Congressional Debate - I wholeheartedly believe in the DEBATE aspect of the event. This event isn't congressional oratory. It is expected to have good argumentation, refutation, and overall relevance on the flow. Pretty speaking is favored but will not make up for lackluster argumentation. Same goes with rhetoric. Speed is fine as long as I can understand you. However, nothing should be an excuse for not having good, relevant arguments. I like to see the legislation being debated, not merely the idea. Early speeches should layout the constructive arguments within the round. Don't be afraid to give an early constructive for fear of "losing relevance", I will remember a good speech. Mid-round speeches should be for extensions and refutations. Ref after the first constructive is expected. Speeches towards the end of an item should be crystallizations telling me what are the most important arguments to consider in the round. Don't bring up new arguments towards the end unless it is truly groundbreaking and completely shifts the direction of the debate.

For POs - Do not mess up and you will be ranked well. Don't make mistakes or it can be very easy to drop.

Congress
I competed primarily in this event on the state and national circuits. I look for
1. content and interactions within the arguments that are made in the round
This means having robust argumentation and relevant refutation. Pinpoint the biggest arguments of the round and interact with them somehow. I pretty much expect the round to go author -> constructives -> decent refutation -> crystals.
2. rhetoric that is appropriate for the theme of the speech/argument and is meaningful
3. delivery (fluency, appropriate tone and variation).
Traditional CX is not that important to me, just answer the question. Direct CX is more meaningful, and how well you do here does indicate to me how confident you are in your own arguments, so don't take this too lightly.
The PO does NOT start with the 1 and get dropped per mistake, but they're very likely to place in my top 8 (where in the T8 depends on how well you do versus the quality of debate in the round). POs that frequently make mistakes will probably not place in my top 8.

Extemp
This was sort of my secondary event. I'm looking for a thesis/umbrella that does actually respond to the question, and each of your points to fit under the umbrella and have a direct response to the question as well. Speakers that can provide specific context for their arguments will place well. In general I look for content > delivery, however delivery is still important; having transitions and effective AGDs/conclusions (along with basic delivery things like fluency) will probably help your rank in the round.

Debate
I pretty much never did PF/LD/CX so more nuanced argumentative techniques are lost on me. Please don't read theory or Ks or whatever, I don't really know how to evaluate them so I will probably end up voting you down lol. Overall, treating me like a relatively experienced lay judge is your best bet, big thing for me is just signpost really well so I can clearly see where you're at/ what you're responding to. I'll likely give 30 speaker points unless I really felt that I couldn't understand you.

Other IEs
Never did them, so I'm just looking for a good performance.

Content is extremely important : need logical, thought out arguments. Explain your links thoroughly. Have good presentation/ speaking ; be passionate about what you are saying.

I competed mostly in extemp and have experience in pf, wsd, congress, oo, and info.

Extemp: I judge primarily off of content and analysis. This includes answering the question, providing adequate evidence, using unified analysis, providing succinct background info, and having 3 separate and logical points. I also really really appreciate humor, especially in the introductions. Have fun with it, be entertaining, and teach me something about the topic

WSD: I judge mostly on the validity of the arguments provided and how well you refute your opponents. Speakers should speak clearly and with an understandable speed (nothing over congress-speed). Be respectful with your injections, but don't be afraid of using them. Third and fourth speeches should summarize the round well and provide clear voters

PFD: Exact same as worlds: provide logical arguments and solid refutation of opponents. Ask effective CX questions, but don't be aggressive with it. Don't leave any argument unanswered and start to condense the round by the summary speech. FF should have clear voters.

IEs: Not much experience, but please have an organized and substantive speech. I judge based on what I learned and the entertainment value of speeches.

Congress: Be respectful and keep rounds very efficient - nothing worse than a dysfunctional chamber. Everyone should be polite but PLEASE call out other speakers and engage in clash, especially after the 4th/5th speech. If a PO runs a standard round, I'll rank them 3rd-6th. Be persuasive!

I am a relatively flow judge. I value weighing, and extension of case that you want to be judged off of. I expect most delinks or turns to be addressed.

Qualifications:

Nationals Qualifier in Domestic Extemp and Congress

Accumulated 4 TOC bids in Congress during my junior Year, accumulated 2 (so far) in my senior year

7th at the Stanford Invitational in Congress

11th at the UT tournament in Congress

3rd at the Plano West tournament in Congress

13th at NSDA Nationals in Congress

Congress Paradigms:

Speaking style: Even though I'm judging a camp tournament, I'm judging like a national judge would- not like a state or middle school judge would. What this means is you have to stay professional to rank well on my ballots. Don't yell, be aggressive or impolite. Fluency and clarity will win you the round, not "power moves". If you try a power move and pull it off really well it could get you my 1-3 automatically, but chances are if I notice a single stumble in it- you'll drop to become my 9.

Humor: I like humor, but be careful. I want to see good humor which could be used in any level of round- not easy humor which gets easy laughs. Make your jokes polite, subtle and don't overuse them (1 to 2 jokes a speech is fine).

Content: Presentation is important, but after a certain point it becomes pointless. Make sure your content is always put first before presentation. Speak well enough to where I listen- after that content will move you up my ranks.

Refutation: I want to see you drop other speakers names and points. After the sponsorship & first neg, I have to see refutation of previous points. Even if you stumble on fluency and humor- good refutation will easily put you in my top 6. Make sure you clearly explain how you turn/void previous speakers arguments and what the impact of that would be. I'm sure you guys can do this well.

Crystal: Since this is a camp tournament, I'm guessing competitors won't have much knowledge on how crystallization works- thus, if only one or two people deliver properly structured well organized crystals- you will like the rank I give to you.

PO: If you PO, full disclosure: you will likely be ranked third best case scenario (maybe second) if you do very well. Expect ranks to range from 4 to 8 if you PO though. I love seeing PO's work fast, be fair (I'm making sure you don't only pick your friends/people from your own school- that's a good way to get you dropped), and make few errors. Making the occasional short joke is fine- but ensure it doesn't take away time that could be used for speaking.

Fairness: Likely the most important criteria in a Congress round. I'm aware that many of you think judges you know will boost you or you can help each other out to rig rounds. Even if you are the best competitor in that room- if any of the people who I know are teaching you or I see any hint of corruption, you will get the 9. Fairness is the most important element in maintaining the sanctity of the debate environment. Don't let anyone say otherwise. I will weigh more of quality of a speech versus the quantity of speeches given.

Advice: Good luck, you guys got this. Prep hard and don't get distracted. See you in round.

- Conversational

- Refutes arguments thoroughly

- Even speed

- Easy-to-understand link chains

- Understandable rhetoric

Hi all,

My name is Shiva Kandala, and I'm currently a sophomore at Indiana University, on the finance/PE/VC track. I've competed in Congressional Debate, Extemporaneous Speaking, and dabbled a bit in PF for all 4 years of high school - with some accomplishments on the state and national levels, including but not limited to NSDA Nats Finals in the Senate my senior year, top 8 at the Glenbrooks, and top 5 at the University of Texas Longhorn Classic.

In terms of what I look for, Congressional Debate is a mix of a persuasive debate event and a content-backed speaking event. The structure, content, and analytics behind your speeches matters just as much - if not more - than your ability to speak concisely, eloquently, and conversationally.

For CX/LD - the way to my heart is pretty simple - framework consistency and impact analysis are the most important. I want to see tangible ways that you all weigh your arguments above that of your opposition and I listen to your voters and cards that extend more than anything. Be sure to explain your no-links/theory/value props as best as possible and don't be afraid to take some risks. I'm good with any speed you go at as long as its comprehendible.

Apart from that, don't abuse the grace period, be civil, polite, and kind!

Congress:

I did congress for four years and graduated from Plano West in 2020. For speakers, just make it a good debate and not boring. I feel like the idea of a good congress speech is self-explanatory. Also don't be racist, sexist, homophobic, ableist, etc. I want to believe that kids in congressional debate have a better ability to be kind than those in the actual congress.

I notice when competitors are super cliquey in the round. It's really obvious when a group of debaters already know the PO well and all get good precedence.

For POs -- Please don't waste time, don't let the speakers waste time either, don't be biased, and you can expect T3 from me.

Extemp:

My high school was pretty good at extemp so while I personally wasn't really competing much in the event, I know what a good extemp speech looks like. A good structure in your points will take you a long way.

For any other event:

I am a lay judge. :)

CONGRESS:
- Find ways to stand out bc three hours of Congress can get boring really quick

- I love unique arguments and good clash, that always makes a round interesting

- Don't talk too fast, while you want to get information out, presentation still matters for me

EXTEMP

- ANSWER THE QUESTION