National Speech and Debate Tournament
2023 — Phoenix/Mesa, AZ/US
Matthew Davis Paradigm
Policy
Policy Debate Judge Philosophy
Your experience with Policy Debate (check all that apply)
Coach of a teamNDT/CEDA debater in college
Policy debater in high school
Frequently judge Policy Debate
How many Policy rounds have you judged this year?
41+Which best describes your approach to judging Policy Debate?
Tabula rasaRATE OF DELIVERY
7/91 = slow and deliberate9 = very rapid
QUANTITY OF ARGUMENTS
6/91 = a few well-developed arguments9 = the more arguments the better
COMMUNICATION AND ISSUES
7/91 = communication skills most important9 = resolving substantive issues most important
TOPICALITY: I am willing to vote on topicality:
2/91 = often9 = rarely
COUNTERPLANS
2/91 = acceptable9 = unacceptable
GENERIC DISADVANTAGES
4/91 = acceptable9 = unacceptable
CONDITIONAL NEGATIVE POSITIONS
4/91 = acceptable9 = unacceptable
DEBATE THEORY ARGUMENTS
5/91 = acceptable9 = unacceptable
CRITIQUE (KRITIK) ARGUMENTS
1/91 = acceptable9 = unacceptable
As a typically tabula rasa judge, I am acceptable of any structured argument; however, there are a few disclaimers: first, nothing racist or sexist or ableist; second, I'll only vote on theory if it is a clear and significant violation and not just read as a time suck; third, warrants have to be explained throughout the debate, as a dropped argument doesn't just automatically win if extended. Authors should be extended along with evidence, since they are how you maintain credibility (and how I keep track of things on the flow). I use cross-examination as a place to determine speaker points, so please participate when it is your turn to participate. Be nice, make good arguments, engage with your opponents' arguments, but mostly...be nice.
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.