pace and is aimed at a general judge. Progressive or "circuit" LD, common at national invitationals, may use very fast speaking (spreading), plans, counterplans, theory arguments about the rules of debate, and kritiks that challenge assumptions behind the topic. The speech times are the same. If you are not sure what a judge likes, ask before the round and adapt.

How judges decide

The NSDA ballot asks judges to decide only on the arguments made in the round, not on their own opinions, and to give the win to the debater who, on the whole, proved their side more valid. Judges are told to disregard new arguments in rebuttals, although new evidence for an existing argument is fine. They also reward clash: speeches that ignore the opponent score badly.

Each judge picks one winner and gives each debater speaker points. On the NSDA ballot the scale looks like this:

Points and the win are separate, so a debater can win with fewer points (a "low-point win"). Elimination rounds are judged by a panel that decides by majority.

Tips and common mistakes

• Link everything to your framework. Each contention should say how it meets your criterion.
• Do not drop the framework debate. If your opponent's criterion wins and you never answered it, your case may not count.
• Affirmatives: practice the 1AR. Time it again and again. Short, grouped answers beat long ones.
• Negatives: plan your 7 minutes. A common split is about 3 to 4 minutes of your case and the rest on theirs.
• Use cross-examination for setup, not speeches. Ask short questions that get yes or no answers, then use them later.
• Write voting issues. End your last speech with two or three clear reasons you win.

Key terms

Resolution

The topic, a statement that starts with "Resolved:".

Value

The big goal that a side says the round is about, such as justice.

Criterion

The standard for measuring who best achieves the value.

Framework

The value and criterion together: how the judge should decide.

Contention

One main argument in a case.

Voting issue

A short reason, given at the end, for why you win.

Spreading

Speaking very fast to fit in more arguments, common in progressive LD.

Kritik

An argument that challenges the assumptions behind the topic or the other side's case.

Where it is used

Lincoln-Douglas is a main event at NSDA district tournaments and the National Speech & Debate Tournament held every June, at the National Catholic Forensic League Grand National Tournament and at the Tournament of Champions at the University of Kentucky. Many state high school leagues hold their own LD championships, and local invitationals across the US run it all season. Because a round needs only two debaters and one judge, it is also easy to run in a classroom.

Watch a final: the National Speech & Debate Association's own recording of the 2026 Lincoln-Douglas final round, filmed at the National Tournament in Richmond, Virginia.