Shamrock Invitational with Wyatt Debate

2025 — Louisville, KY/US

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Varsity Lincoln Douglas

Event Description:

Lincoln Douglas Debate centers on a proposition of value, which concerns
itself with what ought to be instead of what is. A value is an ideal held by
individuals, societies, governments, etc. Debaters are encouraged to develop
argumentation based upon a values perspective. To that end, no plan (or
counterplan) will be offered by the debaters. In Lincoln Douglas Debate, a
plan is defined by the NSDA as a formalized, comprehensive proposal for
implementation. The debate should focus on reasoning to support a general
principle instead of particular plans and counterplans. Debaters may offer
generalized, practical examples or solutions to illustrate how the general
principle could guide decisions.
The hallmarks of Lincoln Douglas Debate include:
• Parallel Burdens: No question of values can be determined entirely true
or false. This is why the resolution is debatable. Therefore neither
debater should be held to a standard of absolute proof. No debater can
realistically be expected to prove complete validity or invalidity of the
resolution. The better debater is the one who, on the whole, proves
his/her side of the resolution more valid as a general principle.
● Burden of proof: Each debater has the equal burden to prove the
validity of his/her side of the resolution as a general principle. As an
LD resolution is a statement of value, there is no presumption for
either side.
● Burden of clash: Each debater has an equal burden to clash with
his/her opponent’s position. After a case is presented, neither debater
should be rewarded for presenting a speech completely unrelated to
the arguments of his/her opponent.
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● Resolutional burden: The debaters are equally obligated to focus the
debate on the central questions of the resolution, not whether the
resolution itself is worthy of debate. Because the affirmative must uphold
the resolution, the negative must also argue the resolution as presented.
• Value Structure: The value structure (or framework) is established by
the debater to serve two functions: a) to provide an interpretation of the
central focus of the resolution, and b) to provide a method for the judge
to evaluate the central questions of the resolution. The value structure
often consists of a statement of the resolution (if affirming), definitions
(dictionary or contextual), the value premise (or core value), and the
value criterion (or standard). This structure is commonly but not always
employed.
● Definitions: The affirmative should offer definitions, be they dictionary
or contextual, that provides a reasonable ground for debate. The
negative has the option to challenge these definitions and to offer
counter‐definitions.
● Value Premise/Core Value: A value is an ideal held by individuals,
societies, governments, etc. that serves as the highest goal to be
protected, respected, maximized, advanced, or achieved. In general, the
debater will establish a value which focuses the central questions of the
resolution and will serve as a foundation for argumentation.
● Value Criterion/Standard: In general, each debater will present a value
criterion (a standard) which the debater will use to:
➢ explain how the value should be protected, respected, maximized,
advanced, or achieved.
➢ measure whether a given side or argument protects, respects,
maximizes, advances, or achieves the value.
➢ evaluate the relevance and importance of an argument in the context
of the round.
The relationship between the value premise and the criterion
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should be clearly articulated. During the debate, the debaters may
argue the validity or priority of the two value structures. They may
accept their opponent’s value structure, prove the superiority of
their own value structure, or synthesize the two.
• Argumentation: Because Lincoln Douglas Debate is an educational
debate activity, debaters are obligated to construct logical chains of
reasoning which lead to the conclusion of the affirmative or negative
position. The nature of proof may take a variety of forms (e.g., a
student’s original analysis, application of philosophy, examples,
analogies, statistics, expert opinion, etc.). Arguments should be
presented in a cohesive manner that shows a clear relationship to the
value structure. Any research should be conducted and presented
ethically from academically sound and appropriately cited sources.
• Cross‐Examination: Cross‐examination should be used by the debater to
clarify, challenge, and/or advance
arguments in the round.
• Effective delivery: Lincoln Douglas Debate is an oral communication
activity that requires clarity of thought and expression. Arguments
should be worded and delivered in a manner accessible to an educated
non‐specialist audience. Throughout the debate, the debaters should
demonstrate civility as well as a professional demeanor and style of
delivery.
This encompasses:
➢ Written communication: Cases and arguments should be
constructed in a manner that is organized, accessible, and
informative to the listener. The debater should employ clear logic
and analysis supported by topical research.
➢ Verbal communication: The debater has the obligation to be
clear, audible and comprehensible, and to speak persuasively to
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the listeners. Additionally, debaters should strive for fluency,
expressiveness, effective word choice, and eloquence.
➢ Non‐verbal communication: The debater should demonstrate effective
use of gestures, eye‐ contact, and posture.
Rules
1. Resolution: The resolution will be one requiring a value judgment.
2. Order of speeches:
Affirmative Constructive 6 Minutes
Negative Cross Examination 3 Minutes
Negative Constructive 7 Minutes
Affirmative Cross Examination 3 Minutes
Affirmative Rebuttal 4 Minutes
Negative Rebuttal 6 Minutes
Affirmative Rebuttal 3 Minutes
Prep Time 4 Minutes per debater
3. Timing: A timekeeper is an option but isn’t required. If no timekeeper is
used, debaters may time for their opponent or the judge may keep time.
Prep time for each debater is 4 minutes.
4. Reading case: A team may decide, when asked by the opponent team for
a copy of their case, whether or not to provide it; if the team refuses they
will not be penalized in any way.
5. Oral critiques: No debate ballot may be returned in without a reason for
decision. Oral commentary is not considered a substitute for the written
ballot. Critiques are discouraged but not forbidden; timeliness of the
tournament is a paramount value. Comments made by a judge (orally or
written) should be constructive and professional.