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.

Debate:

No two rounds are the same, so depending on the round, I can vote on framework, clash, structure, analytics, or impacts because those are all crucial to a good debate. Persuade me why I should care and vote for you.

Ensure every argument is sound, but I could easily go for outlandish arguments as long as they’re done right.

I’m good with speed, and progressive arguments are fine, don’t go overboard to where you do so much that you can't keep up with your arguments and structure.

I have a background in both traditional and progressive LD and PF. If I am in a CX round, then something has gone terribly wrong.

If you are rude, condescending, abusive, etc., in the round, you WILL be called out and possibly ranked down because of it. This is supposed to be a healthy, educational environment, and I don't condone people acting like they are better than any other competitor just because of how many rounds they have won.

Congress:

I should put this in all caps, but if you behave unprofessionally in the chamber, I will completely dock you. Nothing is worse than complete disrespect for the round, competitors, and judges.

Also, I don't automatically vote you up just for being PO. Don't run for PO if you don't have your Parli procedures down; I know them.

Content is key to winning in congress and being active in the chamber. Ask questions that make you stand out for the RIGHT reasons, not because you made someone laugh.

IEs:

I have multiple state titles and have competed in numerous national out rounds on the high school and college circuit, so I don't just go by "who has the best story." Characterization and development are important, as well as clean delivery. No topics are off-limits, and follow the parameters of the event.

If you have any questions, please feel free to email me at ashlyntrokey@gmail.com.

I'm a Tabula Rasa judge so I rely on the debaters and the flow to set both the validity of arguments and the role of the ballot. That means that I'll accept any argument until the other side contests it with argumentation or theory and puts it into play. I really enjoying seeing the rebuttals is weighing of impacts and holistic evaluation that inform my ballot. Evidence is important, but every argument should also have analysis. It is important that you have a very clear link chain throughout the debate. It is also important that you clearly weigh and impact your arguments (the earlier in the debate the better). BE COMPARATIVE. Do not make me have to choose which impact I think might be more important than another. Don't just tell me what your impacts are. Weigh and tell me why they matter, and comparatively weigh against your opponents. I will evaluate whatever arguments you present in round.

Make it easy for me to vote, weigh the round at the end.

Style/Delivery Preference:

Spreading is fine

You must be clear and articulate.

Slow down/emphasize on your taglines.

Signpost!!

Be respectful and nice to your partner and opponents.

Have Fun :)

For congress: refutation, Crystal, if speaking first or second add/neg, have clear and strong arguments well presented. Speaker style is of key, role play is important,

PF: establish clear flow, use crossx wisely, flow based round wins.

Speaking events: has good piece, good dramatization, should evoke emotions.

Welcome to my paradigm! If you have any questions over this or have questions about things I did not mention, feel free to ask me and I will try my best to give useful and concise answers.

Overall: Speech and debate is an incredible activity and easily one of the most important activities in terms of preparing you for a successful post-high school life. With that in mind, I would prefer rounds are educational to some extent. This means that there is clash, CX/crossfire periods are productive and respectful, and there is critical thinking put into summarizing arguments and painting a picture of the round that easily shows you won.

Speed: I have no personal problem with speed. My biggest thing is that any word/name/date/title that you plan to use for extensions or other references is spoken clearly in the speech. If you are going to say "Smith 07" for extensions, then you need to make sure that citation was clear when it is first brought up. This same idea applies to any other content that you want to use frequently. For example, a key statistic within a paragraph that you want to use should be clear when introducing that information. I do not plan to say "clear" if you are not clear; the expectation is that you know how you are presenting (know ya self, know ya worth...ya know?).

Argument Types: Any argument type is fine for me in LD/CX. All that I ask is that you try and keep the round educational and respectful (watching a 3 minute crossfire where the AFF just asked the NEG what their counterplan is, when the NEG didn't know what that was, will never be an experience I want to repeat). In PF, I do not see the purpose of using more critical argumentation. I will evaluate the round regardless of the type of arguments made, but know that there is less room to adequately present and back-up critical arguments in an effective manner within PF time restraints.

Speaker Points: I do not do decimal speaker points (something I might change over time). For a 30, you need to be organized, have solid and well structured arguments, and overall show that you deserve to get the highest possible speaking evaluation. For a 28-29, you may be stellar in one or two areas, but you have room to improve in other areas of speaking. For example, you may have incredible arguments and speak without skipping a beat, but if you are jumping around the flow and not signposting properly, that would be a 28-29. A 26-27 is gained when there are more areas of improvement than stellar speaking qualities. Since decent argument formulation and coherent speaking are transferrable skills out of high school, I see the presentation side of a debate as important. I still value arguments>>>presentation, but having not-so-great organization may ruin the argument-side of things.....So...to get a 25...you most likely did something discriminatory or blatantly disrespectful in the round. This includes being racist, sexist, homophobic, xenophobic, and/or being condescending to your opponent, judge, or both. I'd most likely talk to tournament staff if you received a 25. At the same time though, I have yet to give out a 25, so I've got confidence anyone reading this will keep that streak going!

I am not a fan of spreading...if I can't understand you how can I make an informed decision on your position? If you are for or against the status quo then state that and be convincing and compelling. Don't forget the importance of definitions but just because the other side concedes to your definitions don't assume that is enough to win the round.

Arguments need to have a claim, warrant, and an impact.

Tell me what you want me to vote on...give me a road map and sign post along the way. I am a fan of impacts and if you see a turn...go for it with all you have.

PF- has the feel of a "town" meeting so your argument should be kept simple..not to the point of being insulting. In this case...be sure you are factual/truthful with "commonly" known information. I am an educated, tax paying, home owning person.

I dont need a trigger warning but I will warn you that any moral repugnance ie RACISM (which has been way too prevalent of late), SEXISM, HOMOPHOBIA (you get the gist) I have a zero tolerance policy for...let's not test me on this issue please...I'd like to keep my hopes that we will continue to evolve into a society that is tolerant of how everyone wants to live their lives.

Congress: I am looking for full participation in the round. I am watching to see how active you are in questioning. I want to hear you give your argument for or against that is compelling and not a rehash of what's already been said throughout the round. I do not like watching speaks being given for the sake of giving a speech when we've already heard the same point stated in 3 previous speeches. Be clever and when you give your speech...I am stoked when you point out something said by the opposing side previously stated.

Westwood, ATX 2015-2019

Extensive local and national circuit experience

Competed mostly in Extemp but I am familiar with other speech events, PF, and Congress.

Extemp

- Answer the question - Make sure you are explaining everything that's in your question in each of your points. I'll rank you down for not doing it it's that important. - This is the best way to get my vote. If you answer the q sufficiently, then I will look for other qualities of your speech to rank you in the round as seen below.

- Time management is critical - If you are a competitor who has the ability to get the timing of your intro, 3 points, and conclusion within a 5 second margin then you'll easily be top 3

- Substrucuture should be easy to follow. If not, well .....

- Humor and a conversational tone are always welcomed. Your job is to make the audience comfortable.

- In elim rounds, I expect you to give me unique sources for your evidence.

- The point of cross is to point out the short comings of your opponent's speech, not to ruin their day. Your performance in cross ex can help you in my ranking of your speech.

Congress

- Analysis is one of the most important parts of Congress, show me what you know

- I'm not really a stickler for time in Congress but if you can be done with your speech at the 3 minute mark, that's impressive to me.

- Rhetoric/Humor/Presence should always be there

- Be polite and aware of your words

PF

- Plz put me on the email chain: maxswolf20@gmail.com

- Speaking fast doesn't make you a better debater. If I don't know what you're saying, then I won't be able to vote on whatever I couldn't hear.

- No real preference on arg types. Just do your thing and I'll do my best to follow where you are going with it.

- Do not miconstrue evidence, i.e don't paraphrase. Plz frontline in 2nd rebuttal.

- Do not give me prewritten reasons that say that your impact is wider in "scope" compared to your opponent's impact. Show me that you actually care about what your talking about by telling me why your link into the impact is specifically stronger than any other links/turns your opponents go for. This should be done clearly.

- Don't be mean or discriminatory. Y'all should know the rules.