National Speech and Debate Tournament

2023 — Phoenix/Mesa, AZ/US

Tessa Gregory Paradigm

Policy
Policy Debate Judge Philosophy

Your experience with Policy Debate (check all that apply)

Coach of a team
Policy debater in high school
Occasionally judge Policy Debate

How many Policy rounds have you judged this year?

0-10

Which best describes your approach to judging Policy Debate?

Tabula rasa
 

RATE OF DELIVERY

5/91 = slow and deliberate
9 = very rapid
 

QUANTITY OF ARGUMENTS

4/91 = a few well-developed arguments
9 = the more arguments the better
 

COMMUNICATION AND ISSUES

3/91 = communication skills most important
9 = resolving substantive issues most important
 

TOPICALITY: I am willing to vote on topicality:

3/91 = often
9 = rarely
 

COUNTERPLANS

3/91 = acceptable
9 = unacceptable
 

GENERIC DISADVANTAGES

5/91 = acceptable
9 = unacceptable
 

CONDITIONAL NEGATIVE POSITIONS

5/91 = acceptable
9 = unacceptable
 

DEBATE THEORY ARGUMENTS

6/91 = acceptable
9 = unacceptable
 

CRITIQUE (KRITIK) ARGUMENTS

6/91 = acceptable
9 = unacceptable
Additional remarks: I am a more traditional judge but am open to K's and theory. What I value most is the ability to communicate and break down arguments. The team who does that the best increases their probability of winning but it is not a guarantee. Additionally, I do not flow authors so when extending cards, the warrant needs to be referenced or I will not know what piece of evidence you are referencing.

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.