Slower/moderate speaking speed is preferred. There is no penalty aside from the fact that your argument may not be understood.

Showing good time management is best. However, between finishing your statement and stopping mid point I prefer the former. For reference, approximately ten additional seconds, to finish your statement, is reasonable.

I’ll vote for whatever you want to read. I like creative arguments and find rounds to be more enjoyable when teams directly clash with one another instead of card dumping and shadowing extending into the 2nd rebutalls. The difference between a good team and a great team is the ability to think critically during rounds and make strategic choices. Don’t go for the buffet 2nr because you think you are winning everything. This is an easy way to lose a round and I’ve seen it a lot this year. If you read any kind of theory argument you should put some thought into your interp and understand that if you are responding to any theory argument you need to actually debate and not read your 13 point block at hyper speed and hope that they drop a standard. In my eyes a good debate happens when teams understand their evidence, their arguments, and strategically prioritize arguments that they think will win the round.

Go go as fast as you want. Read what you want. I want to see a debate where teams show they put the time and effort in outside of round and use that effort to be persuasive and technically proficient.

I think debate is a game. I think the way you win a game is to leverage your advantages while removing your opponents opportunities. Do not be afraid to go for 5 minutes of theory if they didn’t respond well. Don’t be afraid to go for the K, I went for it a lot.

Have fun and put your hard work to bear.

Email: thomasdb8@gmail.com

Hi! My name is Madelyn I debated in high school and now attend Kanas State I don't do college debate, so talk to me accordingly, please. I tend to value tech over truth in most instances, but I 100% believe it's your job to extend and explain warrants of args, and tell me what to do with those args within the context of the debate round. I expect plans to provide a plan text. I won't evaluate anything that happens outside of the debate round. I very much believe debate is a game where nothing "real" ever happens, and as such, we need to treat it like a game and be nice to each other. I don't want to see teams being hateful during the round--that will result in speaks being dropped and, if it's bad enough, losing the round. (Note: if bad behavior happens, get it on the flow--explain why I shouldn't vote for the team behaving badly and warrant it out).

Delivery:

I prefer if you slow down slightly on tags and author/dates, but other than that go as fast as you want, as long as it's clear. I'll say "clear" once, and if I still can't follow I'll stop flowing. I won't evaluate anything that's not on the flow. Please signpost clearly and extend warrants, not just authors/dates. Good rebuttals need to explain to me how to fill out the ballot. I'm looking for strong overviews and arguments that tell a meaningful story.

T:

I default to competing-interps-good, but I've voted on reasonability in the past. I enjoy T and am excited for the T debates I'll get to see this year.

Performance-based:

I'm unfamiliar with this but will totally vote on it. Do whatever you do and I'll try to keep up.

Cps:

These need to be specific and include solvency advocates, and they need to be competitive. I'll defer to just not evaluating a CP if I feel like it's not appropriately competitive with the aff plan. I really dislike Delay, Conditions and Consult PCs, but go for whatever if you feel like you can convince me. I won't automatically vote against any of the above, just know you'll have to really sell me on it.

K:

This is the argument category with which I am least familiar, but I've voted on them in the past. I don't hate K-affs or Ks, but assume I'm unfamiliar with the texts you're referencing. You'll likely need to spend some more time explaining it to me than you would have to in front of another judge. That said, I enjoy seeing them, so go for it.

DAs:

Love these, even the generic ones. DAs need to tell a story--don't give me a weak link chain and make sure you're telling a cohesive story with the argument. I'll buy whatever impacts you want to throw out there.

Framework:

I'll vote on this. Make sure you're explaining specifically what the framework does to the debate round. If I vote on your framework, what does that gain us? What does your framework do for the debaters? What does it make you better at/understand more? Compare yours to your opponents' and explain why you win.

Anything else, just ask.

I am a lay judge with no previous judging experience.

Clarity over Speed - no penalties other than I will not be able to understand you.

You MUST explain all of your arguments throughly and why you win on each of those arguments - this is your best chance at winning the round.

Truth >>> Tech

Do not spread your analytics if you want me to pay attention to them.

I have no knowledge of K's (sorry if this impacts your neg strat) so it is probably best if you stick to basic arguments like DA's and Counterplan's. Please explain these thoroughly if you want me to understand them.

Basic Topicality arguments are fine if you explain them well. Tell me why it matters and why I should vote on it!

Blippy theory arguments and poorly impacted put ones will not be voted on.

Please be nice to each other in round and have fun!

he/his

mateen.shah [at] gmail [dot] com

debated at Wichita East HS 2008-2012; coached at Wichita East HS 2016-2020

In terms of my familiarity, Policy v. Policy >>> K v. Policy >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> K v. K

Beliefs that can't be changed: condo good, new affs good, disclosure good, debate good

I felt my previous paradigm was too long and not helpful, so I've tried to make it more concise. I'm happy to vote on any argument, but I have the least experience with critical args. I'm happy to vote for Ks, but I'm unfamiliar with most. I may miss some nuance if the debate becomes technical due to shortcomings in my personal knowledge. I haven't judged in a few years, so my flowing has suffered.