McCrackens Final Cup of Coffee BTW
2024 — Tulsa, OK/US
Policy Debate Paradigm List
All Paradigms: Show HideSkiatook '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.
Schools/Affiliations: Program Manager - Tulsa Debate League, Coach - Charles Page HS - Coach Webster HS
I competed in policy debate in high school for 4 years, advancing to late rounds at nationals
I’ve coached, in one role or another, for 22 years
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
I debated before kritiks were a thing, so that’s fair warning. Having said that, I’ve voted on them many times, but profess a lack of deep knowledge on some of the more theoretical positions. Deep theory, you’ll have to tell me what to do. 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.
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.
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!
I mostly judge Lincoln Douglas, but I have coached all events offered by the NSDA and the OSSAA. I was the coach at Cascia Hall from 2007-2021 and have worked at the Tulsa Debate League since 2023.
I am more comfortable with a more traditional style of debate, but will make my best effort to judge the round in front of me, even if it isn't stylistically what I am most comfortable with. That being said, no matter what style you prefer, debate is pretty much the same. Tell me how to make an evaluation and then tell me why you win under that evaluation.
If you have more specific questions, I'm happy to answer them before the round begins if all competitors are present.
About me: Hi! I'm Spencer (they/them), I am a Jenks Alumni and am so happy to be back and judge for them! I love debate so much, it is my passion and I am always willing to talk about it! I'm a freshman at the University of Central Oklahoma, I currently debate in the college policy circuit and I love it! I am open to unique arguments, just be nice to everyone in the room, and let me know a preferred name and pronouns if you have them so I can write them in on the ballot.
PF: I was a Public Forum debater at Jenks, so I am familiar with how everything works. I am okay with speed, but if I cannot understand you, I cannot flow, your opponents can't either. I go off of the flow pretty well, please make your contention tags clear! I vote on who I think made the best argument and clash within the round, as I said above, I go off the flow. Remember to take a breath, and be respectful to your opponents!
*If you are not clear, I will let you know by saying "Clear!"
LD: I have a basic idea of LD debate, but not too much more than that. I am a flow judge, if you flow and don't drop arguments you should be good. Again, I am okay with speed, but if you are too fast for me as the judge, or if you are unclear I am unable to flow, and your opponents cannot understand you either. Be respectful, decorum is important to me and have fun! If you run a K, I am not opposed to Kritiks. But I will need an in-depth explanation of the argument, pretend I have no idea about what you are saying.
Pretty much tab, I'll vote for practically anything if you explain it well and it's not racist/sexist/bigoted etc. Because of this, framework occupies an essential role in the round as it defines the debate space. Also, the cleaner you allow my flow to be, generally the easier time I'll have voting for you. Feel free to ask any specific paradigm questions.
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.)