Background: I competed in LD for four years in high school and now compete for ASU policy (this is my second year on the team). I now am mainly a critical debater but will listen to anything (anti blackness/queer theory). Please don't abuse flashing/prep. Also when you extend arguments say the warrant and don't just repeat the tag. Please add me to the email: laurenbarney99@gmail.com.

I will probably not be super familiar with PF/CX topics as I coach LD.

If you say anything offensive/racist I will probably dock your speaker points if your opponent points it out. I will increase speaker points for smart arguments/strategic decisions on your part (like collapsing down in the last speech to arguments you're ahead on).

Theory/T: Clearly explain the abuse/why the interp is good. Slow down for interps, I want to make sure I catch it. Make sure to answer a TVA. Please don't run frivolous theory in front of me- these are my least favorite rounds to judge.

Ks: I am a critical debater and understand K debate well that being said articulate a clear link to the affirmative and what the voting issue is. I will vote for progressive affirmatives and think you might want to make an argument about how the K is a shift and reframes how I should view a "traditional" round. That being said don't assume that I am familiar with your specific literature base.

K Affs: Please try to limit the buzzwords you use and clearly explain your impacts materially. I think framework is incredibly important when Ks vs Framework or Ks vs Policy aff arguments happen. Think about the implications for debate that your interpretation has and explain it. You should be able to defend your model of debate.

I competed in LD throughout High School and I am currently doing Policy in college.

I will be more familiar with an LD topic than any other form of debate so if I am judging you in PF or CX so if you have very technical things in the topic you will need to explain those more in your case.

Clash is my favorite thing in a round - Don't be two ships passing in the night say something and do a debate. That being said don't just say things to say things an incoherent argument is worse than no argument at all. Evaluate what your opponent is saying and respond to it in a way that makes sense. Respect your opponent and their arguments.

I will drop you without a second thought if you run a joke argument. During a college debate round I watched someone ran a coloring performance if you run anything like this getting me to vote for you will be very difficult. I love flair, critical, and performative arguments but it needs to be based in either theory or I need a reason why what your saying matters. I try to limit my intervention as a judge so don't expect me to do any work for you.

LD

LD is a theory and morality-based debate so I expect a focus on the morality of affirming or negating the resolution. The debtors need to tell me why I should care about their V-C and why their V-C is better than their opponents and should be preferred for the round. I will not do any work for any side you have the responsibility of stating the impacts of your arguments and why these impacts are better than your opponents. You also have to extend your own arguments throughout the debate for them to matter. I'm fine with CP's, Theory, and K's you just need to explain it well and make sure the impacts and analysis are clear.

I will say I think traditional LD tends to be more successful than critical forms of debate just because of the time constraints. If you're confident that you can get out what you need to with the time you're given then go for it. But the 4 and 3-minute aff speeches do make it difficult to get out what you need to.

I have zero patience for being rude to your opponent. Especially if your opponent is not as versed in critical arguments as you are. This is an educational activity, not an opportunity for you to pretend to be cooler than you are.

CX

I'm fine with any type of argument as long as it makes sense and you explicitly state the impacts.

Topicality

You need to be explicit about what the violation that the other team has committed is. I tend not to care about fairness as an impact especially when you just make this claim in a vacuum. However, if you can tie it to a structural claim I'll be more likely to buy the argument. Make sure you're extending this throughout the entire round. I also need to know what ground you've lost as a result of the Aff being non-topical. Don't run topicality in front of me if the violation is small it will not be hard for the other team to convince me that they are topical.

K

I like K's I think critical arguments are important to increasing education in debate and I think that they bring a type of education that doesn't typically exist in the debate space. That being saiddo not run a K if the only link you have is a link of omission.Language is super important for K's so make sure you're being explicit with what you're saying. I think K's certainly can win against topical cases you just have to show why the impacts on par with nuclear extinction. I tend to find structure claims to be the most persuasive.

Performative Things

I think performances can be good but you need to have a way that your opponent can actually engage with your argument. I don't particular enjoy it when performance teams get overly angry or hostile to try to prevent their opponents from arguing.

Framework

My hot takes here are basically the same as topicality. I do think the framework is generally more true than topicality.

My paradigm is generally the same for CX as it is for LD you need to extend your stuff and make the impacts clear.

Listening is not an impact.

PF

I did PF I think twice? My same general rules for other debates apply - don't spread your event is not made for it and I'm more inclined to believe that it's unfair for your opponent. I will call cards so they better say what you tell me that you say. Also generally don't take racism and blow it into some insane impact because you want to win an argument. Impacts and links should make sense.

General

I'm fine with speed just let me know at the beginning of the round if you're going to be spreading.

Flashing/Email Chains should not take forever if it becomes excessive I will make you use Prep.

I'm fine with flex prep

Read analytics slower if you want me to flow them

Keep in mind this is digital for the time being I expect you to understand your own technological constraints and adjust accordingly especially in regard to speed.

If you need to use a graphic description of SA to win you don't deserve to win.

-I did Speech and Debate in high school, I did LD and PF. I was a DIV II Congress Champion. I'm currently a freshman at Gonzaga University and I volunteer judging tournaments up in Spokane

- Framework is fundamental for judging a debate and establishes a baseline for understanding the purpose and end goal of the round. If a framework is not provided I will pick one that I feel appropriately fits the topic of debate. Below are some common frameworks that I use.

- Warrants are as important as impacts, warrants must be accurate and from a reputable source, analyze your evidence and present it effectively.

- Speak clearly and coherently, spread at your own risk, if you become unintelligible your speaker points will be docked.

- Make a clear and consistent connection between your summary and final focus.

- While points should be expanded and used throughout the debate, I will not drop something simply because it's left out at some point during the debate. The opponent should be aware and address all points of the other team when appropriate.

- If an opponent requests a card it will not be accounted into prep time.

- Teleology: Moral theory which judges actions by their consequences rather than their intentions. Put simply, it says that the ends justify the means.

- Cost-Benefit Analysis: A real-world standard which evaluates an action by weighing its potential costs versus its potential benefits.

#WORLDSTAR

- If your partner roasts their opponent in cross (without being douchey) you are expected to yell "WORLD STAR!." If you do so and I find the roast amusing then you and you're partner each get 1.0 added to your speaks. If you misjudge a roast and I think it's lame you get deducted 0.1 speaks for interrupting cross.

- I will be updating my paradigm as the year progresses to track all the #WORLDSTAR moments in rounds below:

I have been judging LD for 3 years now, so I am familiar with flowing, argumentation, the basic rules of LD, etc. but I am still very much a lay judge. Don't even try to spread on me, arguments spread will not get flowed. I am okay with plans and cps, but I prefer traditional cases. I am okay with flex prep, but don't abuse it. No theory or Ks, nothing progressive. Make sure that all your arguments, extensions, and weighing clear, I will not do the work for you. Debate is fun, and I enjoy hearing all of your unique arguments!

I am new to policy debate, so please be patient. I would strongly prefer you to not talk fast or spread. What I do not hear I cannot weigh. I would also prefer for you to talk TO me rather than AT me during your speeches. It is essential that I understand your arguments.

Please do not use critiques or theory. If you do I probably won’t understand them and therefore I can’t judge the round off of them. I’m ok with counter-plans and disadvantages, but make sure you take some time to thoroughly explain them to me and that they are logically linked throughout the entire text of what you are reading. Be confident and good luck!

I am a 5th year LD coach for BASIS Phoenix in Arizona.

I did LD in high school (2009 - 2013) primarily in the Oklahoma local circuit attending a small private Christian school that no longer exists (American Christian School in Bartlesville, OK if you're curious).

Add me to e-mail chains: chisumdebate@gmail.com

SHORT VERSION

- Don't spread.

- Traditional LD good. Policy good. K’s good. Philosophy good. All of these have the caveat that if I don’t understand the argument and its warrants, I won’t vote on it.

- I have and will vote for non-topical cases, but I have a high threshold for doing so. My prior is that topicality is good for debate, and that debate itself is good. You are free to try to convince me otherwise in-round.

- Frivolous Theory bad (“I know it when I see it”). Tricks bad.

- Give voters; be clear how you want me to evaluate the round.

- Warrants, warrants, warrants. I need clear and developed reasons to believe your argument.

- Be respectful.

EXTENDED VERSION

Presentation

As said above, do not spread. That goes double in an online format where clarity is already impacted. I'm concerned about the quality, not the quantity of arguments presented, so excessive speed is both unnecessary and harmful. If you are going too fast for my taste, I will say "Clear!" After saying "clear" twice, I will simply stop flowing if you are still going too fast.

A lot of people ask me "How fast is too fast?" Here's my answer: Speak to me as you would speak to the most intelligent person you know who is not at all involved in debate.

Argumentation

I'm willing to vote on basically any argument that is well-warranted, clearly explained, and persuasively argued.

I have limited familiarity with most K and phil literature, so do not assume I will understand your arguments beforehand. If you do not believe you can explain the literature within the round in a way I can understand, probably don't run that K.

Policy Stuff

In terms of impact weighing, I tend to be more friendly to weighing on probability over magnitude (especially on extinction scenarios that are poorly warranted and obviously false). Instead of thinking solely of doomsday scenarios, risk evaluation is a much more practical way of thinking about impacts (and is much closer to how policy-makers in the real world make decisions).

For counter-plans, be careful that you are actually competitive to the Aff. I'm iffy on some of the more "tricky" CPs (Condo CPs, certain PICs, Agent CPs etc.), and I find perms or theory args against them to be fairly persuasive, so be careful about that.

Theory and Topicality

I have a high threshold for theory. In my view, theory ought to be a check on actual abuse, so if you're intending to run frivolous theory (I know it when I see it; you know you're running it), striking me is probably a good idea.

There are two questions that I will be willing to outright answer in the middle of a round:
1. “Judge, do you consider my theory (or my opponent’s theory) argument ‘frivolous’ theory.”
2. “Judge, do you consider my case (or my opponent’s case) topical.”

If I consider a theory arg frivolous, it will not be evaluated on my ballot, and it does not need to be addressed in rebuttals. If I do not consider a theory argument frivolous, it will be evaluated on my ballot and can be won by either side.

If I consider a case topical, I will not evaluate any topicality arguments on my ballot. If I do not consider a case topical, then I will be evaluating topicality arguments on my ballot, and either side may win that portion of the debate.

Other

I am a stickler on warrants. I need to understand why and how a claim creates specific impacts. If I don't understand your warrant or if it just doesn't follow, the only way I'll vote on it is if your opponent drops it entirely (and you extend it). Note: just because you have a card that makes a claim does not mean you have a warrant for why that claim is true.

If your opponent drops an argument, don't assume you automatically win the debate, or even that portion of the debate. You must extend that argument and tell me why it's important that it goes through.

Give voters. Tell me exactly why you should win the round. If you do your job as a debater, my RFD should sound extremely similar to the end of your last rebuttal.

As a last point, debaters should be respectful to each other and have fun. There's no reason to ever be disrespectful to an opponent or engage in any behavior that makes debate a less accessible and enjoyable activity.

I DON'T WANT TO SHAKE YOUR HAND PLEASE DON'T ASK

Now that that friendly introduction is over:

Email: maanik.chotalla@gmail.com

I'll disclose speaks if you ask.

Background: I debated LD for four years for Brophy College Preparatory in Arizona. Graduated in 2016. Current LD coach for Brophy College Preparatory.

TOC Update: I haven’t updated my paradigm in a few years and while my attitude towards debate hasn’t fundamentally changed the activity and norms within it have very much changed so I felt a need to write an update. At its core, I do believe this activity is still about speaking and so I do still value debaters being able to articulate and deliver. Yes I will still vote tech but I have very little patience for debaters who refuse to adapt and articulate. My preference is to not be reading your rebuttal off a document, if it isn’t on my flow I can’t vote for it. All that said—my advice to you is to go slightly below your max speed with me. I believe every judge embellishes their flowing ability to a degree and while I’m not awful at flowing I am certainly not as good as I used to be and I also have no competitive incentive like you do to be perfect on the flow. I will do my best but I am certainly going to be a cut under most judges that were former TOC competitors. I am simply in a spot in where debate is no longer my whole life (just a large part of it) and I have not been able to keep up with everything. Will do my best but if you are expecting a robot judge you will be disappointed.

Crash Course version:
-Go for whatever you want, I like all forms of argumentation
-Have fun, debate is an evolving activity and I'm all for hearing creative well-warranted arguments
-The round belongs to the debaters, do what you want within reason
-Tech > truth, extend your warrants, do impact analysis, weigh
-I default to competing interps but will go for reasonability if you tell me to
-For Ks please be prepared to explain your obscure lit to me, don't assume I'll know it because I promise you I won't. It will benefit you if you give an overview simplifying the K.
-If you run a theory shell that's fine but I don't really like it when a shell is read as a strictly strategic decision, it feels dirty. I'll probably still vote for you if you win the shell unless it's against a novice or someone who clearly had no idea how to respond to it.
-Default to epistemic confidence
-Good with speed
-Don't like tricks
-Don't be rude, the key to this activity is accessibility so please don't be rude to any debaters who are still learning the norms. This activity is supposed to be enjoyable for everyone

For the LARP/Policy Debater:
-You don't necessarily have to read a framework if you read a plan but if your opponent reads a framework I'm more likely to default to it unless you do a good job with the framework debate in the 1AR.
-If you run a framework it can be either philosophically or theoretically justified, I like hearing philosophy framing but that is just a personal preference
-Utilize your underview, I'm guessing you're reading it for a reason so don't waste your time not extending it.
-Running multiple counterplans is okay, prefer that you provide solvency
-Make sure your counterplan does not link yourself back into your DA, please

For the K Debater:
-Please label each section of your K (link/framing/impact/alt) it makes it more clear to me how the argument is supposed to function
-If you aren't running a typically organized K then please just explain the argument properly as to how I should evaluate it
-If your ROTB is pre-fiat you still need to respond to post-fiat framing to completely win framework debate
-Feel free to ask more questions before the round

For the traditional debater/everyone else
-Crash course version should cover everything. I have more below for the people who really want to read it but you can always ask more questions beforehand

More details:

1. General

I like debates which are good. Debaters who are witty, personable, and I daresay good speakers usually score higher on speaker points with me. I'll vote on any argument (So long as it isn't blatantly offensive or reprehensible in some way). I'm a big believer that the round should belong to the debaters, so do with the debate space what you wish.

I like framework debate a lot. This is what I did as a debater and I believe that it makes the round very streamlined. I always like hearing new and cool philosophies and seeing how they apply, so run whatever you want but please be prepared to explain them properly.

Please slow down on impacts and pause between tags and authors!! Yeah, I know everyone has the case right in front of them nowadays but I still want you slowing down and pausing between your authors and tags. Finally, for both of our sakes, please IMPACT to a weighing mechanism. I have seen too many rounds lacking impact analysis and weighing. It's possible it will lead to a decision you don't like if you don't impact well. I don't particularly care what weighing mechanism you impact to so long as you warrant to me that it's the more important one.

2. Theory/T

Run whatever shells you would like but nothing frivolous, please. I wouldn't recommend reading theory as strictly a strategic play in front of me but I will still evaluate it and vote on it if you prove there is actual abuse in round. I default to competing interps but will go with whatever you tell me. In general, I think you should layer theory as the most important issue in the round if you read it, otherwise what was the point in reading it?

Shells I will likely not vote on:
-Dress Code theory
-Font size theory
-Double-win theory (I'll probably just drop whoever initiated it)
-Frivolous shells unrelated to debate (i.e. lets play mario kart instead)
-Comic Sans theory
-This list will grow with time

3. Tricks

I don't like them. Don't run them. They make for bad debate.

4. Ks

I myself was never a K debater but I've now found myself really enjoying hearing them as an argument. I'd appreciate if you could label your K or section it off. I wasn't a K debater so I don't automatically know when the framing begins or when the impacts are etc. The biggest problem I usually see with Ks is that I don't understand the framing of the argument or how to use it as a weighing mechanism, so please help me so I can understand your argument as best as I can. I have dropped Ks because I just didn't understand the argument, err on the side of me not knowing if it is a complex/unconventional K.

5. Miscellaneous

I don't time flashing/making docs during the round but I expect it to take no longer than 30 seconds. Try to have a speech doc ready to go before each round. I'm good with flex prep. I don't care if you sit or stand. I'll hop on your email chain. Don't be rude, that should go without saying. Lastly, and I mean this seriously, please have fun with it. I really prefer voting for debaters who look like they're having a good time debating.

If you have any questions feel free to ask before the round or contact me via email

No Spreading

No Progressive

Traditional Cases preferred

Debaters keep track of thier own time

Flex prep ok

LD:

This is my 8th year judging LD; I am a former competitor and a former LD coach. I'm currently working on a PhD in Molecular and Cellular Biology at Arizona State with a focus on the development of universal vaccines against influenza and enjoy giving back to the speech and debate community.

I prefer traditional argumentation, but that's all it is: a preference. I'm fine with, and welcome, speed and progressive argumentation (K's, DA's, CP's, perf, T, you can run whatever you want). Make sure you make good use of crystallization an key voters in the 2NR/2AR to ensure that I'm not missing whatever you feel is most important for my consideration.

Clear authors and taglines are appreciated, add me to the email chain/use the file share, and (specifically for novices) don't forget to crystallize, impact calc, extend, etc. Haikus are cool.

Policy:

See my LD paradigm but throw out the traditional argumentation thing (though there was one round I judged where the teams agreed to use LD style argumentation which was simultaneously disorienting and awesome). It's been a while since the days when I judged policy regularly. I didn't' do policy when I used to compete, and the activity has evolved so much in the couple of years since I regularly judged it. Bear with me, add me to the email chain, and feel free to ask me before round if you have any specific questions about anything.

I’ve been coaching debate of all varieties for over 20 years now. I love this activity, and believe it teaches some important and useful skills.

What you want to know:

1. Speed is fine. Be clear.

2. Disclosure is preferable at circuit tournaments (I’m less concerned about it locally).

3. Progressive arguments, in general, are good by me. Some caveats:

A. I generally prefer to vote on substantive issues over procedural ones. My threshold for theory is fairly strict, and the abuse has to be pretty clear.
B. Tricks aren’t cute. They’re intellectually dishonest bad faith arguments that I think are bad for debate. Run them if you must, but I’m generally disinclined to reward them.
C. Kritiks based on identity arguments (fem rage/trans rage/etc.) are relevant and important, but if you do not identify with the positionality upon which the kritik is based, and are running the argument for its strategic value, you are doing a really bad thing by co-opting a discourse to which you have no right or claim, and commodifying it for wins. Do better.

4. Good impact analysis is important to me, explain clearly why you should win. Tell me the story you want me to believe.

5. Don’t tell lies. Bad debate math counts as lies. I’m happy to evaluate all arguments, but lies are not arguments. There isn’t room in this activity for intellectual dishonesty.

6. Have fun, be kind and generous and charitable. This is a really rewarding game, even when you take an L. Enjoy it, and help others enjoy it too.

Edit for 2024: This applies largely to high school LD debate. I believe these things in general for all debate, but ask me if you have questions about specifics at a tournament. Thank you!

A little bit about me, I debated two years of LD at Arbor View High School in Las Vegas, and this is currently my third year debating Policy at Arizona State University. I am a junior majoring in Political Science and double minoring in Philosophy and African and African American studies. Fill free to introduce yourselves before round, too! :)

When judging, I want you to tell me what to vote for. I want you to tell me what I should value most in round and why. Establish the voter issues in round and tell me what I need to evaluate most when deciding my ballot.

I am okay with spreading, but I will not vote on an argument that you do not articulate well enough to me, or that I simply cannot understand. If it's important, it is your job to make sure that I understand that. Why is everything that you are saying important? Why does what you have to say matter? Why are you right?

As far as policy and/or K debates, you run whatever you want to run; I will vote on anything. Debate shouldn’t be about debaters making the space better, it should be about debaters using the space to better themselves and others. You do you boo! I am not a fan of framework. Run at your own risk... I am fair though. I believe debaters should be able to talk about epistemology first and foremost if they want to, and I believe that you should be able to talk about things that you really care about, within reason. This is why I think framework is lame. Framework makes for boring debates in my opinion. There are no rules, only norms! Engage in the arguments being made! But with this being said, that doesn’t mean that you will absolutely not lose to it on the AFF if you don’t answer it well enough.

NEG, you need to prove to me why the AFF is a bad idea. Or else, I’m going to vote an affirmative ballot. AFF, you need to prove to me why you are a good idea. Or else, I will vote a negative ballot. Give me clash!

Flow and organization is important to me. I like to know where I am throughout the debate. I will not vote on arguments you drop in round. I am also not fond of new 2ARs and 2NRs. I will not vote on arguments that come this late in the debate. Your strongest arguments are most likely the ones articulated throughout the entire debate anyways.

I like to consider myself a smart gal, but it is likely that you know more about the topic and what you like to run more than I do. I am still learning too! Make sure you explain to me well enough what your position actually is in round. My face is pretty easy to read, so if I look confused its probably because I am. Don’t leave me lost at the end of the debate.

As for speaker points, be clear, be cordial, don’t be offensive, and have good articulations in round. Bonus points if you make me laugh.

Other than that, be nice and have fun!

Logan Guthrie

Coach at Mountain View High School, debated policy for Arizona State

lmguthrie0624@gmail.com

Overview

Hi, I am a tabula rasa judge that tries to minimize intervention as much as possible. This means that I value thorough extensions and arguments that arrive at a terminal impact. Unless otherwise argued, my default role as the judge is to compare competing worlds within an offense/defense paradigm. I am comfortable with speed and any literature base. Below are some thoughts on specific match-ups:

Plan vs. Counterplan

- I really appreciate numbered net-benefits when the debate gets muddled. Highlight the few stand-out impacts and then give judge instruction on how my decision should come together

K vs. Policy Affs

- Framework is really important. The K doesn't make much strategic sense if it doesn't re-orient the way I view my ballot or the round itself. Be sure to explain why ontology or epistemology comes before policy-making

- Alt's don't need to 'solve' the links of the criticism if you win framework. Just prove why the ballot is only a question of orientation, or a referendum on ethics, etc.

K vs. Fw

- Both sides should spend a significant amount of time on impact framing. How do I weigh a risk of unfairness against the risk of framework reproducing fascism? The debater that answers that question best is probably going to win

- Defense counter-interpretations are more persuasive with a clear model of debate under the k

- Topical Versions of the AFF (TVAs) with an explicit plan text are more persuasive than general assertions that the AFF could have been topical

K vs. K

- Comparative analysis is really important. Re-explaining their theory of the world or a particular structure through the lens of your own literature base is persuasive

- Be sure to emphasize the terminal impacts of the K -- Ex. Neoliberalism is an internal-link, not an impact

- The perm is probably important. I appreciate multiple, diverse arguments to prove or disprove competition (DAs, Solvency Deficits, etc.)

Theory

- Theory debates can get really messy, especially with competing interps, so weighing between standards or voters is key. I much prefer quality over quantity; collapse to a few standards or a single voter and sit on it

Random

- Please do your best to have the speech doc flashed when prep stops

- I usually only read cards after the round if they are flagged

- Clean up the room before you leave, it helps the tournament directors out a lot!

Hello! I'm a coach who didn't do speech and debate in high school because my school was too small to have a team. I love a good debate, though, and I currently coach LD, BQ, Impromptu, Original Oratory, Info, and Prose.

I'm a high school English teacher, and I read the news and studies for fun. Yes, really. I'm that person.

How to win my vote:

- Don't spread. Seriously - I want the time to digest what you're saying, so you need to speak at a reasonable pace. I'll tell you to slow down by saying "Slower!" if it's an issue, but unless you're flying through your case you'll be fine.

- I'm ok with Ks, but your links need to be meticulously logical. Your link chain needs to be reasonable between individual links so that each OBVIOUSLY leads to the next; if you start at the resolution and end at global destruction, make sure each link makes this overall leap seem like it could actually happen. Prove to me that Point A automatically leads to Point B and that there's no other alternatives that can happen EXCEPT Point B.

During the round:

- I'm looking for framework clash. Why is your framework the one we need to look at this resolution through? What makes yours more favorable?

- I'm very interested in the impacts. If it doesn't touch our current reality, what's the point of debating the resolution? I want you to go through why it matters to us, in this world, right now. This is what I'd deem the most important part of the debate!

- I don't mind if you finish your sentence after time is called, but don't prolong this too much. I'll give you about a 5 second grace period.

- Please stand while giving speeches, but you can sit for cross-ex.

- Be respectful and have fun :)

I am a former LD debater, and have currently been judging semi-consistently for 3 years. When it comes to style of debate, I am open to almost all types of traditional and progressive forms. I will not accept non-topical critiques or disclosure theory (If you have any questions about this or a certain theory or critique you wanna run, feel free to ask before the start of the round). I also will not allow flux prep part way through the debate, both debaters must agree to flux prep before the round if they would like to do so. regardless of style of debate or speed, fluency should be happening to an understandable level, and I would ask if you are to read at a spreading speed then please slow down to a normal pace for headlines and authors. If you are worried about your mic working consistently either due to its quality or internet connection, please don't. I will ask everyone to send their cases over and I will read and count anything from the highlighted section of your cards even if your mic cuts out for technological reasons. That being said, I will need your case to be properly formatted and highlight (or at the very least done in a way that is understandable to read and listen for me and your opponent). Please don't waste your time explaining debate jargon or the resolution (unless there is a legitimate reason to provide definitional framing in your case) to me, I have debated and judged long enough to understand what you are going for in most cases. I expect and prefer strong line by line arguing and sign posting for me and your opponent throughout your rebuttal speeches. I would also suggest giving key voters at the end of the round in order to neatly crystalize your arguments and framework evaluate the round. If I have missed anything beyond what has been previously stated feel free to ask me before the round has started.

I'm a parent judge who has judged debate for around 2 years.

Few key disclaimers

-Go slow and speak clearly so I can understand your arguments and warrants.

-I don't want to be on the email chain, I prefer you go slow and help me understand your points.

-I prefer a more traditional style of debate, make sure to simplify and explain any complicated arguments to me.

-Keep your own time please.

-Off-time road maps are helpful/Key Voters in 2NR and 2AR please.

-If you speak too quickly I will have difficulty flowing. I will give u a "clear" warning and the second time I won't flow so please GO SLOW.

How to get my vote

-I'm a believer in the fact that Aff should defend the resolution, and the negative should disprove the Aff. Try to stick by this doctrine when giving your speeches.

-I'm not gonna vote on an argument unless you bring it up in your 2NR/2AR because these are arguments that you consider most important. To get me to vote on an argument it must be extended throughout and explained with good warrants.

-I also base my vote majorly on impacts, so doing some impact comparison and weighing on your opponent's arguments really helps me to decide the ballot.

-Finally, I need good warrants/line of reasoning on any points you make otherwise I wont vote on it.

-Please guide me to your ballot by giving me key voters on what you are winning and why.

I judge the round based off of the framework that wins. Your impacts should make sense under your framework and in round you should take time to explain why your impacts matter under your framework. I'm willing to listen to progressive arguments but I am not well versed in most critical literature so you will need to explain what the argument is and why it means you should win the round. If you have any specific questions feel free to ask me in person before the round starts.

I am a fascist*.

I coach and teach at BASIS Mesa.

I lack experience debating, but after coaching and watching debate for the past two years I have learned to evaluate whatever arguments and evidence are presented within the round. I probably will not be familiar with topic-specific acronyms, but beyond that I'm fairly open to all kinds of argumentation.

A lot of debaters, specifically in Arizona, for some reason have not learned the three-tier-structure of an argument: a claim, warrant, and impact. Whatever format you pursue and enjoy should have statements which are backed up with reasoning and why that is important under the framework within the round.

I like the line-by-line clash, and I default absent any arguments to a comparative worlds paradigm.

LARP

- too many debaters make weakly-linked impacts like extinction without explaining the specific chain of events which would lead to this. make these claims, just explain how nuclear war would occur. eg; economic failure causes Trump to attempt to divert attention by attacking North Korea and mutually assured destruction ensures nuclear war.

- probability, magnitude, timeframe, etc. are wonderful voters which are underutilized

Kritikal

- do not give a 4 minute overview and then go to the line-by-line and repeat yourself. i will probably tank your speaks.

- answer the question "why is this important and what does the alternative do?" in your last speech

- i will also tank your speaks if you run lacanian psychoanalysis in front of me. i'll vote on it but the maximum you'll get is a 28. if it's freudian the max speaks you're getting is a 27.

- identity politics is pretty cool, don't run stuff like "your identity doesn't matter" versus it

- deep down, I like Nietzsche

Tricks

- not going to pay attention, will probably start recording the round, and give it to our debaters to laugh at.

Theory/ Topicality

- frivolous theory is silly and if you have to ask "is this frivolous" it probably is.

- drop the argument > drop the debaters

- competing interps = reasonability

- no RVIs > RVIs

- education > fairness

- Topical Versions of the Affirmative are wonderful things that will make me feel like you deserve a high 29. Also, have carded definitions for your t interp.

Philosophy

- this is great but know what you're talking about.

- Hobbes> Locke (running Hobbes CORRECTLY= 29 minimum speaks)

- make the framework a story, the cards should logically flow into one another

Traditional

- if you're good at traditional debate, these are my favorite rounds to watch-- the ones I give the most 30s in.

- i'll be honest, most are probably mediocre-leaning-bad in traditional debate. go for it in front of me, just know that i'll be silently annoyed and i may tune out.

- PROGRESSIVE KIDS: don't try spreading your opponent out of the round. that's un-educational especially because you can probably beat them talking at a conversational speed. run your progressive arguments, just don't do it to the point where your opponent cannot participate in debate.

Speaks

27 and Under: Extremely poor language use, bad at debate (learn from the round)

27.1-28: Evidence/support not clearly linked, arguments not substantial, poor language use, e.g. racist, sexist (whether intentional or not)

28-29.5: Arguments mostly substantial, evidence/support mostly linked to arguments, mostly clear use of language, e.g. I could understand your points, your contentions, values, etc. were clearly stated

29.5-30: Strong evidence/support provided, evidence clearly linked to arguments, substantial debate, strong, clear use of language

* debate fascist, like t-fwk and LARP is good.

I'm fairly new to judging and have no prior experience in speech or debate. I have no problem processing complex concepts, however I prefer those concepts to be communicated at a normal pace.

Please do not spread.

If I feel like you are talking too fast, I will ask you to be clear twice. After that, if I can't understand you I will simply put down my pen. I believe that spreading is poison to the debate community. I do not want to be added to your email chain, as I should not have to read your case in order to understand it. If there is an evidence dispute or I feel like there is any other reason I need to see a card, I will ask. I find off-time roadmaps to be a waste of time, and while you are speaking I will always keep time and immediately drop my pen once your time is up.

I value topicality above all else. Debate should be an educational experience focused on the resolution. Regarding Ks, your arguments should not be ones that you could repeat ad-nauseam for any topic and a lot of Ks don't pass that test. A Neg K can be topical and I will evaluate it accordingly if so. However, K Affs by their very nature generally do not meet the burden of defending the resolution and are there is a high probability of me just dropping you if you run one. Regarding Theory, be very careful. I recognize there are things that either side can do which are abusive or frivolous even if the base argument is topical. If you can thread that particular needle when responding, more power to you.

For weighing, I prefer probability over other mechanisms and I am receptive to timeframe as well. I'm fine with reasonable magnitude weighing too. However, we live in a reality in which extinction has not yet occurred despite the countless number of dire warnings given by debaters over the years. I feel like debaters are intelligent enough to understand the distinction of something that could arguably be true vs. an impact that is just included in your case as a magnitude bomb.

Tech is of course important in any debate round, but I also recognize that there are also some things that are objectively true. If you have a card telling me the sky is green, that does not mean I have to accept it as the truth, even if your opponent does not have a specific card refuting that (because why would they?). However, for any reasonable argument that isn't straight-up factually incorrect and flows through, I will absolutely award you the ballot regardless of my personal opinions on a given topic.

The bottom line is that if you're being intellectually honest and recognize that a debate round exists within the confines the real world, that will maximize your chances of picking up my ballot.

No Spreading. If I don’t understand you it’s no good.

Cite resources.

Time management but finish your thought.

Hello! I'm currently an Arizona State University (ASU) student with no experience with speech and debate other than having judged for some tournaments thus far for my younger sibling. As such, please do not expect me to be able to understand or detect all of the techniques used in each round.

Spreading/Speed: Since I have no experience with speech and debate, speak rapidly at your own risk. I will attempt to follow along, but I will not guarantee that I will be able to catch everything said. That being said, I prefer if you speak slowly.

Clashing: I prefer to hear arguments where the negative side clashes with the affirmative side's points made.

Signposting: Please signpost your framework, criterion, and contentions. Please continue to remind which points made by your opponent when you are refuting and how they compare to the importance of your arguments.

*Time yourselves, my times is to check your time.

Please give clash.

I don't mind progressive arguments, I don't mind spreading, and I don't mind Flex prep. Personally, I believe that in debate anything goes as long as you genuinely believe it.

I'm not a big fan of K's on AC , but if its something you actually believe in and has a good link go for it. I have a really high tolerance for abuse. I usually don't find K's, counterplans, or picks to be abusive so it's really hard for me to vote on theory. And if you do want to run theory please run drop the argument. I HATE drop the debater, I find it needlessly cruel. I am a flow judge, and I tend to favor Framework over contention level. Please give clean impacts, and above all be nice to each other in cross. Yell, flip chairs, do whatever your heart desires in your rebuttals, but I value cross REALLY high in speak points and there is no reason to be aggressive in cross. Especially over a simple answer. It's my ultimate pet peeve, debate is about education and there is absolutely no need to be rude in cross. I want clean extensions and clean weighing! As a judge I should never have to sit there and wonder which argument has a greater impact. I legitimately want the weighing spoon feed to me! It's your time to shine! Give me that impact calculous, and give me those key voters!

To anyone who reads this I wish you luck in your round, and Don't forget to have fun!

i am a lay judge. I am ok with moderate speed but do not spread. I generally default to util. Just make sure to stress your solvency and impact and why you outweigh.

I've judged three years of LD debate as a parent of an LD debater. I work in investment real estate while my formal education is in engineering. My school affiliation is Arizona College Preparatory - Erie Campus.

I still consider myself a lay judge as I'm not a prior debater.

My preferences:

Keep it under 300 words per minute. I won't remind you in round or during your speech to slow down.

I'm fine with plans or counter-plans, but they must have solvency.

Topicality is big.

I will flow k's, but I'm not a fan of them.

I prefer a utilitarian mechanism.

I recommend signposting throughout the debate, providing clear connections to the framework/contentions.

When presenting offense, present a big picture road-map before you get into any details.

I strongly recommend presenting key voters. List weighing mechanisms along with each.

Please add me to email chain: steve@pearces.mailhaven.com

Parent judge with about 20 LD and PF rounds judged.

Prefer WPM under 280.

Effective signposting is key.

Prefer key voters at end of NR and 2AR. Tell me why you won.

K's are ok with very good, specific links.

Style:

• Speed: Speak clearly regardless of your speed. Don’t use speed as a tool of exclusion. If you need to speak quickly to make all of your arguments slow down on the important points, I will only evaluate arguments that make it to my flow.
• Flex Prep: I have no problem if debaters choose to use some of their prep time for additional clarification questions.
• Be respectful and professional! This is supposed to be fun and educational, don’t be rude.

Content:

• Theory: Demonstrable, round-specific abuse is necessary for me to vote on theory arguments. I would rather hear arguments that address the substantive issues of the round so please consider the legitimacy of the argument on the discourse of the round before running Theory.
• Kritik: I love a good, thorough K argument! (with strong links and impacts)
• I will entertain most arguments as long as you are deliberate about your choices and provide significant and high-quality impacts. If you can't explain to me how this argument weighs out in the evaluation of the round, I am not likely to vote on that argument. If nobody does a good job providing me with a quality impact calculus, then I am likely to start looking for my own reasons to prefer one side over the other instead of remaining tabula rasa. Do your work so I don’t have to do it for you!

Hello!

I am a traditional judge from Arizona who has judged a variety of rounds at local tournaments before. I learned the majority of what I know about LD Debate from Bob Ferris-- an ex-policy debater-- and my sons, Danial and Harris. I like a balance between solvency and debating the validity of the resolution. Overall, I like it when you can clearly explain your arguments and have well-developed contentions. I don't like it when I see people using arguments they cannot explain-- CX is important to me-- or just ramble.

Traditional Debates

I understand the Value + Criterion structure and if you can articulate yourself clearly I am willing to listen to framework debates. These are my favorite since I believe LD is fundamentally a persuasive game that attempts to grapple with serious moral and ethical considerations-- although it is important to look at the real world too. If we say that the public's right to know is important, what does that mean in modern politics?

Progressive Debates

I have been trying to understand these for a while and having difficulty. A lot of the time, it just appears as if people are trying to avoid actually arguing with their opponent-- which misses the point of debate. You can run progressive arguments with me, just make sure that they make logical sense and are not just an attempt to scare other people with your buzzword claims.

Speed

Please talk at a conversation pace and clearly.

Have fun! :)

email chain: cammiesoderquist@gmail.com

History: Former LDer and policy debater in previous century. LD state champ, nationals, etc.

Side note: I get that 21st century LD has become more like policy in regards to solvency, plans, spreading and the like. I like direct clash, thus I prefer LD stay in LD camp ("should we...?") and policy stay in policy camp ("how do we solve...?"), but I'll judge fairly on what's presented. I'm a flow judge.

-----------------------------------

Specifics:

Framework. If two are presented, tell me why yours is superior or, better yet, how you uphold both.

Argumentation. Claim, warrant, impacts. Please weigh everything in rebuttals and explain why I have no choice but vote for you.

***This is probably the most important point I can make. Don't just say your evidence says the opposite of your opponent's evidence. Explain WHY your evidence is superior, and if both are saying the opposite, WHY yours still outweighs. I want to hear the analytics.***

Theory. Explain why critical. I will not vote on frivolous theory, but I have voted on educationally-sound theory before (ex: time skew spreading abuse).

DAs. Be explicit on uniqueness. I'd love to see interesting impacts other than the tiresome environmental extinction, nuke war. (ex: DA with impact of losing one's soul/loneliness/isolation. It was awesome!)

Ks. These can be interesting, but this is often less clash. Explain why you would choose this strategy instead of direct clash. (If you can't explain why, don't do it.) Make link obvious. I rarely vote for Ks because I have seen many debaters reuse them to avoid preparing on the new topic. I have voted on a few which were extremely well executed and applicable. (ex: Trans K ran on "The illegal use of drugs ought to be treated as a matter of public health, not criminal justice." with examples of hormone therapy--expertly applied to topic.)

Plans/CPs. Not my fav at all. We're not solving things in LD, that's policy, but I will judge fairly provided links and uniqueness are strong and why yours is clearly better.

Spreading. Don't. Although I was a policy spreader, this technique should stay in policy debate, simply due to the evidentiary requirements to support plans. LD doesn’t require proof as it’s asking “should?”, and I want to hear the reasoning not blasting of evidence. Instead of spreading, convince me with your amazing and unique analysis and weighing. I won't call "clear". That's not a speed appropriate for clash and crystallization.

Tricks. Don't like 'em. Instead of these tactics, wow me with your analytics, CX and and knowledge of reso.

-----------------------------------

Things that make me happy:

• Argument clash, crystallizing why your position is superior and why you win the round. Make it easy, do the weighing for me.

• Strategic CX. Lay foundation for args in speech and I'll be singing Pharrell Williams. I LOVE CX! (Unless it's brought up in speech, though, it won't flow, but just say "as I showed in CX, or as my opponent agreed to in CX.")

• Key voters. (Don't just list contentions, have the REAL KEY VOTERS of that round and why you win.)

Things that make me sad:

• Giving a win due to a dropped arg instead of why.

• 1NC spreading for the express purpose of the above (weak tactic).

• Referring to cards by citation only in rebuttals. You’ve heard your case 20x, I haven't. Don't just refer to the citation (ex. "williams '20"), please use tag and cite (ex. "my williams '20 card that explains the negative psychological impacts blah blah")

-----------------------------------

Random:

• There's a word I love (mentioned 10x above). Use it often, and it will make you a superior debater.

• Evidence is important, but a logical, well-thought-out argument to question evidence is even better. Analytics is what I see missing from LD nowadays, and it's very sad. It shouldn't be who can blast as many pieces of evidence, it should be who can logically and thoughtfully use the evidence to make an argument and support it the best. I love unique arguments based on simple logic. (ex: "The US ought not provide military aid to authoritarian regimes" where Neg explained the psyche of dictators is that they ONLY speak in terms of weaponry thus applying Aff's examples to Neg and gaining those impacts. Unique and brilliant strategy!)

• I leave bias (political, social, etc.) at the door and only judge on what is in round. Do not worry about any arg that I might personally disagree with--doesn't matter. I was a debater; I get it. Tech over truth, except for totally obvious historical facts.

• Casual/friendly. Be comfy, take off jacket, heels; hope opponents can be friends--joke and laugh

Head coach of LD debate in Arizona since 1997. I’ve been the coach at Pinnacle HS in Phoenix since 2007. Familiar with all styles. Expert in traditional style. Default paradigm is Competing Worlds. Moderate speed is preferred but I can flow the spread too. I’m not one to intervene unless the nature of the round is asking for me to be personally influenced. If my personal feelings are being leveraged I will intervene and vote however I feel. I will always reject new arguments in the rebuttals. I will not allow aggressive cross ex. I rarely flow the CX. I judge according to the flow. Debaters will be asked to roadmap where they expect me to flow their off-case arguments. If an RVI is presented I’ll need standards and impacts on the abuse. If you run post-modern philosophy or anything that denies the actual truth as being debatable I’ll need to be persuaded because that approach denies its own truth. If you intend to run Tricks you’d better slow way down. I like good turns. And I love a solid 1AR. If you are a super-progressive circuit debater my style might be annoying to you. I apologize. I always promise to do my best to flow well and judge fairly. Good luck.

I am a coach for a large team.

I'm fine with both progressive and traditional debate but prefer traditional V/C and I'm usually not a fan of counterplans in LD. Either way, be sure to make your arguments and be clear. I won't make them for you and guess at what your point was supposed to be. Make all impacts clear. List your voting issues. If you run a K, it should tie to the resolution. I will flow whatever you put out there during the debate.

Enunciate if you're going to spread. Spreading is a tool. If you can't make it work in your favor (and most debaters cannot) then don't use it. If I can't understand what you're saying then I can't evaluate it and I won't try.

I'm fine with aggressive debaters. I am not okay with rudeness. It will count against you mostly because it makes you look insecure in your arguments. Your arguments should speak for themselves. If they can't and you try to overcome lousy arguments with pettiness and eye rolling then prepare to lose.

Effective cross-x counts with me. Ask good questions. Answer questions effectively. Don't spend the entire time arguing over cards. A pet peeve of mine is debaters making statements or arguments during cross instead of asking questions.

SternCH@nv.ccsd.net

My name is Nick Stump I competed 4 years at Northern Arizona University in NPDA
and LD and 4 years directly coaching HS/college. The biggest thing I wanted as a competitor was a judge that would be open minded and intent on listening
and letting the debaters have the round they want to have. I want to see what makes
you the best you rather than feeling pinned to having a particular format. I try to be
approachable about questions and am willing to see anything from traditional policy-
oriented debates to performance; the round is yours to debate.

What wins rounds:
I will vote on almost any argument, but what wins is framing and
comparative analysis of impacts, solvency, and link differentials. Weighing is
wonderful, I prefer weighing material impacts than nebulous claims. Please read all
interpretations on theory and texts of plan/cp/alts twice OR SLOW DOWN. Decorum:
I don’t care if you sit or stand when debating. I am not here to criticize your clothes.
I’m here to evaluate arguments.

Section 2: Specifics.
1. Speaker points: I like humor, but prefer people being real.

2. K’s:
YES! I mostly read K’s in debate, both sides of the rez. I extremely prefer topic
specific criticisms and critical impact framing to generics plug-in or rejecting topics
outright. I think the weakest point of a criticism is the alternative/solvency, and
generally think it’s better to just engage than shy away from answering them. If you
read jumble-word- salad k’s that morph in the block, please strike me. I don’t like
when people read multiple contradicting strategies or kick out of the alternative.

3. Performance-based arguments:
Not my favorite, but explain what your performance is and why that is necessary/important to framing the debate round.

4. Theory:
I enjoy theory when it is done right, but bad theory just sounds like whining. I don’t
know how to quantify education, do that for me. Tell me what ground you should
have had. Contextualizing theory to the round and what your opponents have done
especially goes a long way. Tell me whether it is reasonability framing or competition
interpretations. I don’t generally err either side on theory, I prefer creative affirmative
interpretations to outright rejection. Consult is probably bad. One conditional CP is usually fine, but don’t read contradictory strategies, and you probably don’t get to
sever yourself out of offensive things said.

5. Counter plans/DA:
Anything goes! I prefer clear brinks and terminalized impacts with timeframe
analysis. Please don’t read consult. Secretly 8 minutes of case turn in the LOC is my
favorite debate. I generally prefer depth over breadth. I prefer creative affirmative
interpretations to outright rejection of pmc.

6. Permutations:
Bad perm debate makes my head hurt, depth and developing your argument here helps
a lot.

7. Speed:
Debaters who sacrifice clarity for speed disappoint me. Don’t expect me to know
your blocks. I don’t like speed used as a tool to exclude your opponent, but often find
anti-speed procedurals have an arbitrary bright line without indicting the performance
of the other team. That being said the fastest debater does not always win the round,
but often does because of comparisons. Don’t sacrifice clarity for speed.

While I have not participated in speech and debate myself, I have been judging Lincoln Douglas debate for several years now and am trained in traditional forms of debate. If you want to use progressive argumentation, that is fine as long as you are clearly explaining your argument and defining any rare terms you use. It helps to tell me why you're winning the framework debate and why that matters in the round. Also, please roadmap, do key voters, etc. Impact calc and extensions will help you immensely. I'm not comfortable with spreading (very high rates of speech); if I cannot understand you, I can't flow you, and that's not good for anyone. I'll say "clear" as a heads-up if I can't keep up with you.

It's important to me that everyone is considerate to one another and has fun!

Coaching for 23 years and taught debate for same amount of time. Holistic judge/flow judge, but want CLASH on both sides. I am okay with speed, but should not deplinish your arguments-those come first. Some progressive is okay, don't like Plans or Counter Plans-those need to stay in CX.

This is still value debate so would like to see value criterion used and supported.

K's okay, not optimal, but will listen to them.

Standing during debate is a must-lazy if you don't.

I am a parent judge with no personal debate experience. However, this is my 3rd year judging so I know the way things work. I am ok with fast talking and can handle any argument as long as you make yourself clear and preface anything unusual with a quick explanation.