I am a parent from Boise, Idaho and this is my fourth year of judging LD and PF. I appreciate clear and distinct taglines for value, criterion, contentions etc so I can keep up and flow the round. I will base my judgement on the information you provide during the round regardless of my own opinions. After I've heard the debate, the winner will be the person who clearly shows a path of action as a result of what we’ve all just heard, the person who offered that path has won the round.

I'm looking for logical connections between your value/criterion and contentions, enough evidence to demonstrate your logic, definitions, and clash that shows me the gaps in your opponent's case. I'm listening very closely during cross x, because these are the speeches that you have not prepared, I think it is in the cross X where you show your skill at listening and fashioning what you have heard into your next persuasive arguments.

I will disclose (as approved by the tournament) if competitors refrain from debating me.

I prefer a slower debate. I think it allows for a more involved, persuasive and all-around better style of speaking and debating. It is your burden to make sure that your speech is clear and understandable; the faster you want to speak, the more clearly you must speak.

Being aggressive is fine, just make sure you don't say or do anything that is offensive.

Overall, have fun, it's your debate.

I expect clarity of speech and a well organized presentation. Support your arguments with evidence. Tell me your voters and convince me that you won the round. I like sign posting and structure. I'm fine with speed, but remember that this is PF and you are expected to present your information in such a way that anyone can understand it.

Respect for your opponent is paramount. Clash is fine, rudeness isn't. I don't plan to do the work for you and have to draw conclusions, so stay on topic and don't limit your focus to one contention if you present more than one. I want you to support all of your contentions. If you only present one contention, make sure it is clearly defined and can stand on it's own. If you feel like you won the round, tell me that, convince me.

Have a great tournament :-)