What are the key differences between a Lincoln-Douglas and a policy debate?

1 Lincoln-Douglas Debate

Lincoln-Douglas debate, also known as LD, is a one-on-one debate that focuses on moral and philosophical issues. The name comes from the famous debates between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas in 1858, which centered on the morality of slavery. In LD, each debater has a fixed amount of time to present their case, cross-examine their opponent, and rebut their arguments. The resolution, or the topic of the debate, is usually a statement that affirms or negates a value, such as justice, liberty, or democracy.

2 Policy Debate

Policy debate, also known as CX, is a two-on-two debate that focuses on policy and practical issues. The name comes from the fact that the resolution, or the topic of the debate, is a proposal to change a specific policy, such as immigration, health care, or education. In CX, each team has a fixed amount of time to present their plan, cross-examine their opponents, and defend their arguments. The plan must include the harms of the current policy, the advantages of the new policy, and the solvency of the plan.

3 Key Differences

One of the key differences between LD and CX is the scope of the resolution. LD resolutions are usually broad and abstract, requiring debaters to apply general principles and values to various scenarios. CX resolutions are usually narrow and concrete, requiring debaters to research specific facts and evidence to support their plan. Another key difference is the style of the debate. LD debates are more persuasive and rhetorical, appealing to the emotions and ethics of the judge. CX debates are more technical and analytical, emphasizing the logic and efficiency of the plan.

4 Skills and Strategies

Both LD and CX debates require different sets of skills and strategies to succeed. For LD debaters, some of the skills and strategies are: developing a clear and consistent value framework, using examples and analogies to illustrate your point, anticipating and refuting common objections, and maintaining a respectful and confident demeanor. For CX debaters, some of the skills and strategies are: conducting thorough and credible research, organizing and presenting your evidence clearly, identifying and exploiting the weaknesses of your opponent's plan, and managing your time and resources effectively.

5 Benefits and Challenges

Both LD and CX debates offer various benefits and challenges for debaters. Some of the benefits of LD are: enhancing your moral reasoning and ethical judgment, developing your personal voice and style, and exploring diverse and complex topics. Some of the challenges of LD are: finding reliable and relevant sources, balancing your own opinions and biases, and adapting to different judges and audiences. Some of the benefits of CX are: improving your policy knowledge and problem-solving skills, working as a team and sharing responsibilities, and learning to think on your feet and respond quickly. Some of the challenges of CX are: keeping up with the fast-paced and jargon-filled debate, dealing with counterplans and critiques, and coping with stress and pressure.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?