AC

The AC or, the Affirmative Constructive is the first speech given in a Lincoln-Douglas debate round. Typically, this speech has a speech limit of 6 minutes in which the speaker (Affirmative) gives his reasons why the resolution should be affirmed. Included in these reason are his value and criterion (the reason why we should affirm the resolution) and usually two to three contentions that then further his value and the resolution.

After walking into the debate room and the debaters are done organizing everything, they'll usually thank and greet the judge and timer. Afterwards, the Affirmative might ask the judge what he/she wants to see in the round. After all the formalities, the Affirmative launches into his 6 minute action packed adventure on why the resolution should be affirmed for that debate round.

The Affirmative Constructive usually contains the value that the debater decided to uphold. This value usually is the reason that the judge should stand with the Affirmative side (for example: Human Rights are good, because the resolution supports Human Rights, we should affirm the resolution.) Afterwards, a criterion is given, which basically is a way to achieve your value. After the value/criterion combinations are finished, the speaker then launches in to his contentions, these contentions support the resolution and the value and tries to persuade the judge that the Affirmative side is better.

Affirmative has the responsibility of laying down the groundwork for that debate round. His opponent (Negative) will afterwards question you about your arguments and refute what you said in his Negative Constructive. Affirmative determines where the round will likely go and is the first to speak to the judge from the podium.