8th Annual Robert Garcia Invitational
2018 — Mountain View, CA/US
PF Judges Paradigm List
All Paradigms: Show HideVery stock parent judge. Believe that speaking is as important as debating, thus strong speaking skills will be rewarded with good speaker points. I try my best to take notes but I’m no expert at flowing. My son does debate and I try to listen in on the arguments he talks about. Truth > Tech.
Cross Ex is a really easy way to win my ballot. If you can poke holes in your opponents arguments whilst clearly and strategically explaining your own arguments I will appreciate it and it makes my job easier. I pay attention to all of the cross exes.
Please don’t spread or even speak too fast. It is important that you know how to speak in a organized but also realistic manner. Spreading means I can’t understand and thus I can’t take note of your arguments.
Impact calculus probably makes judging easier. Even if you’re losing an argument but you can prove why the ones you are winning are more important I will vote for you. These usually sound like “Even if you buy their arguments on economic policy, our climate change argument is more important because.......”
49% flow, 51% lay.
The goal of a debate is to convince the judge(s) in person, not necessarily to look better on paper.
If you have amazing points, but stutter a lot or have breaks in your speech, it'll be hard for me to give you the W.
Similarly, if you are speaking fluently but what you say isn't making any sense, I do flow the debate so it probably won't look good either.
Though I prefer claims backed by evidence, analytical arguments will flow through as long as you can defend them and explain why they work.
A bit of humor never hurts.
Best of luck!
I prefer traditional debate. Prefer clarity of content as opposed to volume. Speak slowly. Extend based on tags and author name not just author tags. If you wanted it in Final Focus extend in summary. Evidentiary value matter- author indicts key.
FOR STANFORD 2021 REFER TO: https://www.tabroom.com/index/paradigm.mhtml?judge_person_id=65515
ignore below for Stanford 2021
I have judged for 5 years at HS level. I will be providing detail feedback including who won verbally right after the debate is over.
I care less for speaking style, but focus more on the content and logic. You can use debate jargon as well.
I'm a parent judge, so please go slow. Be sure to weigh arguments to make the decision clear.
I have 5 years of debate experience. I did two years of policy and two years of public forum, and I now do British parliamentary at the University of Laverne. If you make me laugh or smile, I'll be more willing to give you better speaks, but don't fish for votes, make it natural.
I'm good with speed
If you're debating policy try to have some original thoughts, I think the activity becomes boring when all you do is read other people's stuff.
If you have any questions, my email is: colin.coppock@laverne.edu
I am a parent judge. Talk so everybody can understand it.
I am a parent judge and have judged LD and PF for 4 years. I don't like speed or overly complicated arguments.
Don't yell on each other to make your case, be respectful.
Hi. I am a parent judge. My daughter has been debating in PF for the last two years.
Speaking Requirements
- I like speakers who speak very clearly (enunciation) and slowly. Do not speak too fast and emphasize important words.
- I like speakers who speak confidently. If something is important, make sure you make that very clear. Refer to me as judge if you want my attention especially during your speech.
- I like speakers who give eye contact during every speech.
- I also take your body language into consideration.
Content Requirements
- Stay on the topic. I will not vote for you if you go off topic.
- Make your speeches very clear. If your opponents do not respond, make sure to mention that in your next speech.
- Don't be disorganized. In rebuttal or summary, tell me if you're addressing their case or their refutations in crossfire. Also, give me an offtime brief roadmap before the rebuttal, summary, and final focus speeches.
- All of you have to speak in grand cross.
- In final focus, tell me the voter issues (main arguments in today's debate), why you won, why they lost, and why your impact outweighs theirs. The easier you make it for me to know why you won, the more likely you will win.
I am a lay judge, a parent of a current competitor, who has judged for approximately 3 years in public forum and 1 year in lincoln douglas.
Please do not be disrespectful to other competitors and don't interrupt each other during cross-ex, or else I will deduct your speaker points.
I highly value logical reasoning and will vote based on my understanding of your argument.
Occupation: Software Engineer
School Affiliation: Dougherty Valley High School
Years of Judging/Event Types: 2 years, Public Forum
Speaker Points: I award speaker points for clarity, confidence, and the ability to cite evidence (date is preferable if possible). Grand cross can greatly impact your points as it is the last point of direct interaction between the two teams (a.k.a. make sure to participate, do not let your partner do everything)
How to win: Speak clearly and at a comfortable pace so that I can understand your arguments and evaluate them. Take advantage of crossfire. Make sure to prove to me why exactly you are winning the round, especially in the later speeches. Cite all sources used for evidence.
Notes: I try my best to take notes, but I may not write everything down, especially if you go too fast. If something is extremely important (and you want to ensure that I write it down or remember it), make it very clear.
How much I consider certain aspects of the debate (1 is not at all, 5 is somewhat, 10 is considered heavily):
Clothing/Appearance: 1
Use of Evidence: 9
Real world impacts: 5
Cross Examination: 9
Debate skill over truthful arguments: 8
I mainly care about how you are able to prove your points in a certain round, not which arguments they are (I vote based on debater skill). With that being said, the arguments you read should be corroborated with evidence.
LIVE LIFE!
Be concise.
Phone - 5108283268
Email - paul.lee@gmail.com
I am a traditional judge and have judged primarily LD for 4 years. I will award speaker points based on your speed, clarity, and overall presentation of your arguments. I like off time road maps and a moderate-to-slow speaking speed, and I make decisions based on your impacts, links, and the offense provided on your opponents cases. Make sure you weigh impacts throughout the debate and extend all your arguments clearly. Make sure warrants are clearly explained, don't just read your cards and expect me to do the analysis for you. In your rebuttals, you should clearly explain why I should give you the ballot. I will be flowing as well as taking notes throughout the debate and will do my best to make fair and reasonable decisions.
As to my weighting of certain aspects of debate:
Use of evidence-7, evidence is always preferred, but some arguments that are fairly obvious are ok to have analytics as support. Don’t just read out cards without any explanation or analysis though.
Real World Impacts-9, It is very important to have substantial and important impacts. This doesn’t mean that only war and extinction are the only important ones; just make sure you explain the importance of each impact in respect to timeframe, probability, or magnitude.
Cross examination-6, be clear, concise, and confident. However do not be rude or demeaning or I will dock speaks. Be strategic and bring up important points during your speech since I won’t flow cross.
Debate Skill over truthful arguments-5, you must have poise and confidence while debating, however your arguments must be well warranted. There must be a balance between the two skills.
Overall Notes- Do not read any theory, Ks, or T during round. Plans or value debate are good. Be kind and respectful during your debate, this is something people do to have fun and learn and I will not vote you up if you endanger this environment with rudeness.
I am a parent judge and this is my 3rd year judging PF. I accept evidence by cards as well as logic and analysis. I prefer you provide me with a roadmap before the speech so I can follow each of your arguments and their supporting evidence. Reiterate your arguments in summary and final focus and weigh. Tell me what's the most important issue in the round of debate and why I should vote for you in your FF. If your opponent brings up new argument(s) in summary or final focus and you want me to ignore, please point it out for me. Time yourselves.
I award speaker points based on how well I can understand you. So please speak with clarity and deliver in a pace that a lay judge can comprehend. Do not use debate jargon because you risk not being understood.
Good luck and have fun!
I competed in PF for four years at Harker and am now a sophomore at Stanford. I'll flow all speeches in the round.
I evaluate framework and overviews first. I like it when debaters tell me what types of impacts are most important and how I should evaluate impacts. It helps you organize and helps me better understand where you’re going. It also improves your narrative.
I’ll only vote on voters and issues that are in the final focus. Don’t extend through ink (and if your opponents do that, please extend defense). I don't need the first summary to extend defense if it is not covered by the second rebuttal. Ideally, every voter at the end of the round should be packaged with three things: frontlines, extension of impacts, and weighing of those impacts. Please extend warrants where they are logically required for the impacts you are going for. Be strategic and don't go for everything.
I award speaker points based on how you speak in speeches and how you conduct crossfire, but content trumps style (rigorous argumentation beats pretty speaking). Speed is maybe ok if you’re clear and look out for non-verbal cues. Only do speed if you can manage to avoid sacrificing clarity and quality of argumentation. I also like getting an off-time road map (think about including things like where I should flow overview arguments, which contentions you might frontline in second rebuttal, or breaking down how you’ll attack a one-contention case).
Here are some situations in which I'll intervene:
1. I'll call for evidence if it is disputed in-round, or if there are 2 clashing pieces of evidence that are both extended and not weighed. Don't misrepresent evidence; I may drop the debater if I think the offense is grave.
2. If you don't weigh your impacts against your opponents', then I'm free to make my own conclusions about which ones matter more.
3. If you are blatantly offensive, I'll drop your speaker points and may drop you.
4. Theory is ok to check egregious abuse, though I've noticed that I usually have to do a decent amount of work to vote on it.
5. I'm never entirely sure what to do when critically important internal contradictions arise... so just avoid it
As a side note, regardless of the tournament rules, I will be a bit annoyed if you insist on no spectators in the room (or take any other action that shamelessly puts competition and education at odds). The educational value of watching others debate is immense. We come to exchange ideas, not to withhold them, and this is the part of the activity I have always loved.
Finally, if you have any questions, feel free to ask. If you're confused about my RFD after the round, I would rather you discuss it with me than to leave feeling dissatisfied; I always grew the most as a debater when I lost rounds.
Good luck!
I prefer moderate speed. I vote for clear speaking and convincing arguments.
I have about 6 years of speech and debate judging experience as a parent judge.
I look at good presentation and persuasion skills. Speed is fine to a certain extent but should not be too fast.
In addition I decide based on how well you formulate policy and present the plan with advantages and disadvantages of your plan or counter plan.
Otherwise, I am open to all types of styles and arguments and fairly easy going.
Here's my background:
Occupation: CS and engineering
School Affiliation: Dougherty Valley
Judging Experience: I have judged public forum for 4 years.
Speaker points: 27.5 is an average debater. I award 29s and up for very good speakers.
I evaluate rounds based on the clarity of the argument and your extension throughout the debate. I won't vote on arguments that don't make logical sense or are simply untrue. You need to explain your arguments in simple words in the summary and final focus so I can follow the clash of the debate and accurately understand the debate.
I do flow debates to an extent although it might not be like a coach or debater. However I will be taking notes throughout the debate to see what has been extended by the end.
Other things - ranked from 1-5 on how important they are for me:
Clothing/Appearance: 1
Use of Evidence: 5
Real World Impacts: 5
Cross examination: 3
Debate skill over truthful arguments: 4
I have been judging High school PF for more than a year. My rules are simple, but I have been and will be a tough judge.
1- you need to have strong conviction on your story or claim
2- you need to sell me on your argument (easier if #1 above holds good)
3- your speech has to be coherent and connecting various ideas being presented
Beginning Speech -
I generally look for contentions directly related to the original resolution being asked for. The contentions have to show clear establishment of the position should layout the framework as to how they support the resolution or the negation that-of. I'd like to see at least 1 evidence per claim that will stand up even if challenged.
Crossfire and Argumentation -
I'd like to see teams challenge each other and defend their own vigorously, going to the core of the contentions, I'd like to see teams being able challenge every one of other's ideas, and counter them with evidence and data of their own. They have to be related to the argument presented and not way off. If a point goes unchallenged throughout, I will assume that you agree to that contention.
Summary Speech -
Tie this back to the original set of contentions and basis. no new ideas or evidence (unless discussed during CX), no straying of positions. plus points for those who expose inconsistencies or flaws in opponent's stories or facts (which means you paid attention to detail).
Speaker points -
Like I said, I am a tough judge and do not go generally beyond 28, unless you are exceptional. To go past that, you really need to show exceptional/extraordinary vocal skills, ideas, preparation and delivery. You do not normally get there without years of preparation. Also, as a general rule, only 5% and above are in the exceptional category. If you did reasonably well, then you can expect anywhere between 25-28.
Good Luck and Happy Debating!
I am a lay judge. I have been judging PF for 4 years (since my daughter entered high school). Some things to keep in mind:
1. Please do not speak fast. If I do not catch your argument, I cannot vote on it.
2. Please do not assume I know everything about the topic. Define any relevant terms and don't use acronyms without telling me what they mean first.
3. Please be polite during round, especially during cross fire. I will drop you if you are excessively rude.
4. I will vote on clear impacts and a convincing narrative. Historical precedent and logical, simple arguments are effective.
Good luck!
Competed in PF for 3 years, coach PF/LD in the summer, have judged PF/LD/Policy.
Make the round as easy to understand as possible. For me, the outcome of the round is usually pretty clear after flowign the rebuttals. The sum/FF basically tie it all up and lay out very clearly who should win.
If you do MUN I will vote against you
Hey, my name is Kevin Ozomaro; I am a communication graduate student and graduate assistant coach at the University of the Pacific. Before my time at UOP, I competed for Delta college and CSU Sacramento, where I competed in parli and LD debate. That being said, most of my debate knowledge is geared towards LD debate. That doesn't mean I don't understand parli; it just means that I'm more comfortable with arguments commonly found in LD. I've coached debate at all levels, from k-12 to college. I have learned a lot over my time in forensics, but that doesn't mean I know everything! If you are reading something that a communication grad student wouldn't understand at 500 words a minute, maybe you shouldn't read it or slow down and explain it to me. Below are some basics to how I view and judge debate.
NPTE People:
Low pref if:
1. you like K affs that are confusing( Sunbutthole K, pretty much any racist shittt)
2. You think condo or not condo is the most important thing in the world. Yes I'm from UOP but I don't care mannnn
3. you think reject is a great alt
High pref if:
1. Afro anything K / identity K
2. neolib K
3. Heg debate/ or militarism or militarization
4. not a fan of spreading
The Basics: because I know you don't want to read...
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In NFA-LD Post AFFs you have run on the case list or I get grumpy (https://nfald.paperlessdebate.com/)
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Use speechdrop.net to share files in NFA-LD and Policy Debate rounds
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NOTE: If you are paper only you should have a copy for me and your opponent. Otherwise you will need to debate at a slower conversational pace so I can flow all your edv. arguments. (I'm fine with faster evidence reading if I have a copy or you share it digitally)
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I'm fine with the a little bit of speed in NFA-LD and Parli but keep it reasonable or I might miss something.
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Procedurals / theory are fine but articulate the abuse
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I prefer policy-making to K debate. You should probably not run most Ks in front of me.
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I default to net-benefits criteria unless you tell me otherwise
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Tell me why you win.
- If you are rude I will drop you. Its kinda simple don't be a butthole. Examples are not slowing and spreading someone out of the round.
General Approach to Judging:
I really enjoy good clash in the round. I want you to directly tear into each other's arguments (with politeness and respect). From there you need to make your case to me. What arguments stand and what am I really voting on. If at the end of the round I'm looking at a mess of untouched abandoned arguments I'm going to be disappointed.
Organization: is very important to me. Please road map and tell me where you are going. I can deal with you bouncing around—if necessary—but please let me know where we are headed and where we are at. Clever tag-lines help too. As a rule I do not time road maps.
I like to see humor and wit in rounds. This does not mean you can/should be nasty or mean to each other. Avoid personal attacks unless there is clearly a spirit of joking goodwill surrounding them. If someone gets nasty with you, stay classy and trust me to punish them for it.
If the tournament prefers that we not give oral critiques before the ballot has been turned in I won't. If that is not the case I will as long as we are running on schedule. I'm always happy to discuss the round at some other time during the tournament.
Kritiques: I'm probably not the judge you want to run most K's in front of. In most formats of debate, I don't think you can unpack the lit and discussion to do it well. If you wish to run Kritical arguments I'll attempt to evaluate them as fairly as I would any other argument in the round.I have not read every author out there and you should not assume anyone in the round has. Make sure you thoroughly explain your argument. Educate us as you debate. You should probably go slower with these types of positions as they may be new to me, and i'm very unlikely to comprehend a fast kritik. If I can't understand the K I will not vote on it, doesn't matter if it goes dropped if I have zero idea what is going on I will not vote on it. That goes for both K affs and neg K's.
I will also mention that I'm not a fan of this memorizing evidence/cards thing in parli. If you don't understand a critical/philosophical standpoint enough to explain it in your own words, then you might not want to run it in front of me.
Weighing: Please tell me why you are winning. Point to the impact level of the debate. Tell me where to look on my flow. I like overviews and clear voters in the rebuttals. The ink on my flow (or pixels if I'm in a laptop mood) is your evidence. Why did you debate better in this round? Do some impact calculus and show me why you won.
Speed: Keep it reasonable. In parli speed tends to be a mistake, but you can go a bit faster than conversational with me if you want. That being said; make sure you are clear, organized and are still making good persuasive arguments. If you can't do that and go fast, slow down. If someone calls clear…please do so. If someone asks you to slow down please do so. Badly done speed can lead to me missing something on the flow. I'm pretty good if I'm on my laptop, but it is your bad if I miss it because you were going faster than you were effectively able to.
Speed in NFA-LD: I get that there is the speed is "antithetical" to nfa-ld debate line in the bylaws. I also know that almost everyone ignores it. If you are speaking at a rate a trained debater and judge can comprehend I think you meet the spirit of the rule. If speed becomes a problem in the round just call "clear" or "slow." That said if you use "clear" or "slow" to be abusive and then go fast and unclear I might punish you in speaks. I'll also listen and vote on theory in regards to speed, but I will NEVER stop a round for speed reasons in any form of debate. If you think the other team should lose for going fast you will have to make that argument.
Evidence: If you do not flash me the evidence or give me a printed copy, then you need to speak at a slow conversational rate, so I can confirm you are reading what is in the cards. If you want to read evidence a bit faster...send me you stuff. I'm happy to return it OR delete it at the end of the round, but I need it while you are debating.
Safety: I believe that debate is an important educational activity. I think it teaches folks to speak truth to power and trains folks to be good citizens and advocates for change. As a judge I never want to be a limiting factor on your speech. That said the classroom and state / federal laws put some requirements on us in terms of making sure that the educational space is safe. If I ever feel the physical well-being of the people in the round are being threatened, I am inclined to stop the round and bring it to the tournament director.
Thanks, Ryan guy of Mjc
Hello everyone,
Background:
I am an electrical engineer in Silicon Valley. I judge for Dougherty Valley, this is my second year judging PF so I have a little experience. I take notes throughout the debate.
Speaker Points:
I will most likely give you 27-29 if you:
a) Speak loudly and clearly. Please no "spreading". Don't speak too fast if you want me to catch all you're arguments.
b) Are polite and fair to your opponent. If you are outright rude/unfair (ie. yelling, mocking, laughing, cutting opponents off) you will not get good speaks.
c) Explain arguments thoroughly; remember I have no background in debate and don't have super extensive knowledge of the topic. This means if you use debate terminology you should probably explain the terms too.
Decisions:
I will try to be as fair as possible and explain my decision in the best way I can. I will vote for the team that is winning their arguments, while also explaining their warrants and why their impacts matter.
Other:
Clothing/Appearance; this will not influence my decision, however, please do respect the tournament dress code. Use of evidence; this will be weighted heavily in the debate, I want to know that your arguments have evidence to back up your claims. If you think that I should look at your/your opponent's evidence, please let me know. Real world impacts; this will also be weighted heavily. If your impacts do not materialize in the real world, then I will be less likely to vote on it. Cross-examination; this does not matter as much to me, although I will be listening. Debate skill over truthful arguments; I value both skill and arguments highly. I do believe that truthful arguments should be prioritized, however, if you lack the presentation skill or argumentation skills to sell your argument, then truthful arguments may not matter as much if your opponent is able to convince me better of their argument.
Have fun and good luck!
I am a lay judge. Speak slowly and clearly. Be respectful of your opponents.
Co-Director: Milpitas High Speech and Debate
PHYSICS TEACHER
History
Myers Park, Charlotte N.C.
(85-88) 3 years Policy, LD and Congress. Double Ruby (back when it was harder to get) and TOC competitor in LD.
2 Diamond Coach (pretentious, I know)
Email Chain so I know when to start prep: mrschletz@gmail.com
Summer 87: American U Institute. 2 weeks LD and congress under Dale Mccall and Harold Keller, and 2 more weeks in a mid level Policy lab.
St. Johns Xavierian, Shrewsbury, Mass
88~93 consultant, judge and chaperone
Summer 89 American U Coaches institute (Debate)
Milpitas High, Milpitas CA
09-present co-coach
Side note/pet peeve: It is pronounced NUUUUUU-CLEEEEEEE-ERRRRRRRRR (sorry this annoys the heck outta me, like nails on the blackboard)
ALL EVENTS EXCEPT PARLI NEED TO KNOW NSDA RULES OF EVIDENCE (or CHSSA RULES OF EVIDENCE) OR DO NOT EXPECT ME TO COUNT IT(NSDA MINIMUM IS "NAME" AND "DATE" ****READ IN ROUND****) Anything else is just rhetoric/logic and 99% of the time, rhetoric vs card mans card wins. ALSO: SENDING ME A SPEECH DOC does NOT equal "READ IN ROUND". If I yell clear, and you don't adapt, this is your fault.
If you put conditions on your opponent getting access to your evidence I will put conditions on counting it in my RFD. Evidence should be provided any time asked between speeches, or asked for during cx and provided between speeches. Failure to produce the card in context may result in having no access to that card on my flow/decision.
Part of what you should know about any of the events
Events Guide
https://www.nflonline.org/uploads/AboutNFL/Competition_Events_Guide.pdf
13-14 NSDA tournament Operations manual
http://www.speechanddebate.org/aspx/content.aspx?id=1206
http://www.speechanddebate.org/DownloadHandler.ashx?File=/userdocs/documents/PF_2014-15_Competition_Events_At_A_Glance.pdf
All events, It is a mark of the competitors skill to adapt to the judge, not demand that they should adapt to you. Do not get into a definitional fight without being armed with a definition..... TAG TEAM CX? *NOT A FAN* if you want to give me the impression your partner doesn't know what they are talking about, sure, go ahead, Diss your partner. Presentation skills: Stand in SPEECHES AND CX (where applicable) and in all events with only exception in PF grand.
ALL EVENTS EXCEPT PARLI NEED TO KNOW NSDA RULES OF EVIDENCE (or CHSSA RULES OF EVIDENCE) OR DO NOT EXPECT ME TO COUNT IT(NSDA MINIMUM IS "NAME" AND "DATE"****READ IN ROUND****) Anything else is just rhetoric/logic and 99% of the time, rhetoric vs card means card wins.
PUBLIC FORUM:
P.S.: there is no official grace period in PF. If you start a card or an analytic before time, then finish it. No arguments STARTED after time will be on my flow.
While I was not able to compete in public forum (It did not exist yet), the squad I coach does primarily POFO. Its unlikely that any resolution will call for a real plan as POFO tends to be propositions of fact instead of value or policy.
I am UNLIKELY to vote for a K, and I don't even vote for K in policy. Moderate speed is fine, but to my knowledge, this format was meant to be more persuasive. USE EVIDENCE and make sure you have Tags and Cites. I want a neat flow (it will never happen, but I still want it)
I WANT FRAMEWORK or I will adjudicate the round, since you didn't (Framework NOT introduced in the 1st 4 speeches will NOT be entertained, as it is a new argument. I FLOW LIKE POLICY with respect to DROPPED ARGUMENTS (if a speech goes by I will likely consider the arg dropped... this means YES I believe the 4th speaker in the round SHOULD cover both flows..)
Also: If you are framing the round in the 4th speech, I am likely to give more leeway in the response to FW or new topical definitions in 1st Summ as long as they don't drop it.
Remember, Pofo was there to counteract speed in Circuit LD, and LD was created to counter speed, so fast is ok, but tier 3 policy spread is probably not.
ALL EVENTS EXCEPT PARLI NEED TO KNOW NSDA RULES OF EVIDENCE (or CHSSA RULES OF EVIDENCE) OR DO NOT EXPECT ME TO COUNT IT(NSDA MINIMUM IS "NAME" AND "DATE" READ IN ROUND ) Anything else is just rhetoric/logic and 99% of the time, rhetoric vs card mans card wins.
PLANS IN PF
If you have one advocacy, and you claim solvency on one advocacy, and only if it is implemented, then yeah that is a plan. I will NOT weigh offense from the plan, this is a drop the argument issue for me. Keep the resolution as broad as possible. EXCEPTION, if the resolution is (rarely) EXPLICIT, or the definitions in the round imply the affirmative side is a course of action, then that is just the resolution. EXAMPLE
September 2012 - Resolved: Congress should renew the Federal Assault Weapons Ban
the aff is the resolution, not a plan and more latitude is obviously given.
If one describes several different ways for the resolution to be implemented, or to be countered, you are not committing to one advocacy, and are defending/attacking a broad swath of the resolution, and this I do NOT consider a plan.
ALL EVENTS EXCEPT PARLI NEED TO KNOW NSDA RULES OF EVIDENCE (or CHSSA RULES OF EVIDENCE) OR DO NOT EXPECT ME TO COUNT IT(NSDA MINIMUM IS "NAME" AND "DATE" ****READ IN ROUND****) Anything else is just rhetoric/logic and 99% of the time, rhetoric vs card mans card wins.
POLICY:
If your plan is super vague, you MIGHT not get to claim your advantages. Saying you "increase" by merely reading the text of the resolution is NOT A PLAN. Claiming what the plan says in cx is NOT reading a plan. Stop being sloppy.
I *TRY* to be Tabula Rasa (and fail a lot of the time especially on theory, Ks and RVI/fairness whines)
I trained when it was stock issues, mandatory funding plan spikes (My god, the amount of times I abused the grace commission in my funding plank), and who won the most nuclear wars in the round.
Presentation skills: Stand in SPEECHES AND CX (where applicable) and in all events with only exception in PF grand.
Please don't diss my event.
I ran
Glassification of toxic/nuclear wastes, and Chloramines on the H2O topic
Legalize pot on the Ag topic
CTBT on the Latin America topic.
In many years I have never voted neg on K (in CX), mainly because I have never seen an impact (even when it was run in POFO as an Aff).(Ironic given my LD background)
I will freely vote on Topicality if it is run properly (but not always XT), and have no problem buying jurisdiction......
I HAVE finally gotten to judge Hypo-testing round (it was fun and hilarious).
One of my students heard from a friend in Texas that they are now doing skits and non topical/personal experiece affs, feel free, BUT DON'T EXPECT ME TO VOTE FOR IT.
I will vote on good perms both ways (see what I said above about XT)
SPREAD: I was a tier B- speed person in the south. I can flow A level spread *IF* you enunciate. slow down momentarily on CITES and TAGS and blow through the card (BUT I WILL RE TAG YOUR SUBPOINTS if your card does not match the tag!!!!!!)
If you have any slurred speech, have a high pitched voice, a deep southern or NY/Jersey drawl, or just are incapable of enunciating, and still insist on going too fast for your voice, I will quit flowing and make stuff up based on what I think I hear.
I do not ask for ev unless there is an evidentiary challenge, so if you claim the card said something and I tagged it differently because YOU slurred too much on the card or mis-tagged it, that's your fault, not mine.
LD
I WILL JUDGE NSDA RULES!!!! I am NOT tabula rasa on some theory, or on plans. Plans are against the rules of the event as I learned it and I tend to be an iconoclast on this point. LD was supposed to be a check on policy spread, and I backlash, if you have to gasp or your voice went up two octaves then see below... Topicality FX-T and XT are cool on both sides but most other theory boils down to WHAAAAAAHHHH I don't want to debate their AFF so I will try to bs some arguments.
-CIRCUIT LD REFER to policy prefs above in relation to non topical and performance affs, I will TRY to sometimes eval a plan, but I wish they would create a new event for circuit LD as it is rarely values debate.
- I LOVE PHILOSOPHY so if you want to confuse your opponent who doesn't know the difference between Kant, Maslow and Rawls, dazzle away :-).
Clear VP and VC (or if you call it framework fine, but it is stupid to tell someone with a framework they don't have a VC and vice versa, its all semantics) are important but MORE IMPORTANT is WHY IS YOURS BETTER *OR* WHY DO YOU MEET THEIRS TOO and better (Permute)
IF YOU TRY TO Tier A policy spread, or solo policy debate, you have probably already lost UNLESS your opponent is a novice. Not because I can't follow you, but because THIS EVENT IS NOT THE PLACE FOR IT!!! However there are several people who can talk CLEARLY and FAST that can easily dominate LD, If you cannot be CLEAR and FAST play it safe and be CLEAR and SLOW. Speaker points are awarded on speaking, not who wins the argument....
Sub-pointing is still a good idea, do not just do broad overviews. plans and counter-plans need not apply as LD is usually revolving around the word OUGHT!!!! Good luck claiming Implementation FIAT on a moral obligation. I might interrupt if you need to be louder, but its YOUR job to occasionally look at the judge to see signals to whether or not they are flowing, so I will be signalling that, by looking at you funny or closing my eyes, or in worst case leaning back in my chair and visibly ignoring you until you stop ignoring the judge and fix the problem. I will just be making up new tags for the cards I missed tags for by actually listening to the cards, and as the average debater mis-tags cards to say what they want them to, this is not advisable.
PLANS IN LD
PLANS
If you have one advocacy, and you claim solvency on one advocacy, and only if it is implemented, then yeah that is a plan. I will NOT weigh offense from the plan, this is a drop the argument issue for me. Keep the resolution as broad as possible.
EXCEPTION, if the resolution is (rarely) EXPLICIT, or the definitions in the round imply the affirmative side is a course of action, then that is just the resolution. EXAMPLE
September 2012 - Resolved: Congress should renew the Federal Assault Weapons Ban
the aff is the resolution, not a plan and more latitude is obviously given.
If one describes several different ways for the resolution to be implemented, or to be countered, you are not committing to one advocacy, and are defending/attacking a broad swath of the resolution, and this I do NOT consider a plan.
I repeat, Speed = Bad in LD, and I will not entertain a counter-plan in LD If you want to argue Counterplans and Plans, get a partner and go to a policy tournament.
GOOD LUCK and dangit, MAKE *ME* HAVE FUN hahahahahah
LD
Decorum: Be respectful of all in the round. Being rude is not OK and will cost you speaker points at the very least.
Speed: Slow down on tags, blippy analytics, interps, and texts. Pause after cites. Avoid other distracting behaviors like loud tapping, pen-dropping, super-double breadths.
Cross: Be polite If you ask a question, allow them an answer. If you want to move on, kindly ask to move on, don't shout them down.
Plans: Plans are good since they provide a clear sense of your advocacy. Note that you will be held to that plan.
i did PF in high school (2014-18) and coached for ~2 years after.
i have not thought about debate in the past 4 years, i don't have topic knowledge, and am not comfy with technical/theory-ish things in PF. please treat me like a flay judge! i like seeing lots of impact calc, meta/weighing throughout the round along w/ a clean narrative — doing all of these well will mean i give u high speaks (29+). i will lower speaker points for teams that are mean :(
you can wear whatever is comfortable for you in rounds. i don't believe in having to wear a suit for tournaments.
more importantly, i hope you are having a good day :)
sanjim@berkeley.edu
Everyone has to be clear. I do not take notes so I am a typical lay judge. be nice to eachother.
I competed in both Public Forum and Lincoln Douglas debate at Saratoga High School for four years with fair success. I am fine with any kind of argument as long as it's not offensive. I don't have any triggers and my preferred pronoun is he in case you were wondering (I won't be offended if you don't ask). If you are debating against someone who is clearly a more traditional or inexperienced debater, please don't spread them out and please genuinely try to explain your arguments to them. It kind of sucks to see a veteran debater completely crush a novice who can't even understand the veteran's case/speaking speed. Weigh your arguments clearly and make my job easier please.
Lincoln Douglas Debate
When I debated LD, I mostly competed at traditional tournaments like local invitationals and NSDA nationals so I'm probably not the best person to judge circuit rounds. That being said, I'd like to think I'm not completely incompetent when it comes to circuit debate, and I will try my hardest to follow any argument you make. Debate is about you, not me; read what you feel comfortable with.
Speed: You can spread as long as you send me a speech doc.
Theory: I default to competing interps and drop the debater. Please do not read frivolous theory and/or paragraph theory. I default to no RVI like almost every other judge, but I'm not opposed to the RVI argument if your opponent is reading frivolous theory.
Tricks: Strike me if you are a tricks debater.
Kritiks: I'm not super well-versed in K lit, but I know of and/or debated against most of the common kritiks (militarism, cap, afropess etc.). If you are reading a kritik please clearly explain how your alt actually solves and extend your alt throughout the debate.
Performance: I will evaluate performance, but I need you to provide a framework that explains why your performance is uniquely educational or necessary in the debate space (preferably in your first constructive speech).
Dense Phil: Read whatever philosophy you want as long as you clearly explain it.
Public Forum Debate
I find that most public forum debates sound the same and revolve around one or two core arguments that everyone reads. Therefore, I will reward higher speaker points to debaters who have unique positions. I have a very low threshold for pirate arguments. If you make me laugh with you, not at you, I will give you an extra speaker point.
You don't have to extend defense in the final focus.
If you have any questions feel free to ask me before round.
I believe spreading in debate has no educational value so I am extremely prejudiced against it.