Lincoln Douglas (LD) debate is a values oriented debate. This means that debaters do not have an obligation to advocate for a specific plan of action, only that the resolution is, on the whole, good or bad. The affirmative must advocate that the resolution is good and ought to be endorsed by the judge’s ballot; the negative may advocate either that the resolution is bad and ought not to be endorsed by the judge’s ballot, or that the specific values or measurement the affirmative advocates for is flawed and should not be endorsed by the judge’s ballot.
Please reference the
sample ballot. This is a blank ballot printed using the software that runs Wyatt tournaments, and is what your ballot will look like on tournament day. The following areas of the ballot will already be filled out when you receive it:
- Your name and school
- Round start time and room
- Debaters taking part in the round, and their side
The following areas will be your responsibility to fill out:
- Speaker points
- Winner
- Reason for decision