I am the parent of a (former) Hunter College High School debater and a current Horace Mann debater. I am also a litigator. Most of my experience is with public forum debate. My preferences are: No "theory" and no excessive spreading. Thanks!

I am a PF parent judge from Stuyvesant High School and a scientist by trade. In general, reading your case quickly is not a problem for me. Although, spreading or failure to articulate will cause me to miss portions of your argument and will not count in my decision.  Please, slow down and emphasize the points that should have the highest weight.  In rebuttal, I expect a specific response to each subpoint of each contention.  In summary you must extend your contentions -- with your evidence -- and give me your weighing mechanism for the round.  It is your job to question your opponent’s evidence.  Explain to me why I should prefer your evidence over theirs.  Being able to quantify arguments and accurately and correctly use statistics will be more persuasive to me than some other judges.  Any evidence that you reference should be readily available.  45 seconds will be given to produce your evidence you’re your opponents ask for it or I will consider it to not exist.   I generally sit back during cross; if you think you have gained something during cross, you or your partner must reiterate it during a subsequent speech.  Write my ballot for in final focus.

EMAIL: jcohen1964@gmail.com

I judge Public Forum Debate 95% of the time. I occasionally judge LD and even more occasionally, Policy.

A few items to share with you:

(1) I can flow *somewhat* faster than conversational speed. As you speed up, my comprehension declines.

(2) I may not be familiar with the topic's arguments. Shorthand references could leave me in the dust. For example, "On the economy, I have three responses..." could confuse me. It's better to say, "Where my opponents argue that right to work kills incomes and sinks the economy, I have three responses...". I realize it's not as efficient, but it will help keep me on the same page you are on.

(3) I miss most evidence tags. So, "Pull through Smith in 17..." probably won't mean much to me. Reminding me of what the evidence demonstrated works better (e.g. "Pull through the Smith study showing that unions hurt productivity").

(4) In the interest of keeping the round moving along, please be selective about asking for your opponent's evidence. If you ask for lots of evidence and then I hear little about it in subsequent speeches, it's a not a great use of time. If you believe your opponent has misconstrued many pieces of evidence, focus on the evidence that is most crucial to their case (you win by undermining their overall position, not by showing they made lots of mistakes).

(5) I put a premium on credible links. Big impacts don't make up for links that are not credible.

(6) I am skeptical of "rules" you might impose on your opponent (in contrast to rules imposed by the tournament in writing) - e.g., paraphrasing is never allowed and is grounds for losing the round. On the other hand, it's fine and even desirable to point out that your opponent has not presented enough of a specific piece of evidence for its fair evaluation, and then to explain why that loss of credibility undermines your opponent's position. That sort of point may be particularly relevant if the evidence is technical in nature (e.g., your opponent paraphrases the findings of a statistical study and those findings may be more nuanced than their paraphrasing suggests).

(7) I am skeptical of arguments suggesting that debate is an invalid activity, or the like, and hence that one side or the other should automatically win. If you have an argument that links into your opponent's specific position, please articulate that point. I hope to hear about the resolution we have been invited to debate.

Lay judge/teacher chaperone

-enjoy a civil flow not too fast.

I have judged PF for 8 years including NY State Championships and National regional qualifiers. First off, I need to be able to understand what is being said. Speaking extremely quickly and spreading are frowned upon. I often find crossfires wasted by the participants when there are continuous interruptions or one side monopolizes the time. I prioritize evidence based arguments and the weight/relevance of those arguments. Evidence based arguments not addressed by the opposing side are noted and considered a negative.

I did Public Forum debate at Regis for 3 1/2 years. I will flow what I can understand and follow so I'd prefer if debaters didn't speed read, but as a former debater I can follow most speeches that are moderately fast. Additionally I prefer debaters to engage each other on their arguments, instead of the debate just coming down to disputes over whose evidence is more reliable. Obviously evidence is an important part of PF, but if the judge needs to look over 4-5 pieces of evidence at the end of the round to make their decision, the debaters didn't do a good enough job explaining them or following through on their other arguments.

I'm proud to say this marks my 10th year of judging Public Forum. Even though I've been doing this a long time, I still consider myself a "Mom judge," but don't despair. I will do my level best to flow the round competently.

Please give me your case in a simple, logical format and give me the reasons why I should vote for you. Please don't speak super fast, since that just makes my head spin, and I won't be able to follow your brilliant arguments as easily.

I always say, I'm okay with a little speed, but if you're talking so fast I can't make out what you're saying, that's not going to be good for you. I want to comprehend what you're telling me. If you feel like you're spoon-feeding me your case, I won't be insulted. You have plenty of flow judges to impress this tournament with fancy twists and turns.

One thing I will say is, If you don't extend an argument in summary, I can't weigh it at the end.

Lastly, please be professional and courteous to each other. No eye-rolling, tongues hanging out, general snottiness. Even if you think your opponent is on the ropes, I don't want to see it on your faces. Win with grace and class.

Paradigm 

I vote on almost anything if you win the debate. I believe that debate should be an even competition of what happens in the round and how it affects the outside world instead of the other way around. Also don't do anything racist, homophobic, sexist, patriarchal, transphobic, heteronormative or simply disrespectful in round without expecting poor speaker points. It will also affect how I view your argumentation in this safe space.

 Spreading

In regards to spreading I'm fine with it just don't start out at full speed I need time to adjust to voices. Also be clear and slow on tags so I can know what you are saying and what I should be voting on. I can't vote on something that I  can't hear.

I have been a parent judge on and off since 2013.

•analysis > evidence. not everything needs to be carded. I give higher speaks for solid analytical responses that show conceptual understanding of the topic. I rarely call for evidence.

•arguments that work in the real world preferred over gimmicky arguments (e.g. long, relatively implausible link chains to huge impacts).

•for virtual debate: set up a way to share evidence with the other team before the round.

•style: I prefer depth over breadth i.e. choose your 1 to 3 best responses rather than listing a bunch without explanation and a clear link chain.

•speed: I can not promise to keep up with rapid speed. Don't assume that I know every acronym related to topic.

•cross: I don't pay close attention to cross. Say it in a speech if it's important.

•theory/progressive debate: I don't like theory and I rarely vote on it.

I was formerly a 4 year PF debater at Stuyvesant High School, a 4 year PF coach for Hunter High School, a 4 year APDA/BP debater in college, and the Director of NSD PF for 3 years. 3 things to note:

1. I don’t need defense in first summary if 2nd rebuttal didn’t answer it and you extend it in final focus, but I do need defense in 2nd summary if you intend for that response to factor into my decision. All offense must be in both summary and final focus.

2. I give relatively low average speaker points, as I will award an average PF speech a 28.

3. Do not be afraid to grill me after the round if you think I have made a mistake in evaluating the round in any way. It will not sway me but it might teach you something and i really don’t mind at all.

I went to the TOC 3x, have worked at CBI and Capitol, and have coached Bronx Science and Scarsdale. Please believe me when I say I can understand fast and technical debate but I absolutely abhor it and my decision will reflect that. I want you to treat me as if I am a small child, or maybe a Labrador, and make things excruciatingly, brain-deaddeningly simple for me.

Hello! I am a former LD debater (eons ago) who judges PF now and again. I am a flow oriented judge. I haven't listened to spreading in a while so I wouldn't go your fastest speeds with me. The most important skill in a round to me is weighing. You should tell me how to judge the round, how the arguments interact with each other, which argument is most important, etc. Tell me the story of how you're winning the round. In terms of theory which I hear is happening in PF now, I haven't seen a round with theory in it since high school (which ended in 2014 for me) and have never seen theory in PF so I am truly not used to it at this point, but I am open to it. You would just need to make sure you are explaining things carefully to me and not assuming I know what's going on. Looking forward to your round! Best of luck!

Daniel Mendes
East Side High School graduate (2014)
Newark, NJ
I go to Rutgers- Newark 

 SHORT VERSION
Just like any other judge I am best with well explained arguments and good analysis. I prefer this over teams that just read a million cards . I'm probably more suited to critical arguments as I have more experience with them but run what you are good at. I don't like cheap shots, I think debate is more educational and pedagogical than a game, treat your arguments wth value.
I don't see debate in a vacuum or disconnected from the real world.

Traditional Topicality/ Framework / Theory:
I find that when teams read this, it's always very recycled, the same blocks from 10 years ago.
If you are reading this against K affs, ... Those old same standards aren't that persuasive to me. Make it persuasive, do lots of analysis, voters are a big deal for me don't make it a blip.

FW
I like good framework debates, but I think that your impacts have to really be fleshed out and have good analysis. Affirmatives should directly respond to standards, not just read their anti FW block and think it'll win them the debate, also don't just read a roll of the ballot and think you're good, justify it with counter standards and compare or it will cost you. 

Theory
I hate cheap shots, so when it comes to theory, if you are going for go for it. Make the impacts more nuanced and developed, make it matter and I will see it ias a legit argument.

Counterplans:
These are fine, I like hearing all the creative and crazy ways to solve for advantages. Specific is better than generic. It better be competative.

Disads:
I will vote on it if it's good and you win it. Don't just read hella cards in the 2nc block. Do big picture stories, you can read cards obviously but analyze it and make it apply to aff arguments
I may not be super familiar with the latest scenarios but if you explain all the steps in your overview and you win it then you're good. 

Kritiks:
Awesome, win it. Make a good persuasive specific link. The Alternative is really important, I should know if it's something material or educational or etc. Read a framework especially against policy affs. Framework is also pretty important (roll of the judge and ballot and all that)

Policy/plan/USFG/Fiat type affs:

I'll vote for it. However you MUST win your framework interpretation against Critical arguments. Explain your permutations, what they look like, how they work, why it functions. I have no problem voting for these affs but you're not winning on fraework its hard to vote for you

Critical/ Performance Affs:
Nice, just tell me what ur method does and what that means in context of the debate community as well as the real world! I don't think these affs must defend the federal government or have a plan but I think planless affs should be atleast somehow related to the topic because then we can diversify our arguments and make them apply to whatever the res is :)  

Case: PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE engage in a case debate. Neg- Put specific offense on case, challenge the aff! Aff- Please use your case past the 1ac. Extend your cards and smart arguments, the 1ac is 8 minutes of offense for you in the rest of the debate, use it like that!

Flowing: I'd say I'm pretty average at flowing, if you're going through a huge list of standards or something slow it down, Slow it down on the tags. I am not a flow centric judge, i look at my flow to see what you said, if the analysis aint there neither is the argument. Frameworks and precedurals come first obviously then comes the aff vs counter methods,plans, alternatives, or SQ 

25s and a loss: Racism good, Slurs, inappropriate behavior. Just be appropriate and behave please

Good speaks: Be clear, and win. Be persuasive, be funny and approachable, it seriously helps a lot in making the round a better experience for everyone! I give speaker points for teams who know how to emphasize lines in their warrants rather than reading through it 500 wpm like a robot. I like passion and when people care about the things they read. 

I'm really laid back and I think debate is an activity that's fun and to learn and be competitive. Dressing and acting "proper" and closed cross ex and all that strict stuff is silly to me. Feel free to ask my any questions. 

Also I just want to say that if you don't agree with my decision feel free to ask questions and we can have a conversation with me after the round about how I interpreted the round, don't bicker with me and don't be rude. 

I am a lay judge and I am a teacher. I understand the flow to some extent. Please make sure you present well constructed arguments and explain your evidence and refutations clearly. If you use data, explain its significance. Thank you.

Russ Ricciardi

Judging Paradigm - updated August 31, 2016

SUMMARY DESIGNATION FOR UPCOMING YALE 2016:  TRADITIONAL

AFFILIATION:  NONE

 DEBATE (GENERAL)

 I view academic competitive debate as a species of communication arts. You should speak clearly, and presume as little as possible about your audience and your judge. I will base my decision entirely on whatever arguments and evidence I hear and understand during the round. I will generally not ask to see evidence after the round, even if advised to do so by the opposing team. There will not be any overt signal coming from me if you are speaking too quickly or otherwise unintelligibly. The burden of communication is on your shoulders, not mine. You might say I am rather old-fashioned. Nonetheless, I have voted for “critical philosophy” cases on the rare occasions I have heard them. The key to my ballot is to present the argument logically, clearly, and persuasively.

LINCOLN-DOUGLAS

 At any tournament sponsored or sanctioned by the New York State Forensic League, including particularly all Long Island Forensic League (LIFA) tournaments, I will expect that the primary focus of the debate be on the clash of values or value-criteria. This expectation is supported by the definition of Lincoln-Douglas debate as given by the NYSFL:

>> Lincoln-Douglas Debate is a form of … debate that focuses on values, their inter-relationships, and their relationship to issues of contemporary human concern. The focus is not upon facts to be ascertained or policies to be implemented, although such matters can be referred to as supporting material. Rather, the Lincoln-Douglas Debate should require the students to explain in a persuasive manner the most important values and criteria for judgment about the resolution under debate.<<

The definition of Lincoln-Douglas debate by the National Catholic Forensic League is brief:

 >>Individual students debating issues of values and philosophy.<<

 In light of the NCFL statement, at any competition under the auspices of the CFL, my judging emphasis on values and philosophy, in preference over policy considerations, will be at least as strong as the emphasis I will bring to any NYSFL-related tournaments.

 In contrast, the website of the National Speech and Debate Association (National Forensic League) provides a more flexible description:

 >>Many people refer to LD Debate as a “values” debate, as questions of morality and justice are commonly examined.<<

 The NSDA statement is much weaker that the two previous statements. It does not place values at the center of the debate necessarily, and it is a qualified descriptive statement, not a normative statement.


 As I do not find any stronger authoritative universal statement concerning the relative importance of the values framework to the policy considerations in an LD debate, I will strive to keep an open mind on this point in all competitions not sponsored by the NYSFL or NCFL or their affiliates. I will expect the debaters to each make their case as to how the debate should be decided.

PUBLIC FORUM

In the Public Forum format, debaters should strive to make themselves and their arguments intelligible to the average citizen, not presupposing that their judges or audience have any prior experience, training, or knowledge of interscholastic debate nor the topic under consideration.  

Competitive Experience:

College: None

High School: Policy debate, local circuit (1974-77)

Judging Experience:

Total four years local circuit (1981-82, 1986-87, 2014-16)
A few national circuit tournaments in the Northeast

Other Experience:

Attended teacher training track in Public Forum at 2015 Harvard Summer Workshop

If you have any questions or comments for me about this paradigm, or any other Speech and Debate matters, 
feel free to contact me at:  ricciardi.sd@gmail.com

----------------------------

Paradigm originally posted to WikiSpaces Feb. 13, 2015. Last previous revision December 22, 2015.

I am a Bronx Science alumnus, Class of 2014, where I debated PF for all four years and I judged throughout my college career.

Well warranted arguments are the most important element of the debate to me. I also judge on based on the flow, but well extended arguments that are weakly warranted are really difficult for me to value in my final decision.

I appreciate technical arguments and a good guiding framework on which to evaluate the round, but anything overly technical brought in from other formats of debate is not something that I am likely to vote on or value.

Please feel free to ask me questions before the round. 

I am a experienced parent judge from Lincoln-Sudbury and have judged PF for a few years.

In order for me to comprehend your arguments, you must speak slowly and clearly. "Spreading" will probably result in a loss. Please be slow, and understandable for the average person.

I won't have extensive topic knowledge like debaters will, so please explain any information that you deem important extremely well. I will judge the round with a clean slate, not bringing my opinions into the round.

I will flow and take notes as much as possible. Keep your arguments in Final Focus consistent with those in summary. I will make my decision based off the content of your argumentation.

If allowed, I plan to disclose the result at the end of the round.

Updated for Jan 2017

I'm old now, so I don't care about nearly as much as I used to.

My name is Bill. I study Finance at NYU. I did PF in high school. I am a flay judge.

I am lay because:

1. I reserve the right to "not buy" generic responses, like: 1. This Contention Has No Evidence, 2. This Contention Has No Warrant, and 3. This Contention Has No Impact. Obviously, if I agree with you, or you can convince me that you're right, I'll "buy" your argument, but that generally requires a specificity that speeches using these arguments tend to lack. 

2. I reserve the right to "not buy" new arguments or reframings brought up in Focus or Second Summary. This is an extreme interpretation of the no new information rule; I also apply it to new impact links which seem forced. I assure you that there always exists some way of presenting your point where you can trick me enough that it will not seem forced. As for why it also applies to Second Summary, it's because first speaking teams can get easily buried by a slimy second speaking team. If you want to force a connection or give an argument a strange spin, do it early enough in the round that your opponents can respond.

3. I will cross-apply things for you even if don't explicitly tell me the connection. This includes obvious enough tie-backs to the resolution (I understand why losing money might be bad for American interests). That said, you shouldn't automatically assume I see things as you do: if I don't see the connection, I will not cross-apply it. Sorry I'm so stupid.

I am flow because:

1. Summaries need structure. Your Summary should start off giving me X independent reasons why you win the round. These reasons can be (and usually are) impacts, but making your reasons weighing metrics or points of framework also work (and tend to be more interesting). Feel free to go a little bit off-flow for the purpose of crystallization (but note that you shouldn't be going off-flow until Summary save for a very good reason that you discuss in-depth at the beginning of your Rebuttal).

2. Focuses need sync. You should go for the same things your partner did. Some debaters will tell you that the Focus should repeat the Summary. While I don't think that's necessarily correct, you're doing well if the two of you discuss the same in-round topics. But you should give me a way to weigh the round. This might be weighing metrics, but it can just be a simple tie-back to American interests (for this topic) and an explanation of why your impact is important. 

3. I am fine with drops, I am not fine with extending through ink (resurrecting a dropped point). I will not extend through ink.

4. I will "buy" any initial contention brought out in the Constructive or any response brought out in the Rebutttal no matter how much it seems like a lie. If those arguments do not get pressed and they do get extended, I will ultimately weigh them in the round.

Please go to the judge wiki for my paradigm.

https://judgephilosophies.wikispaces.com/Shiroma%2C+Garrett

My paradigm is pretty simple; answer these three questions:

1. Where am I voting?

2. How can I vote for you there?

3. Why am I voting there and not somewhere else?

I'm not going to do work for you. Don't try to go for everything. Make sure you weigh.

In addition, I strongly favor teams that provide a clear narrative, one that is usually anchored in a clear framework that defined key terms and concepts fairly.

4 years debating for Stuy, 4 years coaching for Poly Prep

i flow (unfortunately)

- slow, please

- i don't know how to evaluate k's, theory, etc. (if there is an egregious abuse, i'm down to have a discussion or bring it higher up)

- no patience for cards getting called every five seconds-- just do some warranting :)

pretend i'm lay and have fun. i believe in you.

(30s if you win w/o reading evidence)