Application

An application is a real world example which demonstrates or strengthens an argument in a Lincoln-Douglas debate round. Oftentimes applications are used in conjunction with a contention.

Functions of Applications in Lincoln-Douglas Cases
Applications are often used to do one of three things in a debate:

1.) As introductory material to a speech.

2.) To reinforce the importance of a value.

3.) To provide "evidence" for the claims of a contention or value link.

Views on Applications in Lincoln-Douglas
The use and implications of applications vary from round to round and from resolution to resolution. There are a few viewpoints on how applications should function in a round, but most of them can be boiled down into one of three overraching umbrella concepts:

Application Centric Position: People who hold to this viewpoint often construct their cases around one or more applications. They believe that in order to win the debate round, one must adequately defend their own applications and successfully demonstrate the inadequacy of their opponent's applications.

Application as a "Stock Issue" Position: This view espouses that although applications are important, they should not be the final arbitrer in the debate round. In order for the Affirmative to win, the Affirmative needs to defend their applications, refute their opponent's applications, and also uphold the rest of their case. The debate round is sometimes compared to a four-legged stool: if the Affirmative wins the stock issues of the value, the applications, the contentions, and (if mentioned) the value criterion, then the Affirmative debater should win. But, if the Affirmative loses one of these four stock issues, then the Negative should win.

"Applications are Not Important" Position: This position argues that applications do not hold any weight in a debate round whatsoever and places a heavy emphasis on persuasive speech, logical analysis, and philosophical dissertation.