Bishop Kelley Comet Challenge
2023 — Tulsa, OK/US
Policy Debate Paradigm List
All Paradigms: Show HideMy name is Kyven Acevedo (He, Him), I'm 19
Qualifications:
4 year policy debater.
I debated all 4 years for Guymon Oklahoma.
I've been a state finalist in policy debate my sophomore, junior and senior year (COVID messed up freshman year :(
State runner up in policy senior year
Other than debate I am also a 4 year foreign extemper, also state finalist and runner up in the same years as debate.
In speech events,
State Runner up Dramatic Duet senior year
1st alt to nationals Programed Oral Interp Junior year
LOOK HERE IF IM YOUR DEBATE JUDGE!!!
Ks
Any K you want to run is fine as well, I've got plenty of experience with K to understand most kritiks.
Just make sure you explain the K well, if I don't fully understand a obscure kritik I have a hard time voting on it unless its just dropped.
I think alien / humans destroy the universe cases are dumb. I am willing to vote on them if the opposing team does a bad job answering but this will probably be rare.
CPs
Go crazy. As long as you can prove competitiveness and remain mutually exclusive, you can win my vote.
For the aff, I love a good Perm debate.
DAs
I don't like generic links, use specific ones. Most of the time I treat generic DAs as time succs and wont give a team a ballot for it.
T
The neg needs to do a good job convincing me that the aff is truly being unfair. And if you really believe that the aff is outside of ground and they should lose for it, then the T debate ought to take up most, if not all, of your rebuttals.
(The same goes for arguing abusiveness)
Case
Line by line please.
Procedural
Love one another and be respectful.
Don't curse please. I don't have anything personal against cuss words and they don't bother me. But treat the debate space in a professional manner. Cussing will be an automatic 25 speaks and potential report to tab.
HOW I AWARD SPEAKER POINTS.
Good tone and speaking voice will get you good points regardless of the outcome of the debate.
The less "ums" and "uhhhs" the better.
Use all of your speaking time, especially in the rebuttals.
Most important of all, line by line. The closer you get to a perfect line by line the better points you get.
I do give out 30s to those who I believe deserve it.
Rudeness or unkind remarks/attitudes made in the round will result in a big loss in speaker points. Despite the common trend of being rude or demeaning to other teams. Being disrespectful in debate does not impress me, it makes me think of you as a child. Be adults.
Just be nice, speaker points will be awarded for kindness and mutual respect, especially if your opponent is being rude and you remain kind. Let children be children.
My middle name is a Star Wars reference and if you happen say it at any point in the debate I will award bonus speaks :)
Skiatook '17
CX debate for 4 years, IE for 3. Qualified for state 3/4 years in both divisions.
POLICY DEBATE/CX DEBATE
I love crazy/gag/unconventional arguments if you know how to run them seriously. I don't have a preference really. However, if you make it apparent that you don't know what you are doing/not defending yourself or not extending arguments then a mental note will be taken.
Use all of your given speech and prep time. If you take too long to flash then I will continue your prep time.
Your responsibility as a competitor is to have a backup copy of your standard aff and neg on paper if wifi issues happen. Blaming things on the "wifi" not working further perpetuates a delay in round.
I will allow open CX in the beginning of the year but about halfway through, I will not allow it. Doing closed CX will help you prep for Regionals and State.
If you try to take control of the round by assuming the role of time keeping for your opponent and not just for your personal use, I will deduct speaker points. It's not fair to your opponent or your judge.
TELL ME AS A JUDGE WHY YOU SHOULD WIN.
The 1AR will make or break a round for me in Debate.
IE:
-make sure you are performing a piece that fits you as a person.
-make sure your hair is neat by keeping it put up and away from your face so i can see your facial expressions
-add levels to your blocking when appropriate for the event
-MEMORIZE YOUR LINES
-USE MOST OF YOUR TIME. HOWEVER, I KNOW THERE IS NO DQ PENALTY FOR GOING OVER TIME, BUT IF YOU BRING A PIECE THAT IS SO LONG THAT IT STARTS TO DELAY OTHER ROUNDS, I WILL MAKE A NOTE OF IT ON MY BALLOT AND YOU NEED TO NAIL THE PIECE.
FX/DX
-No 2-3 minute speeches. 4 minutes minimum
-Know your stuff, if you don't, pretend you do.
-Be aware of the DQ rules for your note card word limit, although an experienced Extemp speaker who is adequately kept up to date will not cling to it like their life depends on it.
If you make a relevant Game of Thrones, The Sims, or a Shrek reference in your speech, you will get an extra speaker point.
For neg
K: I don't vote on k's without real world implications, if they cure cancer I don't care that they are bad people.
Da: Da aren't a solvency take out, they are impacts that happen as a result of the case. I also am not a fan of nuclear war impact. Other then that, I very basic
CP: CP flip presumption, be careful when you use them. Also in general i don't like "separate tests of competitiveness" in debate it is lazy and allows neg debate teams to ignore contradictory arguments.(like for example using both a military readiness Da and a CP with a defund military funding mechanism)
T:stop being babys, and debate. I don't vote on T unless it is overwhelming not topical. Good for time filler though.
For AFF
Full coverage of S.H.I.P.S is a must
Significance: my threshold is pretty low on this, but you need to say what it is
Harms: you need to solve a problem, even if it's just making the SQOU better.
Inherentcance: tell me why we can't solve the problem now, else why would I vote for you? If I can fix my car with my own hand, why pay a mechanic to do it?
P:just say what it is and we are good.
Solvency: this is the most important part of your case, if you don't solve you lose plane and simple. To me in order to prove Solvency you need two thing
*an internal link to plan text and your advantage/contingent.
*an articulateable reason for why it solve
and more then one Solvency cards
Fw:for both side you can't just say your Fw, you also need a Warren or card.
Andrea Campfield
I did not debate in high school, so my experience judging is rooted within my 2 years coaching policy debate. Not sure if this qualifies as a paradigm, but this is what I find I look for in judging a round:
1. I am focused on the policy topic at hand as I judge. I am listening for reasonable arguments for or against adopting the policy in question. While I am open to good kritik strategy, I find way out there theory argument is a distraction to the task of quality civil debate and begins to sound like conspiracies on facebook. If you go off case, stay in bounds.
2. I also have found that habitually calling out abuse or lack of educational integrity and hoping it sticks or confuses is also a distraction. Definitely do so if there is merit, but if you have to try to win on calling foul all the time, what does that say about the strength of your own research and prepped case? Proving or disproving the validity of the topic is the debater’s job, and for me, the best job wins.
3. I also like an organized, respectful debate with clarity in speaking and questioning. Quality is better than quantity, so if a spread is merely to befuddle the opposing team, it will not serve well if I cannot understand your words. I don’t want to be befuddled.
4. I am also looking for your personal investment in the topic. Although we have to get through case cards, I am more interested in the debater’s response to the material.
5. And finally, I find that how both teams use cross X comes into my decision making, as well as the aff’s response to a solidly built neg block. Final rebuttals are key.
Again, not sure that’s a “paradigm”, but it’s honest. I am a work in progress, and I learn new things each time I judge. I hope you teach me a new trick!
LD is Value Debate. Propositions of Value
CX is Policy Debate. Propositions of Policy
Schools/Affiliations: Program Manager - Tulsa Debate League, Coach - Will Rogers High School
I currently compete in NFA LD on the college circuit, I competed in policy debate in high school for 3 years, I was a finalist for NUDL debater of the year 2023
General Paradigm
Left to my own devices, I’d approach the round from a policymaking point of view, but I know that few rounds boil down to such a paradigm. In light of that, debate is a game of sorts and I’m willing to let the debaters decide how it should be played. I can’t see myself voting against an affirmative on a stock issue like inherency.
Speed
Clarity, of course, is key. If I can’t understand you, then I can’t flow you and I likely won’t be inclined to vote for you or the position(s) I don’t understand. Look for cues (not flowing, a blank look on my face).
Line by Line
I prefer line by line debate. I believe you need to flow and I don’t think a team is obligated to share analytical arguments in a flash/speech doc. If the debate becomes disorganized because of your inability to stay on the flow, that’ll likely cost you in some way. Debate, at its essence, is about a clash of ideas...therefore clash is an essential ingredient to a good debate round. A round between two teams who neither extend their own arguments, nor address the specific attacks made on these arguments, is not a debate round, and such a round begs for intervention on my part.
Decision Calculus
I am loathe to intervene in a round, but will do so if neither team presents a clear comparative analysis of the issues in the round. You need to tell my why I should vote for you and make that clear in the final rebuttals.
Framework
I’ll start with my paradigm, you tell me where to move to, and convince me of why I should do so, if you’d like to change the framework. Any framework should make it possible for both sides to win and shouldn’t be rooted in a rejection of debate as an activity (though it’s possible I could be convinced otherwise).
Topicality (or any other procedural/theory argument)
I will vote on topicality. I think the negative has to construct a fully formed argument to convince me I should do so, complete with a reason that the violation committed by the affirmative is worthy of giving them the loss. I’m not as inclined to be convinced by a reverse voter argument in t, but affirmatives can defend themselves by attacking one or all of the components of a typical T argument and win the issue. Other procedurals tend to get decided based on actual, rather than, potential abuse.
Kritiks
. Despite my knowledge about some of the authors and their positions, I’m usually able to discern when the student speaking knows as little or less than I do. I prefer that if you’re going to make the k an issue, that you know it inside and out, and be aware of the inherent dangers in speaking quickly to a judge who may know less than you do, and who you are trying to convince. Real world alts are pretty much a requirement.
Performance
Do what you will, I’ll listen. Prefer they be relevant to topic.
Counterplans
I am good with counterplans, conditional is fine, but don’t get too feisty in this regard. Deep counterplan and pic theory give me headaches, so slow down and talk me through it.
Multiple Worlds
No thanks...multiple conditional positions are fine, but not contradictory advocacy. Can’t be convinced otherwise on the matter so save your time.
If you can find out who my high school partner was and mention them in your speech, Ill give you an extra speaker point.
3NRs and My Decision
I will give an oral critique if time allows and reveal decision if permitted by tourney expectations, but I will not enter into an argument with either team about my decision. I can handle a question or two, but make sure it’s a question. Look, I am always going to do my best, but I’m sure I’ve gotten the decision wrong a time or two, and I hate it when I do. That being said, my usual answer when teams argue why they lost is: I’d feel the same way if I were you, but next time debate better. Then I mark their speaker points down for being rude. Live to fight another day, and be aware that you might see your judge again down the road.
Prep Time
i will be lenient as we learn the online format, but that being said, I’m losing patience with the time taken up by flashing files even during in-person debates. Be efficient.
Denslow, Keith Edit 0 3… Judging Philosophy
Keith Denslow,
Skiatook High School,
Skiatook, OK
I have taught academic debate for 32 years. I have coached both policy debate and value debate on the high school level plus NDT and CEDA for 2 years on the college level. I have coached regional, district, and state champions.
I give up. I embrace the absurdity which is post-modern debate. If you debate on a critical level, then it is your burden to understand and explain the philosophical position you are advocating and offer a rational alternative to the worldview.
Topicality is an outdated mode of thought with tries to put up fences in our brain about what we can and can not talk about. It harms education and the marketplace of ideas. As a negative, only run Topicality if the argument is 100% accurate not as a test of skill or response.
It is important that anyone arguing counterplans have an understanding of counterplan theory especially how a counterplan relates to presumption. DO NOT automatically permute a counterplan or critique without critically thinking about the impact to the theory of the debate.
Style issues: Civility is important. Open CX is okay. Clarity must accompany speed. Numbering your arguments is better than “next” signposting. Detailed roadmaps are better than “I have 5 off” and prep time doesn’t continue for 2 minutes after you say “stop prep” Flash evidence faster!
Hi I'm Athena, I'm a Junior and this is my second year doing policy. My first year I placed at regionals, state, and districts, and I went to nationals, so I sorta know what I'm doing.
LD: This isn't my event so explain your value and criterion like I'm 5. I'll vote on the flow and see who explains best why they win and why they have been winning the entire time. Don't lie, and be nice to your opponents!
PF: Same thing honestly, I'm not super familiar with PF, so explain it well and I'll do my best!
Policy:Yay this is my event-
Speed- I spread when I debate so I understand going fast to get through your arguments. Although I will be flowing and will understand you when you spread, it would be much appreciated (especially on AFF in the 2AC) for you to explain your arguments thoroughly, not just rushing through cards.
Topicality- I love topicality and I can see where it can be run in every round. The thing about topicality is that as the NEG I will not buy your topicality argument unless you specifically explain how the AFF is doing you wrong by being untopical. AFF, you have to respond to and disprove every part of the NEG's topicality argument for me to buy it on your side, I need more than just a counter-defintion. NEG, you are not running topicality as a time skew, don't drop it in the 2NR, that's silly.
DA's- Disadvantages are better when they are more specific, thats just true, however I won't discredit a DA just because it has a vague link. The thing about DA's is it comes down to your ability to thoroughly explain why the impact of the DA is worse than the impacts of the AFF, or it'll be hard for me to buy it.
CP's- I am not a fan of PICs (plan-inclusive counterplans), unless you prove to me there really is a huge difference between the AFF plan and the PIC. I need to see a clear net benefit and some offense on CP's or it'll be hard for me to vote on it. If you are running a CP and a DA together do not drop one, keep them together for the entire round.
Kritiks- I really like Kritiks, on both AFF and NEG, and I will treat them like any other argument. The main ones I am familiar with are Fem, Cap, Set Col, Afro-pess, Poverty, and Orientalism, but explain any k to me properly and I will try to understand it.
Framework- I think framework is absolutely crucial to the round. Whether it is impact framing or looking at debate through a certain lens, if one side provides framework the other needs to either provide some counter-framing or explain how they fit within the framework provided. Don't drop framework either that's silly and you will probably lose. If you tell me it is the most important argument in the round I need you to show me that it is the most important argument.
Theory- If you prove where there has been abuse in round, and why that outweighs, I'll vote on most theory (However I do think Condo is a little silly). I also believe in disclosure, theres never a reason not to disclose.
Attitude- I completely understand some aggression in your arguments but thats where it stays. Remember that you are attacking the arguments, not the people who are giving them.
Little things:
- If you don't extend an argument throughout the round I will consider it dropped.
- Don't gaslight please.
- For the love of god please keep your docs organized.
- Do your best and have fun!
Debate: I am not particularly picky on anything, but please be respectful to your opponent(s). Feel free to run progressive arguments, but beware that I may not get them if you aren't clear.
LD: Make sure to clarify how your criterion supports your contentions! Also, don’t drop all your contentions for the sake of the value debate. Do not make all of your arguments cross-applications of your own case unless there is a legitimate clash. I vote primarily on the quality of coverage.
PF: Any speaking speed is fine, just make sure you are coherent. A heated cross-examination is fine but please don’t spend the entire time yelling at each other. I vote on the quality of evidence and general coverage.
please include me on the email chain: hayley.ortwein@outlook.com
Jenks '22, KU '26
I'll vote you down if you're rude or creepy
I debated 4 years of hs and I now debate in college
i have debated both policy and kritical stuff but definitely have way more policy experience, so make sure you explain well. i will listen to any style though
i have mostly been a 2n so i understand reading some weird stuff on neg just don't make a bigoted argument and ill hear it out
judge instruction and impact calc are really important to me
I prefer speechdrop but here is my email for document sharing/evidence chains if you need it:betty.stanton@jenksps.org
I'm the head coach of a successful team, and have been coaching for 18 years. I did CX in high school so long ago that Ks were new, and I competed in college.
LD: I'm a very traditional judge. I like values and criteria and analysis and clash. I want framework debate to actually mean something.
PF: I’m a very traditional judge. If the round becomes a very short CX round instead of a PF round, we have a problem. I want evidence and actual analysis of that evidence, and I want actual clash.
CX: I can handle your spread and I will vote where I'm persuasively told to with the following exceptions: 1) I have never voted on T. I think it's a non-starter unless a case is so blatantly non-topical that you can't even see the resolution from it. That's not to say it isn't a perfectly legitimate argument, it's just to say that I will probably buy the aff's 'we meet's and you might have better uses for your time than camping here. 2) If you run a K, you should firmly and continuously advocate for that K. 3) I, again, will always prefer actual clash in the round over unlinked theory arguments.
General Things ~
Don't claim something is abusive unless it is.
Don't claim an argument was dropped unless it was.
Don't advocate for atrocities.
Don't be a jerk to your opponents (This will get you the lowest speaker points possible. Yes, even if you win.)