National Speech and Debate Tournament

2023 — Phoenix/Mesa, AZ/US

Nicole Whaley Paradigm

Lincoln Douglas
Lincoln Douglas Debate Judge Philosophy

Your experience with LD Debate (check all that apply)

Current LD coach
Experienced LD judge
Speech coach

How many years have you judged LD debate?

7

How many LD rounds have you judged this year?

11-20

What is your preferred rate of delivery?

5/91 = Slow conversational style
9 = Rapid conversation speed
 

Does the rate of delivery weigh heavily in your decision?

N
 

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

N

How important is the criterion in making your decision?

It is a major factor in my evaluation
 

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

Y

Rebuttals and Crystallization

 

Voting issues should be given:

As one moves down the flow
 

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

Is acceptable
 

Final rebuttals should include:

Both
 

Voting issues are:

Not necessary

How do you decide the winner of the round?

I decide who is the winner of the key argument in the round

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

9/91 = Not necessary
9 = Always necessary

Please describe your personal note-taking during the round

I keep a rigorous flow
Additional remarks: I discourage language that is inflammatory or does not maintain integrity. I love debates that attempt to extend application and understanding, and am often frustrated over debates that go back and forth over one small issue of the debate (like one piece of evidence) instead of the extended value of the debate. As a judge, trust that I got your point the first, or even second time, but when a small irrelevant point becomes the basis of the debate, I refer to v/c weigh to decide winners.

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.