I'm a very simple judge. I have experience judging Congress, PF, Policy, LD, and all other IEs. At the beginning of the year, I am lax, understanding, and offer constructive criticism. However, I get more strict as the year goes on. I firmly believe that it is up to you as debaters to impress me. However, this is DEBATE! Have fun! Make yourself at home. I'm a person, not a evil heartless zombie.

On that note, there is one major thing with me as a judge; DO NOT SPEW! I can listen fast, but if it gets to the point I can't understand you, I can't judge you and you WILL be marked last.

I've debated policy all throughout high school and have been judging for almost three years.

I'm open to any arguments as long as the team can articulate them properly. Please do not run a kritik unless you are familiar with the argument, and no generic links! Other than that, I have no bias to any style or argument of debate.

I am retired now after coaching debate for over thirty years. I also debated in high school and college. I coached all events but always focused on debate before anything else in my program. I have taken students to nationals in all events so I know my way around a flow sheet and rely heavily on it to make my decision in a debate round. If I look confused or stop flowing it means arguments are not clearly labeled or coming too fast and I can't get them down. If that happens, those arguments won't be a part of my final decision.

I like to see the round start on time and good manners all around. I expect students in LD and PF to be good speakers but will not punish them for speed.

Please don't ask me tho shake hands at the end of the round. It's just not what I do.

All Speeches (DEBATE AND IE'S) I Do NOT like speed. I cannot keep up and I do not give and warnings during speeches. (online be cautious of how well your mic keeps up as well). I also DO NOT give time signals.


Be caring toward your opponents go a long way. Respect and patience are key to my heart. I care about a good learning environment for you as students. Hoping you will learn how to improve.

I'm more traditional than progressive. I don't flow traditionally (because I'm autistic). I'm not necessarily a "Lay" Judge but I'm definitely a wild card, sorry, Good Luck.

For Debates (LD/PF/Spar) follow this link (copy-paste to URL) to a rubric I tend to follow to determine the rounds I judge. this was taken from California State University, Northridge.

http://www.csun.edu/~ds56723/phil338/hout338rubric.htm


Background:
Hi, I'm Shantell Neilson. I competed in High school speech and debate, from 2006-2010, on the South Summit High school squad. I have been a judge since 2011. I've volunteered as an assistant coach for many years for ALA (2011-2014) and I've helped mentor many other coaches and judges. I have assistant Directed many tournaments in the state of Utah with my husband Jake Neilson. Some examples are UVU's MCJ tournament, the CUSDC (Central Utah State Debate Circut) tournaments for the past 5+ years.

**Please be careful with Sensitive Topics like ALL ABUSE, Violence, Rape & Neglect. I'm a Childhood Abuse Survivor***
Most judges don't have a way for you to censor trigger warnings like this. And you don't know your opponents.
Be brief and give Trigger warnings and limit details that aren't related to the speech. **

Above all, I appreciate civility. Respect your opponents and maintain a positive attitude. I don't mind a little aggression, but if you start to get snarky or roll eyes, I will start deducting speaker points. I'm not a fan of spreading or spewing. I will flow as best as I can, but if I can't follow, don't expect to win. Please keep your case appropriate for today's practical application. Clash well, speak clearly and persuasively, and have fun and you should do well.

I have judged Policy yearly for the past 15 years. I prefer LD and PF, but I am familiar with the ins and outs, but I don't know them intuitively as I have never competed in Policy. I am willing to try and follow whatever you present. However, I expect you to communicate with me. I am the judge, not your opponent. What that means is this, you need to tell me what you are doing and why. Slow down and communicate with me. When I say slow down, what I mean is this:

1. I don't follow speed. I try, but I won't get most of what you say if you are going a million miles an hour. However, I understand the strategy and need. If you spread, you need to slow down and tell why I should care about what you just said. Give me a quick, slowed down summary of what you said, and why I should care.

2. Make taglines very clear! Don't assume I heard your 'next DA' when you're going a million miles an hour. If you want it on my flow, make it clear what it is and where to put it. Spread the rest, but slow down for taglines and summarize what you just said! This is especially important for the 1AC and 1NC.

3. Email chains are helpful, but not. It is nice to have an email chain, but if I have to read the email to understand what you are saying, why give speeches? Also, trying to follow evidence because I can't understand you makes it difficult for me as a judge. I will refer to reference, but will not pour over it after a round to determine a winner. Doing that means I don't need to hear from you. I could sit at home and read your evidence to determine a winner. Don't rely on chains.

Lincoln Douglas

I prefer traditional LD Debate with a Value/Criterion. I have voted for flex-negs, and other more progressive type arguments, but I prefer debates that use Value/Criterion. Don't spread! If you spread in LD, I won't flow. You can go at a crisp pace. In fact, I prefer a crisp paces, but...spread and you will most likely lose.