National Speech and Debate Tournament
2022 — Louisville, KY/US
Liberty Belote Paradigm
Lincoln Douglas
Lincoln Douglas Debate Judge Philosophy
Your experience with LD Debate (check all that apply)
Current LD coachFormer LD competitor
Experienced LD judge
Former Policy debater
Speech coach
How many years have you judged LD debate?
3How many LD rounds have you judged this year?
0-10What is your preferred rate of delivery?
8/91 = 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:
Voting issuesVoting issues are:
Absolutely 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?
7/91 = Not necessary9 = Always necessary
Please describe your personal note-taking during the round
I keep a rigorous flowI think competitors should always be kind and respectful, which means taking their opponent at the best argument (their highest ground) and attacking that instead of strawmanning.
I prefer not to listen to entire speeches full of cards, and much more value arguments with heavily supported link chains and explicit warrants.
I'm a traditional LD judge, and I don't kindly judge those who try to turn it into an activity overly reliant on the recency/relevancy of evidence or that contains traditional policy arguments or conventions, like plans.
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