National Speech and Debate Tournament

2023 — Phoenix/Mesa, AZ/US

Marna Weston Paradigm
Lincoln Douglas
Lincoln Douglas Debate Judge Philosophy

Your experience with LD Debate (check all that apply)

Current LD coach
Former LD coach
Former LD competitor
Summer LD instructor
Experienced LD judge
Former Policy debater
Collegiate Policy debater
Speech coach
Community judge

How many years have you judged LD debate?

40

How many LD rounds have you judged this year?

0-10

What is your preferred rate of delivery?

5/91 = 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 may be a factor depending on its use in the round
 

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:

Voting issues
 

Voting issues are:

Absolutely necessary

How do you decide the winner of the round?

I decide who is the person who persuaded me more of their position

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 detailed notes throughout the round
Additional remarks: Introduce your crucial winning points early.Utilize your opponents positions as points of comparison----to determine which side is being most reasonable. You can spread but your time will be best spent crystallizing and identifying critical issues.... as they occur in the debate. Continuously remind the judge/audience of these critical issues by carrying them thru cross-ex and speeches. Apply your winning points to an overall summary vision of: WHO the winner of the debate is and WHY they are winning An explanation of WHY one side is MOST RELEVANT and perhaps another has MISSED THE POINT....delivered civilly and with the consideration of the audience MOST in mind, will likely carry this judges ballot. Lincoln Douglas Debate more that any other must, be carried with courtesy, style, and consideration of the audience.

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.

Judges

MAIN List Paradigms
Lincoln Douglas List & NSDA Paradigms
Policy List & NSDA Paradigms