National Speech and Debate Tournament

2023 — Phoenix/Mesa, AZ/US

Andrea Thompson Paradigm

Policy
Policy Debate Judge Philosophy

Your experience with Policy Debate (check all that apply)

Coach of a team
Policy debater in high school
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

6/91 = slow and deliberate
9 = very rapid
 

QUANTITY OF ARGUMENTS

2/91 = a few well-developed arguments
9 = the more arguments the better
 

COMMUNICATION AND ISSUES

7/91 = communication skills most important
9 = resolving substantive issues most important
 

TOPICALITY: I am willing to vote on topicality:

4/91 = often
9 = rarely
 

COUNTERPLANS

2/91 = acceptable
9 = unacceptable
 

GENERIC DISADVANTAGES

3/91 = acceptable
9 = unacceptable
 

CONDITIONAL NEGATIVE POSITIONS

8/91 = acceptable
9 = unacceptable
 

DEBATE THEORY ARGUMENTS

3/91 = acceptable
9 = unacceptable
 

CRITIQUE (KRITIK) ARGUMENTS

3/91 = acceptable
9 = unacceptable
Additional remarks:

I do not mind some speed, but I would like if debaters at least slow down for taglines so we can all keep track of where the debate is taking place on the flow.  Please be organized so I know where to write down your arguments on my flow.  I really enjoy stock issues debate/on case argumentation.  DA's and CP's are alright, too -- just adequately connect them to the case at hand!  Theory and Kritiks are okay as long as you can explain them clearly and convincingly, and you actually link them to the case.  I have voted for NEG on T's before, but I'm rather skeptical about them as a whole -- if you legitimately think the AFF is kind of untopical, go for it, but T's shouldn't be used as a mere time-suck. In the end, I always use my flow to determine who has won the round.  I'm excited for some beautiful policy fun!!!

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