Ryan Mills SVUDL Invitational
2024 — NSDA Campus, CA/US
Novice Public Forum Paradigm List
All Paradigms: Show Hidehello,
- i dont hate you
2. my last statement is lying to you
3. my second statement is lying to you
4. you already hate my paradigm
im joking
or am i
TLDR
put me on the email chain - bankanakul@gmail.com
i'm usually nice
i usually give a lot of feedback
1. any arg is fine - if it's something not conventionally run on the topic explain it well
2. defense is sticky
3. stuff in ff should be in summary
4. collapse in summaries
5. don't drop arguments (at least the big ones)
6. have fun i guess?
7. if i think ur too rude i'll stop flowing all ur speeches and then evaluate the debate
8. i'm really frickin expressive so if i look confused i am if i start nodding i like what ur saying probably bc i say it in debate woohoo
"steal prep and I'll steal your speaks" - Eli Glickman
tech > truth (i will do my best to not screw you)\
weird stuff - consider absolutely none of this except tech > truth if u are novice
but basically, think of every based judge you've evver seen, that's me
tech ---x------truth ( but at the same time i will call cap)
being chill --x-------being stingy ( i will be stingy in the ballot don't be stingy in round it pisses me off)
K----------x--substance (if ur reading a K, a generic will be ok for you, but a non generic K will be bad for you)
K-Affs--------x-substance ( i hate all K-affs)
Theory--x-------"I don't know how to respond"
Clarity -x------Speed
Spreading --------x----Not spreading
im ok with talking a lil fast that aint a problem
Theory:
i like theory, when its debated well
i hate it when its debated bad
i will reward both sides in a debate if both teams debate it well
dropped theory shell with an impact means no path to ballot for team that dropped it ( as long as i think the theory is valid)
friv theory is ok, but sketchy. like no clothing theory please.
hack for disclo, paraphrasing is bad IN FAST, if its elims with mix panel and more lay than flow - paraphrasing is fine
don't forget to attach an impact to the back (reason to reject the team) - i did this once so...
K
- i know how it works but i don't like it
- best way to get my ballot is to NOT run it
TKO
if u know what it is do it, if you don't know what it is don't do it.
(u can ask me before round what it is)
last notes:
be nice and respectful
weigh
dont lie
dont overthink things n just debate
ask if any questions
Hello, hello, and greetings! I hope you're doing well.
As fellow speech and debate enthusiasts, we share a unique connection within a devoted community. I deeply respect the dedication, time, and personal sacrifices you commit to excel in debate. I hold both the Donus D. Roberts Coaching Excellence Award and I am a first time Diamond Award coach. My journey in Policy Debate started in middle school, and today, I coach various debate teams, including the debate squad, moot court team, mock trial teams, and shark tank teams. This commitment has given me valuable insights into the demands of this activity. My background spans the financial world, law, and a strong passion for history. I have been actively involved in debate since 6th grade and coaching since 2012, maintaining my profound love for this distinctive pursuit. I've judge CX, PF, LD, BQ, Moot Court, Mock Trials, and High School Shark Tank Presentations. It's worth acknowledging that you've chosen to embrace a challenging endeavor that many may shy away from.
Nickname: My nickname is Judge Kinshasa, in a round, you can just call me "Judge".
Also, I am not responsible for your feelings. Win graciously, lose graciously. I have no problem giving feedback to ones coach, and my email is in the RFD for your coach to contact me for more information on my RFD. I'll use sharedocs on the NSDA platform so there's no need for any personal email to be exchanged among the rounds participants.
I don't disclose except in elimination rounds.
Let's dive into my judging philosophy by sharing how I look at the components of a debate:
1. Framework (Affirmative and Negative):
- What it is: A set of rules and principles that define the scope of the debate.
- What it is not: A case-specific argument or evidence.
2. Role of the Ballot (ROB):
- What it is: A statement explaining what the judge should prioritize when making their decision.
- What it is not: An argument against the opponent's case.
3. Plan (Affirmative):
- What it is: The proposed policy or action the affirmative team advocates for.
- What it is not: The entirety of the affirmative case; it's just one element.
4. Counterplan (Negative):
- What it is: An alternative proposal presented by the negative team.
- What it is not: A critique or disadvantage argument.
5. Topicality (Negative):
- What it is: An argument challenging the affirmative's compliance with the debate topic.
- What it is not: A critique of the affirmative's content.
6. Disadvantage (Negative):
- What it is: An argument showing the negative consequences of the affirmative's plan.
- What it is not: A counterplan or a critique.
7. Critique/Kritik (Negative):
- What it is: A critical analysis of the assumptions or ideology underlying the affirmative case.
- What it is not: A traditional argument based on evidence and impacts.
8. Cross-Examination (CX):
- What it is: A period during the debate where one team questions the other to gather information and make arguments.
- What it is not: A time for making speeches or presenting new arguments.
9. Rebuttal (Affirmative and Negative):
- What it is: Speeches aimed at refuting the opponent's arguments and reinforcing your own.
- What it is not: A time for introducing entirely new content.
10. Evidence/Contentions (Affirmative and Negative):
- What it is: Factual information and arguments that support your case.
- What it is not: Personal opinions or unsupported assertions.
11. Flowing (Judge's Role):
- What it is: Taking detailed notes of the debate to track arguments and make an informed decision.
- What it is not: Making decisions based on personal biases or emotions.
12. Time Limits:
- What it is: Strictly enforced limits for speeches and cross-examinations.
- What it is not: Flexible or arbitrary timekeeping.
13. Case Overview (Affirmative and Negative):
- What it is: A brief summary of your main arguments at the beginning of your speech.
- What it is not: A replacement for in-depth analysis.
14. Permutation (Affirmative):
- What it is: An argument that combines the affirmative and negative positions to demonstrate compatibility.
- What it is not: A standalone argument; it relies on other contentions.
15. Voting Issues (Judge's Decision):
- What it is: The key points or arguments the judge should consider when rendering a decision.
- What it is not: An exhaustive review of every argument made in the debate.
16. Cap-K (Capitalism Kritik) in Policy Debate:
- What it is: A critical argument challenging the fundamental assumptions and impacts of capitalism as a social and economic system.
- What it is not: A traditional policy argument focused on specific policy proposals or impacts.
17. Settler Colonialism in Policy Debate:
- What it is: An argument that critiques the historical and ongoing processes of colonization and displacement of Indigenous peoples.
- What it is not: A case-specific argument or a traditional policy debate contention.
As your judge, this represents my approach to evaluating debate rounds and how I assess arguments within them. The following offers further insight into my judging philosophy and perspective.
1. Communication Rule:
- Rule: No communication is allowed between teammates or judges during the debate round to maintain fairness and integrity.
- Consequences: Violating this rule results in immediate removal from the room; failure to comply leads to team disqualification.
- Purpose: Strict enforcement deters interference and ensures adherence to fair competition rules and guidelines.
2. Focus During Rounds: I take judging seriously and maintain a laser focus during rounds. No social media or phone distractions for me – I'm all about the debate!
3. Debate Strategy: Also, please look at the judge, not at your opponent. I appreciate well-structured arguments and expect respectful conduct. I don't favor profanity, yelling, or ad hominem attacks. I’ll give one warning, and if the violation continues, I’ll end the round, and have no issue conversing with your coach about the matter. If your strategy relies on divisive or disrespectful arguments, I'm not the right judge for you.
4. Role of the Aff: Remember, the Aff plan isn't the debater; you are. Address your opponents as "Neg" or "Aff" or “Opponent to maintain professionalism.
5. Counterplans and Solvency: I prefer Neg to run a Counterplan (CP) because attacking solvency without addressing the problem isn't convincing, and doesn’t make the CP a better option, and in essence the Neg says that their either isn’t a problem to solve, or the problem isn’t big enough to solve.
6. Flowing: I'm a meticulous judge who highly appreciates well-structured flow sheets as they enhance my ability to assess the round thoroughly. My preference is to manually record my notes on paper because typing on a laptop keyboard can be distracting for debaters. I actively encourage teams to maintain their own flow sheets, not only to enhance their skills but also because I might refer to them to ensure no critical arguments are overlooked.
7. Engagement: Engage with me, the judge, as you present your arguments. Spreading is fine, though I prefer you do not, but clear and effective communication is key. If you’re spreading to get as many arguments as possible in to trick your opponent to drop arguments, you’re just reading, not making an argument in support of your position. I don’t vote based on dropped arguments.
8. Questions in Cross-X: Meaningful questions are more valuable than questions for the sake of it. Avoid open-ended queries and be respectful.
9. Clash:
- Explanation: Clash is the central battleground in policy debate, where debaters engage in direct argumentative confrontation.
- Importance: Effective clash demonstrates your team's skill in challenging your opponent arguments, influencing my decision beyond exploiting dropped points. Please don't debate based on winning by dropped arguments, win the debate utilizing clash.
- Strategy: Strategically use clash by presenting strong arguments, addressing your opponent's contentions, and highlighting weaknesses. It showcases argumentative prowess and critical thinking.
- Outcome: Clash quality significantly impacts my decision, making it a crucial skill for winning policy debates.
10. Defense versus Offence: In policy debate, "defense" challenges the opponent's case, while "offense" advances the negative's position. Winning the debate requires strong defense to undermine the affirmative and effective offense to persuade me. Debaters balance these elements, adapting to my preferences for a strategic advantage.
11. Debating Off-Topic in Policy Debate:
- Warning: Stick to the resolution's scope for meaningful debates. If your strategy is to not debate the topic outside of a K-Aff, I'd advise that you stay on the resolution and or the topic.
- Issue: A problem arises when debaters go off-topic, using unrelated strategies and tactics.
- Concerns: This hinders the educational value of debates, straying from the critical analysis of policy proposals within the resolution.
12. Non-Voting Issues Clarification:
- To provide clarity, my primary focus in evaluating the debate is on the affirmative plan's capacity to effectively address the specific problem outlined in the resolution, rather than on the persuasive aspects of a speech. Therefore, arguments centered on topics such as "the blacks" "white supremacy," "whiteness", "anti-blackness," "anti-women," "anti-white," "anti-religion," "bias arguments," "oppressed communities," "marginalized communities," claims that "America is racist," or assertions that "everything is racist," including the use of racial slurs within a round, are not voting issues to me, essentially, they do not constitute decisive factors in my decision-making process. Racial slurs use din a round will result in a round being ended and a vote against the team that used it.
- For example, when examining the Fracking resolution for the 2022-2023 season, it was common, and understandable for debaters to discuss the impact of fracking on marginalized communities. While the affirmative plan may directly address the issue of fracking, it does not automatically prove how the plan will directly alleviate the marginalization of these communities. Essentially, fracking is banned, yet the marginalized community remained marginalized, and that is a great opportunity to show how the plan could improve the marginalized communities mentioned in the round. Otherwise, such arguments do not significantly influence my judgment in the debate.
It's essential to note that my perspective is not rooted in censorship yet know that what I listed are not voting issues. I vote on what's and desire to maintain relevance to the resolution's specific context. Behind the numbers are real people, treat them as such, not a prop used to win a round. If you require further clarification on this matter, please feel free to ask me before the round.
I don't like theory arguments as it's a theory, not a fact, and facts are what I vote on, not theory.
Essentially, it comes down to which solves the problem that the resolution addresses; the Aff Plan or the Status Quo.
13. Perm Do Both: "Perm Do Both" must be supported by a clear, persuasive explanation of how the affirmative plan and negative counterplan can work together effectively to solve the issue without conflicts. Mere mention of "Perm do both" without a well-reasoned narrative won't be enough. It should demonstrate how these actions complement each other and why this integrated approach is the best way to address the problem in the debate, presenting a compelling case for choosing both proposals over separate considerations.
14. Evidence and Warrants: In debate, assessing an author's credibility extends beyond qualifications. It's about ensuring their expertise aligns with the specific argument being made, as even experts can make unsupported claims. Debaters must evaluate qualifications, relevance, and argument consistency to ensure evidence is credible and directly supports the warrant. Showing how the author supports your teams position increases your chances of winning a round.
15. Falsifying information: Request: Debaters should refrain from fabricating information during a round, particularly when it involves inventing financial figures, historical facts, law, or other details. I'll know it.
16. Prep Time: I don't allow prep time for cross-X. If an tournament has stated to judges that there is an allotment of time for tech issues, that will be kept to the second.
17. Selling Your Position: Persuasion is key. Convince me; speed isn't everything.
18. Speakers' Points: I base these on coherent arguments, strong rebuttals, good clash, and respectful conduct.
20. A Respectful Environment: I maintain a respectful environment and expect respect from all participants. No profanity, ad hominem attacks, or disrespect is tolerated. I'll give one warning, if it continues, it's an automatic disqualification, and I'll convey the reason in my RFD, and with the disqualified team's coach.
21. No Direct Messaging During Rounds: If I suspect messaging, I'll ask to see your computer screen. Messaging during rounds is grounds for an immediate disqualification.
22. No Bias: I judge impartially.
23. Reason for Decision (RFD): I provide constructive feedback to help debaters improve. I’ll share what debaters did well, and what each debater should work on to improve as debaters. I've seen instances where my feedback was applied in subsequent rounds. Remember, I'm available for questions and discussions during the tournament, and it's a good idea to take notes during feedback sessions to make the most of them.
Thank you for the privilege of judging your round. I want to remind you that as debaters, you are an integral part of a truly exceptional and dedicated community. As we embark on this tournament together, let's keep in mind the essence of our shared purpose: to engage in meaningful and thought-provoking debates. So, let's make this tournament memorable and engaging for all involved because, at the end of the day, we are here to debate and celebrate the art of discourse. And best of luck to you in the future on your journey in speech and debate.
Thank you very kindly,
Mr. Dibinga - Chota
I look for debaters who have all of the components necessary for an LD case. Focus on explaining your impacts and weighing your and your opponent's arguments. Do not engage in an evidence dump.
Also, please speak clearly and at a reasonable pace. Be respectful to your opponent; being rude or interrupting will play a role in my decision.
I am a parent judge who has judged one tournament earlier. Please introduce yourself before starting your speech and speak at a reasonable pace. If I cannot understand your argument, I will not be able to judge you fairly.
I am looking forward to hearing you debate. Good luck!
Please keep your delivery at normal speed, and be clear and loud. Clarity is more important than speed.
Please prioritize clarity in your constructive contentions. It's crucial for the judge to understand your main arguments.
Smooth and logical flow are important to me, as well as high-quality arguments and rebuttals.
If you use jargon, please explain what it means.
I will not evaluate any new arguments brought up in the Summary and Final Focus speeches. Provide reasons why your arguments outweigh your opponents'.
Good luck and have fun!
I am a First Time Lay Judge.
My son has participated in Public Forum so I know the main structure.
I will not Flow Cross and any Arguments in FF must be brought up in Summary.
If there is an Email Chain - My email is madhurisingam@gmail.com
I do not know much about the topic so if both teams make there arguments, I will look to whoever wins in weighing.
Speaks capped at 27 if you don’t send Constructive Doc and Speaks capped at 26.5 if you don’t send Speech Doc.
If Elim Round, Please sSend Constructive Document to my Email.
I am a new judge. This is all new to me. Please talk clearly and slowly. Thank you!
I appreciate good sign posting, as it's a proxy for a clearly thought-out argument. I'd like to be able to walk away and remember the 2 or 3 major points on which you constructed your argument. In your final round, I'd appreciate a clear statement of why you should win.
I appreciate off-time roadmaps.
Please try to avoid debate jargon and technical debating...I am a humble parent judge. Here's what I know about:
Circuit: V=IR
Spreading: jam on toast!
K: Atomic number 19, atomic mass 39.098
Shell: oil company
I will do my best to give substantive, constructive feedback to help you in your future rounds.
Have fun!
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A few tips for Novice debaters debating before parent judges:
- State your contentions as full sentences with a subject and a predicate, not just a subject. Instead of saying "Veto power," state a full sentence that tells the judge what to think about Veto power. Think of it as a thesis sentence where you give an overview of the contention. This will help parent judges keep track of your arguments. For example, "Permanent membership on the UN SC preserves veto power which leads to atrocities and nuclear war." Or, even just "Veto power leads to atrocities and nuclear war." Seriously, sometimes parent judges lose track of which side is aff and which side is neg! Help us out by being crystal clear when you state your contention, so we know what you want us to think / believe.
- Try to avoid using abbreviations unless you first explain them. The parent judge might not be familiar with the topic, and won't be able to follow your arguments as well. For example: P5, SC
- When reading from cards, some debaters just read whatever they have bolded or highlighted on the card, stringing together highlighted phrases. However, those phrases, strung together, often don't flow out as coherent sentences. This makes it very hard for parent judges to follow the argument. If you're reading highlighted sections from cards, make sure you add in any verbs or nouns or prepositions that are needed to make the phrases flow together smoothly as coherent sentences.
- Speak more slowly than you might speak before experienced judges :)
I am a novice parent judge. Please speak slowly and clearly; this will help me better understand your arguments. Also, please be polite to your opponents.
I'm a parent judge with limited experience. I'm looking forward to a civilized debate. Please speak clearly and at a reasonable pace so that I can hear and understand your points. I don't prefer spreading. Thank you, and best wishes.
Please speak clearly and slowly throughout as I am a lay parent judge. Remember to be respectful and kind to your opponents and partners. Be open to any feedback and take it positively. Wish you all the very best.
I am a first time parent judge, so please speak slowly and clearly for all your speeches. My daughter is in PF, so I'm only familiar with PF, if I happen to be judging other types of debate please let me know the timings and topics. Please be respectful and kind to your opponents, and have a great round!
Hello, everyone! I'm very new to debate, and this is the first time being a judge. My requirements are for you to speak at a steady, constant pace, and not too fast. I will judge based on presentation skills. Of course, I will take your information into account. I believe that evidence is key in a debate. I also want everyone to be kind to each other. This includes no yelling, screaming, but you can speak loudly and compete in a friendly way. A little argumentative tone is alright when proving points.
I hope I get a wonderful experience doing this, and no harsh feelings for any teams that lost because of me.
I will provide feedback, and I hope you continue to do better! Please take this as an opportunity to grow and don't lose motivation!
Hello,
Please explain arguments thoroughly at a reasonable pace as I am a lay parent judge and also keep crossfire respectful. I would prefer that no jargon is used in order for me to completely understand. Also make sure you familiarize yourselves with the rules beforehand ensuring no unintentional violations occur.
Hi there! I've been performing since I was very young, and I am a 2007 graduate of the American Musical & Dramatic Academy in New York City. I direct both adult and youth productions at my local theatre and have been an active judge in both this year's, as well as last year's, tournament seasons.
I have completed the NFHS Cultural Competency course, and I identify as diversity enhancing!
POI/PR/PO: Show me a strong commitment to your material, with bold but organic choices. Use your binder --this is a reading event-- but don't hide behind it!
HI/DI: Make sure your piece tells a decisive story and that your character transitions are smooth enough that I know who's talking at at all times! Also important: sure, bold choices are good, but I still want to see the nuances behind your characters and what you're saying. Rather than just doing stock characters, approach them from a place of truth. That almost always yields funnier and/or more powerful results!
EXTEMP: Research, research, research! I'm looking for a well-organized speech that answers the question clearly and provides a lot of cited sources.
OO/INFO: I love how much I learn when judging both of these categories. Remember your top priority is to teach us something, and that good lessons are organized, compelling, and easy to understand.
CONGRESS: Ask great questions of your fellow debaters and be researched enough to be able to provide convincing answers to the questions that are asked of you! Looking for strong points and organization in your speeches!
Remember that no one can offer exactly what YOU offer, and embrace that! Most of all, have fun!
I consider myself a judge who will listen to anything as long as it is warranted. I have voted on just about any argument you can imagine. I am open to both traditional and progressive arguments. Do whatever works for you. Please give me voters. I love seeing clear ways you think I should evaluate the round. If you only read this paragraph, here is the TLDR version. I love direct clash. Voters are incredibly important in the rebuttals. Don't make me do the mental work for you.
I competed for 3 years in policy in high school, 4 years of NPDA, and 2 years of LD in college, and I was a graduate assistant for the WTAMU speech team. I have been coaching in some capacity for the last 8 years, so there's not much you can run that I have not seen.
Policy Debate
Topicality
I enjoy a good T debate. Stock issues are still very important in traditional policy debates, and I want debaters to do it well. Run T if there is a clear violation. Please emphasize voters.
Disadvantages
Please read specific links if you have them. Tell me exactly how the aff plan fits into your scenario. I'm fine with terminal impacts as long as they are warranted.
Counterplans
I like CPs when they are run well. Please have a unique net benefit on the CP. You can read CP theory for the aff or neg. It's a neglected argument, but I like hearing theories on different types of counterplans and their validity.
Kritiks
Just like disadvantages, I think Ks should have specific links. Theory is great, and I enjoy it when it is run well. Make sure you have more than just a reject alt. What does the alt call me to do besides vote for you? Do not run multiple Ks in the same round/speech. A good K is a big enough theoretical and ethical issue that it should be your main advocacy.
Lincoln-Douglas
I coached in a very traditional area, which means I see a lot of traditional debate. Ethical debates are incredibly important, and they've grown on me as I have coached the activity. That said, I am open to more "progressive" styles as long as the arguments are solid. Each side should offer a value and a criterion for their case. However, you choose to structure arguments after that is up to you.
Public Forum
I have less experience with PF than I do with CX and LD, but I enjoy judging it. Unlike traditional policy debate, public forum debate does not require a plan text. The time constraints make policy-style cases difficult. I'm open to hearing that format, but it's not required to win my ballot. I want to see well-reasoned cases and good clash in rounds.
Speed
It's very hard to speak too quickly for me. It is possible to mumble or speak too quietly, especially in a virtual debate. Debate is only good if both sides know what is happening. Please make sure you enunciate clearly. Please don't gasp for air while you read. It's one of the few things I truly hate. If you're doing that, slow down. Make your signposts and taglines very clear, so I know where to flow.
At the end of the day, it is not my job to tell you what you should run. Run arguments that you like and think you will do well running.
add me to email chain: reba.prabhakhar@gmail.com
you don't have to ask if i'm ready before each speech, just assume I am
PF:
weigh
nothing new after summary
progressive args and spreading ok but don’t run disclosure. I do not care about disclosing at novice tournaments.
(if ur novice ask ur opponents before spreading on them, debate should be inclusive especially at the novice level)
extend all arguments, framework and defense that u want me to vote on - and explain why your arguments matter more (weigh)
Hi! My name is Ben, I debated for Half Hollow Hills for four years. I am an experienced judge and debater. Open to anything.
I like to see evidence that leads to logical thinking. I prefer the participants to talk slowly. Please be polite and respectful to your opponent. Please track your own time.
Please send your cases to aravtewari@gmail.com. I would like to read along to the cases.
Hey everyone! I am a parent judge and this is my first time judging a debate tournament so please go slow and make sure to iterate your words properly. Being nice is something that will count towards your score, so please make sure to be respectful of your opponents. Thank you!
first time judge, talk clearly and debaters talk slowly