Lincoln-Douglas Debate Curriculum for Beginners | 25 Lessons | ClaimLore

This curriculum takes students from zero debate experience to conducting full Lincoln-Douglas rounds. It is designed for grades 6-9 and requires no prior debate knowledge from the teacher.

What is included

• 25 lesson slide decks in Google Slides format (editable and copyable), built for 45-60 minute class periods with teacher notes on every slide
• Teacher Companion Notes: one page of facilitation guidance per lesson, including teaching focus, common mistakes, classroom tips and differentiated scaffolding
• Scope and Sequence document mapping the units and pacing options across a semester or club schedule

Course content

Students first learn the values-based Lincoln-Douglas format and the UIL round structure (6-3-7-3-4-6-3 speech timing with four minutes of prep) before they write cases. They then build Value/Criterion frameworks, write both constructive speeches, learn flowing and cross-examination, practise rebuttal speeches, and finish with two full competitive rounds that include peer judging and structured ballot debriefs.

Who it is for

ELA and social studies electives, teachers and coaches launching a new debate programme, and homeschool debate cooperatives.