My. Background:

 I am a corporate banker at a U.S. based international bank. I have been judging for approximately one year with most of my experience in the LD debate format but have also judged Public Forum and Parliamentary.    

 Approach to Judging/Preferences:

As a debater, assume I know nothing about the topic. Explain what's going on to me clearly and succinctly. I will do my best to stay open-minded and not to impose my personal beliefs, pre-conceptions or knowledge of the topic on the competitors. 

Things I look for include passion, articulate speaker, maintains good eye contact and confidence.

Please don’t spread.  I understand the strategy, but if I cannot keep up, what’s the purpose?

I do expect that participants at all times to act courteously towards their opponents. 

I am a parent judge and usually a blank slate. I would prefer that debaters follow through with their arguments, especially emphasizing the impacts of their arguments. I am not a fan of spreading.

Please send me your case at kaijund@yahoo.com if you like.

I look forward to listening to a good debate.

Good luck!

Brief Intro about myself:

I am Programmer/Tech Enthusiast. I love learning about new technology coming every day. I have been judging for more than one year. In last one year i have all the forms of debate format.

Debaters i will prefer that participants don't do spreading. Its very important that i am able to understand what you want to present. There is no point of you providing information that i am not able to get to it. I understand you have lot to say but you need to make sure the judge is also following along. I am big believer of "Keep it Short and Simple"

As a judge, i will try to keep myself open-minded and not to impose any personal opinion what so ever.

Most important, please be respectful to your opponents and team mates. At end of day this is all going to be an constructive effort.

Good Luck!!!

Sixth year parent judge for New Roads, which is my only debate experience. I am, however, familiar with argument as an attorney for more than 30 years with lots of trials, arbitrations, administrative hearings and oral arguments in appellate courts. You could say I argue for a living.

I am most familiar with Parli and LD. I’m old, with slow ears, so don’t spread. Speak clearly and enunciate. Theory, Kritik and other more technical forms of debate are fine, but only if you really explain your position. All too often the punch of these arguments is lost without a full, complete and thorough explanation truly supporting the point being made. Don’t rely on debate jargon or buzzwords. Likewise, explain why your proposed framework for how I should decide the round makes sense.

Over all I am looking for the most compelling argument. This can be several smaller points, or one or two very strong points. Most of all, always explain how your arguments relate to the topic in question.

I was a Lincoln-Douglas debater back in 2015-2017, so I am very familiar with the formats and the flow. My preferences are as follows:

The heart of the Lincoln-Douglas debate is the values debate. I am looking for debaters who will show me why I should care about their arguments. Explaining what is the importance of the evidence, how it upholds the value via the value criterion.

I dislike spreading. I believe it takes away from the merit of debate and simply sounds like word vomit to me. I am a medical scribe, so I can keep up, but honestly, I would rather not. I hate focusing on typing everything down rather than listening to the case. I appreciate it when debaters are articulate and concise and are able to present their cases like they are teaching me something.

I allow for off-time roadmaps and I appreciate it when I know how the debater will tackle the two sides in a rebuttal. It makes it easier for me to follow overall.

My preferences are:

- State your contentions clearly

- Speak clearly and slowly, don't spread. You will know you are speaking too quickly if I drop my pen. I cannot follow you if you speak too quickly so pay attention to this preference.

- Be polite, if you are rude and disrespectful to your opponent or to me, you will lose the round.

-Track your own time and your opponent should track their time.

-I like sign-posting

-I like quick off time road maps

I judge based on the flow. Solid clash and preponderance of evidence is what really does It for me. Dropped arguments and unaddressed points are usually the deciding factors of my rounds but they need to be pointed out to be considered. A priori arguments and Kritiks usually don't work in PoFo so please don't stray from the topic just to derail the conversation. Spreading is frowned upon, but speak at whatever pace you want. If I cannot understand you I will let you know.  

1) I like watching debates that would inspire an average student who doesn't do debate to join the activity, or an average parent/guardian judge to urge their student to join.

2) Everybody in the round should be able to watch back a recording of the round and be able to understand what was going on. In other words, don't intentionally run arguments that your opponents won't understand.

3) While developing the skills to win the game on the circuit is certainly laudable--because of debate, I now listen to everything on x2 speed--I don't enjoy watching most circuit debates. I prefer debaters to hover around 200-250 words per minute. Choose quality arguments instead of gish galloping around the flow, and collapse on your one or two best pieces of offense. Weigh those key arguments against your opponent's, taking them at their highest ground.

3) Don't make claims that your evidence doesn't support. Powertagging is bad scholarship. If I call for a piece of evidence and see that it is powertagged, I will intervene.

4) I am more likely to intervene in a theory-level debate than a case-level debate. If you tell me that your opponents' practices are making the activity worse, I will consider their practices in the context of what I know about the activity. I am open to my mind being changed on these issues; my knowledge of the activity is limited. However, I am biased against evaluating what I see as frivolous theory arguments or tricks.

5) Tell me where I should be flowing at all times. If you don't tell me, I may mess up.

6) I don't find rudeness to be a persuasive rhetorical tool. You can be an incredibly effective debater and advocate while focusing on your opponent's arguments, not their personal deficiencies.

7) It's helpful to acknowledge where your opponents may be winning. Give me a permission structure to believe some of their arguments but still vote for you. "Even if..." "The tiebreaker is..."

This is my first year as a coach for our high school's Speech and Debate club. In high school I took a speech and debate class and as an AP Language and Composition teacher, I trained my students in PF in order to strengthen their argumentative skills.

I am also in my first year judging PF and LD at the novice and varsity levels. I appreciate arguments that are logical, sound, and easy to follow. I cannot follow when I speaker talks to fast because I am unable to process and write down the arguments.

I also appreciate when debaters clearly link evidence with argument. I find that sometimes those connection are never made or they don't seem to connect but are repeated.

I have been judging for the past four years as Parli and CX. I have an analytical background working with technology and numbers.

I value truth over tech.

If you want to tech with me explain it throughly and only run as dire last resort.

I want to hear voter points and impact calculus in final speech, this will make the bulk of my decision.

I also value specificity in policy.

My preferences are no spreading and no tag teaming , but I am okay with off time road maps.

Been judging speech and debate competitions for about 7 years. I'm a theatre teacher, so I tend to gravitate towards IEs. I'm pretty lay when it comes to debate. I've judged enough over the years so that I can follow along with fast speaking, but not with spreading. I really really love it when arguments are clear, contentions are loudly numbered, and definitions are offered to me if the topic has to do with international relations or foreign policies. Be nice to each other.

Lay Judge with one year of experience. Limited exposure to circuit, but a strong intuitive grasp of argumentation and will be able to follow your logic. Adjust accordingly.

Vita Roth

El Camino Real Charter High School

English Department Chair

Speech and Debate Coach

v.roth@ecrchs.net

I currently teach Honors British Literature and AP Language and have taught almost every English course possible at the high school level, including AP Language. I have over 8 years experience teaching English at El Camino Real.

Please share your opinions or beliefs about how the following play into a debate round:

Although speech delivery is very important for students, learning how to support their argument with facts and passion is just as important, if not more important. With the time constraints imposed on students they often speak very quickly so it is important to emphasize their supporting information very clearly and concisely. What generally helps me is if the student begins with the big picture so I can tell where they are heading, and following that up with line by line details, allowing some time for me to absorb the information and take notes. They should also be prepared for their opposition by stating any known contradictions and addressing them head on. Their final focus should repeat their strongest arguments and why I should vote for their side. Also, remember to repeat these strongest arguments whenever they speak again.

I find that sometimes students try to bring in too many arguments. Then they spend too much time defending these lesser arguments and lose focus on the big picture. Remember, the opposition will try to undermine your support so the fewer you have the easier it will be to stay focused on the facts you have to support your argument.

As far as style, first and foremost, be yourself. Be enthusiastic about your topic. Be confident in your argument, don't let the opposition distract you by hammering on one of your arguments, restate your facts and then reinforce your other arguments. If the other team or person does something you feel is against the rules, don't argue with them during your time. Wait for Cross and then mention it but don't let yourself be drawn into an argument at that time. State your concern and let the judge take it into consideration. I have seen a lot of time wasted as students argue the point during the speech process. Also, a few moments of silence is OK. You don't have to fill the time with "ummm" or something similar. You are allowed to take a moment to think out your answer or your next argument.

Finally, remember, you don't have to prove the opposition is wrong, only that your argument will lead to the best outcome. This should be the focus throughout. Yes, it is a good idea to point out flaws in their argument, but it is more important to reiterate your argument and why your point is the best outcome for the issue at hand.

A. I hate spreading.

A Case against Spreading in LD

B. I appreciate good turns.

What Exactly Is a Good Turn?

C. I judge you on 5 things.

5 Keys to Success

I am a lay judge. I have judging experience and I will be flowing your arguments. I highly recommend speaking at a normal, reasonable pace and to not read theory as I am unlikely to vote off of these arguments. The strength of your arguments is more important than the quantity of your arguments, make sure to extend your arguments especially arguments dropped by the other team.

I am a new parent judge to Speech and Debate. I have judged Lincoln Douglas in the past.

Speaking Preferences: I prefer debaters to speak at a moderate and/or reasonable pace.

Argument Preferences: If your case involves heavy theory please explain in practical terms and explain its implications, so I can better understand your argument. The same applies to topicality, if your case relies upon a specific interpretation of the resolution or a specific burden which you believe the opponent must prove, please do clarify it so I may make note of it in my flow of the debate. I expect evidenced-based, clear, and concise rebuttals.

Misc: Politeness among opponent debaters is expected.

I am looking for sound arguments that are supported by facts. Supposition and conclusory statements are discouraged. Avoid kritiks. Please speak clearly and succinctly. Explain all debate lingo.

I'm a flay LD judge and a lay LD judge. My background is in Parliamentary, but this doesn't mean I need you to talk pretty, though please talk at a reasonable pace because I want to understand you just as much as you want me to.

My email address is venkatnet@yahoo.com (for any question or when emailing your case)

- I do appreciate a conversational, relatable tone.

- Also love it when you pair pathos with logos (maybe even some ethos) haha

Safety is my #1 priority in the round:

1. Avoid oppressive discourses including but not limited to sexism, racism, homophobia, etc. It’s not just an argument.

2. If you need any accommodations before the round, please email me

3. Give trigger warnings with an anonymous opt-out before reading any potentially sensitive argument.

- I like clear signposting, great weighing, and being considerate. These things are key!

Specific Debate Categories:

LD: I don't know what wpm I max out at, so I would appreciate a speech doc, but if you are unable to provide one, that's totally fine, just remember to outline your contentions once again after your Constructive :)

- I need a hint at a floating pik during the 1NC, make sure your root cause argument is contextualized to the Aff.

Theory: I am probably not the best for this debate, and I won't evaluate frivolous theory. If there is actual abuse, then it’s fine.

LARP: I am fine evaluating a decently in-depth phil debate. If there are no standards presented, I default to util.

- I don’t lean either way on conditionality. But, reading six-off is sort of ridiculous

Tricks: Don’t. Haha

Excited to judge for all of you, and I wish y'all good luck!

Do not like speeding or spreading unless debater is clear and concise with enunciating their words and there is evidence to support all point. I expect the value to support the case and carry throughout as this is a values debate. I do appreciate off time road maps and sign posting though they of course do not weigh in any decision and only stand to assist in helping keep up with the case.