The Trojan War
2026 — Rigby, ID/US
Novice Lincoln-Douglas
Event Description:
Idaho Debate Code (IDC)
https://idhsaa.org/asset/DEBATE/Debate%20Rules%202025%20Update.pdf
Order of speeches:
Affirmative Constructive 6 minutes
Negative Cross Examination 3 minutes
Negative Constructive 7 minutes
Affirmative Cross Examination 3 minutes
Affirmative Rebuttal 4 minutes
Negative Rebuttal 6 minutes
Affirmative Rebuttal 3 minutes
Prep Time 4 minutes per debater
Timing: A timekeeper is an option but isn’t required. If no timekeeper is used, debaters may time for their opponent or the judge may keep time. Prep time for each debater is four minutes.
Use of electronic devices: The use of laptop computers is permitted. Laptop use must comply with the Guidelines for Laptop Use in Debate Events.
Evidence: Debaters are responsible for the validity of all evidence they introduce in the debate. Evidence includes, but is not limited to: facts, statistics, or examples attributable to a specific, identifiable, authoritative source used to support a claim. Unattributed ideas are the opinion of the student competitor and are not evidence.
Topicality: The first affirmative must define the terms of the proposition either literally or operationally. The first negative may either accept or reject the definition of terms. Any topicality arguments must be initiated in the first negative constructive speech.
Plans: The affirmative in Lincoln-Douglas may choose to present a plan--although it is not required-but it must be presented during the first affirmative constructive.
Counterplans: In Lincoln-Douglas debate, the negative may choose to present a counterplan — although it is not required—but it must be presented during the first negative constructive speech. A counterplan will be defined as a policy option proposed as an alternative to the Affirmative’s plan. The counterplan must not affirm the resolution advanced by the Affirmative side.
New Arguments: New issues shall not be advanced in rebuttal speeches; however, additional evidence and extensions on previous arguments are appropriate.
Speaker Points: In Lincoln Douglas Debate, each speaker will be awarded speaker points on a 30-point scale with no partial points permitted. Speaker points should reflect the holistic presentation of the speaker
Timed Road Maps: To ensure that rounds stay on time, speakers will be allotted a ten second ‘road map’ before their speech time begins. No arguments may be advanced during this time period.