Please add me to the email chain: kvaoki2000@gmail.com | kvaoki2000 AT gmail DOT com

Background + Top Level

West High School SLC '18

Harvard '22

Currently an assistant debate coach at Harvard

Have some background knowledge on the college topic through research + judging. Have a minimal background on the high school topic. Explanation in both, particularly at the beginning of the season, is always helpful.

I begin evaluating almost every debate by listing out all the impacts made in the 2NR and 2AR and then determine the degree to which each team gets access to the fullest extent of those impacts by parsing out the rest of the debate. After, I'll weigh these impacts by deciding what the implications of winning each of them are (defaulting to and prioritizing the comparative metrics forwarded by the debaters in the round) and then usually have a good idea of who I believe should win.

Line by line is appreciated and minimizes intervention I must make after the round. Further, the more granular the debate (like debates over particular terms of art, specific details, etc.) and/or the closer the debate is, the more I'll look to evidence to break ties. Please engage in evidence comparison to limit the degree of intervention I have to do in a debate.

Quality > Quantity of arguments particularly in rebuttals.

Ultimately, do what you do best because you shouldn’t have to sacrifice your style for any minor predisposition that I may have.

Topicality

Please unpack, apply, and compare, commonly used buzzwords as the rebuttals get closer, i.e. “vote neg because our interpretation sets a functional limit on the topic,” isn’t a complete argument until there is an explanation of why the parameters the neg sets up are better than the aff interpretation for xyz reason.

Impact + caselist comparisons are essential.

Reasonability needs to be connected to how it interacts with neg offense and not just a laundry list of reasons why it is better than competing interpretations.

I think cards and evidence comparison are often underutilized in these debates.

Counterplans + Counterplan Theory

Relatively straightforward. If you’re aff, tie your solvency deficits to a specific impact and explain why it outweighs the net benefit to the counterplan. Conversely, if you’re neg, explain why the deficits don’t apply or why the deficits are unimportant because the CP sufficiently solves.

Will presume judge kick

In terms of most theory issues: literature oftentimes determines how I evaluate the extent of abusiveness of a counterplan; the more specific the solvency advocate, the better. I default to reject the arg, not the team and am relatively unpersuaded by process cps, agent cps, etc. being a reason to reject the neg.

DAs

Strong analytical pushes are good and persuasive, but also not an excuse to not read cards

Turns case arguments on multiple levels of the aff (link level, impact level) are fantastic

Zero percent risk is possible, but not the most preferable strategy

Ks

This is where most of my debate experience is in

Contextualization > Explanation in every instance, which should reflect in the way you give an overview

My biggest thought about these arguments is that both neg teams running the K and aff teams answering the K should recognize where 1AC/NC strengths are. A heg aff is not built to perm the colonialism K and pivoting to that as your strategy in the 2AC is more detrimental than beneficial. In essence, when aff, know whether you will be going for an impact turn or a perm and work backward. When neg, know whether your links/framework/alt are strongest in relation to the aff and work backward.

I've found often that many neg framework interpretations don't generate a lot of offense in terms of grander strategy because they give the aff too much leeway. I've found that I'm most persuaded by framework strategies that do one of three things:

1. attempt to just exclude the aff and win substantial impact turns to their model of plan focus/consequentialism,
2. limit the scope of aff solvency while enhancing the scope of alt solvency, or
3. are ditched in favor of more particular engagements on the link/impact/alt level of the kritik

K Affs/Framework

Having a relationship to the topic is preferable, but that certainly doesn't require "topical action" which I think is up for debate both on what topical constitutes as well as whether being topical is desirable

K Affs probably get a perm, but

1. I'm extremely open to adjusting the parameters of how perms should function in these debates and
2. I think I have a higher threshold of aff explanation for how any permutation functions with a competing kritik/counterplan/advocacy.

Fairness can or can’t be an impact in front of me based on debating. The most persuasive fairness arguments I’ve heard are ones paired with a discussion of how it implicates debate as an educational activity/more education-related impacts as well as how fair norms are necessary and mutually beneficial for both teams. In these debates I typically view fairness as a tiebreaker for the negative but can be convinced that it is more important than that if heavy investment is done.

TVAs should have a substantive explanation as to how they provide a similar discussion of the aff's issues and internal links and framework DAs. Simply reading an alternative plan text is not sufficient. Further, TVAs and Read On Neg/Switch Side have varying degrees of value based on aff offense against T which should affect how you deploy them by the 2NR (if not earlier).

Performances are great, but they're greater when they have explanations and develop organically as the debate continues

Misc (but still important) things

If you have an issue with access in terms of debate, please feel free to send me an email before the round so that I can make the necessary accommodations.

Tech > Truth except arguments along the lines of “racism/sexism/antiqueerness/antiblackness/ableism good”

A dropped argument still needs an extension of a claim and a warrant for me to evaluate it.

I usually look grumpy/apathetic/tired during rounds; I promise it's not usually because of anyone's actions (if it is, I'll be explicit about it after the round), and is more just my face. I deeply appreciate people's commitment to this activity and want to emphasize that I'll do my absolute best to adjudicate. Further, I feel like most of the learning I've had in the activity can be attributed to the comments provided by judges after round. Following that, please know that no amount of questions is too much, and I'm happy to answer any and all of them to make your time in this activity more valuable.

General Notes:

• Please include me in the email chain callielynne26@gmail.com

- Warrants are what make me vote on arguments- isolate the specific warrants you want me to remember because I won't remember every warrant from every card in the constructives

-Please slow down a little bit on your typed analytics, especially if they are most of or at the beginning of your speech. Argument tags will help me flow your analytics but no worries if you don't have them. Just know that I can't flow every word as fast as you can say them.

Argument Thoughts:

K Affs and Framework- I've read these affs and thing they can be really cool if you know what your aff does or does not do and can explain that. I find that I lean towards affs that are in the direction of the topic not being as big of a violation of framework as others, but I am also willing to vote against these affs if the neg can explain why this is bad. The cleaner the framework flow is the happier I will be.

Topicality- Good T debate is specific T debate. What affs do they include? What successful teams are reading topical affs?and reading a case list are all some examples of viable options. Make sure you answer all of their standards sufficiently, this often(though not always) means that for T to be a viable 2NR strat at least 3 minutes of the block should be spent on it. I have also found that I am more persuaded by ground args than limits, but I'm willing to vote on limits if it is more specific than generic blocks your varsity's varsity wrote.

Theory- The more I've judged the more I've realized I am not super willing to vote on theory. I will if I need to and am much more likely and willing to vote on theory if it is specific and contextualize to the round. I have no idea how to evaluate two teams reading generic theory blocks and if the round turns in to this it will be so much harder for me to vote on theory.

CPs- Handle theory appropriately. Make sure you explain what your counter plan does and have good perm answers.

DAs- I like DAs with clear internal link analysis. If it is vague and something along the lines of "X causes the economy to decline which causes a nuclear war" with no explanation of how the economic decline causes a nuclear war I will have a hard time defending a DA scenario on the ballot.

Kritiks- Make sure you can explain the alt and defend it in CX. I think the best K debate is specific K debate, so if you can read lines of their evidence to prove the link and/or isolate multiple links that is best. You should also make sure you are winning at least some risk of the alt solving or doing something good.

Please put me on the email chain - madelinebrague@gmail.com

Quick version for 5 minutes before round:

I am most fluent in critical literature, but I would MUCH prefer a good policy debate to a sub-par K debate. If you read a politics DA, I need more than a single generic link (some damn good analytics can do it for me in some cases). I love a well-executed K, but I would say I'm equally sympathetic to framework and policy turns. Just win your arguments and know that I'm not a good judge for extremely ticky-tacky debate on the exact political implementations of a plan mainly because I usually don't care (process counterplans, I'm looking at you).

***NOTE: please PLEASE don't start top-speed, it's very difficult for me. A few minutes into the speech and you're good to go full speed but don't start there, ESPECIALLY on T or framework or case overviews (full-speed analytics are a hellish nightmare). Start as though you're giving a 2nr overview on T. If you want more info, see below.

Now the details for all you people-pleasers:

A bit about me - I debated for Rowland Hall in high school and currently coach for them. I love debate because it is what you make it. If you win the argument (and I agree that you won it), I'll vote on it. I debated using mostly critical literature when I was the captain, but I usually had policy partners. We went for framework 95% of the time. This means that I am *technically* most experienced with critical jargon, but please don't go for a K that you don't know rather than giving me a solid policy debate. To quote Misty Tippets, "Debate is for the debaters."

Judges I hope to emulate:

Shanara Reid-Brinkley, Daryl Burch, Calum Matheson, Kinsee Gaither, Misty Tippets

About speed:

I'm totally good with speed—but debaters tend to start at top speed and then gradually slow down as they lose steam, which is bad. I cannot catch your arguments when you start that way, and I WILL NOT say "clear" or "slow" to let you know, because it's your job to debate and speak in a compelling way that makes me want to vote for you. Maybe this is more of a problem for me than other judges, but please PLEASE please start slower so I can get used to your voice.

Preferences by argument:

Disads - I love a good link analysis and case turns that don't rely on the threat of nuclear war. DA's are obviously the building blocks of debate, so use them. Remember that generic blocks by themselves won't necessarily get you too far because it's a debate, not a monologue.

Politics - I gave this its own section because I can very much appreciate a politics DA with killer link analysis and a "legitimate" internal link chain (let's be real, they're all stretches). However, please do not run a politics DA when you only have generic links unless it's literally the only argument you have against the aff. When the link is that any aff being passed ever triggers the link, I have a lot of sympathy to the whole non-UQ argument (which makes it very hard to win this DA in that scenario).

Counterplans - if you have a decent net benefit, I think counterplans are great with one exception: process counterplans. I think most debaters tend to run these without a solid internal link to the net benefit, and I just don't think they're very strategic. If you win them, I'll vote on them, but remember: using unexplained political jargon—policy trigger words like "due process"—will not help you at all in front of me.

Topicality - I think case lists are really important for actually winning an impact for both sides. This means both sides should have one! Don't just randomly assert that one side loses or gains a bunch of ground without proving it. Remember that as the neg, you need to win that your model of debate is good in all instances, not just this round. For the aff: I don't have a definition of reasonability that I'll hold you to, because there are lots of interpretations of what it means and I don't think it's necessary to prefer one over the others. But YOU need to define it for me.

Kritiks: I think these have the potential to be both the best and worst arguments in debate. Know your literature and use your evidence! I will likely know your literature—so anything from afropessimism to Baudrillard is fine—but even if I understand your jargon-filled cards, you need to prove to me that YOU understand them (if you don't, at least try to fake it till you make it). The best K debaters will work closely with aff evidence and arguments, not dismiss them as irrelevant to the "real questions" that your shut-in scholars like to ponder.

Planless/nontraditional affs - I'll jive with whatever you're throwing at me as long as you can defend it. Some relation to the topic is probably good, but if you can defend why not then I'm down. I ran these a lot and will likely have a basic understanding of your literature, but I think a good TVA can be deadly. You need to prove that 1) you DO solve things, 2) it's the BEST way to solve those things, and 3) those things are important. Please make your solvency mechanism and impacts clear.

Framework - I think this is a strategic argument when done right, and I enjoy a good defense of the model of debate that you think is most productive. Fairness is the only true impact in my opinion—you can win education is good, but I don't think you can win that you're the only ones who access education. I think framework as an impact turn/pseudo-counterplan is very strategic, and you can have education/game net benefits. It will help you to weigh framework against the mechanism of the aff in front of me. Framework against a critique will VERY rarely be enough to win the debate on its own but can be strategic in hedging against the offense of a K.

Theory - I usually feel good about voting on these kinds of arguments until the impact debate, where teams hope that if their opponents drop it then I'll automatically vote. I'll be very sympathetic, and certainly don't beat a dead horse on the theory flow, but please actually explain your impacts! There has to be a reason why it matters that they dropped it!

Stuff I like -

- a joke or two—stop taking this activity so damn seriously

- showing legitimate respect towards the other people in the room

- detailed links to minutiae in the aff

- 1ARs given off of paper (except for reading a card)

Pet peeves -

- Saying "CX was DAMNING on this question." No it wasn't. Just say "CX proves that..." and don't be so condescending.

- Yelling over people in CX just to prove a point. The judge can never hear what's going on when both speakers are trying to talk over each other and you're being rude.

- Not flowing the 2AR/just randomly gazing off into space during the 2AR. The debate hasn't ended, so you're still a debater...act like it.

- Using lots of your prep time to ask CX questions just to be annoying to the other team. I'm not listening at this point.

- Spreading through blocks. If they're that long, then you should shorten them.

- Saying "obviously debate doesn't leave this room when we say the government should do something." Oh really? I thought you were a senator. My b

I hope this goes without saying, but I will not tolerate any kind of racist, sexist, homophobic, transphobic, queerphobic, ableist, or otherwise exclusionary discourse/conduct. Doing so will result in lowest possible speaks and an automatic loss for me.

I've debated policy all throughout high school and have been judging for almost three years.

I'm open to any arguments as long as the team can articulate them properly. Please do not run a kritik unless you are familiar with the argument, and no generic links! Other than that, I have no bias to any style or argument of debate.

I did LD a looong time ago, so make it super clear for me.

I may make mistakes, but I will try to be fair. Ultimately it's your job to make the decision easy for me.

Honestly I really only want to vote on (well-argued) T. Don't @ me.

You do you.

Explain your arguments well.

Use your framework.

Don't assume I know stuff.

Don't be a douche.

Give me voters.

Add me to the email chain: graciejames651@gmail.com

I did policy for most of high school so speed, Ks, etc. are cool.

I suck at verbal RFDs but I'll give you more on the ballot.

Yes pls email chain: sdlpeaks@gmail.com

West High School (SLC West) ‘18

Trinity University ‘22

Now an MA candidate in Nonproliferation and Terrorism Studies at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies

General Thoughts

I have not judged in a few years, please make sure to explain things :)

Tech >> Truth

Evidence quality >> spin

Substance > theory

Racism good, genocide good, etc. will never win and will not translate into a speaker award

I'm a big fan of well researched impact turns with good evidence

K Aff’s

The only part of this you may actually read. I am willing to vote on K affs but I do have a rather high threshold for beating fw

-I really like line by line, so if that isn’t your thing or you think its racist or whatever, you’re SOL.

-If you make arguments by analogy I will be sad and recommend you get better disads to fw than “the neg is ICE.”

-You need a reason why your aff beats presumption

FW

-One of my favorite arguments in debate. If done well it can be a really interesting debate

-I don’t think fairness is an impact but my mind can be changed, skills are better

-Don’t be afraid to dismiss arguments by analogy. You aren’t the police and you probably aren’t building a border wall in this debate round. Anyone who says otherwise is silly.

K

*I think a specific k directly engages the aff can be one of the best arguments in debate. That being said, I'm less and less persuaded about blackness being ontological. If you read this, countering historical examples, responding to author indicts, and engaging with aff evidence is essential. Blowing off something like the Gordon card will not get you very far.*

-Link specificity is key – links to the action of the plan > knowledge production > actor > fiat

-Attaching specific impacts and turns case to individual links is excellent and will be rewarded. Links should also be offensive.

T

- I usually default to offense/defense or competing interps. Reasonability can be won but it doesn’t make a whole ton of sense to me

DA

-I really really enjoy in depth turns case analysis that exceeds “warming collapses the economy.” Historical examples and contextualization to aff internal links WILL be rewarded.

-The more you are winning the cp, the more I will think risk of a link is a thing

CP

-If it’s in the aff evidence, you don’t need a solvency advocate.

-Smart cps out of aff internal links will be rewarded and are highly strategic

-I will judge kick if it was in the 2nr

-Specific PICs are good but need to be theoretically defended

-I definitely lean neg on the majority cp theory questions. However, consult, process, delay, and cheeto veto style cp are probably bad.

I look for well-supported impact & Pathos - I want you to convince me by making me care about the topic. However, I also want you to convince me by backing up your claims with actual evidence.

I research, analyze and write policy for a living. Therefore, I can sense when your argument is BS and your sources are lacking.

I am anti-speed (both the the drug and the debate style) and anti-jargon. I want to be able to give you decent feedback, but I start to lose interest when you're jabbering away at 90 miles an hour. If you are worried about fitting in your argument in the time allotted, don't stress. I would rather hear one very clear and strong argument, rather than a bunch of semi-good arguments spoken too fast for me to understand what point you are trying to make.

*If I raise my hand, you are speaking too fast. I will give you one warning. The second time, you will lose points*

DO:

-Be specific and provide context when you present your evidence, blanket claims and "'cause I said so" are not specific.

-Clearly link your evidence to your argument.

-Clearly identify and state your contention, or your opposition to the other team's contention. Don't make me wonder what you're talking about and don't assume I will remember something from earlier in the round. I am old. I am tired. My memory is not what it used to be. Most likely, it has been a very long week for me and chances are I am also starving.

-Make sure your sources are credible and recent. I can usually tell who has done their research and who hasn't. An article you pulled up on CNN or Fox 20 minutes ago is an example of the latter. As a general rule, sources should be less than 5 years old - unless they are well-accepted in theory or study (This doesn't mean you will lose points for citing an older article, however).

-Speak loud enough for me to hear you! If I grab my ear. You're too quiet.

- I DO pay attention to cross X.

Hello, I am a Freshman at the U. I Competed mainly in Extemp but also have congress and debate experience.

Philosophy for debate: I am a bit old fashioned and traditional but can follow any speed/ theory if that is where the round goes for pf/cx. As for LD I am a bit more strict and believe k's and spreading don't belong here. For the most part, I'm cool with whatever just be respectful and don't make it just all about your evidence I want to hear your own words/ arguments.

Philosophy for speech. Speach is about Speaking so do that well. Put it in your own words add that personal touch.

Extemp: I am most versed here so I know and am looking for proper structure and correct sighting of evidence.

Other IE's: Be engaging speak with power and passion I care about that more than your words.

Congress: Please know what you are talking about, don't speak just to speak have a purpose with your speeches/questions. It is apparent when you don't know anything about what you are speaking on and that will hurt your rank. Also, be respectful there is rarely a need for break-in debate.

Throughout my entire competitive career, I believed that the judge is always right and there is always something you could have done for the round to of ended more favorably for you. With that being said please ask questions and know what I am looking for and adapt to that, judge adaptation is a huge and often overlooked aspect of Debate.

YOU DO YOU!

***CX***

Put me on the email chain: Capynes@gmail.com

• Will consider any arg (except anything blatantly racist, homophobic, misogynistic , etc.) Just argue it well.

• Down for the K on either side but if you can't it explain it, don't expect a ballot. My background in Higher Theory isn't super extensive but i can generally keep up. That being said just assume that I know nothing about your K cause there is a possibility that its true.

• Performance is cool.

• Affs don't have to defend the topic but topicality can still be a voting issue if argued right.

• I will reward creative args and answers with speaks

• Act however during speeches but be civil when the timer's not running, debate should be fun for all.

• I personally believe good analytics are more powerful than a wall of cards

***LD***

• My background is in policy however this year I have gotten a bit of experience judging LD, take my notes with a grain of salt I am still learning what high level LD really looks like.

•Speed? cool.

• Will consider any arg (except anything blatantly racist, homophobic, misogynistic , etc.) Just argue it well.

•"will you listen to X progressive argument?" Yes, of course.

• Framework args need love too, I really am not loving the trend of shadow extending your interps with no warrant.

•I should understand most of your concepts but good explanations are always good.

• I will reward creative args and answers with speaks

• Act however during speeches but be civil when the timer's not running, debate should be fun for all.

Please include me on the email chain: jdutdebate@gmail.com

Do what you do best. I’m comfortable with all arguments. Practice what you preach and debate how you would teach. Strive to make it the best debate possible. I reward self-awareness, clash, good research, humor, and bold decisions. I will not tolerate language or behaviors that create a hostile environment. Please include trigger warnings for sexual violence. Feel free to ask me any questions you have before the round.

Specific things:

Speed - I'm comfortable with speed but please recognize that if you're reading typed blocks that are not in the speech doc at the same speed you are reading cards, there's a chance I will miss something because I can't flow every word you're saying as fast as you can say them. Slow down just a bit for what you want me to write down or include your blocks in the doc. I will say "clear" if you are not clear.

Topicality- I enjoy good topicality debates. To me good topicality debates are going to compare impacts and discuss what interp of the topic is going to be better for the debate community and the goals that are pursued by debaters.The goals and purpose of debate is of course debatable and can help establish which impacts are more important than others so make sure you're doing that work for me.

Counterplans- I enjoy creative counterplans best but even your standard ones will be persuasive to me if there is a solid solvency advocate and net-benny.

Theory - In-round abuse will always be far more persuasive to me than merely potential abuse and tricksy interps. I expect more than just reading blocks.

K- I really enjoy a good critical debate. Please establish how your kritik interacts with the affirmative and/or the topic and what that means for evaluating the round in some sort of framework. Authors and buzzwords alone will not get you very far even if I am familiar with the literature. I expect contextual link work with a fully articulated impact and alternative. If your K does not have an alternative, I will weigh it as a DA (that's probably non-unique).

Performance - All debate is a performance and relies on effective communication. If you are communicating to me a warranted argument, I do not care how you are presenting it.

Rowland Hall 18’

Emory 22’

Please include me on the email chain:

jamesrsteiner25@gmail.com

**Updated for the Chattahoochee tournament, 2018**

I debated four years in high school, this will be my first time judging. I don’t know anything about the immigration topic, so don’t assume I know acronyms.

People who have influenced my debate experience:

Mike Shackelford

Jaden Lessnick

David Bernstein

Isaiah Poritz

Brock Hanson

GENERAL:

The content of the debate overwhelms any preferences I have. I’ll vote for arguments that I dislike if they are executed well.

Research is integral to the activity — if you show that you have researched your argument/thought about your strategy it will make for a better debate, and I will be happier. This applies to all arguments and ideological preferences.

Spin can win you debates (to a degree). If its not in the ev, its not in the ev.

Disads:

Of course. Da/CP was a large portion of my negative strategy in HS.

Turns case is a must

I am not receptive to a “multiply the internal links by each other” / logical fallacy argument — thats not responsive to the thesis of the disad. 1 x 1 x 1 = 1. You need specific, targeted answers.

Zero risk is possible

CP:

Just because something is necessary does not mean that it is sufficient

I like 1nc texts that pre-empt 2ac solvency deficits

All in all I don’t love process CP’s. However, 1ar’s often get spread out on the theory debate and can’t cover. I don’t think they’re legit, but I’ve seen neg teams doing the better debating here.

T:

I think my role as a judge is to reward debates about the topic — T shapes what kind of debates we want to have

Open to reasonability / competing interps

Strength/context of interp and counter interp ev is very important. Don’t define terms in a vacuum, contextualize it to the topic.

Impact comparison is super important

Reasonability is underutilized — I’m p receptive to substance tradeoff args

Theory:

If your first judge kick arg is the 2nr, and the 2ar responds, I am predisposed to lean Aff

Your interp needs to explain a threshold — i.e. what's the difference between 2 condo and 3 condo? How does your interp solve your offense, why is it unique your interp?

CASE:

As most philosophies say, case debate is underutilized.

T USFG:

Im down — but don’t assume that I’ll auto vote neg. Have been on both sides of the debate throughout HS.

Going for a fairness arg and a DM arg is likely to mess up your 2nr’s impact framing.

Saying the gov’t is bad doesn’t mean debating about the gov’t is bad — make sure your offense is specific.

Your offense should connect to the ballot.

I don’t like debates that center on who you are, but rather the arguments that you can make. You can make identity args but not “vote for me because I am __”. This means I am somewhat receptive to identity militarization args.

This* debate is not your survival strategy.

Affirmatives must win that their education outweighs that of the negatives

K:

Not too experienced executing K arguments — but did read some a bit later in HS.

Cheap K tricks indicate a lack of debate skill

If the alternative or the links exist in a different world from the plan, then you should probably try to win a FW argument

“Weighing the Aff” against Ks that exist in a different world does not make sense

If you go for a floating PIK and extend links that you didn't PIK out of, you won’t be in a good spot.

Best of luck!

I view my role in the round, is as a critic of the debate. Therefore, I rely upon the four competitor's to tell me how I am to evaluate the round, what's important in the round and where I am to look, to evaluate the round. I will fiercely defend my role as a critic, as I will not connect the dots, or complete incomplete arguments to the defense of teams.

these rounds are safe spaces

Friends, it has been a few (several) years--so dumb it down for me! xoxo

General Notes:

-Include me in email chains: olivia@thewhiteleyfamily.com

-Clarity over speed

-Overviews, Impact Calc, and Line by Line or else

Argument-Specific Notes:

-Kritical Affirmatives/Framework: A well-run framework argument is compelling to me. I am willing to vote for a limits/fairness argument. For kritikal affirmatives, the alt debate matters to me. Win it.

-Topicality: If fleshed out, I am willing to vote on reasonability. Fairness is also legitimate. I lean truth over tech in these debates--but tech still matters.

-CPs: If enough work is done on the theory debate, Process CPs, Advantage CPs, and PICs can be legitimate. Work means engaging with the other side's arguments; repeating your shell in the rebuttals is not enough.

-DAs: DA and case is a strat. Generics are fine. Politics is my jam.

-Ks: Contextual link work and a clear, direct explanation of how your alt works may get you the ballot. Explain your jargon. I'm not down for "we're a K so as long as we win the general thesis of the argument, it doesn't matter if we drop stuff." Dropping stuff matters. If you make that argument, you will probably lose.