About Me

I am a 4th year Public Forum debater who has competed at multiple NSDA National Tournaments, GFCA State Tournaments, and TOC qualifiers. Personal interests include sports, music, art, cinema, and the outdoors.

How I Evaluate the Round

I evaluate the round based solely on the flow, with speaking being evaluated completely separately. Since I am evaluating on the flow, I prefer teams to utilize tactics such as the line-by-line and signposting, as well as the off-time-roadmap. Please, however, do not give a worthless off-time-roadmap just to tell me that you will be rebutting the other team's case. Lastly, I am a big fan of overviews, frameworks, and other topical analysis to help narrow the debate a provide a mechanism for me to weigh the round.

Speaking Preferences

My main speaking preference is definitely CLARITY. If I can't understand you, I can't flow you, and I vote off the flow. Feel free to speak as fast as you'd like, but ideologically I'm opposed to spreading in Public Forum or Lincoln Douglas, and will probably dock your speaks for such. First speakers, make it a point to have your constructive sound as perfected and refined as possible, as it is effectively the only speech in the round you have the opportunity to prepare outside the round. Second speakers, make it a priority to give a good final focus, as I consider that to be the speech where rounds, particularly those that I am evaluating, are most often won or lost.

ABOUT ME

I debated in PF for Poly Prep in Brooklyn NY. I was pretty good.

FLOW NITPICKS

The second rebuttal should respond to all offense on the flow. I prefer second speaking teams also respond to terminal defense/overviews, but defense won't count as dropped until after summary.

Turns not extended into summary become defense, unless your opponent extends through it. In that case, it's offense again.

I don't flow author names. Refer to the arguments.

I default neg on BOP positive statement resolutions.

Overviews.

For second speaker teams; if your overview could easily have been a contention, I already hate it. When flowing on my laptop, I will literally not have a place to flow it - nor will I make one. Second rebuttal case turns should either a) respond within the framework debate or b) signpost to relevant links in case.

First speaking teams; go nuts.

Advocacies, Plans and Fiat Power In PF.

"I grant teams the weakest fiat you can imagine" - Caspar Arbeeny. Inherency is always better than fiat. Conditional advocacies are bad. "We kick out" never removes a turn, but speech time to de-link yourself from a turn can.

If you have any qualms, questions or concerns about my preferences, please do not hesitate to inform me. There is no penalty for trying to change the way I view debate.

I strongly believe in narrowing the debate in the summary speeches. I really want you to determine where you are winning the debate and explain that firmly to me. In short: I want you to go for something. I really like big impacts, but its's important to me that you flush out your impacts with strong internal links. Don't just tell me A leads to C without giving me the process of how you got there. Also don't assume i know every minute detail in your case. Explain and extend and make sure that you EMPHASIZE what you really want me to hear. Slow down and be clear. Give me voters (in summary and final focus). 

Speed is fine as long as you are clear. I work very hard to flow the debate in as much detail as possible. However, if I can't understand you I can't flow you. 

I am a current Yale University student, and four year Public Forum debater on the national circuit at Carrollton High School. I have extensive experience both participating and judging in Public Forum, as well as other events. I will flow the round, so please sign post. This will greatly benefit me in my ability to follow your arguments, and ensure that I catch everything. If you are going to provide an observation or framework, do not simply tell me to weigh in that manner, explain why I should. Extensions through all speeches are a must if you are going to pick up my ballot. Do not turn a crossfire into a speech. I do not flow crossfire, but it is still a valuable time for the debater to find holes in their opponent's cases. Ensure that you are telling me why you are winning the round, simply reading a card does nothing for the judge, nor for the educational purposes of the round.

Speed becomes an issue when you are not clearly articulating your arguments. Clarity in round is key, and I would prefer to hear a single clear and well explained response over several poorly articulated ones. If I can't understand you, it will not go on the flow. When making my final decision, I take into account; first if an argument was extended throughout the round, then I examine the responses to each argument.

It is most important to consider that debate is intended to be an educational experience. With that being said, I will not tolerate any facetious or degrading remarks in round, as they are counter intuitive to the purpose of the event. As a result, such behavior will be reflected in the speaker points given.

I will expect you to ask questions prior to the round about anything that seems unclear in this paradigm.

PF:

-Do not spread. On a scale of 1-10 for speed I prefer somewhere around 6-7. I would prefer you to slow down or pause a tad for taglines for my flow. Also if you list 4-5 short points or stats in quick succession, I probably will miss one or two in the middle if you dont slow down.

-Arguments you go for should appear in all speeches. If your offense was not brought up in summary, I will ignore it in FF.

-I do not think cross is binding. It needs to come up in the speech. I do not flow cross, and as a flow judge that makes decisions based on my flow, it won't have much bearing on the round.

-At the least I think 2nd rebuttal needs to address all offense in round. Bonus points for collapsing case and completely frontlining the argument you do go for.

-Please time yourselves. My phone is constantly on low battery, so I'd rather not use it. If you want to keep up with your opponents' prep too to keep them honest then go ahead.

-In terms of some of the more progressive things- I haven't actually heard theory in a PF round but I hear it's a thing now. If your opponent is being abusive about something then sure, let me know, either in a formal shell or informal. Don't run theory just to run it though. Obviously, counterplans and plans are not allowed in PF so just don't.

-pet peeves:

1) Bad or misleading evidence. Unfortunately this is what I am seeing PF become. Paraphrasing has gotten out of control. Your "paraphrased" card better be accurate. If one piece of evidence gets called out for being miscut or misleading, then it will make me call in to question all of your evidence. If you are a debater that runs sketchy and loose evidence, I would pref me very high or strike me.

2) Evidence clash that goes nowhere. If pro has a card that says turtles can breathe through their butt and con has a card saying they cannot and that's all that happens, then I don't know who is right. In the instance of direct evidence clash (or even analytical argumentation clash) tell me why to prioritize your evidence over theirs or your line of thinking over theirs. Otherwise, I will consider the whole thing a wash and find something else to vote on.

3) Not condensing the round when it should be condensed. Most of the time it is not wise to go for every single argument on the flow. Sometimes you need to pick your battles and kick out of others, or risk undercovering everything.

LD:
So first, I primarily judge PF. This means my exposure to certain argument types is limited. I LOVE actually debating the resolution. Huge fan. I'm cool with DAs and CPs. Theory only if your opponent is being overly abusive (so no friv). If you are a K or tricks debater good luck. I know about the progressive things but since I primarily judge PF, my ability to evaluate it is very limited from experience. If you want to go for a K or something, I won't instantly drop you and I will try my best to flow and evaluate it in the round. But you will probably need to tweak it a little, slow down, and explain more how it is winning and why I should vote for it. I come from a traditional circuit, so the more progressive the round gets, the less capable I am of making a qualified decision.

I do not want you to flash your case to me. I want to flow it. If you read to point that it is unflowable then it is your loss. If I don't flow it, I cannot evaluate it and thus, cannot vote on it. Spreading in my opinion is noneducational and antithetical to skills you should be learning from this activity. Sorry, in the real world and your future career, spreading is not an acceptable practice to convince someone and get your point across.

Both:
Please signpost/roadmap- I hate when it is unclear where you are and I get bounced around the flow. Have fun and don't be overly aggressive.

I debated public forum for four years at Carrollton High School and currently debate with the Phi Kappa Literary Society at UGA. I prefer rounds that are more argumentation and rhetoric with cards being used to supplement and defend the points made rather than the round devolving into a card battle. I won't weigh a round based off of a single card. I expect primarily scholarly articles to be used throughout the round. Debaters should be respectful of each other and the subject of the debate. The soul of the debate should be sound analysis of the evidence that debaters provide, rather than listing as many authors as you can in a single breath. If you don't demonstrate an understanding of the topic it does not matter to me how many sources you throw out. The impacts of each argument should also be at the forefront of the clash within the debate. I really prefer if the teams give at least a moderate weighing mechanism in order to make the round require as little arbitration by the judge as possible.

I competed in public forum at Carrollton High School for four years and competed at various national tournaments. I'm currently a student at the University of Georgia and a member of the Phi Kappa Literary Society, so I'm still involved in debate as a college student.

As far as judging goes, I can understand when you speak fast, but I want emphasis on the most important parts of your speech. Please don't spread. I want voters crystallized during summary and continued on through the final focus. Please don't try to bring up arguments in summary or FF that you didn't extend through the rebuttal. I don't care about sitting or standing so long as all participants agree and are doing the same thing.

I grew increasingly disillusioned with the state of PF debate during my last few years of high school as it pertained to the use of cards. Let me be clear: I will not judge the round based on just a single card. Cards exist to support your arguments, and I want the team with the best evidenced, most logical, most elegant argument to win, and repeatedly reminding me of this one single card that you have that works as a "magic bullet" will not win the round with me. Also, I appreciate a framework and/or weighing mechanism to make my job easier, but it is by no means required.

If you say anything that is blatantly racist, sexist, or otherwise bigoted, please do not expect to win the round, and anticipate low speaker points. This isn't me having a political bias, it's just a non-negotiable of respectful debate. I understand that certain resolutions may force you to take a position that better or worse for social justice issues, and I will not penalize you for that, but do be careful in how you are speaking or characterizing the issues of certain groups. Always be respectful to your opponents. I appreciate clash and understand how we can all get a little heated in cross, but never forget that the people across from you are human beings, that you are just a high school student, and that when you graduate, it's very possible that you will end up going to school with those individuals. (I'm currently in a debate society with people I debated against in high school. It pays in the long run to be nice, or at least respectful to each other.)

If you mention or make reference to the television series Twin Peaks, showing that you've read my paradigm, you will earn brownie points, but it won't get you any higher speaker points and it certainly won't win you the round.

Good luck, and don't be surprised if I have a somewhat lengthier RFD, especially if I'm judging a novice round. I just want you all to get better.

About Me: I debated in Varsity LD for three years of my high school career, and I love this activity more than anything else I did during those three years. I was also the captain of the Houston County High School LD Debate Team. However, I also competed in novice PF for half of my novice year, and even won a tournament in it. I love philosophy and read it regularly. My top three are: Schopenhauer, Nietzsche, and John Rawls. My favorite politician of all history is Bobby Kennedy. I am liberal, but that just means that if you convince me that a conservative policy is even slightly desirable, I will see it as a major accomplishment. I am also part of the LGBT+ community, and take discrimination very seriously. I have no problem voting a debater down for ethical reasons if they say something blatantly discriminatory.

Debate Preferences: I am okay with spreading, but either use voice inflection or slow down while stating contention titles and sources. I judge rounds tabula-rasa style, so if your opponent doesn't counter your claims, as long as your claims aren't obviously false through observation/logic, then your claims still stand. If an argument is not made, it does not exist. PLEASE GIVE VOTERS. I like progressive-style debate (Frameworks, Theory, Kritiks, etc.), but if you are doing PF, plans are prohibited. You are not required to debate in this style, and I would much rather hear a good traditional-style debate than a poor progressive-style debate. Do not assume, if you go the philosophical route, that I know all philosophies, but it is safe to assume that I know how to evaluate standardized, premise-conclusion style arguments. Claim-data-warrant-impact always applies, unless you run that data is meaningless and provide reasoning for that claim. If you provide framework and your opponent turns your case to work against your own framework, you lose. If your opponent supplies framework and you successfully argue that your case better fulfills their framework, you win. Impacts will always be the main RFD unless you successfully run a philosophy stating that impacts are bs. One large impact is better than a few negligible impacts. Snowball effects are still effects as long as you argue why the effect is probable. Education will always be assumed as the main purpose of debate unless otherwise stated. Theory should be in the proper format of A: Interpretation, B: Violation, C: Standard, and D: Voter. Finally, CITATIONS ARE REQUIRED. IF YOU DO NOT PROVIDE CITATIONS, YOU ARE BREAKING THE RULES AND I CANNOT VOTE FOR YOU. I RESERVE EVERY RIGHT TO READ YOUR CASE AFTER THE ROUND IS OVER.

Speaker Points: I do not care if you look at me or not while you speak, but I will count off speaker points if it's obvious that you haven't practiced debating with your case. Three things are very important to me when calculating speaker points. The first is whether you act like you want to be there or not. The second is whether you keep going even if you feel like your losing. The third is whether you are respectful to everyone involved. I do not like quitters, I do not like apathy, and I do not like disrespect. Your attitude towards debate has an effect on other debaters and judges. You should convince them that debate is valuable.

Prep Time: Prep is for prep, not for extra cross. You may ask to read your opponents case during YOUR prep. If you ask for a specific part of the case, then the prep will not start until your opponent finds that part. If you take more than 5 minutes looking for a specific piece of your case asked for by your opponent, I am going to ask you to stop, and that specific piece will not be weighed in round.

LD-Specific: Everything previously stated about framework apllies to values. I love a good value debate as long as it's run well. If you run progressive-style cases, make sure you ACTUALLY know how to run them. Philosophers are not values. You must justify your value and value criterion. Your value criterion should be a more specific idea within your value, and it should serve as the link between your value and your contentions. If your value and value criterion are completely unrelated, I will not vote for you. Value turns are always good, when you run them well. Values and value criterions are not technically required, but some sort of framework always makes a case stronger. Kritiks do not require values, and are sometimes better without them. Plans and CPs require an actor and an impacted party, and agency is very important.

I am a second year Public Forum coach with the SpeakFirst team in Birmingham, Alabama.

In terms of speed, you can speak as fast as you'd like, but not so fast that I can't catch your contention taglines for my flow. I prefer well-organized constructives with sign posting and clear impacts. For weighing, I'd ideally like to be told how to weigh the round and not left to decide that for myself. I don't like getting into long framework battles, so if it comes to that it's better to concede to one framework or the other and show how you're winning on it.

I'm okay with off time roadmaps before rebuttal and summary as long as you have a reason for giving one, and I don't care if you sit or stand during crossfire as long as both sides do the same thing. I'll flow everything but crossfire. I'll only hold dropped arguments against you if they're extended by your opponent in summary.

I expect each side to keep their own time, but I'll be keeping it too with the exception of calling for cards - if you're calling for a card, please keep track and just tell me how much of your prep you used. Please don't vocally keep your opponent's time. Also, please don't talk/whisper to your partner during one of your opponent's speeches. Bottom line, be respectful and have fun!

he / him

My email for the chain is hbharper8@gmail.com but also feel free to reach out with questions about your round / my RFD

tldr: I am okay with anything you run as long as you are respectful.

Fun Facts:

I did PF from 2015-19

I do not like to base my ballot only on disclosure theory or topicality, so you shouldn't make those your only voters.

I do not like when teams try changing the structure (speech times) of the round with theory.

I don't expect you to necessarily run a counter-interp against theory if you don't know how to do that. Just engage with the substance of their theory argument like any other argument.

I will probably tell your first speaker that they went for too much in summary.

I think in summary defense is sticky unless it was frontlined.

The second rebuttal should address the first rebuttal but I will accept responses in second sum as well - just no new turns.

No offensive off-case arguments in the second rebuttal.

Speaker points:

I appreciate funny taglines and puns when they are in good taste.

Yelling / being mean in cross will hurt your speaks.

History: I did PF debate during highschool, debated in the GA circuit and went to many National Circuit tournaments. I have been judging PF for a while now. I have been off the circuit for a little while though, and may not be knowledgeable about recent developments within the last year in regards to PF.

How I evaluate the round: I expect you to extend your arguments throughout the whole round. This means offense from the rebuttal needs to be extended through the Summary and Final Focus for it to be weighed in the round. I also do not like it when teams bring up something from rebuttal in the final focus without extending it through summary (called extending through ink), doing this will likely result in the argument being dropped off my flow.

Argumentation: I expect all arguments to be properly warranted and impacted with supportive evidence to go with it. However, don't just speak off cards.

If you want the argument to be important, then make sure I know that it is important.

Email: willhaynes11@gmail.com

Background: I debated for four years at Spain Park High School in Hoover, AL: national circuit LD my first two years and national circuit PF for the remainder. I recently graduated from Auburn University with a BS in Biomedical Sciences and minors in Spanish and Philosophy. I am currently a first year medical student at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. I spent 4 years coaching and judging PF for Auburn High School, mostly on the local Alabama circuit.

Lincoln-Douglass Paradigm

I typically judge PF, but as I stated above, do have experience debating circuit LD. Therefore, I'm pretty flexible when it comes to how you would like to debate. Traditional is probably your safest bet, but I'm not going to disregard your arguments because they are too progressive. Just recognize that since I am a PF coach, I may not evaluate all of your arguments in the same way as an LD circuit judge would.

Flow/Speed: I am a standard flow judge. I can tolerate a brisk pace, but please do not spread.

Theory: I'm good with anything you would like to run. Competing interps>reasonability

K's: I don't particularly like K's. I'm most sympathetic to K's that are using the round to make structural change within the debate community.

Framework: Feel free to run any fun/interesting/non-standard criterions as long as you provide solid justifications.

Public Forum Paradigm

Flow/Speed: I am a typical flow judge. In rebuttals and summaries, please make it clear what argument you're responding to. All turns must be addressed in the following speech, so if you are the second speaker, and your opponent makes a case turn in their rebuttal, you must address it in your rebuttal or else it is dropped. Frontlining can be done in either the rebuttal or summary. I can flow 8/10 on speed. Do not spread. The summary and final focus must be consistent.

Evidence: I will call for cards at the end of the round if I am unclear on the intentions of the author or I have reason to believe it is mis-cut. I will not call for evidence due to washes or lack of weighing.

Crossfire: I do not flow new arguments in crossfire, nor does it have any effect in how I judge the round unless someone is rude, in which case I will deduct speaker points.

Framework: I default to CBA unless another empirically justified framework is offered at the top of the constructive. I enjoy a good framework debate, so do not hesitate to propose a deontological value.

Offense: Under CBA, I only weigh quantifiable and empirically justified impacts as offense. If you do not quantify, there is no objective way for me to compare impacts at the end of the debate.

Fiat: If the resolution is framed in terms of a moral obligation (should, ought ect.), then I judge the debate based off the costs/benefits of the resolution actually taking effect. Therefore, I do not evaluate feasibility claims that have to do with the inabilities of laws or policies to pass through Congress or any other governmental actor unless I am provided with compelling analytical justifications for doing so.

Theory: I believe theory is the best way to correct abuse in a debate round. It is much easier for me to flow theory if it is run in the standard format (A: Interpretation, B: Violation, C:Standards, D:Voters), but I am fine with paragraph theory as long as it is clear and well justified.

Kritiks: I very rarely vote for them, mainly just because I don't believe PF is the most conducive for such arguments so just keep that in mind before you take that risk.

Presumption: In the event that the round ends up with a wash, I will default to the first speaking team.

Experience/Background: I coached at Columbus HS from 2013-2021, primarily Public Forum, and now coach at Carrollton HS (2021-present). I did not debate in high school or college, but I have been coaching and judging PF, a little LD, and IEs since 2013, both locally (Georgia) and on the national circuit, including TOC and NSDA Nationals. I spent several years (2017-2022) as a senior staff member with Summit Debate and previously led labs at Emory (2016-2019).

Judging Preferences:

If you have specific questions about me as a judge that are not answered below (or need clarification), please feel free to ask them. Some general guidelines and answers to frequently asked questions are below:

1. Speed: I can flow a reasonably fast speed when I'm at the top of my game, but I am human. If it's late in the day/tournament, I am likely tired, and my capacity for speed drops accordingly. I will not be offended if you ask me about this before the round. For online rounds, I prefer that you speak at a more moderate speed. I will tell you "clear" if I need you to slow down. If I am flowing on paper, you should err on the slower side of speed than if I am flowing on my laptop.

2. Signposting and Roadmaps: Signposting is good. Please do it. It makes my job easier. Off-time roadmaps aren't really needed if you're just going "their case, our case", but do give a roadmap if there's a more complex structure to your speech.

3. Consistency of Arguments/Making Decisions: Anything you expect me to vote on should be in summary and final focus. Defense is not "sticky" -- meaning you cannot extend it from rebuttal to final focus. Please weigh. I love voters in summary, but I am fine if you do a line-by-line summary.

4. Prep (in-round and pre-round): Please pre-flow before you enter the round. Monitor your own prep time. If you and your opponents want to time each other to keep yourselves honest, go for it. Do not steal prep time - if you have called for a card and your opponents are looking for it, you should not be writing/prepping unless you are also running your prep time. (If a tournament has specific rules that state otherwise, I will defer to tournament policy.) On that note, have your evidence ready. It should not take you longer than 20-30 seconds to pull up a piece of evidence when asked. If you delay the round by taking forever to find a card, your speaker points will probably reflect it.

5. Overviews in second rebuttal: In general, I think a short observation or weighing mechanism is probably more okay than a full-fledged contention that you're trying to sneak in as an "overview". Tread lightly.

6. Frontlines: Second speaking team should answer turns and frontline in rebuttal. I don't need a 2-2 split, but I do think you need to address the speech that preceded yours.

7. Theory, Kritiks, and Progressive Arguments: I prefer not judging theory debates. Strongly prefer not judging theory debates. If you are checking back against a truly abusive practice, I will listen to and evaluate the argument. If you are using theory/Ks/etc. in a way intended to overwhelm/intimidate an opponent who has no idea what's going on, I am not going to respond well to that.

8. Crossfire: I do not flow crossfire. If it comes up in cross and you expect it to serve a role in my decision-making process, I expect you to bring it up in a later speech.

9. Speaker points: I basically never give 30s, so you should not expect them from me. My range is usually from 28-29.7.

I am a parent of two children that have competed in PF (for Grady High School) over the last three years. I'm relatively new to judging, but have been presenting and viewing presentations for years, so have a good sense for what could serve you well in your future professional lives.

I have a business/consulting background, so I appreciate brevity and clarity. Please give me at least a few seconds background on what you're going to do, whether it's stating the case, putting into "layman's terms" if the topic is at all complex, or just giving me a "head's up" on what to expect. I recognize that there are time constraints, but please don't speed through your points so quickly that I can't even understand you. Summarize your points if you have time.

Also, don't be a jerk (which includes condescension) to your competitors.

Most importantly, try to have fun!

I debated for 4 years in high school and I would consider myself technical.

I need understandable evidence shown and clearly told to me in almost all instances to be able to flow an argument to your side. Though I will take logical arguments if the concepts are well known and make sense to link into the debate.

I try to judge based off of evidence that is said in speeches, and not flow arguments that only show up in crossfire. Make sure if there is something important said in crossfire make sure it said in the following speech!

Being able to clearly understand what I'm voting for throughout the round is also important, it makes it easier for me to put on my flow what you are advocating for and why. So voters or however you feel comfortable presenting it to me helps me see the round a lot clearer.

I would also prefer if during the speeches for debaters to not spread their speeches, because i'm not the greatest getting everything that you will say, and because of that it may confuse me how your case is structured.

Preferences for crossfire, I would like debaters to stand if they can and face me while asking questions so that the crossfire doesn't get as "heated" or personal.

I will be judging mostly based on evidence to back your arguments up and will understand and try to weigh logical arguments against something your opponent says, if possible. Though usually you will need evidence of this logic working before or something along those lines.

I also will be judging non-biased as possible, and when I weigh I usually weigh human lives over everything else. Because disregard of a lot of human lives is almost never worth a "little bit" of money.

I need understandable evidence shown and clearly told to me in almost all instances to be able to flow an argument to your side.

I did public forum debate on the national circuit during my time in high school. I hate the evidence debate, clearly your evidence says one thing and your opponents says another so don't spend your time talking about it.  Debate is supposed to be educational, so tell me logically why your evidence makes more sense than your opponents.  Avoid getting too heated in crossfire cause I will zone you out if you start yelling. 

I debated both PF and LD for two years in high school. I primarily debated Public Forum, and work more with that as a coach. In high school, I won the state Championship for LD.

PF Paradigms:

Try to focus on the actual meat of the debate. Many debaters get caught up on some small aspect of their bigger arguments and forget that there are many other things to be said. I hate feeling like there could have been an amazing debate, but leaving disappointed.

Because I was an LD debater, I can flow a good 8 on the 1-10 scale, however, I was a traditional Public Forum debater, and in a PF round, I want a PF debate. Spreading in PF will not be to your advantage- trust me, I know you have a lot you want to say, but you will go a lot further in convincing me if you talk to me instead of at me.

Tell me where you are going in the beginning of your speech, and stick to it. 

My biggest pet peeve is when people do not stick to the final focus guidelines.

LD Paradigms:

I love a good K, unfortunately, I never see them. If you have one please do not hesitate to use it in my round.

As I said above, I can handle an 8 on the scale of 1-10. However, if you see me during a round and I'm not flowing you, it means you are going too fast for me. Don't be afraid to slow down and hit your best points the hardest. 

That being said, I am familiar with maybe half of the terms in LD. I primarily work with Public Forum students and have competed the most in PF as well. If there is a term you use that you know many people don't know, explain it to me because I probably don't either.

Do not bully your opponent. I have always seen this happen the most in LD and I don't know why, but you lose a lot of credibility if you attack your opponent rather than their points. 

College student judge. Recently graduated from SMHS. 

Hi all,

I am a parent judge, but I have been judging PF for middle school kids last few years. I am open to hearing all types of arguments.

Prefer to vote for teams that demonstrate these qualities: a) better analysis and impact calculus b) speaks clearly c) direct clash and d) solid evidence and arguments

Keep your emotions under control.

Please respect each other and make it as fun debate.

Jeffrey Miller

Current Coach -- Marist School (2011-present)
Lab Leader -- National Debate Forum (2015-present), Emory University (2016), Dartmouth College (2014-2015), University of Georgia (2012-2015)
Former Coach -- Fayette County (2006-2011), Wheeler (2008-2009)
Former Debater -- Fayette County (2002-2006)

jmill126@gmail.com and maristpublicforum@gmail.com for email chains, please (no google doc sharing and no locked google docs)

Last Updated -- 2/12/2012 for the 2022 Postseason (no major updates, just being more specific on items)

I am a high school teacher who believes in the power that speech and debate provides students. There is not another activity that provides the benefits that this activity does. I am involved in topic wording with the NSDA and argument development and strategy discussion with Marist, so you can expect I am coming into the room as an informed participant about the topic. As your judge, it is my job to give you the best experience possible in that round. I will work as hard in giving you that experience as I expect you are working to win the debate. I think online debate is amazing and would not be bothered if we never returned to in-person competitions again. For online debate to work, everyone should have their cameras on and be cordial with other understanding that there can be technical issues in a round.

What does a good debate look like?

In my opinion, a good debate features two well-researched teams who clash around a central thesis of the topic. Teams can demonstrate this through a variety of ways in a debate such as the use of evidence, smart questioning in cross examination and strategical thinking through the use of casing and rebuttals. In good debates, each speech answers the one that precedes it (with the second constructive being the exception in public forum). Good debates are fun for all those involved including the judge(s).

The best debates are typically smaller in nature as they can resolve key parts of the debate. The proliferation of large constructives have hindered many second halves as they decrease the amount of time students can interact with specific parts of arguments and even worse leaving judges to sort things out themselves and increasing intervention.

What role does theory play in good debates?

I've always said I prefer substance over theory. That being said, I do know theory has its place in debate rounds and I do have strong opinions on many violations. I will do my best to evaluate theory as pragmatically as possible by weighing the offense under each interpretation. For a crash course in my beliefs of theory - disclosure is good, open source is an unnecessary standard for high school public forum teams until a minimum standard of disclosure is established, paraphrasing is bad, round reports is frivolous, content warnings for graphic representations is required, content warnings over non-graphic representations is debatable.

All of this being said, I don't view myself as an autostrike for teams that don't disclose or paraphrase. However, I've judged enough this year to tell you if you are one of those teams and happen to debate someone with thoughts similar to mine, you should be prepared with answers.

How do "progressive" arguments work in good debates?

Like I said above, arguments work best when they are in the context of the critical thesis of the topic. Thus, if you are reading the same cards in your framing contention from the Septober topic that have zero connections to the current topic, I think you are starting a up-hill battle for yourselves. I have not been entirely persuaded with the "pre-fiat" implications I have seen this year - if those pre-fiat implications were contextualized with topic literature, that would be different.

My major gripe with progressive debates this year has been a lack of clash. Saying "structural violence comes first" doesn't automatically mean it does or that you win. These are debatable arguments, please debate them. I am also finding that sometimes the lack of clash isn't a problem of unprepared debaters, but rather there isn't enough time to resolve major issues in the literature. At a minimum, your evidence that is making progressive type claims in the debate should never be paraphrased and should be well warranted. I have found myself struggling to flow framing contentions that include four completely different arguments that should take 1.5 minutes to read that PF debaters are reading in 20-30 seconds (Read: your crisis politics cards should be more than one line).

How should evidence exchange work?

Evidence exchange in public forum is broken. At the beginning of COVID, I found myself thinking cases sent after the speech in order to protect flowing. However, my view on this has shifted. A lot of debates I found myself judging last season had evidence delays after case. At this point, constructives should be sent immediately prior to speeches. (If you paraphrase, you should send your narrative version with the cut cards in order). At this stage in the game, I don't think rebuttal evidence should be emailed before but I imagine that view will shift with time as well. When you send evidence to the email chain, I prefer a cut card with a proper citation and highlighting to indicate what was read. Cards with no formatting or just links are as a good as analytics.

For what its worth, whenever I return to in-person tournaments, I do expect email chains to continue.

What effects speaker points?

I am trying to increase my baseline for points as I've found I'm typically below average. Instead of starting at a 28, I will try to start at a 28.5 for debaters and move accordingly. Argument selection, strategy choices and smart crossfires are the best way to earn more points with me. You're probably not going to get a 30 but have a good debate with smart strategy choices, and you should get a 29+.

This only applies to tournaments that use a 0.1 metric -- tournaments that are using half points are bad.

I'm what my students call "flay." Be nice, be logical, speak clearly. I don’t like excessive terminology.

Hello Everyone! I am Thanigs Muthu,

I am a parent judge who has been judging PFD for about 4 years now. I am familiar with some debate language as in weighing, collapsing, etc.

If you would like to email me any speech docs, evidence, or just information you can email it to thanigz@gmail.com

I flow all rounds and I judge based on content, information, ethic, and effective presentation.

I am not educated on this topic; however, I do not bring in personal bias to the round.

I can understand relatively fast speaking but I do not mind a lay/flay round, but please do not spread because I will have trouble following the round and do not go tech.

I expect for everyone to use all your time, and use it efficiently. I will be timing all the rounds and the prep time used, but you guys can also time yourself if you would like.

You guys can go ahead and ask for evidence cards during the appropriate time. I appreciate asking evidence to disprove a card or showing how your card is better. I like statistics and numbers to be used.

In the very end of the round if you would like verbal feedback I will be more than happy to give you some, otherwise they will be on the ballot.

Good luck to everyone, and I am looking forward to see everyone doing their best!

I did PF in high school and I am now a senior in college, do with that information what you will. Please add mirandahopenutt@gmail.com and maristpublicforum@gmail.com to the email chain. This should be started in the tech time. Please include at least the cases and call the email chain something like "Grapevine Round 1 - Marist VL vs Marist HN."

The basics:

- I hate paraphrasing, please cut cards. I think it's bad for the activity, 9/10 times is misrepresentation, and high schoolers are less informed than the academics they are citing. I won't drop you for paraphrasing, but please make it abundantly clear where you pulled your argument from the text. (If it is clear, you could have saved yourself and everyone else a whole lot of time by just reading the card in the first place)

- I will vote on the most cleanly extended and well weighed argument in the round.

- Respond to first rebuttal in second rebuttal please (your speaker points will reflect whether you did). I will not evaluate new defense in second summary on offense dropped by the second rebuttal.

- Make sure your extensions of arguments are extensions of the entire argument. Saying "extend the Jones '12 turn" in summary is not sufficient for you to go for that turn in final focus, for example.

- I will evaluate theory, k's, etc., but I prefer debates on the topic. This is simply because I feel that I am much better at judging debates on the topic. So, if you choose to read these arguments go for it, but understand that I need you to explain exactly how they should influence my ballot.

I did PF for three years at Columbus High School and am now a junior at Emory University. Im probably not very different than any standard flow judge. For specifics:

1. I try to vote on whatever offense is cleanest in the round, whether it be dropped turns or something from case. This basically just means that the easiest way to get my ballot is collapsing and weighing as early as possible.

2. I like consistency between summary and final focus, so if you plan on going heavily for something in ff, structure the summary accordingly. I'm not against 1st speaking teams extending defense from rebuttal to final assuming that it's explained well in rebuttal, but I still prefer to hear it in summary.

3. I'm not receptive to long offensive overviews in rebuttal that are basically new contentions and am very unlikely to vote on them. Second rebuttal should also address offense from 1st rebuttal - defense can be responded to in summary, but like responding earlier is still probably better

4. I don't care about speed, go as fast as you want as long as you're clear. I don't flow author names typically, so please don't extend just names.

5. for speaks: big fan of being funny and signposting. dont steal prep.

6. preflow before round!!!

* Quality of argumentation

* I don't like people getting angry, personal, or condescending during debate

I am a parent judge - 2020-2021 was my twins' final year as high school debaters, and I usually judged at almost every tournament, so I have been lucky enough to see a bunch of really great rounds. I typically judged PF, but have also judged a fair amount of LD.

I am looking for a DEBATE - not just the best speeches. I will give the win to the team that makes the most compelling case as to why their side is right and/or the opponent is wrong. I tend not to flow every specific point, but rely more on which team's overall argument is stronger. I probably put more weight on cross-ex and final summary arguments than most judges.

I usually am more convinced by a smaller number of really great points that are well defended than a whole bunch of pretty good points (quality of argument versus quantity). I am also looking for the debaters to pay attention to what their opponent says and specifically give a good counter argument to those points.

I competed in public forum for my final three years and policy debate for my first at Carrollton High School and did so on the national scene. Currently I'm a student at the University of Georgia and make it out of "retirement" about once or twice a year for judging purposes. I only became aware of the necessity of having a posted Paradigm roughly an hour before they were due, so a lot of this was borrowed from a High School teammate of mine also judging at this tournament.

As far as judging goes, I can follow almost any speed of presentation, but given this is Public forum I would prefer to hear either emphasis or line by line analysis when your most important arguments are being given or compared to. I want voters broken down and made clear during summary and continued on through the final focus. Please don't try to bring up new arguments in summary or FF that weren't extended in prior speeches. I don't care about sitting or standing so long as all participants agree and are doing the same thing.

The following was taken word for word from Pate Duncan, but will hold completely true in my rounds as well.

"I grew increasingly disillusioned with the state of PF debate during my last few years of high school as it pertained to the use of cards. Let me be clear: I will not judge the round based on just a single card. Cards exist to support your arguments, and I want the team with the best evidenced, most logical, most elegant argument to win, and repeatedly reminding me of this one single card that you have that works as a "magic bullet" will not win the round with me."

Other than that I am open to any and all arguments as long as they are well warranted and supported with your evidence. If something important comes up in cross, make sure to mention it in your speech as I won't give ground on the flow for something only mentioned during crsx. Good luck to all, and if you have any questions prior to, during, or after your round I will be more than happy to answer them in as much depth as necessary.

BACKGROUND

I'd say an unique route lead me to high school speech/debate. Started off as an attorney in Florida, but numerous circumstances led me to teaching in 2011. I'm now Carrollton High School's Assistant Speech/Debate Coach. I've watched a lot of rounds (LD and PF), but I'm still learning.

FRAMEWORK

It's important. Don't abandon it. That being said, in LD I don't need a million sources on values/criterion/observations that say the same thing. Also, not every word in the resolution needs to be defined unless this will be critical to assumptions made in the round (kritik). I prefer substantive debate. Also, I'm used to GA LD cases being set up with value, criterion, contentions, but I can still other case formats. For PF, if you you want me to evaluate framework, make sure you extend it throughout the round and explain why it is more important than the oppositions.

EVIDENCE

Preparing blocks with quality evidence is crucial to a good debate. Also, don't forget warrant and impact for every claim. In the instance of direct evidence clash (or even analytical argumentation clash) tell me why to prioritize your evidence over theirs or your line of thinking over theirs. Otherwise, I will consider the whole thing a wash and find something else to vote on.

THEORY SHELLS/PERFORMANCE/Ks

Sometimes debaters ask me how I feel about this. I'm open to all forms of good debate. Please reserve theory for genuinely abusive arguments or positions which leave one side no ground. Running theory is asking me as the judge in intervene in the round, and I will only do so if I deem it appropriate.

EVALUATING THE ROUND

Please give voters/impacts in summary (LD) and final focus (PF) to narrow round down to crucial areas. If argument was dropped, tell me how/why important to the round instead of "well they dropped it, so flow the argument to me." Also, please signpost/road map. I like a nice organized flow and don't like getting bounced around. Finally, I do evaluate statements made in cross.

PROCEDURE

Speed/spreading is fine unless lack of breath support/stammering over words is distracting. Speed is fine, but clarity is important. As far as sitting/standing, I would prefer you stand, except debaters in PF grand cross.

CIVILITY

Please don't be rude to your opponent. You all are very smart, but smart doesn't entitle you to talk to people way you feel like. You can be polite and firm/assertive at the same time. Also, I will stop a debater for making any discriminatory remarks.

DISCLOSURE/FEEDBACK

I usually disclose, but sometimes I like to sit alone with my flow after the round and write out a thorough reason for decision and provide clear written feedback rather than oral. I promise to be thorough and apologize if this is not your preference.

FINAL THOUGHTS

I'll close with guaranteeing that I will always give you my absolute focus and best efforts to flow well so my decision will be based on my flow and not any personal bias. I look forward to being your judge today:)

- I consider myself a tabula rasa judge

- I will not flow or weigh anything in cross; if you extract a concession or something important, please bring it up in a speech

- Speed is fine but please speak loud and clear; slow down/emphasize for card author/year and important statistics/facts

- I'm fine with complex arguments, theory, etc.

- You can email me at gabe.smith@vikings.berry.edu

Hello Debaters! I have experience in the debate community judging since 2016! I debated PF at Grovetown High School from 2014-2016, and now teach English at Riverwood High School!

I mostly judge PF:

1. Please speak at a pace where I and the opposing team can understand you.
2. Do not assume that I know all the lingo of the resolved. (ex: random treaties, random signed government documents) Please explain when something has been abbreviated.
3. I do not need an off-time road map. If you need to jot one down on your paper for your organizational purposes, cool, but it has no use to me as I am writing down literally everything you are saying, and do not need the order your speech goes in, unless you are just telling me that you are just explaining that the speech has one purpose (ex Impacts).
4. Please. Look. At. Each. Other. During. Cross. Not. Me. It’s. Weird. You’re arguing and questioning each other. It’s not a speech, It's a time to question each other!!
5. Please take prep time when reading another opponent's evidence.
6. Please do not give me the impact of POVERTY. Debaters usually try to link some huge world problem in the resolve with the impact that poverty is the end all-be-all, and is the worst thing ever. Global poverty is a systemic issue that people cannot help as it is an effect of systemic racism, capitalism, etc. Poverty is the reality of many inside and outside of the debate community, and you never know what someone is carrying into a round with on their back. I have seen this impact so over used and incorrectly used in the past years it has been harmful to me as a judge. This is a complex issue that 14-18 year olds cannot solve, and is usually only given harmful, exacerbated solutions to, therefore I no longer want to hear about it.
7. I will generally base speaker points on rhetorical skill rather than argumentative technicals.
8. Constantly tell me why I should vote for you. In other words, weigh impacts and extend your arguments. Please don't just repeat your contentions for every segment.
9. Debate should be a fun, enjoyable and equitable experience for all parties involved. If I hear students making discriminatory comments towards other teams or arguments discriminating others I will report you to the tournament leader and your coach, and have you pulled from the tournament. You are representing your school, your community, and your family when you are at these events. This is bigger than you.
10. If I close my eyes or look to the side while you are speaking during your speech, I am trying to focus and listen. I have combined type-ADHD, and I am just trying to SUPER FOCUS on the WORDS YOU ARE SAYING!! PF has so much info, I don't wanna miss a second!! Please do not take offense!

11. I prefer not to be included on email chains. If I need to see a piece of evidence that is called into question, I will look at it for myself.

12. Please, use your manners and let each team finish speaking during the crossfire. Let each other finish the question and talking. It's rude to treat your opposing team like that. Use your southern manners Y'all.
13. Give me a second while I am entering a round for the first time to set up everything. I be carrying junk around in my bag.
14. Please extend arguments and impacts in your summary and Final Focus, I understand it can be tempting to summerize your contentions. The other team and I listened to the whole hour plus of debate too, tell me how your contentions still stand and WHY! Give me impacts of those contentions. WHY THEY MATTER!!

15. I disclose after every round because I hate typing. :)

If you have any questions, feel free to email me at storyariel@gmail.com

See you out there! Happy Debating!

Affilliation: Vestavia Hills

I've judged for PF. I use to be be a PF and CX debater. 

Most important thing I'm looking for is the content of the arguments and impact arguments. Not a huge fan of Kritik arguments. I'm fine with people going faster than normal talking/PF speed but please don't use policy debate speed/spread- just be clear.   

Parent judge. Have been judging for 3+ years.

Paradigm:

I favor logical, well articulated and; persuasive delivery over speed and overly passionate delivery.

Evidence - if a card is weak, out of context or too good to be true, call it out and challenge it. If you leave it uncontested, you are missing an opportunity.

Crossfire - questions/challenges left answered/uncontested counts in the opponents favor.

Delivery:

No personal attacks, no yelling. Be assertive but not aggressive.

Speak clearly and persuasively. Content is more important than speed.

Respect time. When time is up, don't pile on 50 words to make a point. These will be discarded.

About Myself

I'm a parent judge from Starr's Mill. I started judging PF during the 2015-2016 school year.

Preferences

Some speed is okay, but if your arguments don't stand out because they're buried in verbiage, I won't weigh them. (As other judges have noted, "quality not quantity.") When you refer to your evidence, your initial reference should give some context other than the author's name. You have thoroughly researched the topic, but I haven't, so "the Smith card" means nothing to me.

Be sure to clearly signpost and reiterate your signposting throughout the round. Enunciate when you state your contentions, or they might get lost.

Being passionate about the topic is good, but don't let an overly forceful speaking style detract from your argument.

Please avoid speeches and personal attacks during crossfire. Adhere to the Q&A format.

I will time as well, but please keep track of your own prep time, and clearly indicate to me when you are using it.

How to Get My Ballot

All arguments need to be clearly resolutional. Convey your impacts in specific terms; provide clear justification that is extended throughout the round. I'm more impressed with solid offense than clever defense.

I realize that flow is part of a PF debate, but don't spend all of your time refuting the other side's case. If your entire final focus attacks the other side's case and I hear no reasons to vote you up, I probably won't.

I debated PF all through high school, coached all through college, and am now coaching at Walt Whitman High School in Maryland. My role in the round is to interpret the world you aim to create, and to that end you should tell me explicitly what it is you are trying to do. I stick to the flow as well as I can.

common question answers:

1. Anything that needs to be on the ballot, needs to be in Final Focus, and anything in final needs to be in summary.

2. The first speaking team should be predicting the offense in first summary that needs to be responded to, and putting defense on it then. This ALSO means that the second speaking team has to frontline in the rebuttal. Any arguments/defense that are not in the First Summary are dropped, and any arguments that are not frontlined in the second rebuttal are dropped.

3. Summary to Final Focus consistency is key, especially in terms of the relevance of arguments, if something is going to be a huge deal, it should be so in both speeches. You're better off using your new 3 minute summary to make your link and impact extensions cleaner than you are packing it full of args.

4. I will call for cards that I think are important, and I will throw them out if they are bad or misrepresented, regardless of if they are challenged in the round. sometimes when two arguments are clashing with little to no analysis, this is the only way to settle it.

As a note, I am pretty hard on evidence, especially as sharing docs is becoming more popular. If you are making an argument, and the evidence is explicitly making a different argument, I won't be able to flow your arg.

Speed is fine, but spreading isn't. I'll evaluate critical arguments if they have a solid link, but they have to link to the topic y'all, so they basically have to be a critical disad.

I evaluate theory if it's needed, but I'm really skeptical of how often that is.

Feel free to ask for anything else you need to know.

You should pre-flow before the start time of the round, that will help your speaks!