SCU Dempsey Cronin Invitational
2016 — Santa Clara, CA/US
Policy Paradigm List
All Paradigms: Show HideI love judging so long as you keep me engaged in the debate. You lose me if you are not articulate and organized. Be aware that I am a parent judge, and have never debated before.
I appreciate if you are clear about your framework and listing of your contentions. I can’t vote on anything I don’t understand. I like original, well thought of and supported arguments. I have been a lawyer in Silicon Valley for over 20 years so I have heard my share of bullshit arguments.
I will not vote for and probably will not even listen to any Kritiks, theory, or pre-fiat arguments. Any Plans or Disads should be structured in a way that a parent judge would understand. I like simple policy arguments with a lot of warrants.
I like debaters who listen well and respond appropriately. Be confident but not arrogant. Be graceful and authentic. Be respectful of the judges but not solicitous. Be creative, curious communicators. Most of all have fun :).
Hello,
I've been in debate as a whole for about 8 years. Last debated in '20 (just before rona lol) . I've coached various formats of debate (Policy, LD, Parli, Public Forum) along with being a participant in those formats also. Here's my view: Debate is a space to challenge ideologies and come to the best way of making a change. That may look like a plan text that has an econ and heg or, it's an advocacy that talks about discourse in the debate space. I'm here for you as an educator so tell me where and how to vote. Impact Magnitude in the later speeches will help you and me a lot.
Add me on the Email doc:3offncase@gmail.com
Here's my view on certain arguments:
T and Framework and theory in general: I'll listen and adjudicate the round based on the information that you frame my ballot.
Counterplans: Gotta prove the Mutual Exclusivity of said CP. Not really a preference or style choice on this.
D/A's: Uniqueness has got to be relatively recent or the debate is gonna be a tough one to win. If paired with a C/P you must prove how you avoid said D/A or perm is gonna be super cheezy here. Again don't let that stop you from running it in front of me.
K's: I'm good with whatever you desire to run but if its some super high level (D&G or around that lit base) stuff you gotta explain what that means. Also, please be sure to know your author's lit bases here. Perm debates against K's have to prove the accessibility of the Perm along with the net benefits of the perm. Also, Impact Framing the K is gonna make your job along with mine a lot easier.
K Aff's: You do you. Tell me where to frame the ballot and how to view any performances within the round. You do you. Solvency is gonna be the point of clash along with framing.
Update for '21: My internet at my house is absolute garbage so PLEASE: start at 80% speed, I'm always ready for your speech and I'll give a reaction in zoom if I'm not.
General: Graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 2021 with a double-major in computer science and anthropology and now work as a product manager in the tech industry.
My email is amoghden@gmail.com - please add me to the email chain and/or reach out with any questions!
Debate Background: 4 years of circuit policy debate at Milpitas High School (2013-17). 3 years of NPDA Parliamentary and NFA-LD at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (2018-21).
During my time in college, I coached a handful of high school policy/LD teams and worked as a lab leader (leading labs focused on K arguments) at the University of Texas National Institute of Forensics. Since I graduated and started working, I have been completely removed from debate.
GENERAL VIEWS:
DISCLAIMER: This paradigm was originally written for policy debate but is pretty consistent with how I evaluate ANY style of debate. Let's be real, every debate event seems to slowly adopts new "progressive" norms that make it closer and closer to policy anyway.
Debate is a game. It is influenced by (and often a microcosm of) the social, political, cultural, and libidinal constitution of what we might call the "real world", but is ultimately an argumentative testing ground for ideas.
The only thing I know to be "true" as a judge is that I have been tasked to listen, evaluate, and arrive at a decision based on the presentation and clash of ideas. The scope / nature / telos of those ideas, how I interpret and evaluate argumentation, and what influences my decision-making is entirely up for contestation. I can be compelled to vote for anything regardless of its simplicity, complexity, or absurdity without any preconceived biases as long as it is not racist, sexist, homophobic, ableist, etc.
My personal debate career and involvement as a coach was primarily invested into kritikal styles of advocacy, but I do not have any fixed stylistic biases. I will not have a problem understanding and evaluating traditional arguments, but this is an area of research in debate that I did not have too much personal investment in. My policy debate background means I generally won't have a problem flowing speed.
I really do NOT care about trivial debate etiquette. Dress however you want. As long as you're not compromising the safety or access of people, say whatever you want, however you want. Call people out on their BS.
WHAT I LOOK FOR IN (GOOD) DEBATES:
- Tech > truth (but I will only evaluate arguments that I understand).
- Organization, specificity, evidence comparison and argument interaction are key to amazing debates.
- Write my ballot for me - judge instruction is the mark of a well executed rebuttal speech. Frame every part of the debate: tell me how I should be viewing and evaluating arguments and why. Leaving it up to me (or your opponents) to make assumptions or connect the dots to influence my decision may not bode well for you.
- The debate is NOT determined by evidence in a vacuum; it's up to YOU to explain (or spin) warrants, regardless of how amazing (or unfortunately terrible) your cards may be.
- Cross-x is an underutilized art. Destroy your opponents with precise and impactful questions. Be one step ahead. Be witty!
SPECIFIC ARGUMENTS:
TRADITIONAL/POLICY AFFS:
I may not be intimately familiar with topic-specific political processes or terminology, so be sure to explain things and be precise. I would much rather you read one or two well-developed and strategic contentions than several mediocre ones.
I believe that the art of nuanced technical debate is dying, but I'm hoping you prove me wrong. I've noticed a troubling trend of terrible evidence, mediocre internal link explanations, and extensions without substance in the traditional rounds I've had the opportunity to judge. Put in the effort to explain and contextually apply the arguments made in your evidence. Question the merits of bad evidence. Spend the time to frame and impact out your arguments in detail.
Well developed weighing mechanism / impact framing arguments will go a long way with me. I don't presume to know what is good and what is bad - it's up to you to tell me and justify why things are important and what my ballot ought to prioritize.
Because the traditional affirmatives I judge usually end up being versus the K, here's some specific thoughts on those debates:
- Defend your affirmative. Pivoting to spike out of offense is not as strategic as you think. Avoid resorting to vague permutations and/or shifty link defense.
- Utilize and apply your affirmative. Take the time to make specific link/impact turn arguments.
- Engage the criticism. Failing to answer the negative's theory of power is usually an instant recipe for a loss.
- I have a high standard for perm articulation from the affirmative, and link/alt explanation from the negative. Do NOT let lazy K teams get away with bad link analysis or incoherent explanations of their theory.
- Substantive 2AC framework arguments are more likely to influence my decision than whiny procedural stuff.
KRITIKAL AFFS:
I have debated against, affirmed, written, and judged a wide variety of K-Aff arguments and fully encourage you to experiment, push the boundaries of literature and debate as an activity, and ultimately use this space to advocate for things of interest or importance to you. If you're looking for an idea of literature bases with which I am most familiar, check the "Kritiks" section of my paradigm.
I will NOT uncritically vote for you because I like your choice or style of argumentation. Although kritikal affirmatives enable potentially valuable breaks in the traditional form/content of debate and the resolution, I believe that there is a level of investment with the literature and knowledge about debate as an activity necessary to successfully challenge the ideological protocols of the game itself and/or operationalize the game as a site of critical contestation.
Take the time to make smart and offensive application of your Aff's criticism, and explain the unique friction between your methodology and the Neg's argumentation. Supplement your blocks and cards with smart in-round analysis and contextual application of your theory. Going beyond the jargon and providing concrete examples in support of your theory of power and/or methodological strategy will typically go a long way.
KRITIKS:
Successful kritik debating at a minimum requires intimate familiarity with the literature, and clarity and depth in explanation. The best kritik debates happen when you generate unique links to the affirmative and are able to build intricate link-stories by strategically referencing specific warrants, lines, or moments in your opponents performance, argumentation, and evidence and tying it back to your theory of power. Going beyond the jargon and providing concrete examples in support of your theory of power and/or methodological strategy will typically go a long way. I will reward you generously with speaks if you are well versed in your literature and are able to demonstrate your knowledge by making smart and strategic analytic claims and arguments in your speeches and cross-x.
I believe form precedes and determines content: I often begin my decision-making in kritik debates by asking what the telos (or perhaps a lack thereof) of this debate is, and what interpretational lens I ought to use to understand and assess what content means in relation to the presentation of the affirmative and alternative.
I have a general understanding of most criticisms read in debate, but my personal knowledge and interest lies in criticisms pertaining to identity politics and structural positionality. Most of the scholarship I've engaged with as a former debater and coach pertains to various branches of theory speaking to Anti-blackness, South Asian identity, Settler Colonialism, Feminism, Queer/Quare/Kuaerness, and Disability. Although I'm not AS well-read up on the edgy and often unintelligible works of old white dudes, I've judged or been personally involved in a fair share of those debates too and much of the scholarship I engaged with as a debater had its ideological roots in the works of Lacan, Heidegger, Marx, Deleuze, and Baudrillard among others. If YOU understand your criticism and YOU do the work to explain and contextualize your offense, you'll probably be fine.
DISADS/COUNTER-PLANS:
The more specific and less generic your strategy is, the happier I will be. I have no pre-defined standard for what makes a CP legitimate or abusive. Absent theory arguments, I will evaluate and happily vote on any DA and/or CP strategy without any predispositions.
I may not be intimately familiar with topic-specific political processes or terminology, so be sure to explain things and be precise.
TOPICALITY/THEORY:
The path to a ballot in these debates (on either side) is to do real comparative work on the level of interpretations and standards. Dive into the nitty-gritty analysis: what type of norms do we want to set in this activity/topic? Why? Why does it matter if the violation is true? What is the threshold to meet your interpretation?
Unlike many judges, I don't mind frivolous theory arguments. This is YOUR debate. If you want to make the debate about some trivial procedural question and you do it well, I'll happily vote on it. If you see strategic value in wasting your opponent's time with frivolous theory, more power to you. Likewise, if you make a well-developed argument that frivolous theory is bad, I'll happily vote on that too.
I think innovative or unconventional topicality and theory arguments (on either side) can make for very interesting discussions about the norms of the activity: arguments about identity, body politics, performativity, agency, boredom, death, simulation, educational models etc.
Impact analysis is CRITICAL to winning T/Theory debates:
Fairness is NOT an intrinsic good. What does fairness mean? Fairness for whom? Why is fairness something we ought to preserve in debate? What is fairness an internal link to?
Education is also NOT an intrinsic good. Why should the telos of debate be to produce education? Why does your model of debate have the ability to produce "good" kinds of education? Why are the specific skills we gain from your model good, and how do we operationalize them?
FRAMEWORK (VS. K-AFFS):
I spent my entire debate career arguing against Framework, but I think there's a lot of merit to these debates (on both sides).
What does your interpretation and model of debate look like in context of the affirmative's criticism? What types of norms and rules do we want to set for the activity? You probably have to win that the affirmative's theory about the way power operates (at least within the debate space) is bad AND/OR fundamentally not testable.
Impact analysis is CRITICAL to winning framework debates:
Fairness is NOT an intrinsic good. What does fairness mean? Fairness for whom? Why is fairness something we ought to preserve in debate? What is fairness an internal link to?
Education is also NOT an intrinsic good. Why should the telos of debate be to produce education? Why does your model of debate have the ability to produce "good" kinds of education? Why are the specific skills we gain from your model good, and how do we operationalize them?
I have a higher threshold for T and independent voters, if you go for it, you can win it, I won't pull the trigger as easy as I would on a solvency card. It is more interventionist than not for me.
I debated one year at Stanford, and have debated policy and LD since high school on both the national circuit and local level. I’m Black and if that makes you reluctant to pref me, check yourself. Run whatever you want, however you want to run it. My job is to fairly facilitate the round that will allow both debaters to do their best. My ear might be a little untrained for unclear or incredibly fast spreading (i.e. varsity college spread level), but otherwise I should be good. I will let you know if it’s too fast. Just noticeably slow down on tags. Slow down on authors. Emphasize key warrants. If you speed through key analytical args, all of them aren't likely to make the flow.
I love K’s, BUT do not run them because I like them. Run your own game in your own lane. Avoid being problematic about theorizing what is best for marginalized communities if you are not from them. Your speaks can get docked for explicitly discriminatory and offensive positions. I'm not as much of a fan of T, but I do enjoy it if it is creative and well flushed out. I'm down for a good theory debate too. Again, if it is flushed out. Nothing is beyond me voting on if it is well warranted and impacted out. I will not vote on a floating PIC, UNLESS you spend time on it. A one line argument at the end of your speech will not give you the ballot. Don't berate me about it in the RFD. YOU GOTTA PUT WERK IN FOR THE BALLOT. I will note it though and give some weight.
Weigh everything, tell me how I should evaluate the round. I don’t have a default framework. However, if you give me none, I will simply evaluate both sides equally on each contesting level. I know I’ve said I love a lot of stuff, but I REALLY love performance args. That being said, if it is terrible, it is terrible and I will pull the trigger on T if they won it. I also like PETTINESS and HUMOR. I’m human. I like to see people put in work. If you don’t make it a boring round, you’ll see some speaker points. (*DJ Khaled voice*) I promise you. Keep me awake and entertained with substantive arguments and I will keep you happy with them awards.
All this being said, I am here to help you have the debate you want to have. Do you.
Debate History :
I have debate policy debate for six years. I am currently a Sophomore debater for San Francisco State. I debate anti-blackness and theory for majority of my debate career. Specially the intersectionalites of racism and sexism for a black women and whiteness. So feel comfortable running any k's if I'm your judge. I personally love k aff so if you runs k aff feel comfortable running it. I personally believe debate isn't a game but it's your job as the debater to explain how I should be framing the round (is debate a game where we role play or not). I love hear rounds where the impacts aren't nuclear war but real life issues if you have impact as nuclear war it's less likely I will vote for you. The only way I can see my self voting on a nuclear war impact is if you explain to me that a nuclear war is going to happen to tomorrow, which you probably can't do so don't read that impact or other like it if I'm your judge. I prefer debaters to explain their argument in full , that means don't just read the card but explain it to me, cause I'm not going to do the work for you. Most importantly I value clarity over speed, of you can be fast and clear lit🔥.
Arguments:
So no matter my personal opinion on the argument I am willing to vote for you if you do the work necessary to win the round.
T/FW- I personally don't care for the argument but I have and will vote on the argument. It's your job as the debater to explain to me what the round is about and how I should be framing the debate round. You must win your impact for me to vote for you and you must explain why is the impact of the "T" outweight the aff impacts. You for me to vote on T you just have to do your job as a debater and explain to me why should I vote on this argument.
K/Performative Aff- I think they are really dope. I have ran different K/Performative aff's for 3 years so I understand them. However do not run a k aff just because I love voting for them, run what ever floats your boat. To k/performative aff's if you just run your aff like you want to and do your debate work I will probably more than likely vote for you.
K's- I think k's are good arguments and I love voting for k. If I am your judge running k's would be a good idea if you like running k's. Please do not pick to run a K just because I am your judge. Run what you know best and feel comfortable doing.
yo
I'm a senior @ stanford double majoring in international relations + anthropology and i did policy in high school
2020 NOTE: I don't know much about this years' resolution-- explain topic-specific acronyms if you use any!
email: edasulj@stanford.edu
POLICY:
tl;dr- i'll listen to literally anything! i love unique arguments but even more importantly i love clash.
kaffs- i love them. i came from the smallest school possible (no coaches, no other policy team) so i find them extremely helpful with specific research focus for small teams/schools. i love them when they are unique and tailored to each individual debater. i think that the best k affs are ones that i can feel the emotion and power in every word you choose to say/sing/rap/dance/draw/perform.
ks- i think ks are extremely productive in debate; prob read some lit on what you are planning on reading. specific links are super awesome and engaging. but if u do k debate pls don't read off your computer the entire time it's sad. i read a lot of postmodern theory (both in hs, but also now in school as a college student), but this may help/hurt you. bad k debates are worse than bad policy debates, so make sure you know what you're talking about. empirical examples for k debates are persuasive. many judges don't feel compelled to vote for postmodern ks because it is hard to tie them to something tangible in the status quo. there are examples-- refer to art, movements, historical events...etc.
framework- framework can be extremely productive, tailor your framework arguments specific to the aff. tva's are good arguments-- make them
das- a really good da debate is exciting to watch. i love it when teams destroy case and do really good anaylsis on the da. pls don't make your 2nc extension of the da just reading more cards, like take the warrants of your 1nc and exacerbate them in the block. good da debates are great.
cps- i mean i'm down for listening to the most abusive cps you have. i think really specific ones are killer. i don't really care about theory unless someone calls you out on it. if you read a delay cp or a plan plus like tell me why that plus/net ben is so important. otherwise i'll vote on like perm: do CP
t- if you can't list a topical caselist with your interpretation why read t. read t when there is an obvious advantage the aff is getting away with. i don't really have a favorite between reasonability vs. competiting interps. like tell me which one to prefer and i'll do whatever.
theory- tbh theory debates are boring i'd still vote on them if i have to
case- case is so underrated especially in kaff debates. if you can destroy case on the kaff i'll be happy to vote on neg presumption or some case turn. if you go destroy case i'll reward you.
truth over tech- i lean more for tech over truth. but i am persuaded by ethos.
do u love the jesus cp?- sure, read whatever weird args you have. if you commit to them i'll give them credit in the round. EDIT: ok but also I strongly dislike the 30-speaks argument!!!!!!!!!!
prep/cross-x- tag team is cool and flashing doesn't count as prep
extras:
debate is an activity that i love and that i invested a lot of time in. please look like you're having fun, at least.
i guess i am a point fairy. debaters work really hard and i think that getting average speaker points like 28.3 is just not exciting nor rewarding. if life is meaningless and debate fills a meaningless void in our lives ill try to give y'all some temporary happiness with higher speaker points.
LD:
pretty much the same as policy; i don't really vibe with debates that are only about the rules of debate
PUBLIC FORUM:
tldr; debate is a game, so use whatever strategies you want. don't care about your speed, but do care if you're using speed as an excuse to not make real arguments. warrant all your arguments! I don't judge PF too often, so assume that I do not know anything about your resolution. Explain acronyms if you use them. HAVE FUN :-)!!
I am a parent judge, I will not understand any kritiks you run, or any spreading that you do.
I debated high school policy debate in the Mid 1990's and collegiate parliamentary at community college before transferring to UC . I am currently a speech and debate teacher at Quarry Lane school, Dublin CA . I am focused on Public forum debate. Before that I was the coach of Skyline High school in Oakland, CA and focused on Policy debate (primarily varsity performance) . Before then I coached at El Cerrito High School in Northern CA and coached all events, flex policy as well as lay adapted teams. I have coached teams to TOC, NSDA, and CA state championship. I love the community I coach in. It is the daily conversations, discussions, and socializing that keep us all going. Debate changed my life, it wasn't the only thing that made who I am but it's important and I am grateful to be able to share that gift with students on a daily basis.
Public Forum paradigm.
I am new to coaching public forum but am able to adapt from a historical policy background of 20 years. Speed is fine. But I always emphasis clarity. Technical debate is good. I will flow. Debaters should collapse to key winning arguments in beginning in the rebuttals. New arguments in summary and final focus are discouraged unless responding to an abusive argument by an opponent. I am comfortable with flex, both straightforward policy or Kritiks both post-modern to performance. I'm fairly tabula rasa in the sense that you are responsible for upholding the framework for the debate. Theory is fun and I enjoy a well reasoned theory debate with impacted standards.
In regards to evidence analysis I am looking for you to read warrants and good data and extend it and use it throughout the debate. Offense is key. Think strategically and you will be rewarded. Most of all have fun. Decorum is essential.
Hey I did speech and policy in high school. Started off with the straight-up style but got to college and saw the rest. I'm better suited for K-style feedback but go with your heart on w.e you want.
I'll evaluate every argument. The debate room can be a fun place so feel free to throw some humor into your speeches. Videos and dank memes are cool.
On an unrelated note, bringing granola bars or some snackage would be appreciated. I don't care much for soft drinks though. In other words please feed me nice food because in-round picnics make everyone's day. <--
What you care about:
Please don't make judges do the work for you on the flow. If you don't do the line-by-line or clearly address an argument, don't get upset if I reach an unfavorable conclusion. Reading me cards without providing sufficient analysis leaves the purpose a bit unclear.
T
Aff- reasonabilty probably has my vote but I can be persuaded to vote for creative and convincing non-topic-related cases.
Neg- Get some substance on the flow. T should not be a go-to-argument. I hate arguments dealing with "should", "USFG", etc and you should too. Impact out the violation. Simply stating that the team is non-topical and attaching some poorly explained standards will not fly or garner support. On K affs remember you can always go further left as an option.
Theory- Typically a pretty boring discussion but if it's creative I'll approve. If you notice yourself thinking "I wish I were reading something else" then it's a clear sign I wish you were too. Remember to slow down on those analytics though- hands cramp.
Case
Aff
Being able to cite authors and point to specific cards = speaks. (same for neg)
Neg
Throw some case defense at the end of your 1nc after you do your off-case arguments. Aff has to answer them but you already know that. Reading through aff evidence and showing power tags or misuse is great.
Da
Aff- if you can turn this in some way then you'll be fine. Point out flaws in the Link story when you can. Figuring out a solid internal link story might be a good idea.
Neg
Internal links will only help you. Let's avoid generic stuff.
CP
Aff
You need to show that it's noncompetitive and you can perm or that their argument just sucks.
Neg
Show a net benefit and how you solve the impacts. Furthermore show how your cp is awesome.
K
Aff
Explain: how case doesn't link, perm, or alt doesn't solve or do anything. Weigh your impacts if appropriate. If the neg is misinterpreting an author and you sufficiently illustrate his/her message, then you'll be doing well in the round.
Neg
I like K's a lot. Hopefully will know what's up. Just explain your story clearly (seriously). Stunt on em.
Side note for everyone: In round actions are easy performative solvency to weigh btw
Performance
Aff
It's going to come down to how well you can explain the impact you are addressing with your performance and the solvency story under framework.
Neg
I suppose you can do framework or T if you have nothing else but try and interact because the aff team will be prepared. Or if you want to go down this route it's cool. Swayed by creativity though.
I am a Parent Judge, this is my fourth year judging high school policy debate. If you spread, I might not understand you.. If you do talk fast, please slow down for the author title/name so I can call for a card for clarification.
Before the round starts, I like to clarify a few things:
Is Tag-Team cross X ok?
Do you need timing signals? I typically only time the cross X and prep time.
During prep time, be aware that you need to have your files ready before you end the clock.
I judge based on topicality, significance, Inherency, solvency and disadvantages.
Please be respectful of your opponents.
Judging Philosophy
General Notes
* I did parli debate for 5 years in college and this is my 1st year out
* Be organized
* Don't say anything rude, racist, sexist, classist, or homophobic
* Speed theory is a thing for me ( this doesn't mean you have to go slow in front of me, go as fast as you want, but if they run speed theory respond to it as needed )
* This is your round/game so run whatever you want as fast as you want, while still being clear ( with some exceptions/caveats )
* I might make facial expressions, I might not, either way don't read too much into them except for the SUPER obvious non-verbal expressions.
* Don't lie/make things up
Traditional Debate
* All plan/counterplan texts should be read twice
* I will default to Net Bens/consequentialism unless otherwise specified
* Have actual impacts, don't say: Nuclear war bad, specify what that looks like through the lenses of TF, probability, and magnitude
* Be sure to tag where you're at etc...
* You can be Condo with Counterplans( or ALTs ), but know that I am more likely to favor being unconditional/non-dispositional
Theory Debate
* All interps should be read twice
* I've been known to vote on RVIs ( If you don't know what it is don't worry about it )
Kritik Debate
* If you're advanced enough to run the K, do so in a clear/organized fashion
* I am VERY predisposed AGAINST Identity politics K's ( Queer, Anti-Blackness, Fem, some variations on performance ), this is not to say I will not vote on them, but that if they are run in front of me that you should do so VERY carefully and do not do so in a way that belittles/berates/traumatizes others, or ONLY leverages personal experience. This is not to potentially exclude individuality from the round but to prevent the militirzation of agency to the potential detriment/harm of others.
* Links should be contextualized, and not SUPER generic
* ROB and ALT text should be read twice
I am a parent judge that appreciates logic. I judge based on clarity and a logical evaluation of closure of the arguments.
Judge philosophies.wikispaces.com/Santos%2C+Alan
My experience: Teacher/coach in a UDL for 8 years. Never debated. I guess you could say I am an experienced lay judge who is OK with spreading, K, framework and other stuff lay judges don't usually want to hear about. Please slow down for contentions/signposts/tags/cites.
I copied Toni Nielson because I agree with everything she wrote in her paradigm:
"Here’s what I think helps make a debater successful –
1. Details: evidence and analytics, aff and neg – the threshold for being as specific as humanly possible about your arg and opponent's arg remains the same; details demonstrate knowledge
2. Direct organized refutation: Answer the other team and don’t make me guess about it – I hate guessing because it feels like intervention
3. Debating at a reasonable pace: I ain’t the quickest flow in the west, even when I was at my best. I intend on voting for arguments which draw considerable debates and not on voting for arguments that were a 10-15 seconds of a speech. If one team concedes an argument, it still has to be an important and relevant argument to be a round winner.
4. Framing: tell me how you want me to see the round and why I shouldn’t see it your opponents way
5. Comparison: you aren’t debating in a vacuum – see your weakness & strengths in the debate and compare those to your opponent. I love when debaters know what they are losing and deal with it in a sophisticated way.
Some style notes - I like to hear the internals of evidence so either slow down a little or be clear. I flow CX, but I do this for my own edification so if you want an arg you still have to make it in a speech. I often don't get the authors name the first time you read the ev. I figure if the card is an important extension you will say the name again (in the block or rebuttals) so I know what ev you are talking about. I rarely read a bunch of cards at the end of the debate.
Now you are asking,
Can I go for politics/CP or is this a K judge? Yes to both; I don't care for this distinction ideologically anymore. I lean more in the K direction. My history of politics and CP debate is not nearly as sophisticated as my history of K debate.
Theory - lean negative in most instances. Topicality - lean affirmative in most instances. Framework - lean in the direction of the K.
Truth v Tech - lean in the direction of truth. BUT gigantic caveat, debate, the skill, requires refuting arguments. So my lean in the direction of the truth is not a declaration to abandon refutation. I will and do vote on unanswered arguments, particularly ones of substance to the debate.
Here's what I like: I like what you know things about. And if you don't know anything, but get through rounds cause you say a bunch and then the other team drops stuff - then I don't think you have a great strategy. Upside for you, I truly believe you do know something after working and prepping the debate on the topic. Do us both a favor: If what you know applies in this round, then debate that.
Good luck!"
Hi, I'm Azariah. You're probably just here for a paradigm, not because you care who I am, so I'll be quick.
I participated in policy debate all four years of highschool. I debated about whiteness and the intersectionalites of being black and a woman within society. I could be labeled a performance debater. I vote for teams who are knowledgable wen it comes to their own arguments. The more in depth you are and the better you do in CX, the easier the decision is for me. I like real world application of impacts. Telling me that if I vote for you, you end nuclear war and globalwarming will not get you a ballot. I will vote on any argument that is made well.
Theory: Not a big fan of theory but I will absolutely vote on dropped theory args if extended. Don't spew them at me. Take time to explain them.
Kritiks: I’ll gladly vote for a K. The K must be well explained for me to vote for it. I also believe that in any good K debate there needs to be a link to the case and the alt must be explained in detail. Do us all a favor, don't run 6 K's if it is not absolutley necessary.
My standpoint on DAs is very similar to my standpoint on Ks.
Some other things you may want to read:
" I am here to be persuaded. This is a communicative activity. I am not computer, I am a living, breathing person. Pathos+Logos+Ethos=speaker points. I am NOT a point fairy however, I CAN make it rain."- Latoya Green Fri, Oct 2, 2015
Toya Green: https://www.tabroom.com/index/paradigm.mhtml?search_first=latoya&search_last=
Rashid Campbell: https://www.tabroom.com/index/paradigm.mhtml?search_first=rashid&search_last=campbell
If you have questions for me you can email me at acshepjudges@gmail.com
Hi everyone!
I've been debating policy for four years and I am pretty much cool with whatever you want to run. I will make an effort to be as unbiased as I can be. I'm fine with tag team cx, spreading, etc. Flash is not prep, but if you misuse this, I will start counting it as prep.You are the debaters, you set the round.
That being said, I have listed a few preferences to help you understand the type of judge I am:
Likes:
- Providing good impact calculus is crucial regardless of what you read- its probably where a lot of my decision will come from
- Lay a good framework-make it easy for me to weigh your arguments against the other team.
- Most of my debating career I've read kritikal/identity oriented literature, so utilizing kritiks properly and with the right links makes me extremely happy
- Please be respectful
- Be funny, it'll definitely help your speaker points, but make sure not to feel anyone unwelcome in the debate space
- Slightly related- I love unique arguments that make me think. Even if they don't you win the round, if I can tell an effort has been made to uniquely answer your opponent, your speaks will reflect that
- I love line-by-line. I think it showcases your personal ability as a debater to answer individual args instead of relying solely on blocks.
- I'm down with arguments that might not be the norm-to give you an idea, I've run Consult Vermin Supreme. Just make sure there's a reason I'm voting.
Dislikes
- Making arguments like racism/rape good will automatically lose you the round because I think debate needs to be a safe, inclusive space. I will probably also mention it to tab.
- Disads are cool, but generic disads with practically no link are not fun.
- Same goes for generic kritiks
- Read things you're comfortable with, you'll probably do a better job than if you read blocks for something you don't understand.
- Being aggressive in cx is good and recommended, but if your opponents are novices, dont be jerks.
- Don't get lost in jargon, I'd much prefer clarity and conciseness.
- Don't assume I know all the literature or that I will make the connections for you. It's your job as debaters to convince me from scratch that voting for you is a good idea. Be specific and explain all parts of your args that arent self-explanatory.
- I probably don't know all the abbreviations, especially when the round is particularly policy oriented as I haven't debated this topic. I can follow along fine as long as the full abbreviation is mentioned.
- Don't be super stressed, debate is fun! At the end of the day, we're all just here to learn.
- Unclear spreading- I will say clear three times, and then I'll stop flowing.
If you have any specific questions, email me at elakya@gmail.com.
I haven't been involved with debate for a few years. However, I debated in college at SFSU and I coached policy at both the collegiate and high school levels for over 20 years (on/off). I had my turn, now it is your turn. You should get to have the debate that you want, so you can run whatever args you want to run.
That being said, I do enjoy arguments that challenge the participants to examine the debate through a critical lens. But explain your high theory arguments and clearly articulate the applicability to the topic, the round, the other team, and/or to me as a human person.
I am more inclined to buy an alternative that has some practical call to action rather than conceptual alts. I will vote for a conceptual alt if you tell me why, but I prefer something concrete.
I am also good with straight up policy debates with good old fashionednuclear disads And counterplans. Or topicality and theory arguments if the aff doesn't choose to affirm the resolution. Tell me what the impact is and why that means you should win my ballot.
Don't expect me to vote for you, persuade me to...with critical thinking and strategy. Be smart and make good (read: well reasoned) arguments.
Like I said, it is your debate. If you have specific questions, ask me.
Debated 4 years of HS (Winfield, Kansas), 2 years in College (Los Angeles City College, CSUFullerton)
Coach for SUDL
General Thoughts (whatever "thinking" is)
I am open to anything. I am also incredibly judgmental. I would rather hear a unique, new argument with perhaps less precise execution than the tightest strategy executed in the most boring way possible. That being said, what I would rather hear and what will win a substantive debate may not be the same. Use your own discretion; you are the debater, right? Don’t be mean and overbearing. Don’t be too timid.
Policy arguments (whatever "policy" is)
Implementation and the allowed viability of current affairs are important if you're going this route. The more precise the better. I'd like to feel how far the effects of my ballot travel, gloriously stamping the world with my verdict; as a god would upon mortal puppets.
Critical Arguments (whatever "ontology" is)
These are the arguments with which I have the most familiarity. Please don't buzzword me to death here.
I am inclined to believe that permutations to “critical arguments” make little to no sense unless the aff is already winning substantive arguments on the link and impact level. Impact comparison and/or link turns will be necessary if you want me to vote for these so-called "permutations".
Topicality/Theory (whatever “is” is)
If you know what you’re talking about or have a crafty violation, I’m certainly willing to vote on topicality. That being said, I have a higher threshold on topicality than most. However, your "fairness" "education" "ground" abuses aren't worth my time. Tell me the direct violation and I'll decide how you were afflicted in the round (by watching the round). If you prove no affiliation with the resolution, or a direct connection through the resolution, I will vote on topicality first and then weigh the impacts. If the abuse warrants my ballot, then you will win my ballot.
Aff should at least discuss its pertinence to the resolution and/or debate or have a cogent defense of the presentation of your argument or a criticism of the necessity of such discussions. If someone tells me that these affs don't matter, I will listen to their arguments and remain open to persuasion on the issue. Not unexpectedly, I find that the smart cheaters are often very far ahead on these debates. Take that for what it is.
Additional Note On Topicality/Theory: I have seen T violations that had real world impacts (as opposed to in-round impacts) that link the definition of the word to impacts for a disad. This is genius, and if you can do it you should try. My favorite 2AC analysis happened when a debater showed the performative contradictions of conditional neg arguments as framing for impact calc beyond the life-or-death story run by the neg. I think there is an interconnected approach to the debate that involves holistic unity (literally, not like "you should try some lavender that burn" holistic).
“My” background (whoever “I” am)
Raised in KS, living in CA. I used to be a Nietzsche debater, then transferred to UCD and read everything he wrote, and Plato/Aristotle, most of the Modern types, did graduate work on Plato and Weber, suffered a short obsession with DuBois and Hegel, then panicked when none of it helped me study int'l econ. I am confident that most people don't debate Nietzsche right, and it doesn't matters that they can't. Something happens in there. I am a hard nerd for bureaucratic politics and regime cooption. I'm the type to get really excited about information systems or comparing organization structures. While debating I took most organization cooption examples from the fall of the USSR. I have a life outside of that stuff though, as I hope you do as well. If you can make me laugh during a debate, that will bode well for you. But don't try too hard. Trying too hard is like caring too much about not being a fascist: it only makes you a fascist.
Lastly, I plagiarized a lot of this from an old friend who's now an IP lawyer, and I think that's so funny. FYI all