First of all, let me start by saying I HATE SPREADING. And I mention it frequently, and we STILL. SEE. SPREADING. You are not auditioning for an auctioneering job, you are trying to present a convincing argument. Three strong points well presented will be more effective with me than ten thrown out in an indecipherable flurry of syllables strung together. CUT IT OUT.

Good information well documented goes without saying. But there, I just said it anyway.

A presentation that has an arc, where the delivery is smooth throughout but that varies in tone, volume, rate, intensity, etc. will always tend to sway me in your favor. Good signposting is smiled upon.

Finally, look and sound like you're having a good time, or at least that you have something that you're glad you get a chance to present. Have confidence in yourself, and know that even if you stumble, you're going to get through this. And of course, when you find yourself totally lost and the information or words that you had right there two minutes ago have somehow disappeared, stop, smile, regroup and carry on. You will get through this. Probably doing better than you think.

Be mindful of your judging pool. Especially when you have less experienced parent judges, consider taking your time for an extra beat here and there, be sure to signpost well, enunciate and speak up. Some of us are old and not as quick as we used to be. Good luck, have fun, and, as we say in my hometown, Don't Forget To Be Awesome.

I debated four years of Policy at Claremont High School (2008-2012), and have been an intermittent assistant coach for all forms of debate since then. While I am comfortable with pretty much whatever styles, forms, or arguments you would like to run, I do not regularly judge each year and may not know all the resolution-specific acronyms or plans or strategies; be mindful of your topic jargon. Speed is not an issue, but only if you are CLEAR. I value good signposting; if I cannot follow your argument, it does not exist on my flow.

I generally prefer Policy strats over K strats. This is not to say I will not vote for K arguments, but my threshold for rendering such a decision is somewhat higher. Please clearly link your arguments and firmly/clearly establish your framework, and we'll all have a good round. This also goes for theory: prove there is substantial in-round abuse that warrants your running a theory argument. Nothing is more dissatisfying than finding out the theory is just a timesuck (especially Topicality). Consequently, I tend to prefer substantive debates over theoretical debates.

Concerning China: I would like to believe that I am better read on China than most debaters and other judges. If you read cards by Gregory Kulacki in my round, know that I likely have the original article and probably know whether you're cherry-picking my father's arguments or not.

Concerning In-Round Protocol: Tag-team CX is fine. I count flashing evidence as both teams' prep time if it takes longer than one minute. I highly value courtesy in- and out-of-round; your perceived skill or victory over your opponents is no warrant for toxic behavior.

When students ask me if I have any judging preferences I tell them yes, "Have as much fun as possible". I mean that. What you are doing here is important but you should never be so serious as to not be having fun, especially in high school activities. There will be far more times in your life to be far more serious.

Second, the only advice I give students on speaking and arguing is that the most important person in the courtroom is not the attorneys, nor their clients nor even the judge. No, the most important person in the courtroom by far is the court reporter, because if the court reporter does not take down on the record every word you say, it was never said. The record speaks for itself. Thus if you speak so fast or do not pause on an important point to let that point sink in, and the judge does not hear it, it was never said. Take breath. Speak clearly and let points be made.

Finally, I judge debate more like a tennis match than a philosophical debate. Meaning I measure points made and rebuttals landed. More like the ideas in boxing of punching, blocking, moving and counter punching. Points are made and rebuttals offered. If a point is made an no rebuttal is offered that is a positive point. I do not weigh the arguments made unless the points and speaker points are equal. To weigh the arguments from the start would be to put my personal bias too much into the mix. I very rarely have to come down to weighing the arguments. Closing arguments by reminding me all of the points made and cleaning up any stray issues, is always a good way to earn points as well. Tell me what you are going to tell me, tell me and then tell me what you told me. Respond to each of the points made by the other side and you will be in good shape.

Remember have fun.

I have 6+ years of experience judging at many local tournaments, CHSSA and NSDA Nationals. Have judged all events (congress, all forms of debate, all forms of IE). I value both content and style. Do not particularly appreciate spreading.