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 team
NDT/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 rasa
 

RATE OF DELIVERY

7/91 = slow and deliberate
9 = very rapid
 

QUANTITY OF ARGUMENTS

6/91 = 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:

2/91 = often
9 = rarely
 

COUNTERPLANS

2/91 = acceptable
9 = unacceptable
 

GENERIC DISADVANTAGES

4/91 = acceptable
9 = unacceptable
 

CONDITIONAL NEGATIVE POSITIONS

4/91 = acceptable
9 = unacceptable
 

DEBATE THEORY ARGUMENTS

5/91 = acceptable
9 = unacceptable
 

CRITIQUE (KRITIK) ARGUMENTS

1/91 = acceptable
9 = unacceptable
Additional remarks:

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.