Lincoln-Douglas Format Explained
The Lincoln-Douglas round, speech by speech
| # | Speech | Side | Length | What it’s for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Affirmative Constructive | Affirmative | 6:00 | Builds the case and answers the other side |
| 2 | Cross-Examination | — | 3:00 | The other side questions the last speaker |
| 3 | Negative Constructive | Negative | 7:00 | Builds the case and answers the other side |
| 4 | Cross-Examination | — | 3:00 | The other side questions the last speaker |
| 5 | First Affirmative Rebuttal | Affirmative | 4:00 | Summarizes and weighs, no brand-new arguments |
| 6 | Negative Rebuttal | Negative | 6:00 | Summarizes and weighs, no brand-new arguments |
| 7 | Second Affirmative Rebuttal | Affirmative | 3:00 | Summarizes and weighs, no brand-new arguments |
| Speaking time | 32:00 | Plus 4:00 prep time (per side) | ||
Scroll right for the full table →
The rules that actually matter
- One student on each side. One agrees with the topic, one disagrees.
- The side that agrees speaks first (6 minutes), then the other side speaks (7 minutes).
- After each of those two speeches there is a 3-minute question time, where the other student asks questions directly.
- Then they take turns answering each other: 4 minutes, then 6 minutes, then a final 3 minutes.
- Each student gets 4 minutes of planning time to use whenever they want.
- Each side builds their case around one big idea (like justice) and a way to measure whether it is being met.
- With only one student on each side, forgetting to answer something costs a lot — there is no partner to cover it.
Prepping an LD round?
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How to prep for an LD round
- Choose a value and a way to measure it (the criterion) that your whole case clearly supports.
- Prepare answers to the strongest value the other side could run, not just their contentions.
- Plan how you will use your 4 minutes of prep time across the round before it starts.
- In the last rebuttal, weigh: explain why your side wins under the value the judge accepts.
How LD rounds are judged
- Traditionally value-based: decide which value/criterion framework better resolves the resolution, then which side better meets it.
- Tech-heavy circuits may run policy-style arguments — judge what’s actually argued, not the format’s history.
- One-on-one format means every dropped argument matters more; there’s no partner to cover for a debater.
Check yourself
How many debaters are on each side in Lincoln-Douglas?
One
Which speech is the longest in an LD round?
1NC (7 minutes)
How much prep time does each LD debater get?
4 minutes
What two things is an LD case built around?
A Value and a Value Criterion
Why does dropping an argument hurt more in LD than in team formats?
There is no partner to cover it for you
Frequently asked questions
What is the speech order in Lincoln-Douglas?
Lincoln-Douglas has 7 timed parts, in this order: Affirmative Constructive (6 minutes), Cross-Examination (3 minutes), Negative Constructive (7 minutes), Cross-Examination (3 minutes), First Affirmative Rebuttal (4 minutes), Negative Rebuttal (6 minutes), Second Affirmative Rebuttal (3 minutes). That is 32 minutes of timed speaking and questioning in all, plus prep time.
How much prep time do you get in Lincoln-Douglas?
Each debater gets 4 minutes of prep time to use whenever they want during the round.
What is a value and criterion in LD?
The value is the big idea your case says matters most, like justice. The criterion is how the judge can tell whether that value is being met. Each side builds its case around one of each.
Is there cross-examination in Lincoln-Douglas?
Yes. After each of the two opening speeches there is a 3-minute question time, where the other debater asks questions directly.
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