National Speech and Debate Tournament

2023 — Phoenix/Mesa, AZ/US

Alex McVey Paradigm

Policy
Policy Debate Judge Philosophy

Your experience with Policy Debate (check all that apply)

Coach of a team
NDT/CEDA debater in college
Frequently judge Policy Debate

How many Policy rounds have you judged this year?

21-30

Which best describes your approach to judging Policy Debate?

Tabula rasa
 

RATE OF DELIVERY

8/91 = slow and deliberate
9 = very rapid
 

QUANTITY OF ARGUMENTS

8/91 = a few well-developed arguments
9 = the more arguments the better
 

COMMUNICATION AND ISSUES

7/91 = communication skills most important
9 = resolving substantive issues most important
 

TOPICALITY: I am willing to vote on topicality:

1/91 = often
9 = rarely
 

COUNTERPLANS

1/91 = acceptable
9 = unacceptable
 

GENERIC DISADVANTAGES

1/91 = acceptable
9 = unacceptable
 

CONDITIONAL NEGATIVE POSITIONS

2/91 = acceptable
9 = unacceptable
 

DEBATE THEORY ARGUMENTS

1/91 = acceptable
9 = unacceptable
 

CRITIQUE (KRITIK) ARGUMENTS

1/91 = acceptable
9 = unacceptable
Additional remarks:

I'm the Director of Debate at Kansas State University. I primarily judge college NDT/CEDA Debates. I'm comfortable with going as fast as you want to go, as long as you are clear. I'm comfortable with Kritik arguments on both the aff and neg. I have no really firm rules about what does or does not have to happen in a debate, although my tabroom paradigm certainly will let you know more about my base preferences. I grew up in Kansas, so I also know that many debate circuits don't look like TOC/NDT style debate, and I am comfortable watching those debates too. I view it as my job to meet debaters where they are, and expect debaters to try their best to do the same for me. Have fun and be kind to one another!

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.