I debated for Valley High School and I'm a first-year at Yale. I qualified to NSDA Nationals in Policy and the TOC in LD. 

Email: alyssa.makena2@gmail.com

Pronouns: s/h/h

TLDR

Speed is okay. I'll say "clear" if necessary. Everything you run will probably be fine, as long as it's not discriminatory.

Give trigger warnings. 

Don't misgender your opponent. 

Preferences

K - 1

Performance - 1

Topicality - 1

Phil - 2

LARP - 3

Theory - 4

Tricks - 5 

Defaults

RVIs over No RVIs

Tech > truth, but could be convinced otherwise in a performance debate.

TLDR

K's

I love topical and non-topical K's but specifically identity K's if you read a Cap K or a Security K in front of me I'll understand it so theres no big issue. I'm mostly familiar with Afro-Pess, Afro-Futurism, Black Fem, Killjoy, etc. I don't mind overviews but you need to LBL. I vote on the ROB and ALT analysis. 

K-AFFS

Read them. I am a big fan of K-AFFs. You need to prove why I should prefer your model of debate over your opponents and warrant it. But I think there is a line in which it gets too regressive so just try to make it authentic and interesting.

Performances

I'm most familiar with this style of debate. I don't care how out there the performance is but please don't try to make the round into some joke. If you have a truth claim that your impacting as a round-winning argument please 2-3 point and warrant it. 

Phil

I'm very familiar with this type of debate, I love NC/AC debates. I'll vote on pretty much anything. If your reading Phil please be strategic, I think it's a basic skill to ensure good clash in the round. 

- I'm a big fan of hijacks, root cause, meta-ethical claims, etc

Truth Testing

- If you're going to read truth testing, read it. I think it's an underrated strat.

LARP

- I vote on the impact calc debate. 

- Don't pref me high if you're gonna go for a heavy larp debate because i probably won't be the best judge.

THEORY/T

Topicality

I think T is both strategic and necessary at times which means I will vote for it but I still need the debaters to do the work even if the violation is true. I like it when debaters make a distinction between procedural and structural fairness. Set a model of the debate. Collapse. Try to engage with the AFF past Topicality.

Theory

- Competing Interps>Reasonability, but I can be swayed either way to be honest.

- RVIs>No RVIs

- I don't like friv theory but that doesn't mean i wont evaluate it, but tbh I probably will not be compelled to vote for it.

- Not a big fan of disclosure theory debates in general.

TRICKS

- Not a big fan so probably don't go for them in front of me.

Though I am not a lay judge, I believe Public Forum debate should be accessible to lay judges. So don't go too fast. Be respectful. And make sure impacts are realistic; it doesn't take much for me to buy an argument that breaks a multi-step link chain. Finally, and most importantly, honesty matters. So make sure you represent your evidence accurately; I will drop teams that misrepresent evidence, and I'm willing to ask that they be disqualified too.

I am an LD debater from Valley. If you want me to vote for you, please:

- Make any arguments you want (just make sure they follow some logical path. They don't even have to be conventional arguments- the creative ones are my favorite anyway, and I will definitely vote on tricks)

- Explain why your arguments matter- I don't care how common of an argument is, don't assume your opponent's argument's impacts; if they are missing crucial parts of their argument, point it out.

- Make sure you have some route to the ballot (in other words, don't get caught up in the details of your opponent's case and just make sure you have some coherent argument left standing as offense)

- Act however you want (I'm definitely not going to ask you to be nice if you don't want to be lol, and definitely don't waste your time trying to be persuasive). That being said, there is a difference between trolly during cx and being openly rude to your opponent.

Additional notes:

If you want to run an identity position and you do not identify as that group, please either make an argument explaining why you are allowed to run that case or do not run that case. This includes set col, afro pess, etc. Also, if you run blatant performative contradictions, the best way to get me to vote for you is to kick one of the arguments.

Arguments I like (ranked from 1-3):
K- 2

Tricks- 1

Theory- 1.5

Framework- 1

High theory- 3

T- 2

LARP- 3

Be nice, be prepared, and weigh your impacts B^)

Hi, I'm Parker or Mr. Klyn, whichever you are most comfortable with.

I am the Director of Forensics at Theodore Roosevelt High School (Des Moines, IA).

I coach national circuit PF and hopefully LD soon. I'm on the NSDA Public Forum Topic & Wording Committee.

Come learn debate from me: NDF: Public Forum – Summit Debate

"I believe judging debates is a privilege, not a paycheck," and "Most judges give appalling decisions." <-- Two quotes from a legendary coach that illustrate my views on judging. My promise to you as a judge is always giving you 100% of my attention and rendering decisions that I honestly believe in and can defend/justify.

I judge for three reasons:

1. I love debate and enjoy judging.
2. Judging great debaters allows me to grow as a coach and judge.
3. Fulfilling my team's obligation.

If the round starts in 60 seconds and you don't have time to read the whole paradigm...

Public Forum: I am a standard national circuit PF flow/tech judge who can handle speed and is open to any form of argumentation, whether substantive or "progressive." Good luck!

Lincoln-Douglas:

Policy/LARP: 1

K: 1

T/Theory: 1

Phil: 2

Tricks: 3

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Public Forum

Add me to the email chain (klynpar@gmail.com). In national circuit varsity/bid PF rounds, send speech docs with cut cards ahead of (1) case & (2) all speeches where you read new evidence. (i.e. not a link to a google doc, not just the rhetoric, etc.) This is non-negotiable. (1) It makes the debate and by extension the tournament run on time and (2) it allows me to be as non-interventionist as possible.

I’m a tech/blank-slate judge, I flow on my computer using Flower. Judge instruction is key. The best debaters essentially write my RFD for me in final.

The above means that I will vote on anything. However, due to time constraints and neg's ability to go first, I generally believe the format's best debates are substantive rounds over the resolution. With that being said, run whatever arguments (substance, K, theory, Spark, etc.) you would like in front of me if you feel they will earn you the win. Debate is a game.

Be kind and respectful, I will never change a ballot on this but I will lower speaks especially when it comes to experience/age/resource imbalances.

I vote on offense/defense, that includes framework and specific weighing mechanisms. Probably don't go for presumption in substance rounds, I have literally never seen zero risk aside from egregious drops/concessions (in which case you're winning anyway).

(Side note: I'm confused at the number of judges who include "I presume [aff/neg] assuming no offense" in their paradigms in PF specifically. Where are these rounds occurring where neither side extends a single offensive argument through every speech? This always comes across like judge intervention to me.)

Speed is fine, go as fast as you want, although I will not flow off a speech doc so you do actually have to be clear and intelligible. I will do my best but if I literally can't understand you it probably won't be flowed or evaluated.

I always disclose my decision alongside some feedback. Feel free to ask questions afterwards. Let's leave the round feeling like we had a positive, enjoyable educational experience.

Speaks are based on technical execution, not some arbitrary standard of what makes a "good speaker." My speaks are pretty standard although I find I am particularly generous (29.5+) to great debaters and particularly stingy (27-27.9) with debaters that miss the mark or make major strategic errors. In order to promote good norms, I will bump your speaks by +0.1 each if you (1) send speech docs with cut cards and (2) indicate to me that you open-source disclose.

Long story short, Just win baby~!

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Lincoln-Douglas

Email: klynpar@gmail.com

I have begun to coach LD. I will wear my debater's Des Moines Hoover Husky Howler Novice LD tournament champion ribbon with pride for all eternity. (:

My bread and butter is PF, but I plan on mostly judging LD at tournaments in '24-'25 as our program doesn't really have people who would be competent national circuit LD judges.

Overriding judge philosophy is blank slate/no judge intervention. Debate's a game, do what you have to do to win.

Full disclosure: I am still learning natcirc LD. However, I've watched hundreds of these types of rounds (+ HS/college policy) on YouTube and am confident in my ability to evaluate debates. You are welcome to run whatever you want, but based on what I've watched, I am most comfortable with: Policy/LARP, Ks (of both the Aff and the debate space), and topicality/non-friv theory i.e. disclosure. Not confident in evaluating performance or academic philosophy, this would probably require lots of warranting, but if that's your lane, don't feel the need to adjust to me.

Go as fast as you want as long as you're flowable (I will not flow off a doc; this is the one place where it's up to the debaters to adapt, not the judge) and make it a great round that showcases your preferred debate strategies.

I will default to voting on offense extended through the round, but judge instruction can convince me to vote on almost anything. Please attempt to write my ballot for me in the 2NR/2AR. Ask me questions ahead of time for any clarifications.

I value the intellectual freedom that debate provides -- running arguments and justifications that exist outside the academic norm is one of the event's true benefits. To help illustrate this, here are some arguments and whether I'd vote on them IF I felt they won on the flow:

Ontology: yes
Wiki theory (disclosure, round reports, etc.): yes
Spark: yes
Wipeout: yes but I think even the most basically competent debaters can and should beat it
Truth-Testing: yes but I'm still wrapping my head around it, not intuitive to me
Presumption: yes
Debate bad: yes
Tricks: yes, but low speaks for minimal academic ingenuity
Memes: yes, but low speaks for minimal academic ingenuity
IVIs: yes, but they're much easier to win when deployed as actual arguments
New Affs Bad: no. This is the only non-exclusionary argument I refuse to vote on

"The brilliance and joy of ... debate is most found in its intellectual freedom. What makes it so unlike other venues in academia is that, in theory, debaters are free to argue for unpopular, overlooked, or scorned positions and ill-considered points of view. Conversely, they will be required to defend EVERY component of your argument, even ones that would be taken for granted in most other settings. Just so there's no confusion here: all arguments are on the table for me. Any line drawn on argumentative content is obviously arbitrary and is likely unpredictable ... If you can't defend the desirability of avoiding your advantage's extinction impact against a wipeout or 'death good' position, why are you trying to persuade me to vote for a policy to save the human race? Groupthink and collective prejudices against creative ideas or disruptive thoughts are an ubiquitous feature of human societies, but that makes it all the more important to encourage free speech and free thought in one of the few institutions where overcoming those biases is possible." - Kevin Hirn, Michigan Debate

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Congress

If you're in Iowa and you do the literal bare minimum (speak as much as you can, provide sources for your arguments, REFUTE OTHER SPEECHES, ask questions), you're practically guaranteed to finish in the top half of my ballot. Seriously, why are so many of y'all just seemingly along for the ride!

Smaller things: Crystallization speeches are lazy unless it's like the 7th speech of a bill and there has been actual clash the entire way down (make actual arguments instead!), being charismatic/entertaining is a good tiebreaker but doesn't replace a well-argued speech, good POs are hard to beat and bad POs make debate no fun (unless literally nobody else was willing to do it -- then I'll reward you on the ballot), treating bills as having real-life implications around the world >>> LARPing as US legislators

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Speech

Just like debate, speech is very hard. Because I value your long hours of preparation, I promise I am fully invested in your performance and will evaluate it to the best of my ability. I look forward to seeing what you have prepared!

Extemp: Don't just answer the question accurately, but implicate it -- why is this even question being asked? Confident facial expressions and humor are always appreciated.

Platform (OO/INFO): Topic selection is massively important. I don't care how technically proficient you are; if your thesis boils down to "we should be nice to each other" or "here's some information about something" you will probably not get a high rank. I put strong emphasis on actually taking a bit of a risk for your topic selection and eschewing "safer" options.

Interp: I do not have much expertise when it comes to these, although I adore POI as the work involved in crafting a strong program feels far more intellectually robust than simply performing a dramatic or humorous piece. All interp performances should feature believable acting, clear storytelling structure, distinct characters, and intentional blocking. I do NOT value excessive trauma in DI; it feels very cynical and almost exploitative to me. HI should obviously make me laugh. The interplay between performers in DUO is fun. And in POI, the most important thing I'm looking for is a clear theme or thesis that ties your program together.

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Debate thoughts:

(This is a pretty self-indulgent section so only read if you think I provide useful insight into the activity):

You should always presume the other team, the judges, and the audience are acting in good faith. Any accusations or even implications towards someone cheating or otherwise breaking the rules should be "stake-the-round" moments -- that is, you better be willing to take a min speaks L if it's unfounded.

One of the single dumbest things I see in competitive debate is this trend of "I'll give u 0.5 speaks if u reference The Office" or "+1 speaks for bringing me a coffee!" It's pathetically and brazenly anti-educational and borderline exploitative (of children!), not to mention it'd be so stupid for someone to get like a 4-2 screw because another team mentioned a dumb meme in their speech. If you are a judge, you are an EDUCATOR; I presume good intentions from people in this community but I am quite skeptical of those who do this. Here's a non-comprehensive list from a major national circuit camp: saying "bae" or "OMG" in a round; mentioning Philadelphia; playing Fetty Wap as walkup music; skipping grand cross; referencing Yugoslavia; winning a staring contest; saying "I'm sorry, that's just cap"; doing jumping jacks; singing and rapping; doing a Donald Trump impression; making arguments that promote Catholicism and Monarchism (imagine if a Muslim student or someone whose ancestors were violently oppressed by monarchic rule were screwed out of a higher seed because they refused to do this); and at least five people attempting to coerce children into bringing them food.

Coaches need to really re-evaluate the first-year-outs they hire to judge for them, or at the very least put forth a bare minimum of effort into preparing them to adjudicate fairly, equitably, and in a way that doesn't make the debate about them. Easily some of the most incoherent and baffling decisions I've seen over the past year or so have been ostensibly "tech" FYOs who construct the most convoluted path to the ballot they can find. (Not a coincidence that these kids are often the type to list a million cringe things that will "boost speaks.")

Speaking of judges, I have zero patience for people who use their ballot/RFD to bully and demean. Congratulations, you're a college-educated adult and you found flaws in a 14-year-old's argumentation. If I'm on a panel or spectating a round where a judge's RFD is moving into bullying territory, I have no qualms cutting them off and reporting them to tab.

And finally with regards to judging -- I allude to this above, but I see far too many debates, especially here in Iowa, where the extent of judges' RFDs is "I didn't like your case" regardless of the actual content of the round. That makes me sad, as it invalidates dozens of hours of preparation and strategy-building between competitors and their coaches. It breaks my heart when I see a well-prepared team lose because the judge just "didn't buy it." I only vote on what is communicated to me within the debate. I do not care how unlikely it seems or how incoherent the link is.... if it's that obvious, the opposition should point it out, not rely on me to intervene and make that evaluation on my own.

Debate as an activity is incredible. Obviously I'm biased but I genuinely think it's the single best thing high schoolers can do with their time. If you're reading this you're probably a nerd or a competition freak (or both) but you also should be proud that you are involved in this thing we do. It makes kids smarter, more confident, better at speaking, better citizens, more critical of the world and its power structures while also more open to alternative ways of thinking.... and it's exhilarating and fun! If I could just coach debate all day I'd take that job in a heartbeat. I often find myself getting emotional when judging high-level debate rounds because of the talent, passion, prep, and dedication in front of me, and I swell with pride when my debaters develop new skills and deploy them.

Feel like quitting debate because you don't think you're any good? DON'T! My first ever tournament I went 1-4 at the Des Moines Lincoln Railsplitter. Even worse, we started 0-4 and were power-matched against the only other 0-4 team at that point -- we only won because our opponents forgot what side of the topic they had chosen. I promise, it gets better. I have a team that went 1-5 and 0-5 at their first two bid tournaments in '22-23 who just picked up a PF Gold bid at Blake '23. Keep at it and you will blossom.

About me:

Director of Forensics of Theodore Roosevelt High School in Des Moines, IA, former coach for Ames (IA)

I debated PF in high school in rural Iowa and had no exposure to the national circuit BUT since then have coached multiple partnerships to TOC and state champions.

My favorite debate event is Public Forum and my favorite speech events are Extemp and Oratory.

Coaching forensics and attending tournaments are among my favorite things in life~ I feel so lucky to be able to do this a couple dozen weekends every year.

University of Iowa | 26'

Valley High School | 22'

Update for Millard North: I competed for Valley for around two and a half years before stopping during online debate. I was familiar with most types of arguments, but am certainly a bit rusty and out of the scene. I'm not familiar with what arguments are within the meta, however still willing to vote on anything as long as its explained and warranted. Please err on the side of over explanation and around 75-80% speed.

Here's my paradigm:

email for chain: tknudsen77@gmail.com

General:

Tech > Truth

Willing to vote on just about anything as long as there is a warrant, but please explain your arguments and don't assume I know what you are reading. I will not be voting on anything I don't understand.

As a debater I had the most experience in framework, theory, and tricks. (so do with that what you will)

I will not vote on any argument that is sexist, racist, homophobic, etc.

Defaults: can easily be changed.

Drop the Debater

Competing Interps

No RVI's

Fairness and Education are voters

Presumption Affirms

ROB is Truth Testing

Specifics:

Theory:

Defaults are above

Default Layering: 1AR theory, T, 1nc theory

Prefer shell over paragraph theory, however both are fine.

I really enjoy a good theory debate, but bad theory debates can be the worst to watch

Weigh, Weigh, Weigh - this is especially important in resolving messy theory debates

You can read any theory shell, frivolous or not, but I have a lower threshold for responses for friv theory

Don't like disclosure theory - more often than not I am on the defensive end of this. If you feel like you have to read this please provide screenshots, but my threshold for responses are lower than most shells.

I think 1ar theory can be very strategic however it is often underutilized

I think reasonability is also underutilized - consider going for it but please provide a brightline.

Topicality:

Fine for this - don't go for it as often as theory but feel free to read it.

I have gone for Nebel T, T - fwk, T - plural, and T - eliminate.

If you are going for it the 2n - please go for it for the majority of the 2n and win why it comes first.

Policy:

Probably not your ideal judge for dense Larp debates

I read policy style arguments on the neg a lot. Generally one or two policy offs against a policy aff however I generally go for theory or an NC in 2n.

I like built-in turns case args against non-util frameworks and think they're strategic

DA's are good - don't know anyone who has an issue with these

CP's are fine but please explain their interactions with the affirmative (why it solves the aff and avoids the DA)

I won't read cards unless I am instructed to

1ar theory should probably be read against CP's - especially cheaty CP's (what those consist of is left up to the debaters)

Tricks:

I love a good trick and am willing to vote on these, but please win Truth Testing.

These debaters can also become very messy so please don't go for every single trick you read. Please layer and weigh to make these debates resolvable.

Willing to vote on any trick I understand, however I might not understand every super complex tricks - ask before the round for clarification.

Clever aprioris or tricks are really fun to watch and will result in good speaks, but stale overused ones can become boring. Still willing to vote for them

A lot of these arguments are ridiculous so just point out why - failing to do so can be devastating.

Going for these arguments poorly will result in lower speaks - but doing so well will result in very high speaks

Please slow down on skep triggers or other blips. Also, please be open in cx I find "what's an apriori?" very annoying.

Phil:

I go for Phil a lot and enjoy a nuanced Phil debate.

A well-warranted syllogism is really fun to watch, but okay with independent preclusion arguments.

Don't understand how to evaluate the round under epistemic modesty - you should provide a formula for evaluation if you want me to use this. I will default to epistemic confidence.

Ask before the round for familiarity - will most likely be able to follow your framework if it warranted and explained well

I think metaethics are very strategic to filter what frameworks are relevant.

Clever framework hijacks are awesome and underutilized.

NC/AC strats are the best strat and if done well you will receive high speaks

K's:

These debates are not my favorite. I don't understand a majority of the literature, but know the basics of some. If you want to ask for familiarity before the round that would probably be smart. If you don't and I have no idea what your reading is, you will probably not be happy with my decision.

Please err on the side of over-explanation.

I feel like a lot of kritiks are just random buzzwords thrown together, specifically high theory. But feel like I can somewhat evaluate identity K's okay.

Would prefer a LBL approach rather than long overviews

I don't think going for the alt is necessary and it oftentimes is more strategic not to. Going for the K as a turn or DA to case is strategic.

I don't really understand how to evaluate many K tricks like floating PIK's but please be open about them in CX

I think reading theory and winning theory first is generally a good strat.

Winning your ROB is generally a must.

Misc:

"Independent voters are not independent - they are dependent entirely on what is almost always a new framework that involves some impact that is presumed to be preclusive." - Conal Thomas Mcginnis

Things like speech times are non negotiable

Compiling a doc is prep, but emailing is not

Make the debate fun for yourself - the ballot is yours I am just here to fill it out.

Hello,

I am currently a sophomore at the University of Iowa studying Business Analytics, Ethics and Public Policy, and Economics. A little bit of background about my debate career. I competed all four years in a variety of events including Public Forum, Student Congress, Dramatic Interpretation, and Spontaneous Speaking. My "main" event was Student Congress for which I am a 3 time national qualifier, a TOC qualifier, and a national semifinalist. But, all this to say that I am familiar with debate :)

These are some of my basic expectations in round -

• Make sure that all your arguments are presented in a clear claim evidence reasoning format. It is hard to flow if you are just presenting a list of claims or a list of reasoning... that makes no sense to me. If you want me to stay engaged follow a clean line of reasoning. I love patterns and organized arguments.
• When you get to the end of the round, or you are done making new arguments, WEIGH. Take your arguments and your opponents and put them against each other and tell me why I should vote for you over them. This is what makes a good debater, your ability to persuade.
• I love new and interesting arguments. Back when I was in high school, my partner and I had the record for running some of the coolest cases. So, if you want to present something that may not be conventional, I am here for it. Bonus points if you make arguments about extinction and make it make sense Just make sure that you are clear and have a flow of argumentation ready.
• Lastly, be articulate, clear, and stay clam and focused. You are here to win yes, but also learn and have fun. Don't let the pressure get to you :)

Goodluck!

Hi, I'm Kora! I am a Senior at Iowa City West High and I do PF, Big Questions, and POE.

All I ask is a few things:

- Do your best.

- Have fun.

- Don't be afraid to attack your opponent's case if you have conflicting data that says what they are stating is incorrect.

- Don't forget to be persuasive with the debate as it is important to make the judge want to vote for your team! (weighing your argument is a great way to do this)

- Be confident in yourself as well as your partner.

- Speak up so I could hear you as best as possible.

- Make sure you time your own speeches. I will be timing them as well but I expect you to do so as well.

Overall just remember to respect everyone in the room. I wish the best of luck to you and hope this experience is a great one! :)