LD Speech-by-Speech Breakdown

Basic Structure of a Round

In a Lincoln-Douglas debate round, there are 5 total speeches, as well as 2 cross examination periods between speeches. These were briefly presented in the last guide, but below is a helpful visual from LD Debate Prep which further illustrates the full list of speeches in a round, as well as their length and order.

The Purpose of Each Speech 

Each speech in a LD round serves a crucial purpose. There are specific things you’ll want to accomplish in each speech to maximize your chances of winning a round. Listed below is each speech and its core functions. 

Constructives 

The purpose of a constructive is to establish a framework and present core arguments, commonly referred to as “contentions.” Each argument is complete with a claim, warrant, impact, and evidence. Overall, your constructive should lay the foundation for the positions that you will maintain throughout the entire round. 

Affirmative Constructive

The AC is the first speech of the round, and is designed to allow the Aff to present a clear and persuasive speech which sets the stage for the subsequent speeches. This 6 minute speech should include the affirmative’s definitions for the round, framework, and contention-level arguments. 

Negative Constructive 

Unlike the AC, the NC serves as both a constructive and the first negative rebuttal. Typically around half of the speech (3-3.5 mins) should be dedicated to presenting the negative’s arguments, while the latter half of the speech is reserved for responding to the affirmative constructive. It’s crucial that the negative properly utilizes this time for rebuttal, as new arguments typically aren’t tolerated after the first rebuttal. For this reason, the neg ought to prioritize responding to both the aff’s framework and subsequent contentions. 

Cross Examination 

Cross is designed to clarify your opponents points, expose flaws, challenge evidence, and lay the groundwork for rebuttals. While it’s not technically a speech in and of itself, it can be very important for organizing your arguments and poking holes in your opponent’s arguments. To learn more about how to make effective use of cross examination, look to the “In Between Speeches” section of this guide! 

First Affirmative Rebuttal

This is the aff’s first chance to respond to negative arguments and rebuild the case. However, as it’s only 4 minutes, it’s extremely important to structure 1ARs properly to set yourself up to win the round. 

The key to this rather difficult speech is to prioritize key arguments, generate offense, and respond to negative arguments. 

How to Structure a 1AR 

1. Off-Time Roadmap 

BEFORE starting your 4-minute speech, clearly outline to the judge the basic structure of the rebuttal 

I.e - “I’ll begin on framework, move to the Neg case, and finally, finish on the aff” 

2. Framework (~20-30 seconds) 

Either extend your value and VC by responding to the neg’s attacks OR concede to the neg’s framework and illustrate to the judge why you better uphold their framework. 

3. Answer the Neg’s Attacks (largest portion of speech)

Go down the flow (notes taken in round) and respond to key arguments. 

Rebuild the affirmative by answering the neg’s points and restating your point clearly to the judge. 

I.e

• They say ___ 

• We respond ___ 

• Our argument still stands because ___

• This matters because (impact) __

4. Attack Negative Positions 

Address each of their main points, as this speech is the only rebuttal in which new evidence can be presented! 

5. Conclusion & Weighing (short) 

Summarize key arguments for the judge, explain why they outweigh, and briefly tell the judge why they ought to vote affirmative. Remember the 2AR primarily serves this very purpose so don’t spend a ton of time doing this. 

Negative Rebuttal 

In this 6 minute speech the neg must defeat the 1AR, rebuild their case, and deliver voters (reason why the judge should vote for them). Delivering a successful 2NR requires collapsing (focusing on only key arguments rather than trying to defend everything), responding to the 1AR,  rebuilding the neg, and delivering a strong conclusion (voters). 

How to Structure a 2NR  

1. Off-Time Roadmap 

BEFORE starting your 4-minute speech, clearly outline to the judge the basic structure of the rebuttal 

I.e - “I’ll begin on framework, move to the Neg case, and finally, finish on the aff” 

2. Framework (~20-30 seconds) 

In this speech, framework should be briefly addressed in order to aid the judge in evaluating the round. Again, keep this brief, especially as framework will likely be settled by this point in the round. 

3. Respond to the 1AR 

Address major attacks made by the Aff against your case, prove to the judge why your arguments still stand 

4. Rebuild the Neg

Reinforce your core arguments, emphasize to the judge why they still stand AND why they matter in the broader context of the round.

5. Voters/Voting Issues 

Suggest ~3-5 key reasons as to why the Neg should win

** Remember, new evidence should not be brought up past the first rebuttals and will likely not be tolerated by judges 

Second Affirmative Rebuttal 

The purpose of this extremely short, 3-minute speech is primarily to summarize the round, crystalize key voting issues, and present a final, winning narrative for the aff. Most 2ARs do not stick heavily to the flow or attempt to cover every thing brought up, but instead handle arguments brought up in the 2NR as they move throughout their key voters, which take up the entirety of the speech. 

**There is no one perfect way to structure rebuttals. I’ve outlined a typical and effective approach that most competitors follow

For more in-depth info on how to deliver a strong rebuttal, you can check out the video and subsequent playlist below! 

What Makes a "Winning Speech?" 

After your constructive, your rebuttals need to carry you to the victory, but how does that happen? As the round finishes and you get down to your final rebuttals, make sure you are always summarizing why you have won the round and why your opponent has lost. You can do this in multiple ways.

1. Have pre-written extensions. This is especially important to show how your impacts outweigh your opponent’s. Write a one sentence summary of each card in your case, make sure you include the most important parts, like your links, warrants, and especially your impacts! Say it in the first 30 seconds in EVERY rebuttal. AFF should be short and sweet, but for NEG, ensure you are spending enough time both extending and rebutting. 

2. Impact calculus. You can show how your impacts outweigh your opponent’s through weighing magnitude, probability, timeframe, scope, and reversibility. Magnitude is how severe the impact is, probability is how likely, timeframe is when, scope is how many it effects, and reversibility is how reversible the impact is. When weighing against your opponent’s case, make sure you show how your impacts beat theirs in several of these categories. 

3. Pointing out uniqueness, links, and turns. Uniqueness refers to if the issue is already happening in the status quo, and if it is, the argument is non-unique. For links, you want to either de-link their argument by pointing out how their links don’t connect to their impacts and thus the impact won’t happen, or turn their links to make them benefit your case. For turns there are obviously link turns, but also impact turns, which describes how their impact benefits you instead of them.

Ultimately, at the end of the round and during your rebuttals, you need to crystallize your arguments. Why are you winning? Prove it through impact calcs, uniqueness, links, turns, and your extensions. Plainly tell the judge how you attacked your opponent’s arguments and defended your own, why your impacts outweigh your opponent’s, and ultimately why you have earned their ballot.