National Speech and Debate Tournament

2023 — Phoenix/Mesa, AZ/US

Max Hatten Paradigm

Lincoln Douglas
Lincoln Douglas Debate Judge Philosophy

Your experience with LD Debate (check all that apply)

Current LD coach
Former LD competitor

How many years have you judged LD debate?

8

How many LD rounds have you judged this year?

41+

What is your preferred rate of delivery?

4/91 = Slow conversational style
9 = Rapid conversation speed
 

Does the rate of delivery weigh heavily in your decision?

Y
 

Will you vote against a student solely for exceeding your preferred speed?

N

How important is the criterion in making your decision?

It is the primary means by which I make my decision
 

Do you feel that a value and criterion are required elements of a case?

Y

Rebuttals and Crystallization

 

Voting issues should be given:

Either is acceptable
 

The use of jargon or technical language ("extend", "cross-apply", "turn", etc.) during rebuttals:

Is acceptable
 

Final rebuttals should include:

Voting issues
 

Voting issues are:

Not necessary

How do you decide the winner of the round?

I decide who is the person who persuaded me more of their position

How necessary do you feel the use of evidence (both analytical and empirical) is in the round?

5/91 = Not necessary
9 = Always necessary

Please describe your personal note-taking during the round

I keep a rigorous flow
Additional remarks:

I am a quality over quantity judge. A few well-developed arguments are better than 15 undeveloped ones. I think framework/value & criterion debate is important because I think you should prove your side as a general rule, and you need some underlying principle to judge that by. I don't like excessive speed, but I can handle it for the most part. I won't vote on speed, but I will vote on communication. I you don't communicate your point to me I will have a hard time voting on it. I like some evidence, but this isn't Policy, and you don't need to have something for every single claim you make. 

Note: 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.