National Speech and Debate Tournament

2023 — Phoenix/Mesa, AZ/US

Claire Rapp Paradigm

Lincoln Douglas
Lincoln Douglas Debate Judge Philosophy

Your experience with LD Debate (check all that apply)

Current LD coach
Experienced LD judge
Current Public Forum coach or judge
Former Public Forum debater
Speech coach

How many years have you judged LD debate?

3

How many LD rounds have you judged this year?

11-20

What is your preferred rate of delivery?

7/91 = 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:

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?

7/91 = Not necessary
9 = Always necessary

Please describe your personal note-taking during the round

I keep a rigorous flow
Additional remarks: I indicated that I won't vote against debaters who exceed my preferred speed- however, I am opposed to spreading which I consider to be speaking extremely fast with the explicit goal of having so many arguments your opponent cannot realistically address them all, and then using inevitably dropped arguments as reasons to vote your side. I like clear signposting, and I like all contentions and rebuttals to link back to the value/criterion as explicitly as possible. I'm not completely tabula rasa, but I will not finish the link chain for you. Debaters are welcome to ask me clarifying questions about my paradigms before the round begins when both competitors are present.

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.