About me: I began coaching high school debate in the US in 2017, after coaching 2 years in Japan. In that time I have judged PF and LD debate from local novice rounds up to the final round of LD at NCFL Grand Nationals. While not a high school debater myself, I learned the value of debate in college, where I publicly debated my thesis on a potential war in Iraq (this was shortly before the 2nd war). A poll of the lay audience suggested that I "won" on my solid arguments, evidence and impacts... But the poll also showed the majority disagreed with my proposed course of action. So could that really be considered a "win"? Turns out, I had barely touched an underlying value debate that neither I nor the lay audience had recognized was needed. This is just one reason I find great value in both impact-oriented PF and value-oriented LD debate (the two styles I have most experience coaching and judging). Below are things I value when judging a round.

What I value as a judge:

Do the most important work for me. I expect to debaters to do the core work of linking claims to evidence to framework, etc., highlighting key points of clash, and weighing. If reasoning seems to be vague or missing, I will not fill it in for you. For example, don't tell me to cross-apply an argument and assume that I will know how you expect me to cross-apply it--explain how it applies and why it matters.

Speak so I can flow. If debaters speak too fast or use too much jargon, I cannot flow it. When I make the final decision, I refer to my flow. You want your arguments to be on my flow! PF is aimed at educating the public, so make sure a layman can follow along. Even LD should be flowable for opponents and judges. There is no excuse for obfuscation.

Be clear and concise. Use signposts to refer to framework, contentions and sub-points. If a debater has to speak fast to fit all the arguments in, they likely have not distilled their speeches down to the most critical issues. Puns are fun, but my RFD is based on argumentative powers, not added "flowers".

Use Cross-Ex/Crossfire to clarify. Ask questions to reveal and clarify key issues, and answer opponents' questions in good faith. Be sure that both sides get the opportunity clarify the key issues. CX is not an opportunity for one side to extend its own points according to its own prerogative. I frown upon cases that blatantly expect Side A to use their CX time so that Side B can finish laying out a case that Side B couldn't fit within their own allotted time.

Maintain decorum. Be careful not to lose temper in the heat of the round. Do not abuse CX by excessively cutting off or talking over the opposing team. Avoid gestures and comments that would be considered rude in an academic or professional setting. I may down-vote teams that break these rules.

Don't linger on rule violations. I do appreciate teams letting me know when they think an opponent has violated the rules, but don't spend too much time on it. Summarize how the rules appear to have been violated and then move on. Lingering too long on a rule violation runs the risk of leaving other important issues unaddressed, which I may weigh more heavily than the perceived violation.

I know a lot of judges pontificate for 1000+ words and detail every element of their judging philosophy. I'm not one of those judges. For one thing, I have a life. For another, my philosophy when it comes to judging is actually pretty simple.

Debate is a competition about COMMUNICATION. It's an argument about ideas. That means that the arguments you make matter and the way you make them matters just as much. I'm a flow judge and will penalize debaters who drop points altogether. Extending an argument by reference or even within the context of clash doesn't take much time. Even if it just seems like you ran out of time, who am I to know whether you actually just have no good evidence to refute your opponent? At the end of the day, if both contestants make good arguments but one has points that they extend that were never addressed, those contentions flow in their direction and may determine the ballot. It's only fair.

But the way you make the argument is often overlooked but SO important. This is particularly true in L/D, which after all is an event steeped in the history of the Lincoln/Douglas debates of the mid-19th century and Public Forum, which traces its roots to Ted Turner's frustration with the deterioration of debate as a contest of communication. Can you imagine Abraham Lincoln spreading? Me neither. I respect your ability to spread, but the cacophony of words issuing from your mouth isn't communication, it's a gimmick, substituting quantity over quality. I can't award you wins on arguments if my flow can't keep up with your rate of speech. And if two debaters clash and each make good points, and I can't quite decide who won the argument of ideas, I'll use speaking ability and persuasiveness to break ties and award victories. I also reserve the right to award higher speaker points to the losing debater. After all, sometimes the better speaker has worse arguments.

I'm not a fan of theory debates. Disclosure Theory, in particular, seems like a very lame way to frame a debate and go for a win. I came for a debate on the merits pro/con on a matter of public policy. That's what this whole exercise is about. I am very likely to judge the round based on who makes the best arguments on that front. I've never considered a theory argument an RFD. It's not to say that I never will... it's just to say that I never have previously.

Professionally, I served for nearly five years as Secretary of the Senate for the State of Nevada and for three years as Director of the Kentucky Legislature. I see facilitating speech and debate as fundamental to the health of our democracy, which let's face it could use more cogent well-reasoned well-informed debates.

I missed my high school graduation in order to go to NSDA Nationals in my senior year of high school, over 25 years ago. Speech and Debate runs in my blood. I love being a part of this and hope you find as much fulfillment out of it as I do. Good luck.

tl;dr Debate is a contest of communications. Speak well, make good arguments, earn my ballot!

My debating experience is national circuit LD, but before it went to spreading. I have a basic understanding of PF, but may not follow you if you're going fast and using a lot of jargon. I like to hear clearly reasoned and articulated arguments from respectful opponents. This will be especially important in the online format. Slow down and make your best case rather than going fast and ticking through every argument / card. Obviously, I'm not saying drop contentions on purpose. But distill your reasoning into a coherent, persuasive speech rather than a laundry list of points.

I am affiliated with duPont Manual High School as the head speech and debate coach. I used to debate college LD, so I am familiar with the general format of most all debate. I always say that CX>LD>PF>CON...if that's not agreeable with you, then that's unfortunate, but that's just how my hierarchy Debate chain/list works. I respect all debate divisions, so please do not misunderstand

1. I enjoy K Debate, especially if it gives insightful

Anthro K’s are not as convincing to me.

2. Do not use abbreviated jargon yet because I am still learning how to apply jargon to my RFD. For example, use CONDITIONAL instead of CONDO, or Topical(ity) instead of T, or PLAN INCLUSIVE COUNTER PLANS BAD instead of PICS… Sorry, but it will make the ultimate difference because I will be able to follow my flow/your narrative.

3. I am a flow judge.

4. I will call clear if I cannot understand you, and I won’t take off of speaker points after the first time.

5. Please stand to MY RIGHT side because I am deaf in my left ear. SO, if you are facing me, please spread or speak standing to the left side of the room. I will always try to sit in the center of the debate.

6. I have had experience judging CX at UPenn, PF at several national tournaments as well as in Chengdu, China, and I used to debate in LD in high school and at IU for a year. I have been coaching at duPont Manual HS in Louisville, KY for 4 years.

7. Theory Debate…I will deal with it, however, it makes me feel inferior or confused or . It just might take me a bit longer to articulate an RFD, so don’t ty and an endearing candidness - it's so adorable and

8. I love progressive LD, and spreading is fine with me.

9. LOUD, CLEAR, and SIGN POST along the way. Also, give me an off time road map before each speech, please. Traditional debate is wonderful too; however, I DO look for SOLVENCY AND COUNTER PLANS are also valued by me.

10. For PF, I value both long term and short impacts, but I need the debaters to weigh the round and tell me what i prefer in the end. Make it very clear to me what your voters are. For LD, I need you to uphold your framework and give me the Roll of the Ballot. Make it very clear, and repeat it for me so I am sure to catch it/them.11. I love topicality; an overview

I can take speed, but please be clear. I encourage progressive debate, so I will not dock speaks for calling clear. Therefore, I will call clear until I can understand you. Please take the time to adapt if I call clear.
I base speaker points on several different factors. This includes clarity of speaking, presentation, projection, and the ability to debate strategically. Impact your arguments and tell me why they matter. Pick the most important arguments and tell me the reasons I should vote for it. Also, signposting is a must.

If you have any questions please contact me at 502-572-4635 or erica.cooper@jefferson.kyschools.us.

I'm a former high school LD-er who did extemporaneous speaking on the side. I now teach at a university and spend far too much time correcting work that is poorly thought out or communicated. I have been judging LD and PF for four years now and have prior judging experience in college.

LINCOLN-DOUGLAS DEBATE

Lincoln-Douglas debate is a public speaking event (per NSDA) in which a value proposition is debated. The focus in LD is on a deliberative style of argument that identifies and argues for or against the fundamental implications of the resolution in terms that are clearly germane to both the meaning and scope of that resolution. Debaters must distinguish between values that are clearly in conflict or at least contrast ("clash") with each other and persuade the judge that certain values take precedence over others. It is not a debate on empirical realities, outcomes, "impacts," plans, or policies. Arguments for the necessity or desirability of a particular position in order to achieve a desired outcome or advocacy for a particular, concrete stance on current events belong to other genres of debate. Evidence cited should be relevant to the value position taken. Citation of evidence does not make up for lack of development, context, argument, or persuasion. As a public performance, LD does not call for rapid-fire delivery (spreading). Arguments have to be articulate and intelligible as they are read (as implied in NSDA evidence rules). This implies the following:

--Do not spread. I'm not allergic, but this is a Policy habit that gets masked as progressive LD. The bottom line: I will not give you credit for parts of your case I cannot understand as it is read. You should be able to do the work in the time allotted.

--Do not offer your case to your opponent to read as you speak. (It happens.) This is a speaking event. As implied in NSDA rules, only what you say is part of your case.

--Do not attempt to overwhelm me or your opponent with a mountain of evidence. Your opponent's job is not to disprove your empirical evidence (impossible to do without specific research; this is not PF or policy debate) but to question the values you claim it supports. That should be the basis of the debate.

--Value debate does not require "impacts." Plans and counterplans are definitely not required, so getting into an argument about somebody's plan or lack of CP only wastes my time and yours and demonstrates that you don't have a grasp of LD fundamentals (or have at least temporarily lost sight of them). Time you spend on plans and impacts is time you are not spending answering your opponent's case based on a value proposition, criteria, and arguments.

PUBLIC FORUM

I do not have strong personal paradigms. If you follow the letter and the spirit of the NSDA rules (no plans or counterplans, no prescribed burdens, etc.), my personal preferences should be unimportant. High school debaters need to demonstrate that they have done some research and understand their own case as well as the broader situation and context of the resolution. Keep in mind that you are talking to an adult with decades of experience and judgment of current affairs. I will definitely not impose my own worldview, but you need to have some context and a rich supply of information for your case, not just some facts you downloaded and can't contextualize. Sources should be verifiable and reputable. I will give credence to an established or known source over an obscure, highly partisan, or less reputable or verifiable one (e.g., advocacy websites, blogs).

I teach at a university. If I make comments about the substance of your case (the topic itself) on your ballot beyond what is offered in the round, it is in a teaching mode. Of course, only what actually comes out in the debate between the two teams is a valid reason for decision.

As the name indicates, Public Forum debate is also a public speaking event. Say it in plain English. Don't spew alphabet soup. I can only judge what I can understand and follow, so be sure to control tone, volume, and velocity.

TRUTH > TECH

I judge PF based not on technical terms but on how comprehensible and sound your arguments about the resolution are. You must obviously follow and rebut your opponents' arguments, but, in my experience, a point-for-point approach can lead to a futile clash of card versus card, which I can't adjudicate. You need to make a claim, provide warrants, and be sure to contextualize it: Why is it relevant? What is the link to the impact? Having a card that contradicts your opponents' card is not the same as successfully rebutting your opponents' argument. You must explain why your argument should take precedence. The more of a grasp you have on the whole issue, the more convincing you'll be. Factoids won't win it. A good story about why your position makes more sense will.

Yes, I pay attention to flow and dropped arguments, but it's your job to listen to and talk to the other team. Don't introduce new material late in the game. Addressing the terms of the resolution is perfectly acceptable. Kritiks should be focused and reasonable. Talk about the resolution or the implied terms of the debate, but don't blow up the debate by going so meta that direct clash is no longer possible. Any debate is conventionally framed by the terms of the resolution and the context of the encounter and has to respect decision criteria on those terms.

I have been coaching Speech & Debate for the past 20 years. I was a competitor for all 4 years of my high school career. I've judged numerous local, regional, state, and national tournaments. The highlight of my judging career came at the 2020 NSDA National Tournament when I was selected to judge Lincoln-Douglas Finals. When it comes to levels of debate, I've seen them all. Below are my event-specific areas of focus that I suggest debaters in the rounds that I judge should consider (but I'm open to whatever you feel works best for you...these are simply my preferences in round).

General notes:

Speed is a factor in every round that I judge. If you spread or speak at a rate in which I would have to read your case on paper to understand what your argument is you will not win a round with me. Delivery matters but so does content. Off-the-wall kritiks I am not a fan of, either. Whatever your position is, it must be logical.

Lincoln-Douglas:

Frameworks are a must. Voters are a must. Go down the flow - stay in order - don't deviate and make your arguments clear at all times. Don't waste time in-round ever. Definitely do not spread...Lincoln-Douglas is meant to be spoken well, not fast (some speed is okay, but nothing excessive). Remember content is good but delivery of the content well is also important. This is the way.

Policy:

The biggest thing I look for in policy is consistency. I am not a fan of kritiks, out-there cases as the Neg, etc. For the round I much prefer standard policy debate. Plans and counter-plans are a must. Go down the flow. Do not spread. Make the round friendly for both teams. Keep track of arguments won on both sides and give me a good crystallization at the end of your final rebuttals. Do not spread. Did I say not to spread? In case I didn't, don't spread...just don't. To make it clearer, spreading = I'm not a fan.

Public Forum:

Speak at a good rate of speed (fast is okay but you absolutely should not spread in PF). Be civil at all times. Do not be condescending unless you want to be marked down severely for it (or possibly lose a round). Be professional in crossfire & grand crossfire. Do not waste excessive amounts of time calling for cards (it's easy to try to be abusive with prep time but I am not the judge to try that with because I am a fan of debating, not evidence scrutinizing so unless you can prove something definitive by calling a card, don't waste too much of our time in-round doing so). Overall, be kind to each other and have a good debate and all will be well. I have spoken.

If competitors are doing an email chain for evidence; Sanchez-villa@trinityrocks.com

Competed in the Louisville, Kentucky Circuit in high school for three years. Graduated with a major in Political Science from the University of Louisville. I am an assistant coach of Trinity High School for the Speech & Debate team and have held that role for four years now. I say this to highlight that I have years of experience in this event and am familiar with many debate styles, philosophies, frameworks and am aware of changing trends in the debate world, that being said Debate is an educational tool and a time for students to practice analytical thinking and persuasive skills in a unique environment unlike school, so please do not spread at a rate that is so fast that it can never be repeated in a public environment, dont go so fast that the only way to flow is off a speech doc because I will ignore it. Evidence calling is a new thing with the advent of technology post-covid but do not make the evidence calling period so long that it delays the debate and ends up being wasted, call for cards that matter to the judge, not your team. Great debate, for me, is one where both sides are understanding of what the other person's case is stating and evaluating and clashing at that crucial point. There are a lot of debates where people run past each others points and do not actually attack the meat of what is being debated causing me to weigh two worlds that have very little to differentiate from. Competitors should be critical of evidence (yes please do stake the round on thats not what your evidence says, and I will read evidence of contention if I believe there is merit to it not claiming what it means, bad card cutting happens to everyone) and claims being made and any connection that they do not make for me as a judge I will not flow. Make my decision for me with your final speech.

At the heart of debate is an understanding of human nature and how we react to it in society. I will judge your round based on organized attacks against each of your opponent's points. Dismissive arguments or off-the-wall comments do not count as an attack. Your arguments should be thoughtful and appeal to ethos, pathos, or logos. For L-D debaters, the primary focus should be the value and criterion clash and how your argument is correct at the root of it. Your speaker points will be based on your diction, passion for the topic, eye contact, and speed. Failure to be well-spoken, or an indignant attitude, will lose you speaker points no matter how good your arguments.