National Speech and Debate Tournament

2023 — Phoenix/Mesa, AZ/US

Sarah Botsch-McGuinn Paradigm

Lincoln Douglas
Lincoln Douglas Debate Judge Philosophy

Your experience with LD Debate (check all that apply)

Current LD coach

How many years have you judged LD debate?

10

How many LD rounds have you judged this year?

11-20

What is your preferred rate of delivery?

8/91 = 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?

N

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:

Both
 

Voting issues are:

Absolutely 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?

8/91 = Not necessary
9 = Always necessary

Please describe your personal note-taking during the round

I keep a rigorous flow
Additional remarks: I am open to pretty much any type of argument and try to be clear on my paradigm what I prefer and how I evaluate specific arguments. I do not want to hear overtly oppressive arguments and make it clear in round I will vote down. I have no preference for traditional slow debate over progressive debate and will happily judge both. I appreciate debate as an educational activity and thus some of the only arguments I find frustrating to hear are ones that rely on the premise that nothing matters and therefore I should just vote for one side based on some convoluted or esoteric standard i.e. tricks. I will evaluate rounds like that but I make clear I don't enjoy them. I want us all to learn together.

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.