Please note our final class may go over class time in order to give everyone a chance to present their debates with an opponent.  This will be a practice round and not a tournament.  Students will be eligible to move up to our next level to compete in a tournament after they complete this section.

Historically, Lincoln Douglas Debates were a series of seven debates between former President Abraham Lincoln and former Senator Stephen A. Douglas in 1858.  Today, Lincoln Douglas is a one on one competitive debate that focuses on competing values.  The person that upholds their value and case framework the best, typically wins the round.  Values can including such concepts as what is just, moral, upholds human dignity, protects life, human rights, democracy and much more.  One of the biggest draws to the Lincoln Douglas style of debate is that in many ways students are taking a leadership position and having to examine both sides of a question.  They have to not only become informed, but inundate themselves in credible research, in order to persuade a judge that they are correct, no matter which side they are arguing.  They learn to push preconceived notions aside and construct a case to win, all the while being respectful to their opponent and their opponent’s position. 

In five days/weeks students will learn and utilize the Lincoln Douglas Debate style.  Please note that this is an intense camp if the student chooses the five-day route.  They will be putting a debate together by the end of the week.  Lincoln Douglas is very academic and I coach competitively.  The teacher uses a combination of lecture, worksheets, exercises/group exercises, videos and handouts for lessons. Each student will practice valuable public speaking skills and learn what it means to construct and flow a debate.  There will be homework given after each class that should take about an hour, maybe a bit more.  Each assignment will bring your student one step closer to finishing and understanding their final debate.  Students will each be given one side of a resolution in order to have a practice debate during our last week.  Each week we will work on a skill and group exercise.     

Week/Day One:   What is Lincoln Douglas Debate?
Introductions,  Key Term, Value/Criterion Lecture
Handouts:  Value/Criterion Worksheet and LD Debate Outline
Introduction to SPAR

Week/Day Two:  Topic Discussion
First SPAR Debate
Credible Research Lecture,  Debate Structure
Group Exercise:  Evidence
Handout:  Research Ideas

Week Three:  
Students are given their side of the debate.
Flowing Lecture
Create Flowing Handout

Week Four
Students will turn in first drafts of final outlines alone with value and criterions.
Individual meetings with instructor/team meetings.
Practice round (time permitting).

Week Five
Final Debate Rounds 45 minutes for each round