Name ___________________________________________________ Period ________

Lincoln-Douglas debate format

3 minutes
1 minutes
3minutes
1 minutes
1 minutes
2 minutes
2 minutes
1 minute
2 minutes
2 minutes

Affirmative Constructive
Negative cross examination (question/answer period)
Neg. side asks the questions
Negative Constructive
Affirmative cross examination (question/answer period)
Aff. side asks the questions
Pause
Negative rebuttal
Affirmative rebuttal
Pause
Negative closing arguments
Affirmative closing arguments

18 minutes total

Directions for the debate

o

In a folder, you must submit the following in this order:

1. drafts of your constructive speeches
2. your research and any notes
3. a Works Cited page for the sources you used (at least 3) in MLA format
4. your flow chart/notes you maintained during the debate

Your name and class period need to be printed on the outside of the folder and must be present on
all materials in the folder. When finished with the debate, turn in your folder to teacher.

The audience
You will jot down key points for the debaters and based on their points, declare a winner. You need to
decide who made the superior moral/ethical arguments and explain why. Each class period you will turn
in your score cards on paper.

Name ___________________________________________________ Period ________

The debate
Lincoln-Douglas Debate Rubric - Content

needs
work

average

above
average

outstanding

needs
work

average

above
average

outstanding

Resolution is clearly and correctly stated.

Value and claims are clearly stated and supported.
(Values involve what ought to be instead of what is.)
Claims are supported with warrants; current/historical events
persuade audience.
Speaker explains impact and significance of claims/warrants.
Speaker is persuasive; utilizes logic and rhetoric.
Cross-examination clarifies, challenges, or advances the
concepts.
Speaker defended points effectively when cross-examined.
Speaker addresses and neutralizes opponents issues with
speakers points during rebuttal period.
Speaker clearly summarizes key points in closing arguments
and convinces audience that he/she has won the debate.
Speaker utilized time wisely. ***

Lincoln-Douglas Debate Rubric - Presentation

Speaker spoke clearly and loudly.
Speaker connected with the audience through frequent eye
contact.
Speaker was articulate and pronounced words correctly.
Speaker used effective emphasis and tone to engage the
audience.
Speaker had good posture and appeared confident.
Speaker spoke at a pace that was fast but varied the rate of
the speech to engage the audience.
Speaker behaved properly and was civil to opponent.

Outstanding = 100

Above average = 90

Average = 80

needs work = 70

*** If speech is considerably below speech times or if effort is below expectations, student may receive a 60 percent.

Folder materials
Points

Folder item

100 pts. (classwork)

100 pts. (classwork)
100 pts. (homework)
100 pts. (Quiz)
100 pts. (Quiz)
100 pts. (Test)
100 pts. (Test)

Affirmative speech draft

Negative speech draft
Printed research is highlighted and notes are present
Works Cited page is in correct MLA format, 4 sources minimum
Flow chart with notes
Debate Presentation
Debate Content

Comments

Points awarded

Name ___________________________________________________ Period ________