PF/LD Level 1: A Guide To Vocab, Terms, and Basics
Author: Naisha K • Edited by: Nithya G • Published: 06.17.2025
Intro to Debate
A debate is a formal discussion in which two sides argue for or against a specific topic, known as a resolution. The goal is to convince judges, or sometimes an audience, that your side has the stronger arguments. Some benefits of becoming engaged in political, ethical, and social debates are that they teach you critical thinking, research skills, public speaking, teamwork, and confidence.
There are many debate formats, but two common ones you will hear about are Public Forum (PF) and Lincoln-Douglas (LD) debate.
- Public Forum (PF): A team debate where two pairs (affirmative and negative) argue about current events or policies. It focuses on clear communication and teamwork.
- Lincoln-Douglas (LD): A one-on-one debate about values, ethics, and philosophy, often focusing on moral questions.
⭐ Both formats use many of the same basic skills but have some unique rules and terms!
The Resolution — The Heart of The Debate
A resolution is the official statement being debated. It always presents a proposed change or idea that your team must either support (affirm) or oppose (negate).
Examples of Resolutions:
PF Resolutions (team debate, real-world focused):
- “The United States federal government should substantially increase its investment in renewable energy.”
- “The benefits of artificial intelligence outweigh the harms.”
LD Resolutions (one-on-one debate, values-focused):
- “Civil disobedience in a democracy is morally justified.”
- “The right to free speech should be prioritized over preventing hate speech.”
How to Analyze a Resolution — Break It Down!
Before you can argue for or against a resolution, you have to understand it. That means breaking it into parts: we call this resolutional analysis.
Let’s analyze aspects of this resolution: “The United States federal government should substantially increase its investment in renewable energy.”
⭐ Understanding the Agent is super important. In PF, you’re often debating what a government should do, not what individuals or companies do.
Your Job: Affirm (Yay) or Negate (Nay)
Once you understand the resolution, your role becomes simple/clear:
- If your team is affirmative, you will argue that the resolution is true and should be supported
- If your team is negative, you will argue that the resolution is false or harmful
⭐ Research BOTH sides. Even if you personally agree with one side over the other, you’ll have to debate both.
PF/LD Debate Rounds: Step-by-Step
Both types follow a strict schedule, with specific speeches that have a purpose and a time limit; however, the timings vary between PF and LD.
What About Prep Time?
Each speaker gets 4 minutes of prep time total to use before any speech in LD. In PF, both partners share 3 minutes.
Conclusion
To conclude, you’ve learned that PF and LD are two popular debate formats that teach valuable skills like critical thinking and public speaking. Whether you’re a PFer or an LDer, ensure that you focus on developing your content and prepping accordingly. Success in debate requires mastering key concepts like flowing, weighing impacts, and knowing your resolution like the back of your partner’s hand. Most importantly, have confidence in yourself and your partner and always debate to the best of your ability. Good luck, future debaters! May the flow be with you. ✌️
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