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I debated for 4 years in LD at Monte Vista High School. I competed as a traditional LD debater achieved a few octos/quarters finishes at CA state, and a top 14 finish at NSDA Nationals my senior year.

Director of Forensics at Bentley School, Lafayette
High school and college experience

I flow the round, but I promise there is a high probability that I will get lost if you go too fast or jump around with your arguments. You’ll benefit from signposting and staying organized. I prefer fleshed out arguments and not blips. Don’t assume I know theory. If something is a voting issue, explain it to me. Always tell me "why".

I’ve spent many years coaching speech events and I appreciate quality public speaking skills, along with respect towards your teammate and opponents.

By the end of the round, you need to tell me why I should be voting for you over your opponent. What are the voting issues and how do your impacts outweigh your opponent's impacts?

Hi, I'm Timothy. I did debate for 4 years at Monte Vista, I'm currently a junior at UC Berkeley. Would prefer if you treated CHSSA as a (relatively) traditional tournament. Besides that not much else - let me know before round if you have any specific questions about prefs.

Debated PF 4 years at College Prep on the national circuit, currently debate APDA at Yale.

tech> truth, ask me specifics before round

I probably won’t call for cards unless I’m told to do so (I guess at eTOC I'm gonna look at them all because they'll be emailed to me whether I want to see them or not).

If you don’t weigh, you’ll probably be sad after RFD.

Pet peeves:

1. Don’t talk fast if you don't have a lot to say.

2. Don’t talk too slow or I’ll fall asleep.

3. Don’t debate during prep time.

Debated PF 4 years at College Prep on the national circuit, currently debate APDA at Yale.

tech> truth, ask me specifics before round

I probably won’t call for cards unless I’m told to do so (I guess at eTOC I'm gonna look at them all because they'll be emailed to me whether I want to see them or not).

If you don’t weigh, you’ll probably be sad after RFD.

Pet peeves:

1. Don’t talk fast if you don't have a lot to say.

2. Don’t talk too slow or I’ll fall asleep.

3. Don’t debate during prep time.

I am an extremely experienced debater with 4 years of circuit experience backed with results. I don’t have much experience with lay debate, however, TOC and invites have prepared me. Human extinction will be carried across the flow if not responded too.

she/her

Add me to the email chain: siyavsharma@gmail.com. Also, just generally beyond debate, email me if you want to chat - happy to engage with committed debaters.

First a little of my background:

I have extensive debate + speech experience. As a debater, I got 6th in CA state and 4th at NSDA Nationals in LD. As a speech person, I primarily competed in extemp (IX, but some NX) and impromptu. Wasn't amazing at it, but I have enough invitational experience.

I am largely familiar with the ins and outs of both debate and speech, so I encourage you to feel comfortable with me.

LD philosophy:

I like to consider myself to be a flow judge, but please NO spreading. I will dock your speaks if I can't understand you.

Flay debate is hands down preferable to me, but here are my specific preferences:

Traditional:

This is my favorite form of debate. Also, a key misconception a lot of super techy debtors have is that trad isn't legit debate - obv it is, with so many arguments going back and forth. I am flowing every thing that is said.

V/VC debate should be tied into the contention-level thesis.

Line-by-line debate is alright w/ me.

Quality of evidence > quantity of evidence. You better have cites for all your evidence.

I prefer clashes on arguments that are far more substantial. Don't spend time on arguments that aren't going to be voting issues in the round.

Please articulate voting issues in the summary speeches.

I really dislike it when debaters take evidence out of context. Just say what your evidence says.

Philosophy:

I'm well-versed in phil, so please don't make a really sad argument about something you don't understand. Denser phil requires more explanation.

Speaking:

If online, go slower. Just make it clear. If it's not clear, I'll yell "clear" 3 times for you to slow down. After that, speaks are docked.

Base for speaks is 28.

If in-person, just NO spreading.

IF necessary, here are the techy stuff (still don't prefer it):

Kritiks:

I'm cool w/ kritiks, as long as you explain it well enough. Framework determines the game here most of the time so if you want me to vote for your kritik, win the framework. Also, don't be obsessed with your doc here all the time. Take the effort to look up and speak to me. Debate is a persuasive activity, so treat it like that.

K Affs and Ts:

These kinds of Affs should be isolating an issue and resolving it. Personal narratives here are irrelevant. Explain these well, please. A nuanced framework will go in your favor.

Tricks:

Please just no.

Extemp:

A good explanation is the name of the game here. Don't make up an answer that doesn't make sense, make sure it ties into the question and actually gets to the point.

I'm actually very well-versed in international and US politics, so don't make stuff up. If you do and I know you're making stuff up, you're going to get a lower rank.

Usually, though, I vote based on who answered the question the best, but speaking does play a role in that decision. Extemp is the interesting duality b/w complex topics and simplicity. If you can synthesize complicated information in a simple way that's engaging to listen to, you'll probably be high-ranked.

I have done 4 years of debate, doing both PF and LD. I am going to vote off arguments, but only if you can actually explain what you are saying. Don't just read me evidence and link chains, actually explain to me why your argument makes sense, otherwise, I will not understand it nor will your opponent. I am fine with any circuit as long as you can explain it, however, I doubt this will happen in JV. I have competed at high levels of LD, so don't worry about complexity, I will be able to follow.

I'm fine with most speed, but if you go too fast I'll raise my hand. Speaking fluently does have an effect on me and I'll give you higher speaks if you do so. Be respectful, and don't slime your opponent (Yes, I can tell). Keep the debate clean, it makes it easier to judge and will get you higher speaks.

If you have any questions just ask me, I'll be sure to answer.

I DO DISCLOSE (Unless both debaters would prefer me not to.)

I am a current junior at Brown. I did PF for 4 years at College Prep and attended the TOC. I will vote off the flow, so please signpost during speeches. I will call for cards if you ask me to. Happy to answer any questions that come up before the round :)

Flow. Debated PF thru high school with mixed success. Don’t be mean (unless it’s in a funny way).

You get higher speaks and a 0.00000001% higher chance to win if you bring me a Coke.

JLin is the GOAT don’t @ me.