National Speech and Debate Tournament
2025 — Des Moines, IA/US
Lili Evans Paradigm
Lincoln-Douglas
Lincoln Douglas Debate Judge Philosophy
Your experience with LD Debate (check all that apply)
Former LD competitorCommunity judge
How many years have you judged LD debate?
-1How many LD rounds have you judged this year?
0-10What is your preferred rate of delivery?
5/91 = Slow conversational style9 = Rapid conversation speed
Does the rate of delivery weigh heavily in your decision?
NWill you vote against a student solely for exceeding your preferred speed?
NHow important is the criterion in making your decision?
It is a major factor in my evaluationDo you feel that a value and criterion are required elements of a case?
YRebuttals and Crystallization
Voting issues should be given:
Either is acceptableThe use of jargon or technical language ("extend", "cross-apply", "turn", etc.) during rebuttals:
Should be kept to a minimumFinal rebuttals should include:
Line by line analysisVoting issues are:
Not necessaryHow do you decide the winner of the round?
I decide who is the winner of the key argument in the roundHow necessary do you feel the use of evidence (both analytical and empirical) is in the round?
8/91 = Not necessary9 = Always necessary
Please describe your personal note-taking during the round
I keep a rigorous flowNote: if you wish for your pronouns to appear the debaters you judge on text/email blasts, log into Tabroom, click Profile at top, and add them in the Pronouns field.