Unlike policy, Lincoln-Douglas (or LD) Debate is a one-on-one debate over a value proposition. Instead of debating about what policies should be enacted by a government, LD Debaters discuss ethical and philosophical issues like the morality of capital punishment, the balance between free speech and national security, and the appropriate balance of powers between branches of government.
Named for the 1858 debates between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas, LD Debate emphasizes strong analytical and refutation skills, articulate and efficient speaking, and construction of persuasive arguments using logic and research. Webster Club students who compete in LD Debate travel to local, regional, and national competitions.
Topics change very two months (September/October, November/December, January/February, March/April) and debaters defend the affirmative and negative in alternating rounds.