Argumentation
James Tomlinson
"A man never tells you anything until you
contradict him."
-George Bernard Shaw
Lincoln/Douglas Debate Format
1AC (first Affirmative
Constructive) – 7 minutes
A good introduction that attracts the audiences attention and
interest in the topic
Clearly state the resolution
Clearly state each of your contentions
Support with reason and evidence
Conclude effectively
Cross Ex of the
Aff by the
Neg – 3 minutes
You ask questions – have a strategy or at the very least a
direction to your questioning
Be courteous
Face the audience
1NC (first Negative
Constructive) – 8 minutes
A good introduction that attracts the audiences attention and
interest in the topic
Clearly state the Negative’s position on the topic
Clearly state the Negative’s Observations
Support with reason and evidence
Attack and question the Affirmative’s Contentions/evidence
Conclude effectively
Cross Ex of the Neg
by the Aff – 3 minutes
You ask questions – have a strategy or at the very least a
direction to your questioning
Be courteous
Face the audience
Rebuttal Speeches – No new arguments are allowed – new evidence, analysis is ok
1AR (first Affirmative
Rebuttal) - 4 minutes
Respond to the Neg Observations – show how they are not as
strong/relevant as the Aff Contentions
Rebuild the Aff case
NR (Negative Rebuttal) – 7
minutes
Respond to latest Affirmative arguments
Make your final case to the audience that the Neg position is superior to the
Aff
Try and convince the audience the Aff has failed to carry the burden of proof
Summarize the debate and conclude effectively and ask for the audience to agree
with the Neg position
2AR (second Affirmative
Rebuttal) – 4 minutes
Respond to final Negative arguments
Summarize the debate and show the audience how the Aff position is superior –
and the Aff has
carried the burden of proof
Conclude effectively.
Team Debate Format
1AC (first Affirmative
Constructive) – 6 minutes
A good introduction that attracts the audiences attention and
interest in the topic
Clearly state the resolution
Clearly state each of your contentions
support with reason and evidence
Conclude effectively
Cross Ex of the
Aff by one of the
Neg – 3 minutes
You ask questions – have a strategy or at the very least a
direction to your questioning
Be courteous - Face the audience
1NC (first Negative
Constructive) – 6 minutes
A good introduction that attracts the audience’s attention and
interest in the topic
Clearly state the Negative’s position on the topic
Clearly state the Negative’s ObservationS
Support with reason and evidence
Attack and question the Affirmative’s Contentions/evidence
Conclude effectively
Cross Ex of the
Neg by one of the
Aff – 3 minutes
You ask questions – have a strategy or at the very least a
direction to your questioning
Be courteous - Face the audience
2AC (second Affirmative
Constructive) – 6 minutes
A good introduction that attracts the audience’s attention and
interest in the topic
Clearly state each of your contentions – (the 2AC may issue additional
contentions )
support with reason and evidence
Respond to Negative arguments/attacks
Conclude effectively
Cross Ex of the Aff
by the other Neg – 3 minutes
You ask questions – have a strategy or at the very least a
direction to your questioning
Be courteous - Face the audience
2NC (second Negative
Constructive) – 6 minutes
A good introduction that attracts the audiences attention and
interest in the topic
Clearly state the Negative’s Observations – the second Neg can introduce
additional Observations
Support with reason and evidence
Attack and question the Affirmative’s Contentions/evidence
Conclude effectively
Cross Ex of the
Neg by the other Aff
– 3 minutes
You ask questions – have a strategy or at the very least a
direction to your questioning
Be courteous - Face the audience
Rebuttal Speeches – no new arguments – new evidence and analysis are ok
1NR (first Negative Rebuttal
) – 4 minutes
Rebuild the Neg case
Summarize how the Neg position is superior and the Aff has not carried the
burden-of-proof
Conclude effectively
1AR
(first Affirmative Rebuttal) - 4 minutes
Respond to the Neg arguments, rebuild the Aff case and
contentions – extend arguments
and give additional support for
them
Conclude effectively
1NR (Negative Rebuttal) – 4
minutes
Respond to latest Affirmative arguments
Make your final case to the audience that the Neg position is superior to the
Aff
Try and convince the audience the Aff has failed to carry the burden of proof
Summarize the debate and conclude effectively and ask for the audience to agree
with the Neg position
2AR (second Affirmative
Rebuttal) – 4 minutes
Respond to final Negative arguments
Summarize the debate and show the audience how the Aff position is superior –
and the Aff has carried the
burden of proof
Conclude effectively.