Hi! I am an experienced judge that loves speech and debate. I have a background in theater, so please speak up and enunciate. I like traditional debate, I like to flow your rounds and I want you to debate your points & your opponents case. Please be respectful and enjoy your round. After all, this should be fun. 

General Notes:

• Please include me in the email chain callielynne26@gmail.com

- Warrants are what make me vote on arguments- isolate the specific warrants you want me to remember because I won't remember every warrant from every card in the constructives

-Please slow down a little bit on your typed analytics, especially if they are most of or at the beginning of your speech. Argument tags will help me flow your analytics but no worries if you don't have them. Just know that I can't flow every word as fast as you can say them.

Argument Thoughts:

K Affs and Framework- I've read these affs and thing they can be really cool if you know what your aff does or does not do and can explain that. I find that I lean towards affs that are in the direction of the topic not being as big of a violation of framework as others, but I am also willing to vote against these affs if the neg can explain why this is bad. The cleaner the framework flow is the happier I will be.

Topicality- Good T debate is specific T debate. What affs do they include? What successful teams are reading topical affs?and reading a case list are all some examples of viable options. Make sure you answer all of their standards sufficiently, this often(though not always) means that for T to be a viable 2NR strat at least 3 minutes of the block should be spent on it. I have also found that I am more persuaded by ground args than limits, but I'm willing to vote on limits if it is more specific than generic blocks your varsity's varsity wrote.

Theory- The more I've judged the more I've realized I am not super willing to vote on theory. I will if I need to and am much more likely and willing to vote on theory if it is specific and contextualize to the round. I have no idea how to evaluate two teams reading generic theory blocks and if the round turns in to this it will be so much harder for me to vote on theory.

CPs- Handle theory appropriately. Make sure you explain what your counter plan does and have good perm answers.

DAs- I like DAs with clear internal link analysis. If it is vague and something along the lines of "X causes the economy to decline which causes a nuclear war" with no explanation of how the economic decline causes a nuclear war I will have a hard time defending a DA scenario on the ballot.

Kritiks- Make sure you can explain the alt and defend it in CX. I think the best K debate is specific K debate, so if you can read lines of their evidence to prove the link and/or isolate multiple links that is best. You should also make sure you are winning at least some risk of the alt solving or doing something good.

I debated policy in highschool- a long, long time ago, but I really loved it. I enjoy judging, but I haven't done much so I am not updated on the most modern kritiks and theories. I'm pretty traditional. I lean policy maker, but I will vote on topicality if it's relevant. You'll have to be very convincing to get me to vote on a kritik or more 'out of the box' argument. Speed is fine if you are clear. Please slow down for tag lines and analysis. It's important to me that debators/speakers be respectful of others and polite in rounds. You can absolutely be passionate and forceful about your arguments without being dismissive of others in your rounds. If any type of abuse does occur, it's fine to point out ot briefly, but I'll be aware, so please don't waste time whining about it in your speeches. I will be a little out of my element judging rounds other than policy, but I'll do my best to be fair and thorough.

Background / Experience:

Hello! My name is Kaia and I absolutely love debate. It honestly is one of my passions, so please expect and cherish my feedback (either on your ballot or in person). I also kind of know what I'm talking about.

I competed for four years at Hunter High School. During that time I was my teams secretary, VP, and President. I competed in over 500 rounds (varying events but mainly LD), and was awarded many individual tournament awards, qualified for nationals 9 times, was ranked 9th in the entire state of Utah, and ranked 1st in LD in the state of Utah. I also received my degree of Primer Distinction. I have taught many different novices throughout my time in high school, so I probably can understand what you're doing, and what you can do better. I am currently the assistant coach at Hunter High School. I have competed in and judged almost all events (everything but congress), so this isn't my first rodeo.

Also, just a side note, I apologize in advance for my awful spelling.

Paradigm:

THE BIGGEST PET PEEVE IS WHEN YOU DON'T SIGN POST. IF YOU DON'T TELL ME WHERE TO PUT IT ON THE FLOW I WILL NOT FLOW IT.

I also value the framework debate very heavily (ESPECIALLY in LD debate). Please use it within the debate!

I am primarily a TRAD debater myself, but I have used progressive techniques in most of my cases. I do not care if you run trad or progressive, but I will probably be able to give you better critiques if it is a trad case. Again, just do whatever though I'm fine with either.

I do not mind aggression at all. Yell as much as you want I love a good, heated debate. That being said, if you are a bully to your opponent, or just a meanie in general there is a good chance you won't get the ballot. Just be respectful. It's pretty easy.

FOR ANY AND EVERY DEBATE EVENT I WILL MOST LIKELY VOTE HEAVILY ON LINE BY LINE. PLEASE BE ORGANIZED AND USE LINE BY LINE.

For speech events I will judge mainly on overall speaking skills as well as organization in any event. For most speech events I really appreciate hearing your sources for your information (of not in impromptu or spar).

Other than that I don't care too much what you do. Ask me if you have any round specific questions. Run whatever you want. Time yourself. Make me laugh. :D

When I was a High School student at Mountain View H.S. in Orem Utah. I participated in Policy Debate. After graduating, I then went on and was accepted on the University of Utah's debate team and competed in the NDT Circuit for a year. After graduation, I volunteered several times to judge high school debate tournaments as an alumnus for MVHS. Much later I became involved with debate again with Skyridge High School as the assistant coach.

I love a good policy debate! I have come to appreciate and respect Public Forum. I also have a fondness for Lincoln Douglas as I was initially a Philosophy and Political Science major at the UofU before moving into Computer Science. I will judge Individual Events, but I feel inadequate at times in this area.

Speed of speaking is not an issue for me. I will flow the entire round save perhaps the rebuttal speeches. I do request that the speaker is able to face the judges and also have their mouth be visible. I am somewhat hard of hearing and having a visual indicator of speech helps me understand better. Clarity should not be sacrificed for speed. If you cannot speak clearly at high speed you should slow down. I will not penalize teams who speak more slowly and thus are required to group arguments. The most persuasive argument should win regardless of speed of delivery.

I try to be a Tabula Rasa style judge and leave my personal political leanings outside of the room. I will vote for arguments that I find distasteful if I believe that they have been presented clearly and persuasively and the alternate team has not defended well against them. I count myself as a politically moderate independent.

I will vote for Topicality arguments if they are presented well. I will vote for a Kritik. I will vote for a Counterplan. I would prefer to have clash though and see a good policy debate. I do not mind tag team cross examination. Please be respectful of one another.

I prefer to disclose and give oral critiques if I am allowed to by the tournament organizer.

Best of luck to the competitors and participants! My goal is to help spread debate and critical thinking. Even if I vote against your team, I hope that you have a positive experience.

For email chain exchanges please use vbillings@entangling.net

While I don't have a long history of being involved in debate, I can follow a good argument. My primary concerns are 1, your argument is topical and argue the resolve; 2, your contentions are based on evidence with sources; 3, you have claims, warrants, and impacts; 4, you attack the opposition case with logic and reasoning to expose vulnerabilities; and 5, you successfully defend against attacks on your own case using logic and evidence. I try to vote based on the best cases, speakers, and arguments of the round. I appreciate a traditional debate.

Also: Any sentences that begins with "Judge, you cannot vote for them," or "Judge, you must vote for our case," will make me not want to vote for you. Don't tell me what to do; I will do what I deem the best and most fair. However, saying things like "Judge, Their contention fails on this point," or "Judge, our case should win because of..." are acceptable, as are detailing the voters.

I appreciate a polite and civil debate. If you show disdain for your competitor, I will have a hard time wanting to vote for your position, however a solid case and sound logic will win over likeability. I just won't be happy about it.

I do not disclose, unless the tournament asks us to, nor do I give critiques. Giving critiques is basically the same as disclosing, since I have no poker face.

Please put me on the E-mail chain: baileybrunyer7@gmail.com

I am a debater at WSU and I have been apart of the debate community for 5 years. I have debated and/or debated against almost every argument that you have probably ever heard of. I have been switching between being the 2A and the 2N almost my whole debate career. Honestly just do whatever you want and if you win it, I will vote on it. Here is some more specific shit.

Affirmative

There are two thing that you need coming out the 1AC

1: An impact that is generated for the status quo

2: A way to solve those impacts

If you don't have both or either of these, there is very little chance that I will vote for you

FW

All of debate is a performance and all research must first require an interpretation of how debate should look or happen. I believe that the best interpretation is that there is always room for any interpretation about debate. Form there we can debate on which interp is just better, that may include predictability or it may include inclusivity.

DA

Offense is key! if you don't have this on at least one of the flows, there is very little chance that you could win. I believe that a team could win on running only defense, but no one wants to give or listen to that 2NR. I don't think that enough 2As will go for things like the theory level threshold of the link. For example, I think there is something to be said about fill-in DAs because it seems to not be an effectual consequence of the Aff but rather just something that happens after the plan. On the other side, I think that there are issues with that arguing swell. The takeaway should be that DAs should not just get away with the links that they read if they seem unfair on a meta level of any offense.

CP/Alternatives

I really like seeing unique CP/alternatives but if you don't have a net ben then there is no reason to vote for them if the Aff. teams reads a perm, duh. Even if you have a boring CP but you think it could win, then read it. With that said, I think it would be really cool to see some perm theory.

Theory

I really like seeing good theory debates but something that I would like to see more theory shells talk about voting issues that are more kritikal but I done;t mind education and fairness being the voting issues.

I am a debater for Weber State University and I have done debate for Four years and counting.

Historically I have voted tech over truth, and good T and Politics DA's are my guilty pleasure. However, that was only because either the Framework team was really good or the K team was really bad. I have always been under the presumption of judge instruction over strict morals, so if you tell me how and why I should vote a certain way in a round I'll buy that more that education claims to the academia.

I'm OK with tag team cross-ex and I don't care about heated debates. it's a moot point to try and police those who have historically struggled in obtaining and securing their voices in this space because: A. they will always say want they are gonna say, and B. doing so creates more harm then good. it's a debate, not a dialogue, I don't care that their interrupting you just like I won't care when you call them out for their own agreeegisnes.

I don't consider sending files as part of prep, just don't be egregious. I doubt that will be a problem sense most tournaments including this one is online. but, I digress.

I dictate points on speaker presentation, argumentation, and not everything has a third point. so IF you loose the round but get a thirty. reevaluate your strategy.

Fiat/Presumption: All my understanding of debate comes from the core concept that the AFF has the burden of proof and the NEG has the burden of rejoinder. I believe that presumption comes from the burden of rejoinder and is not an inherent fact of the negatives tool belt. thats why AFF teams can win on a "try or die" claims or turns to T or Framework. this also extends to Fiat, as if the NEG team goes for a CP or an Alternative, switch side arguments dictate that presumption flips AFF, because the negative team has encroached of the burden of proof (Specifically solvency). but negative teams don't get fiat, that just doesn't make sense. so instead they get alt benefit claims like education, structural fairness, and so on. So to counteract this, AFF teams should in theory get both Fiat and Presumption. This Checks and abuse claims to perms from the negative team because AFF teams don't need to go for it to win, it's merely to test the legitimacy of the CP or alterative to just as if the NEG team would run T or Case turns to test the legitimacy of the AFF. thats why you hear the phrase, the perm is a test of mutual exclusivity. it's this understanding that I believe AFF teams inherently start the round with Fiat, as an extension of the burden of proof. the same as I view presumption as an extension of the burden of rejoinder. However, sense I understand this framing to be just that, a theory. I highly prefer that in round you tell me exactly what I just said, the opposite, or something entirely different depending on your strategy. remember, judge instruction above all else.

AFF: Don't drop case, it's literally your only weapon in this debate that you have, it should be at the top of your speech dock before anything else and you should use in to frame the rest of your arguments on any other flow.

K AFF: Same as above, don't forget to extend your ROB in the 1AC on Framework, pro tip.

T: the interpretation is (at least as I feel) one of the strongest arguments on the T flow, it's essentially the uniqueness to any other argument. it's the inherent truth to the round. if you don't have a counter interp or maintain the one you already placed by dumb shadow extension, it's going to be nigh impossible to win the round.

K: if your going to run a K of any kind, make sure it has an alternative, if not, it's just a case turn and a reason to not vote AFF over a reason to vote NEG.

CP: Look above, only this time, if you don't have a DA or case turn attached to it, I might as well vote AFF because "solving Better" doesn't make sense to me because the AFF is the one with the burden of proof, not the negative.

DA: Link, Impact, Implication. The core to any argument, focus on fundamentals over high theory that half of all debaters, including those at the NDT or CEDA couldn't even articulate well.

REMEMBER - JUDGE INSTRUCTION ABOVE ALL ELSE, HOW THE HECK AM I SUPPOSED TO VOTE FOR YOU IF YOU DON'T TELL ME HOW!!!!

about me:

did pf at hunter high school for 2 years and i really liked it

general stuff and stuff i like:

I like smaller scale impacts.

Weighing. weigh impacts please. weighing is also only useful if it is comparative weighing. don’t just weight impacts but weigh warrants too. Also meta weighing like probability vs. magnitude

really good analysis. good analysis beats a bad card 1000% of the time. calling for cards is off time. dont steal prep.

only do a road map if you are gonna do something really specific. Don’t waste time

im not good with speed. share cases and speech docs with me if you want. hit me over the head with things im kinda dumb

debate is an activity about communication communicate to me clearly why you are winning or should win. say something funny, rap, have an actual good round. just dont bore me to death and make me stare at the ceiling and beg for it to end

if its not in summary it cant be in final focus

people don’t extend stuff for some reason. reading a tag line or the author and year is not an extension. actually explain the arg Please have consistent extensions and don’t shadow extend

im more forgiving to first speaking teams. I’d prefer if you would front line in second rebuttal as much as you can at the very least respond to turns

i dont know how i feel about theory and Ks in pf yet.

im really generous with speaker points

if i can do anything to make the round more accessible let me know

stuff i dont like:

somethings don’t have to be said

definition debate is stupid

i don’t like cross. use it for whatever you like. dont use it to be annoying and scream at each other

supplement cards with analysis dont just read tag lines without the context of the debate

dont run framework if you are just gonna drop it in rebuttal. 99% of the time framework is dropped in like the second speech and if it is flowed thru to the end its inconsequential. if you are running framework warrant it. framework is bad for debate if you run some bizarre framework to cheese your opponents it makes it harder to judge. I much prefer you frame individual arguments.

dont pull some goofy garbage or ill drop you (up to my interpretation)

dont be rude if it is to much ill drop you. Civility is prereq to any positive educational debate round and I hate meanies there is a clear distinction between an intense round and just being mean. be nice to novices

dont break the simulation. debate is a game

in conclusion:

my paradigm is just a frankenstein of stuff from paradigms i like. hold each other accountable and use good fundamentals to win. if you have any questions about my paradigm ask me in round

tldr just be nice, have fun, weigh, and dont be annoying

Feel free to email regarding a round or help with stuff. always glad to help im married to the game.

bustamante78554@gmail.com

More specific paradigm will be given in round.

More of a tech. judge.

I prefer if you include me in the email chain or flash me your case. It makes it easier to flow, judge, and guarantees that I'll actually be able to judge your case. I can handle speed and spewing, but it's especially courteous to email chain or flash me if you're going to use speed. In the new online world of debate, the file share system works just fine, too.

No preference between progressive or traditional policy. However, word of warning, progressive policy is still based in the fundamentals of debate (unless you theory shell or off-case that) and so progressive policy is still expected to be in based in reasoning, argumentation, logic, and evidence.

I'm a traditional judge. Overall, I look for professionalism and that as you debate you defend your case while working to defeat your opponents' case. If an opponent offers arguments/counter-arguments/evidence, you need to recognize and address it. Don't just ignore it or act as if it doesn't affect your case, otherwise it might end up doing just that.

LD: I want to see how your arguments tie into your Value and Value Criterion. Also make sure you're explaining why your Value should be the held above others in the round.

If you choose to use plans/counterplans, both parties need to accept them in the round, otherwise you'll have to argue as to whether it fits under the resolution.

Make sure your points are logical, tie into your evidence or value, and can show a clear path to the argument you're making.

PF: Make sure your arguments are logical. If you have a Framework, make sure your points tie to the Framework and that the philosophy strengthens your side of the resolution. If there is a contest of evidence, I may ask to view it.

I did PF for two years, as well as policy and extemp, so I know what's going on. Don't assume I know the topic, though. If you're going to say an acronym or specific term, explain it first. Framework is crucial, but if your framework is just Cost Benefit Analysis, don't bother arguing against your opponents' framework, because a CBA is implied under any framework. I flow, so I am paying attention even though I don't make eye contact. Good luck!

My background:

I did debate for 3 years in high school. (LD, policy, Pf) I am currently on a college debate team. I am completely fine with speed & “progressive” cases in all three events.

Ways to impress me

•Don’t say “umm”

•If you are spreading & I can’t understand you... I will say clear 3x. After that read at a normal pace.

•Clear flow. GO LINE BY LINE.

• Be clear & specific about your arguments. I will ask to see cards if necessary.

•Be polite. Everyone loves a salty round but the brightline is set between being a smarty pants & a total jerk.

Hey y'all, so I don't want y'all to change your args to fit me as a judge. I am okay with every type of argument you can run so do it! I'm guessing y'all probably want more info than that, I did LD in high school, and I currently do policy in college. K's I have the most knowledge of are Queer K's, Psychoanalysis, and Cap, if you're running some weird K that isn't common like time cube, I personally believe that it is your responsibility to make sure I understand what you're talking about. Speed is fine, but don't be unclear. As a judge I like judge instruction, tell me how to vote, and WHY.

For LD, please tell me how your framework actually affects the impacts of the round. I honestly don't care if you want to through your value and criterion out. Just tell me why I should still vote I want you to impact that out a lot.

My email is reiolsen00@gmail.com if you want to add me to an email chain or feedback after a round

For online tournaments please email me your speech docs if you have them, if you're in LD and just have it printed out that's no worries just speak clearly. If you're in policy and are going to be spreading please email it to me. I doubt you printed it out, that's a lot of paper.

I believe that the topic exists for a reason and that debates should revolve around the topic. I enjoy substantive debates with good clash of arguments between teams. While I prefer arguments about the content of the plan, I will vote on theory arguments if they are reasonable and well articulated. Because debate is a speaking activity, I value verbal analysis of cards and arguments (I do not like to read cards after the round and will not make the comparisons for you).

SPEAK CLEARLY and not insanely fast. If I cannot understand what you are saying, I cannot flow it or consider it.

For good speaker points, make smart arguments and speak clearly and persuasively. Do not hide behind your computer so that I cannot see or hear you. Be kind and respectful; rudeness can tank your speaks. Don't try to steal prep time.

In the last two rebuttal speeches, I highly recommend slowing down and tying all the loose ends together. Make it obvious as to why and how your arguments supersede those of your opponent.

I strongly believe in the educational value of research and policy debate. Prepare, work hard, and have fun!

Competed in Public Forum in High School, 2014.

I like to see some Framework debate.

Competed in the following events from 2016-2019: Impromptu, Policy, Lincoln Douglass, Extemp, and Public Forum. I spent most of my time competing in Public Forum and in general I do enjoy debate events more, however, I find the speech events seem to be more of an art form. There are rules to follow if you want it to look proper but those rules can be broken as long as you know when, where, why, and if breaking the rule legitimately adds to your performance and does not take away from anyone else's ability to compete.

I am a coach of over 15 years for policy, pf, ld and all speech events at North Sanpete HS, Mission San Jose, Alta and Summit Academy, at Westlake High School and currently an Assistant Coach for Salem Hills High School.

In HS I competed in Speech events, LD and coached policy teams (there was no pf then).

I am the Chair for the NSDA Sundance District and former president for the UDCA. I have judged IE and debate events at the Nationals Level and have served on the pf wording committee. In other words, I know what I'm doing and know speech and debate very well!

I believe that you should give a well organized logical argument in any debate or speech. Topicality is imperative to a debate, and supporting and explaining your position on that topic is vital to a clear argument construct. If you don't say it, I didn't hear it. Don't assume I will know what your evidence means the same as you...

Policy debate should be relevant, and well understood by the competitors otherwise it will not be understood by the judges. I do not mind speed, but if it is so fast that I can no longer understand your words, then I can no longer understand your argument to judge it. K's and theory are fine as long as they go toward the overall value of the debate and topic. They should in no way demonize or devalue any individual or group of people asa part of the K. Analysis and connection of evidence/cards to the plan and solvency is imperative in making a good argument and being a good debater. Cards do not a case make, the debater does. Know your cards, know your plan, and know how they work to support and solve the inherency of the issues involved.

Public Forum should be a thoughtful discussion and not overly repeat questions and answers. Don't just read evidence and think it will make your argument for you. PF IS NOT just policy light....it is its own event with no plans and merits. Treat it well. Weighing and analysis of the topic, evidence, and oppositions arguments are imperative.

Lincoln Douglas should have a clear value and criterion from which to work from, and stay focused on topic and argument. Don't just read evidence and think it will make your argument for you. CARDS and EVIDENCE DO NOT A CASE MAKE...the debater does. Analysis, rebuttal, and connections to the value criterion are paramount in an LD round Plans are ok, as long as they are relevant, on topic, and are shown how they connect to the value criterion like any other argument in the case.

IEs should be unique, appropriate, and follow all structures outlined in their respective events. I look for organization, relevance, creativity and thoughtfulness as well as the presentation being engaging, and suitable for piece and audience. Remember when trying to engage an audience, one should want to help them understand, be brought into the conversation, and allowed to learn another perspective while still maintaining their own in the end. Try not to preach, demean, or ostracize your judge in your piece or presentation---even when controversial topic---they can be great, if done right.

Email: nadia.sabry.155@gmail.com

Debated for three years at Bingham HS ‘19

General:

-Be nice, have fun

-I am very expressive so you can probably tell how I feel about whatever is going on at anytime

-Disclosure is important

T

I like T a lot but that means I have a higher threshold for it. I’ll evaluate through competing interpretations.

K Affs/FW

I usually lean neg on these debates because I consider fairness to be an impact and debate is a game. I love topic specific Ks that the debaters are passionate about. I see debate as a game, but you can convince me to vote otherwise

DA

Not a huge fan of politics. The more specific, the more I like it. If you are winning the counterplan, the lower the threshold I have for a link.

I like clear and thorough internal link analysis.

CP

I love cps that steal from the aff evidence. Explain what the perm is. Neg fiat is good.

K

I think framework is one of the most important things here. I’m familiar with many identity based arguments and enjoy postmodernist literature, so read whatever you want. Explain your alts.

Who Am I? My name is Joseph Serrano. I participated in Public Forum for Bingham High School. I graduated in 2017, My sibling participated in debate from 2018-2020. I accept any and all pronouns, (barring it/its) I enjoy Fighting Games, Cars, and Photography. I have been involved in the debate scene as a judge longer than I was involved as a debater, I love this community and what it means to me. My coach was Hannah Odekirk née Shoell

Paradigm- General for Debates (Cross Ex, Weighing, Preferences)

Flowing is probably the most important thing about debate, Winning on the flow is pretty much a guaranteed win for me. Keep your ideas organized, I like to see you flow speeches, yours and your opponents. Defense on your own case is undervalued(back up your own ideas, shut down attacks from your opponent.)

I like CX, anyone can read their cards from a laptop, it takes good understanding of the subject matter to be able to answer questions in the crossfire/cross ex. I will flow questions I think are great in Cross Ex/Crossfire. If you had a great answer or tripped up your opponent in CX, bring it up in your speeches.

Clash is one thing that I see missing from most rounds, its like two ships passing in the night. I'm here to see good debate, challenge each others arguments directly. If you ignore things you don't have an answer to, I count that as flowing through on their side. It

I'm fine with Speed if your opponents are, less fine with Spreading but I understand its' purpose . If it gets too fast I'll let you know a few times before I have to stop flowing.

I'd prefer it if you'd time yourselves but I will also have a timer up to see if you're going over during speeches. I will give hand signals, if requested

I'm cool with swapping evidence Off-Time but if it takes longer than what should be necessary, it will cut into your prep time. (For example: if you read the card in the 1AC/1NC, it shouldn't take 5 minutes to find where its located.)

I don't carry a copy of the events rules, but if I feel something is abusive I will look into it. I have been trying to get more involved in Speech events, and I do not know many of the small parts of the rules yet, still working on it.

I do ask for cards that I think might be suspicious or if I just want to see the stat in front of me rather than hear it.

Paradigm- PF

If your argument is only good bc of a highly specific framework within your case its not that great of an argument in my opinion. I don't really care for conflicting definitions that do the same thing, if you only 'win' arguments in your case by using a specific/abusive definition from a non credible source, I don't buy into those things as a judge. Both speakers are important! Do not let others tell you otherwise.

Paradigm- LD

Utah has this weird mix of Traditional/Progressive LD debates. I'd say that most judges will buy into Progressive arguments here in the state. I feel like I'm more Traditional leaning when it comes to LD. I value morality, rhetoric within speeches, and more of the philosophical why. I have and will vote Progressive but neither form of debate is a guaranteed ballot.

Paradigm- Speech/ Congress

Speech and Congress is a nice change of pace from when I judge debates- I'm super lay and relaxed and really care most about delivery and if you seem like you're having fun. Speech events are hard because its all about who shows up on any given day- you can't really prepare in the same way as you do in Debate.

It's ok to take a breather if you feel rambly. For Impromptu I'd rather you end your time early than try to fill it with repeating the same thing multiple times.

I'd appreciate Trigger Warnings for sensitive topics for the sake of your fellow competitors but I will be ok as a Judge. The single trigger that might make me emotional is Sibling Death.

Speaker Points.

Speak loud enough so that I can clearly hear you but please don't yell / strain your voice. Be respectful in and out of round, If I see or hear something super offensive in or out of round, I will be letting your coach know. Banter between schools is fun but keep it civilized, nothing directly harmful to each other personally. Respect people's pronouns please!

"I don't know" is a perfectly good answer, It is best not to say something you'd regret in round or make something up, concede the point and move on.

Being respectful is also a big thing for me, you can be aggressive in rounds without sounding condescending so if I hear you being a little too snappy to your opponents you'll probably get docked a bit

I have no preference sitting or standing during speeches, I will provide reasonable accommodations if asked of course.

I do flow online. It will always be in the individual comments section of Tabroom after round so you can see what I did and did not understand/ get from your speeches, Please don't assume that I'm not paying attention or that I don't care about what you're saying, I just don't make eye contact much during speeches.

(serranojoseph99@gmail.com)- for email chain in Policy/ if your coaches have any questions.

THANK YOU!

Please include me on the email chain: jdutdebate@gmail.com

Do what you do best. I’m comfortable with all arguments. Practice what you preach and debate how you would teach. Strive to make it the best debate possible. I reward self-awareness, clash, good research, humor, and bold decisions. I will not tolerate language or behaviors that create a hostile environment. Please include trigger warnings for sexual violence. Feel free to ask me any questions you have before the round.

Specific things:

Speed - I'm comfortable with speed but please recognize that if you're reading typed blocks that are not in the speech doc at the same speed you are reading cards, there's a chance I will miss something because I can't flow every word you're saying as fast as you can say them. Slow down just a bit for what you want me to write down or include your blocks in the doc. I will say "clear" if you are not clear.

Topicality- I enjoy good topicality debates. To me good topicality debates are going to compare impacts and discuss what interp of the topic is going to be better for the debate community and the goals that are pursued by debaters.The goals and purpose of debate is of course debatable and can help establish which impacts are more important than others so make sure you're doing that work for me.

Counterplans- I enjoy creative counterplans best but even your standard ones will be persuasive to me if there is a solid solvency advocate and net-benny.

Theory - In-round abuse will always be far more persuasive to me than merely potential abuse and tricksy interps. I expect more than just reading blocks.

K- I really enjoy a good critical debate. Please establish how your kritik interacts with the affirmative and/or the topic and what that means for evaluating the round in some sort of framework. Authors and buzzwords alone will not get you very far even if I am familiar with the literature. I expect contextual link work with a fully articulated impact and alternative. If your K does not have an alternative, I will weigh it as a DA (that's probably non-unique).

Performance - All debate is a performance and relies on effective communication. If you are communicating to me a warranted argument, I do not care how you are presenting it.

Experience:

I've judged several debate tournaments over the past couple of years. I had the opportunity to judge at National's this past year. I'm familiar with most debate formats.

Speed:

I'm good with speed, but not to the point that I can't understand you. If I can't understand you I'll simply put my pen down and stop flowing.

Topicality:

I like arguments that stick to the specific topic given, make sure you link arguments directly back to the resolution.

Plan/Counter-plan:

In PF do not bring up any plan or counter plan as it is against the rules.

Evidence:

I like strong evidence to back Up claims. I am an unbiased judge. I'm hoping to be convinced through strong evidence.

Civility:

I love teams that are passionate about their case, however I don't like it when that passion turns to hostility against their opponents. I'm okay with a debate getting heated, let's just keep it civil.

Experience:

Speech and Debate Coach, 8 years

Teacher: History, Language Arts, Civics, and Constitution

Judged PF, LD, Policy, Congress, BQ, and most IE events.

Style:

Cases based solely on theory are often very flimsy but are not altogether invalid. If an opponent is running theory alone, that does not promise a win. You should adequately address their arguments as well as supporting your own topicality.

Spreading anywhere outside of policy debate seems inappropriate most of the time. In policy rounds it should be tempered. If it is in your case but not in your speech, you might not be able to use it and it may be difficult for your opponent to use it against you, but they won't have to.

Novel arguments that are well tied to topicality are always enjoyed, but don't promise a win.

Flow:

Most of my flow is primary contentions and how well they are supported vs attacked. Not significant detail but I can follow cards just fine. Contradictory cards from opponents are just as valid unless you can prove otherwise.

Presentation skill:

Unless something stands out as amazing: Logos>Ethos>Pathos>eye contact

Debate events aren't memorized speeches. If you want me to look up and make eye contact so you can guess what I am thinking, you will get less notes in the process and neither of us will enjoy the round nor the results.

Speech events of any kind maintain the opposite expectation. They should be memorized and make connections. Interps don't require eye contact but you get to decide the value of the 4th wall.

Flagrant violations will always negate your efforts.

Ad Hominem attacks against an opponent will be disciplined in your scores. If they are minimal, you might be warned. If they are excessive or major, they will be addressed through your coach, the tournament director, and possibly your admin or the NSDA.

Calling your opponent stupid in round or after the round in ear shot of the judge is a great way to forfeit a well won round.

I respect your coach and the tournament director but I am not afraid to debate with them either.