1. Debate 101: The Basics Ms. Haen

2. Why am I here? Debate skills are used EVERY DAY These skills will benefit you for the rest of your life –Real life –On résumé Become an informed citizen

3. In the beginning… 1858- Illinois Senate Race Abraham LincolnStephen A. Douglas

4. Abe vs. Steve The debate topic was slavery Lincoln was an abolitionist (no slaves, anywhere!) Douglas supported the Kansas- Nebraska Act (states decide) **The topic was very relevant to society at that time, and taken very seriously. The same is true in LD Debate today!

5. Format of the Debates Lincoln and Douglas debated once in each district in Illinois – 7 times total Each debate had this format: 1 st Speaker = 1 hour 2 nd Speaker = 1.5 hour 1 st Speaker =.5 hour

6. And the winner is…

7. Poor Abe  Lincoln lost, but gained huge popularity Won the 1860 presidential election, due in part to his infamous debates

8. What do debaters debate about? Proposition of Fact Proposition of Value Proposition of Policy

9. Proposition of Fact That the New York Yankees won the 1959 World Series. Either “is” or “is not” Fact claims concern themselves with past, present, and future. They CLAIM to be fact; they aren’t necessarily fact. –O.J. Simpson is innocent. –The Earth is round. –In a right handed world, left handed people are discriminated against.

10. Proposition of Value The national security is more important than government honesty. Value = ideal, an object or an action that is viewed as important or valuable to an individual At least one thing is being evaluated as “good” or “bad” or “better” –“National security” and “government honesty” Lincoln-Douglas uses propositions of value!

11. Proposition of Value The biggest concerns is HOW these two things are measured –If you’re visiting Boston, Paul Revere’s house is a total waste of money. Things to do at the house? Money spent? Location in Boston? –The death penalty is morally justified. Pain? Victim satisfaction? True justice?

12. Proposition of Policy The federal government should guarantee comprehensive national health insurance to all United States citizens. Calls for a change in an established program, law or rule Looks at courses of action Uses both fact and value

13. Lincoln-Douglas Resolutions Instead of a “topic” in LD debate, it is called “resolutions” (rez for short) Two “values” are always at battle: –Resolved: That liberty is preferable to life. –Resolved: That government limits on the individual’s right to bear arms in the United States are justified. –Resolved: Possession of nuclear weapons is immoral. ALWAYS START WITH “RESOLVED:”

14. Examples Resolved: Chipotle tastes better than McDonalds. Fact? Value? Policy?

15. Examples Resolved: The U.S. should give more funding for schools. Fact? Value? Policy?

16. Example Resolved: Elvis is dead. Fact? Value? Policy?

17. Example Resolved: Obesity causes health problems. Fact? Value? Policy?

18. Example Resolved: Mandatory voting is better than a voluntary method of voting. Fact? Value? Policy?