National Speech and Debate Tournament
2023 — Phoenix/Mesa, AZ/US
Sean Valentine Paradigm
Lincoln Douglas
Lincoln Douglas Debate Judge Philosophy
Your experience with LD Debate (check all that apply)
Former LD competitorExperienced LD judge
Former Policy debater
Former Public Forum debater
Speech coach
How many years have you judged LD debate?
1How many LD rounds have you judged this year?
0-10What is your preferred rate of delivery?
6/91 = Slow conversational style9 = Rapid conversation speed
Does the rate of delivery weigh heavily in your decision?
NWill you vote against a student solely for exceeding your preferred speed?
NHow important is the criterion in making your decision?
It is a major factor in my evaluationDo you feel that a value and criterion are required elements of a case?
YRebuttals and Crystallization
Voting issues should be given:
Either is acceptableThe use of jargon or technical language ("extend", "cross-apply", "turn", etc.) during rebuttals:
Is acceptableFinal rebuttals should include:
BothVoting issues are:
Not necessaryHow do you decide the winner of the round?
I decide who is the person who persuaded me more of their positionHow necessary do you feel the use of evidence (both analytical and empirical) is in the round?
7/91 = Not necessary9 = Always necessary
Please describe your personal note-taking during the round
I keep detailed notes throughout the roundDebate should be a open space to expand one's mindset and point of view. As a former policy debater I encourage pushing the boundaries of traditional debate and exploring given that both parties are understanding. A debate shouldn't therefore be one sided. I encourage sign posting for both the judges and your opponents sake. You should be using your value and criteria to weight the debate through any way that you may choose from inclusion, exclusion, partial inclusion, impacts, etc. Acknowledgement should be given regarding dropped arguments and conflicting points. Most importantly you should have fun!
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.