This is my third year judging debate. I've judged a variety of debate and speech events. I have advanced degrees and certifications. I can follow most logical conversations and conflict. I have a background in theater and am a key note speaker at business events.

Things to consider: I like truth over tech. Be clear, especially if you spread, and flash your case to kymunicator@gmail.com. Signpost and summarize voters.

I can follow most speeds, but I want to understand the debate. If you speak too fast, I will say "slow." if I can understand you, I will say, "clear."

I'm okay with progressive arguments, but they should have a clear link to the resolution. They also should be clearly structured.

Time yourself. Be kind.

I typically can't hear/follow full speed spreading. If I can't hear you I will yell clear.

I will listen to any arguments I understand. If you are running progressive arguments I expect clear explanations for every part of the case. You can read tricky arguments but if I can't hear them I will not vote on them.

Traditional approach is probably best.

I value tech over truth, once again as long as the argument is explained to me.

During rebuttals I expect clear, heavy impact work. Explain how your arguments interact with theirs and tell me why to vote for you.

ABOUT ME -

I have been judging in Speech Events (HI, DI, DUO, EXT, OO), Debate Events (LD, PF, Policy) and Congressional Debate since 2018.

I enjoy judging Congressional Debates where I can see many debaters debate on numerous topics in the student chamber.

I favor to give points and rank high upon following skills even though congressional leaders need to be successful in passing legislation.

- Assertiveness – Standing up for one’s beliefs and being able to confidently take charge of difficult situations, making tough decisions despite opposition. In a politically charged environment where everyone is vying for their opinion to be heard, being assertive is key.

- Building Alliances – Earning trust and respect from others and taking the time to build effective working relationships with individuals.

- Commitment - Passionately and enthusiastically demonstrating a dedication to the causes and beliefs you espouse.

- Conflict Resolution - Effectively resolving misunderstandings, disagreements, and disputes with other individuals. Directly addressing issues with others in a non-threatening manner. Being willing to compromise in order to maintain effective working relationships.

- Influence - Using a variety of persuasion tactics, interpersonal skills, and communication and presentation strategies to convince others to make decisions that are mutually beneficial to all parties involved.

- Presentation Skills - Using effective verbal and nonverbal communication skills to clearly deliver information to a variety of audiences. Being confident and comfortable when speaking in front of groups. Making presentations that are clear, engaging and impactful.

JUDGING HISTORY-

- Barkley Forum for High Schools 1/29 - 1/31/2021

- Sunvite 2021

- Cavalier Invitational at Durham Academy 1/16 - 1/18/2021

- Florida Sunshine District Tournament 12/5

- FGCCFL December Tournament

- Glenbrooks Speech and Debate Tournament 11/21 - 11/23/2020

- FGCCFL November Tournament

- Florida Blue Key 2020 10/30 -11/1 Congress Debate

- Duke Invitational 2020 9/19 -9/20 Congressional Debate

- National Speech and Debate Season Opener Hosted by UK 2020 9/12 -9/14 Congressional Debate

- FGCCFL Grand Finals 2020 2/28 -2/29 Congress Debate

- FGCCFL February All Events 2020 2/8 IE & Congress Debate

- FGCCFL January All Events 2020 1/18 -1/18 IE & Congress Debate

- Florida Sunshine District Tournament 2019 12/14 -3/28 Congress Debate

- The Sunvitational 2020 1/10 -1/12 Congress Debate

- FGCCFL December All Events 2019 12/7 IE & Congress Debate

- Barkley Forum for High Schools 2020 1/24 -1/26

- Congressional Debate FGCCFL September All Events 2019 9/28 -9/28 IE & Congress Debate

- Florida Blue Key 2019 11/1 -11/3 Congress Debate

- Yale Invitational 2019 9/13 -9/15 Speech

- FGCCFL Grand Finals 2019 2/22 -2/23 Lincoln-Douglas

- Barkley Forum for High Schools 2019 1/25 -1/27

- Congressional Debate Florida Sunshine District Tournament 2018 12/8 -3/9

- Congressional Debate FGCCFL November All Events 2018 11/17 -11/17 IE and Congress Debate

- FGCCFL October All Events 2018 10/13 -10/13 Lincoln-Douglas

- FGCCFL September All Events 2018 9/22 -9/22 Public Forum Yale Invitational 2018 9/14 -9/16 Varsity Public Forum

BACKGROUND

Undergraduate:

- MBBS, University of Medicine, Yangon, Myanmar.

Post graduate:

- MPH, London School of Hyigene and Tropical Medicine, University London, UK

- MSc. Computer Science, Western Illinois University

- Post Doc Medical Informatics Fellowship, Health Science Technology, Harvard-MIT

V/VC

The value and value criterion are the center of the debate. Please make sure your framework is well laid out and logical. I'll accept pretty much any structure, but make sure you convince me of why it works and why it is important.

Speed

Spreading is a fun trick, but it's useless in the real world. I'd prefer you didn't do it. You can red quickly but remember that debate is as much an exercise in public speaking as it is writing, argumentation, and critical thinking.

Contentions

A contention by definition contends something. Every argument should have a claim, warrant, and evidence.

Evidence/Cards

A well researched and originally written case always comes off better than a canned, prepared set of cards you get out of a brief. Citing an endless stream of cards and complaining because your opponent didn't name-drop all of the same people in their rebuttal is not debate. The evidence should be good, no matter who wrote it. It is nothing more than support for the argument and framework.

Rebuttals

I generally vote more off of the rebuttal speeches than the constructive. Reading a well written case doesn't take much talent. It's in the rebuttal that real creativity, critical thinking, and argumentation skills come into play. Make every speech count.

Voters

While voter issues are not required, they help me on the flow, so I encourage you to use them. Try to save time for them. Also, focus on the few best, don't try to summarize the whole debate in thirty seconds.

Signposting

Please signpost when you move between parts of the case. Slowing down to tell everyone that you're moving to another contention, or to another case makes a great deal of difference in how easily I flow. If I flow more easily, I consider you to be a more organized debater.

Electronics

I honestly don't have a preference about reading cases off of paper or a computer screen. As long as you're in compliance with tournament rules, you can use electronics for anything you want. Whatever works best for you.

Questioning

During the questioning period I rarely take notes, but I put some emphasis on how well you question and handle being questioned. Learning how to ask a question properly in debate is an art form, as is knowing how to answer questions.

Ethical Issues

I pay close attention to unethical behavior and I take it seriously. I don't like debaters being rude, getting personal, abusing time or arguments, or acting in otherwise unacceptable ways. It's a professional activity and academic in its nature. The same rules apply. I know that debate has clash, but make sure that it never crosses the line into ad hominem. Likewise, I have no tolerance for cheating. This is value debate, and I expect that you'll embody the values you advocate.

Other

In general, I don't mind any unorthodox framework or arguments. I like the creative exercise that goes into them. Still, it has to be coherent and logical. Be cautious about using debate lingo that not everyone is familiar with. Debate is a pedagogical exercise, so if your opponent comes out confused and disheartened, it's not a win, it's a loss for the event overall.

I am a parent judge and this is my first year judging debate tournaments. I will be judging the Lincoln-Douglass debate tournaments.

I am not familiar with technical arguments as I am still in judge training.

Prefers conversational speaking speed until more training has occurred to be able to understand fast speaking in a debate.