National Speech and Debate Tournament

2025 — Des Moines, IA/US

Aris Ferreira Paradigm

Policy
Policy Debate Judge Philosophy

Your experience with Policy Debate (check all that apply)

Coach of a team
Occasionally judge Policy Debate

How many Policy rounds have you judged this year?

0-10

Which best describes your approach to judging Policy Debate?

Stock issues
 

RATE OF DELIVERY

1/91 = slow and deliberate
9 = very rapid
 

QUANTITY OF ARGUMENTS

5/91 = a few well-developed arguments
9 = the more arguments the better
 

COMMUNICATION AND ISSUES

4/91 = communication skills most important
9 = resolving substantive issues most important
 

TOPICALITY: I am willing to vote on topicality:

7/91 = often
9 = rarely
 

COUNTERPLANS

2/91 = acceptable
9 = unacceptable
 

GENERIC DISADVANTAGES

1/91 = acceptable
9 = unacceptable
 

CONDITIONAL NEGATIVE POSITIONS

1/91 = acceptable
9 = unacceptable
 

DEBATE THEORY ARGUMENTS

9/91 = acceptable
9 = unacceptable
 

CRITIQUE (KRITIK) ARGUMENTS

3/91 = acceptable
9 = unacceptable
Additional remarks: I am pretty open minded as far as the kinds of arguments expected in a policy round. The biggest thing is spreading--I am not here to read a thesis level amount of cards in order to keep up. I am not to found of Topicality arguments but if it works well then its fine.

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