La Salle Forum Invitational
2023 — Wyndmoor, PA/US
LD Paradigm List
All Paradigms: Show HideI am a judge who values clear and concise arguments that are well-supported by evidence. I believe that debaters should focus on the quality of their arguments rather than the quantity. I prefer debaters to speak at a moderate pace, allowing me to follow their arguments and evaluate them effectively. I expect debaters to be respectful and courteous towards each other and avoid using any offensive language or tone. I will evaluate the round based on the strength of the arguments presented, their relevance to the topic, and how well they are supported by evidence. I will also consider how effectively debaters respond to their opponent’s arguments and how well they can refute them. Finally, I will evaluate how well debaters can summarize their arguments in their final speeches.
I prefer a loud, clear, confident speaker.
You can speak at any speed, but make sure that you are clear with your arguments
I also enjoy logical arguments.
If you see my pronoun listed as "judge," please note that it started as a joke at my expense. In the end, I've left it as a reminder to judge every competitor as an individual with dignity and without bias.
-----------------Big Questions-----------------
This is NOT an event that should be featuring spreading. Your need to appeal to the philosophy of your position in a orderly efficient manner in important. Collegial discussion needs to be your manner to approach this and be successful. Please note, this is one of the few events where a judge can declare a forfeit without consulting tabroom (no true at nationals). You MUST remain topical. This is NOT an event to play games with kritiks and counterplans, etc. I have every expectation that you will take this event seriously. In doing so, you show respect for your team, your opponents, your judge, and yourself.
-----------------Speech-----------------
Do your best and be respectful of others in the room. Tell me if you want time signals. I will try and ask every competitor what they want, but it is the affirmative responsibility of each competitor to communicate what they want. I expect that you will know the rules and requirements of whichever league you are competing. Unless you are double-entered, you are expected to stay the whole time. If you are double-entered, please tell me before we begin, and do not interrupt a fellow presenter while leaving or entering. I will go in the order of the ballot. Give a warning if the piece you are presenting might cause anyone discomfort. If you need to leave for a necessary reason, please do so quietly. (You don't need to tell me why, but I may check to see if you're ok after. I worry a lot, sorry!).
Silence your personal technology devices. I would suggest using airplane mode to limit any visual notifications. Honor your fellow competitors and yourself with being mindful of your surroundings.
-----------------Debate-----------------
For LD, if you are not talking, you're prepping.
There is one official time-keeper, the judge(s). You are welcome to time yourself using your phone or another device as a timer. Your timer should be silenced and not interrupting you or your opponent's speaking time. Please ask if you want notifications whether on prep or debating and I'll be happy to let you know. When your time is up, I will inform you quietly so you can finish your sentence.
From the 2022 NCFL Bylaws "The resolution is a proposition of value, not policy. Debaters are to develop argumentation on the resolution in its entirety, based on conflicting underlying principles and values to support their positions. To that end, they are not responsible for practical applications. No plan or counterplan shall be offered by either debater."
Be polite. Argue your case effectively and clearly. As the debater, you (or your team) will decide that method. Speaking more quickly will not help you case if you are not clear. As a judge, I will attempt to read up on your topic of debate ahead of time, but it is best to assume that I know nothing and provide definitions accordingly. Be sure to ask both myself and your opponent if we are ready.
Silence your personal technology devices. I would suggest using airplane mode to limit any visual notifications. Anything that interrupts your speaking time will count against you. Doubly so if you interrupt your opponent. I'd appreciate it, as a courtesy, if you are using a phone for notes, etc (if allowed for your style of debate) to warn me ahead of time.
Internet access is being allowed in some tournaments. The rules governing access can generally be found on the tabroom page for the tournament. I have every expectation that you will use network access honorably and ethically.
I have been asked many times if I have a preference for types of arguments or styles of debate and the answer is that it doesn't matter. You are are the speaker, not I. Progressive, traditional, plans, counterplans, theories, or kritiks, your job is to convince me that your side's position is the strongest.
Extemp Debate:
Be prepared to move quickly through the round. Reminder: The use of evidence is permitted, but not a focal point due to the limited time available to prepare a case for the round. We will NOT be sending cases back and forth (unless you truly want to use your limited prep and speaking time to do so. I will be judging you exclusively on what you say out loud, so I don't recommend it!) I would recommend that you not spread. If you choose to, you'd best be on the top of your articulation game. Again, I will be judging you exclusively on what you say out loud, so I don't recommend it!
Policy Debate (CX): (Feel free to do the 1950s version of a policy round. You know, before they developed spreading. Since this is unlikely....) If you are passing cards back and forth, give me no reason to wonder if you are appropriating prep time. If you are passing cards, do so expeditiously. (Why yes, I'd like to be on the email chain! My email is tim@squirrelnest.net) Be prepared with USB drives or another medium for sharing documents. Please note, this isn't supposed to be war of the USB drives. Taking more than a minute to transfer a file will add up. Out of respect for your fellow competitors and the tabroom, I will be urging you in-round to move forward expeditiously. Especially at the varsity level.
----World Schools & Parliamentary Debate ----
I'm not going to treat this as LD/CX Jr, honest. This is NOT an event that should be featuring spreading, and the speed should max out at the upper end of a standard conversation.
NO OFFTIME ROADMAPS!!!
Argument execution is important. Each speaker should communicate using an effective combination of public speaking norms. Namely conversational speech rate, appropriate pitch and tone, and confident body language. Eye contact is key, so limit what you're reading verbatim from paper. If you read from a paper in a monotone voice for 8 long minutes, you will put me to sleep as well as your opponents. Please don't do this!
Case construction should flow seamlessly and I recommend it be logically laid out. Evidence calls are not allowed generally. Check the tournament's rules. If you think something is wrong, well, that's what POIs are for.
Do NOT abuse POIs. I will heavily dock speaker points in the event of any abuse.
NSDA nationals note: No electronic devices!!! Everything is on paper! (Other tournaments: internet use will be allowed on a per tournament basis). Any timers should be silenced!
Use of knocking and tapping in the appropriate manner is encouraged. My timer will ding for protected time. Humor will never be amiss in any round I judge.
Ask me questions before the round begins.
cards, so if there is a technology problem, we will be moving forward. Be prepared!!!
-----Legacy Pandemic Rules-----
Pandemic edition: Tell me if you can't stand or if there is another environmental concern in your presentation area. I know a lot of you are in bedrooms and otherwise at home. Do the best you can. I will NOT being taking in to account your environment with respect to your rankings.
Upon entering the room, put the title of your piece in the chat window and list whether you are double entered. Time signals can be in the form of an on-screen timepiece or traditional time signals.
As a judge for this debate competition, my primary focus lies on clarity and organization in communication. Debaters should articulate their arguments in a clear, logical manner with smooth transitions between points. I prioritize the strength and validity of the content, looking for well-supported arguments through evidence, examples, and logical reasoning. Notably, I am not a fan of spreading – rapid and unclear speech – as it impedes clarity and hinders the overall quality of the debate.
Coach since 2014
For the most part,you'll be looking at this paradigm because I'll be your LD judge. cross-apply these comments to PF as applicable and to policy if/when I get recruited to judge policy.
Speed and Decorum:
Send me your case. This should go without saying, but let me know that you've actually sent me your case. I won't look for your case unless you tell me to look. Speechdrop.net or tabroom share is probably best rather than email.
I don't care if you sit/stand. Really, I don't. Just generally try to remain in the room. I won't be shaking hands.
Please time your speeches and prep time. I may not keep accurate time of this since my attention is to the content of your speeches. Flex prep is fine if all debaters in the round agree.
Debate:
I do not prefer theory. I'm usually left feeling that most debaters let it overcomplicate their arguments or worse. Some may even allow it to further make debate inaccessible (especially to those who are likely already crowded out of this forum in some other way). Please don't run it unless there you see literally NO OTHER WAY to respond to your opponent's arguments. Even then, I may not evaluate it the way you want or expect. If you planning to run dense or tricky theory, you should find a different judge.
You have an absolute obligation to articulate your arguments. Even if I’m familiar with the literature or whatever that you might be referencing I *try* to avoid filling in any gaps.
Signposting = GOOD! Flipping back and forth from AFF flow to NEG flow then back to AFF Flow to NEG Flow....BAD.... VERY, VERY, VERY BAD!
Tricks = no. Thanks.
I will not vote for arguments that are ableist, racist, sexist, homophobic, transphobic, Islamophobic, anti-Semitic, etc. This should go without saying, but for the sake of anyone who needs to see it in writing, there you go.
Above all, strive to make sense. I do not prefer any “style” of debate or any particular kind of argument over another. Regardless of what you run, if your case relies on me to connect the dots for you or if it is a literal mess of crappily cut and equally crappily organized evidence sans warrants, you will probably be sad at the end of the round.
I am a new parent judge and prefer debaters use a clear, audible, understandable vocal rate, volume, tone, and inflection in their delivery. Please limit your jargons as I may not have the specific knowledge of your topic. I prefer arguments over style so please convince me with your strong case and evidence. Please try your best to foster an inclusive environment, and don’t go overly aggressive and be respectful to your opponents.
I like to see content backed by sources, as well as clean debate. Do not personally attack your opponent, and I do not like spreading - nor will I vote for your side if I can't understand a word you're saying. Vocal intonation, vocal modulation, dynamic voice, appropriate pacing and pausing, clear enunciation, eye contact, facial expressions, and gestures are all tools that can support your presentation. Spreading and gish galloping in my opinion are NOT tools. Be honest and respectful in your presentation. Focus on framework and the value. Not one to disclose.
Hi Debater,
I am looking forward to judging. I am a new judge for PF and would appreciate if the presentation is clear to assist me in doing the judging.
Appreciate the help.
Thanks
Nehal
I am a fourth year parent volunteer judge. Most of my experience is judging LD. I would appreciate a slower paced delivery. I will be looking for clear points that are maintained throughout the initial presentation, rebuttal and summary.
I believe that debate is a communication event and therefore the participants should use a clear, audible, understandable vocal rate, tone, and inflection in their delivery. A quick rate that is clear, understandable, and respectful to the opposing side may be used. I expect the debater's delivery to create an inclusive atmosphere for those in the round.
I flow on paper. Use clear tags lines. Make sure that you clearly state the resolution, provide clear definitions, interpretation, weighing mechanisms, impacts, voters etc. Do not assume I have extensive knowledge on the subject matter. Explain it to me in your case. This is your responsibility. If I don't understand it from your argument, then you run the risk of losing the ballot. Debate is essentially the affirmative's advantages verses the negative's disadvantages. Make me understand your case. Thank you.
As personal context, I'm a college student in Philadelphia. In high school, I was involved in forensics for three years, the first of which I spent in PF and the latter two of which I committed to trad LD. I have a good understanding of framework and contention level argumentation, and I do flow rounds. I consider myself tabula rasa and my voting is framed by the framework you give me. I accept any arguments, so long as they are neither offensive nor discriminatory. I'm fine with speed but keep it comprehensible.
Keep the round civil and limit the snarky comments.
elliehan1004@gmail.com
Hi, I’m Jason (he/him) and I currently do LD at La Salle.
Prefer for debaters to send cases, any format is fine. For email chain or questions after rounds: jasonjiang.lschs@gmail.com
- If it's second flight, please set the chain up before round or use speechdrop before we start.
Flow judge: Arguments need to have a claim warrant impact. But no preference on arguments, cool with circuit or lay debate.
Speed: I can do any speed but slow down on analytics. I will say clear if I can't hear.
Clash is good but don’t be rude.
In case anyone needs to see this, saying anything exclusionary (e.g. racist, sexist, ableist, Islamophobic, homophobic, transphobic, etc.) will warrant an L with low speaks if I see that the round has become unsafe for debaters to engage.
Time: you can finish your sentence but don't drag it out. I'm cool with off time roadmaps but make sure you actually stick to that order.
For novices/JV: make sure to explain how your link and impacts connect and do more comparison with both worlds. Always link back to your FW because that's what the judge evaluates the round under.
Online debate: cameras on is probably good but I understand if you can't. In case you or I cut out, please record all of your speeches. Debating online is hard so try the best you can to answer cross or time prep.
When I'm allowed to give oral feedback and if anything in my RFD is unclear, you can definitely ask. If you have any questions that weren’t answered here, feel free to ask before round. Good luck and have fun.
tl;dr - tech and speed good, but I'm not doing work for you. The resolution must be in the debate. Though I think like a debater, I do an "educator check" before I vote - if you advocate for something like death good, or read purely frivolous theory because you know your opponent cannot answer it and hope for an easy win, you are taking a hard L.
Email chain: havenforensics (at) gmail - but I'm not reading along. I tab more than I judge, but I'm involved in research. Last substance update: 9/18/22
Experience:
Head Coach of Strath Haven HS since 2012. We do all events.
Previously coach at Park View HS 2009-11, assistant coach at Pennsbury HS 2002-06 (and beyond)
Competitor at Pennsbury HS 1998-2002, primarily Policy
Public Forum
1st Rebuttal should be line-by-line on their case; 2nd Rebuttal should frontline at least major offense, but 2nd Summary is too late for dumps of new arguments.
With 3 minutes, the Summary is probably also line-by-line, but perhaps not on every issue. Summary needs to ditch some issues so you can add depth, not just tag lines. If it isn't in Summary, it probably isn't getting flowed in Final Focus, unless it is a direct response to a new argument in 2nd Summary.
Final Focus should continue to narrow down the debate to tell me a story about why you win. Refer to specific spots on the flow, though LBL isn't strictly necessary (you just don't have time). I'll weigh what you say makes you win vs what they say makes them win - good idea to play some defense, but see above about drops.
With a Policy background, I will listen to framework, theory, and T arguments - though I will frown at all of those because I really want a solid case debate. I also have no problem intervening and rejecting arguments that are designed to exclude your opponents from the debate. I do not believe counterplans or kritiks have a place in PF.
You win a lot of points with me calling out shady evidence, and conversely by using good evidence. You lose a lot of points by being unable to produce the evidence you read quickly. If I call for a card, I expect it to be cut.
I don't care which side you sit on or when you stand, and I find the post-round judge handshake to be silly and unnecessary.
LD
tl;dr: Look at me if you are traditional or policy. Strike me if you don't talk about the topic or only read abstract French philosophers or rely on going for blippy trash arguments that mostly work due to being undercovered.
My LD experience is mostly local or regional, though I coach circuit debaters. Thus, I'm comfortable with traditional, value-centered LD and util/policy/solvency LD. If you are going traditional, value clash obviously determines the round, but don't assume I know more than a shallow bit of philosophy.
I probably prefer policy debates, but not if you are trying to fit an entire college policy round into LD times - there just isn't time to develop 4 off in your 7 minute constructive, and I have to give the aff some leeway in rebuttals since there is no constructive to answer neg advocacies.
All things considered, I would rather you defend the whole resolution (even if you want to specify a particular method) rather than a tiny piece of it, but that's what T debates are for I guess (I like T debates). If we're doing plans, then we're also doing CPs, and I'm familiar with all your theory arguments as long as I can flow them.
If somehow you are a deep phil debater and I end up as the judge, you probably did prefs wrong, but I'll do my best to understand - know that I hate it when debaters take a philosophers work and chop it up into tiny bits that somehow mean I have to vote aff. If you are a tricks debater, um, don't. Arguments have warrants and a genuine basis in the resolution or choices made by your opponent.
In case it isn't clear from all the rest of the paradigm, I'm a hack for framework if one debater decides not to engage the resolution.
Policy
Update for TOC '19: it has been awhile since I've judged truly competitive, circuit Policy. I have let my young alumni judge an event dominated by young alumni. I will still enjoy a quality policy round, but my knowledge of contemporary tech is lacking. Note that I'm not going to backflow from your speech doc, and I'm flowing on paper, so you probably don't want to go your top speed.
1. The role of the ballot must be stable and predictable and lead to research-based clash. The aff must endorse a topical action by the government. You cannot create a role of the ballot based on the thing you want to talk about if that thing is not part of the topic; you cannot create a role of the ballot where your opponent is forced to defend that racism is good or that racism does not exist; you cannot create a role of the ballot where the winner is determined by performance, not argumentation. And, to be fair to the aff, the neg cannot create a role of the ballot where aff loses because they talked about the topic and not about something else.
2. I am a policymaker at heart. I want to evaluate the cost/benefit of plan passage vs. status quo/CP/alt. Discourse certainly matters, but a) I'm biased on a framework question to using fiat or at least weighing the 1AC as an advocacy of a policy, and b) a discursive link had better be a real significant choice of the affirmative with real implications if that's all you are going for. "Using the word exploration is imperialist" isn't going to get very far with me. Links of omission are not links.
I understand how critical arguments work and enjoy them when grounded in the topic/aff, and when the alternative would do something. Just as the plan must defend a change in the status quo, so must the alt.
3. Fairness matters. I believe that the policymaking paradigm only makes sense in a world where each side has a fair chance at winning the debate, so I will happily look to procedural/T/theory arguments before resolving the substantive debate. I will not evaluate an RVI or that some moral/kritikal impact "outweighs" the T debate. I will listen to any other aff reason not to vote on T.
I like T and theory debates. The team that muddles those flows will incur my wrath in speaker points. Don't just read a block in response to a block, do some actual debating, OK? I definitely have a lower-than-average threshold to voting on a well-explained T argument since no one seems to like it anymore.
Notes for any event
1. Clash, then resolve it. The last rebuttals should provide all interpretation for me and write my ballot, with me left simply to choose which side is more persuasive or carries the key point. I want to make fair, predictable, and non-interventionist decisions, which requires you to do all my thinking for me. I don't want to read your evidence (unless you ask me to), I don't want to think about how to apply it, I don't want to interpret your warrants - I want you to do all of those things! The debate should be over when the debate ends.
2. Warrants are good. "I have a card" is not a persuasive argument; nor is a tag-line extension. The more warrants you provide, the fewer guesses I have to make, and the fewer arguments I have to connect for you, the more predictable my decision will be. I want to know what your evidence says and why it matters in the round. You do not get a risk of a link simply by saying it is a link. Defensive arguments are good, especially when connected to impact calculus.
3. Speed. Speed for argument depth is good, speed for speed's sake is bad. My threshold is that you should slow down on tags and theory so I can write it down, and so long as I can hear English words in the body of the card, you should be fine. I will yell if I can't understand you. If you don't get clearer, the arguments I can't hear will get less weight at the end of the round, if they make it on the flow at all. I'm not reading the speech doc, I'm just flowing on paper.
4. Finally, I think debate is supposed to be both fun and educational. I am an educator and a coach; I'm happy to be at the tournament. But I also value sleep and my family, so make sure what you do in round is worth all the time we are putting into being there. Imagine that I brought some new novice debaters and my superintendent to watch the round with me. If you are bashing debate or advocating for suicide or other things I wouldn't want 9th graders new to my program to hear, you aren't going to have a happy judge.
I am more than happy to elaborate on this paradigm or answer any questions in round.
Pretty obvious stuff
Debate is won through good, well researched arguments, not technical "tricks". Don't claim drops when they didn't happen. Make sure you clash and explain why you won clearly - what did the debate come down to?
I'm not particularly interested in a statistics fight. It is impossible for me to know which statistics are more accurate.
Don't spread. It's not fun, not in the spirit of debate and has zero life skill or educational value.
I would like to see you present your argument clearly, concisely, and confidently, with evidence, data, facts, and good reasoning logic. Please explain any acronyms you might be using and avoid too much jargons. No spreading. And respect your opponent. Good luck!
I have served as a judge to this LD debate format, and policy format for 4 years.
I prefer debater not to use acronym that a typical person on the street does not know.
I prefer you speak at normal speed. Speaking too fast is useless because you goal is to pass your idea if you speak too fast, I will have trouble to understand you.
You want stress your key argument or resolution. This helps you to convince your listener. Do not speak like a computer with monotone.
Please define and explain the topic you debate about. The idea, and concept, the logical argument gives your points, and credit, not how fast you go.
LD and PF: Although I list myself as "Traditional," I am open to different arguments as long as they are explained well and related to the resolution. I believe that we are debating the resolution, not fixing society's ills. Yes debate will enable us to fix society's ills but a competition round is not where that will occur. Debate theory can be interesting to judge, but again, needs to still be connected to the resolution. Also, be sure that the theory you're arguing is correct and logical. In terms of speed, to me it's not speed it's clarity. If you are going 97 miles per hour and have to constantly repeat yourself because you trip over words, maybe going 60 is better.
Congress: As a scorer or Parli, I look for good speeches with good evidence and analysis, but also continuous participation. I believe Congress is an overall package, including activity with questioning, motions and amendments. PO's should be able to move the chamber along smoothly, and fairly. However, they must also recognize that sometimes this may be a new experience for someone in the chamber, and be sure that everyone understands how the PO is maneuvering the chambers, not just assume that it's just standard operating procedure for everyone. Be good to each other and you will often stand out from the competition.
she/her
Hello, my name is Ms. Magee. I am an advanced public speaking teacher and assistant speech and debate coach. I am new to LD judging.
For LD: Please, do not spread; I value clear and concise speaking. I also expect clear attribution of credible sources.
Judging Debate: I value a solid, well-articulated argument. I'm not impressed by speed. Although more evidence is better then less, if you don't articulate your positions (value/ contentions) well, all the evidence in the world won't help. In addition, you also have to be able to think on your feet (off book, that is not reading from your prepared text) especially in the X and Summary rounds.
For speech, I am an English teacher, so I look for the depth and interpretation of your piece. You need to speak well and articulate your presentation clearly. You must be passionate about what you speak. Every reading/ interpretation/ presentation should aim to move your audience.
Hi I am the first time parent Judge and looking forward to collaborate with you. I respect your passion towards speech & Debate and all the hard work you have been doing.I look for good articulation and confidence in the participants. I would also like to request you all to make your case with clear connectivity to the case statement , resolution/action items that leads to the value statement. I would like to see the passion in owning the topic , navigating through the topic with clear flow at a moderate pace that I can follow and make notes out of it. Please stick to the time allotted and respect others time. I want to see the action items or assumption backed up by a good evidence and the final value that outweighs the collateral damage. All the Best!
I'm a new judge to LD and prefer trad cases, I listen for structure in argumentation. Make sure your contentions are clearly stated and backed. Link the contentions to your Value/Criterion or Framework. Talk clearly, specify and debate to achieve your value criterion.
No spreading.
I am not very comfortable with progressive arguments. You may try to run prog, but make sure you have a good line of reasoning.
Make sure to give voters and/or impact weighing so I can more easily vote for the round.
I expect all debaters to treat their opponents with respect. Above all, come with a sportive spirit and have fun.
I debate LD at La Salle in PA and I'm a senior right now
tech>truth but both are important
I love trad and Ks and trad Ks and also policy util stuff
Not a fan of weird frameworks just to be weird unless it makes sense
You can spread (speed read) just not like super fast and be clear because I am not the best at flowing
If you have any questions after the round, I will try to give the best feedback possible
Couple of key things which I would expect,
- Speak clearly and slowly
- Do not rush through your points
- Be appreciative of your opposite teams and give them fair chance to debate
- Have fun!
I am a new parent judge and would appreciate a clear presentation with the supporting data, facts and logic. Debate with respect for the topic and your opponents. Also, my preference is for debaters to speak in a normal flow and not "spreading". Have fun and best of luck in the tournament!
I am a new parent judge, thus I’d appreciate a clear presentation of your argument, signposting, and respect for your opponent. Please speak slowly and do not use jargon or assume that I have topic knowledge. Thank you and have fun!
Please do your best to state your definitions for the resolution. I've had it happen a couple of times where definitions weren't clear and it became a messy debate. I'm okay with definition debates where a definition in the resolution would significantly change or affect the way a resolution is interpreted. However, if they are excessively nitpicky and wouldn't significantly impact things, please try to avoid it. While definitions are important and should to an extent be debated, the contentions and those impacts are what should really matter.
I'm okay with speaking fast/spreading to an extent. Just be sure you are speaking clearly and loudly enough that we can hear you. Please do your best not to mumble.
Ensure you are citing your evidence correctly in your speeches.
Notes on etiquette:
I will, without any hesitation, give you low points and drop your case if you are rude during and immediately following the debate.
A short list of some things I find rude:
Packing your things up before the last speaker is done
Laughing/talking while the other speaker is giving his speech
Throwing things at a competitor
Just generally being a bully and unprofessional.
*If you make it to finals and want your team members/friends to come watch and support you I'm okay with that. However, you will be penalized if your friends/team mates are disruptive and rude as well. This shouldn't need to be said but for some reason this has happened more than once.
Team coach and experienced judge. My strengths lie with judging speech, but I am still a competent debate judge. I am fine with any rate of speech. I strongly prefer organized arguments backed with clear and cited evidence. I do prefer the use of off-time roadmaps to maintain my own flow. I am more likely to give you the round based on your ability to find and explicitly point out flaws in your opponent’s case/arguments than on the basis of an assertion that your case is simply better. I am very good at picking up on dropped arguments/flow and bad evidence, but will not count it against your opponent unless you specifically point it out yourself, or there are very egregious errors. I am also critical about use of time, and if a round is close, I will be more likely to grant the win to the competitor who had fuller and more effective use of time.
I have been debating LD for three years and am a senior at State High. This is my first year judging. I am familiar with traditional LD debate and have little experience with circuit. I will be able to follow along if you speak fast. However, if you are planning on doing so, make sure that you are speaking at a REASONABLE speed and articulating enough that your opponent and I can understand you. If I can’t understand you, I will have no choice but to not count it.
I am familiar with most types of theory, and would prefer if you thoroughly explain your framework. If you drop arguments, I will not count them and will not allow you to address them again. In general, it’s just rude to do so. I prefer debaters with precise and clear impacts and weighing.
I also appreciate signposting and will allow off-time roadmaps.
I will start giving speaker points at 28. Needless to say, if you are rude to your opponent or me, or use offensive(racist, sexist, ableist, etc) language, I will take off points. Please be kind to one another.