I am a parent judge with 5+ years of PF/LD/ Policy experience. Please consider me a Flay Judge.

• Speak as fast as you would like, but I will ask you to slow down if I cannot understand. No spreading please. I am fine with 15 seconds of grace time.
• Please be respectful of your opponents and give them a chance to speak. Do not keep interrupting or be rude or condescending. If not, I will drop your speaker points.
• Please do not read any form of progressive argumentation (theory, kritiks, etc.) as I cannot evaluate them and will not give you credit for them.
• Off-time roadmaps and sign-posting are encouraged. It helps me follow your debate better.
• My decision will be based on your contentions, evidence, rebuttals, impacts, summaries and weighing. I will evaluate all those on both sides to come to a decision.
• I like to see well-researched cases backed by strong and credible evidence. Please include me in the email chain to share cards as I like to review them as well.

Good luck and have fun!

I have been judging pf for the last 6 years.

Make sure your arguments are well thought out and extended properly for me to vote on them.

No circuit debate or spreading. Mostly judged LD for the last 7 years. I look at LD as a value-based debate, if participants are debating on totally different value/VC, I would expect debtors to clarify why their VC is better than the opponents. Also expect to weigh in how your contentions are reflecting on VC. In the final speech, please clarify, why should I vote for you. Please be polite and genuine. If you are making a statement of dropping arguments, please make sure you believe in it. Speaker points are based on how effectively you are articulating your arguments with out repeating/waisting any time/statements.

I prefer a logical argument with voice that is understandable. Your ability to present convincingly your structure, arguments and cross will earn you speaker points. 

I am a parent judge and have not judged very many rounds. Please speak slowly and clearly if you want me to understand your arguments. I do not flow speeches or crossfires extensively but I will pay attention to everything that is said during the round.

Be nice to your fellow debaters.

I have competed in PF for several years so I am aware of how a good debate should be structured, and while my decision will be based on the content presented by both sides, I will be conscious of the overall demeanor within the round as well.

Judging will mainly be on evidence, organization, and which side was able to be more persuasive and impactful.

I have no biases on particular topics.

Respect is necessary towards both your opponents and myself.

I have also competed in Original Oratory for my entire speech and debate career.

PF Resource:

https://pfdebate.info/

Senior Executive at Payments & Blockchain startup in Santa Clara.

As a parent judge, have been judging Congress and Public Forum for last few years.

Few pointers for teams:

Do not portray anger during cross-fire; act professionally.

Macro facts are very important but personal experience or arguments at micro level enhances you claim.

Lastly make sure you shake hands with your opponents at the end of the round.

I have judged PF for more than 2 years and 4-5 times per year. I value clear speaking. Please be polite and respectful to each other during rounds.

Please weigh your arguments and spell out my ballot.

As a judge, I would like students to be

1. Clear in communication. Students who talk too fast tend to mumble words/sentences and it becomes very difficult to comprehend what points they are trying to make. The pace of talking should be such that judge is clearly able to make out what they are saying. They also should be loud enough, especially in environments where multiple teams are debating in same room on different tables.

2. Students should provide clear, succinct evidences and avoid repeating same point again and again.

3. Students should be cordial and respectful of other teams points.

I am a parent judge for PF.

Please explain your arguments clearly and slow down. Signposting is preferred and slowing down is very important. I listen in cross-fire, and it plays a big role in your speaker points. Be nice to your opponents and keep cross-fire civil.

If the topic is complicated and less in news, it is OK to spend a few moments educating the audience/me (judge). If providing context helps you build foundation for your arguments, go for it.

Quickly listing your position/arguments during the debate a few times is a good strategy. Ability to list, at a high level, your arguments and what you have covered helps the judge and you. It also reflects a methodical approach on your part.

If you have limited number of arguments, it is OK. You can explain why your argument(s) have the weight and why your argument(s) matter more than the number of arguments that the other side may be making.

If you notice that the other team introduced a new argument late in the debate and/or cited a source, when sources are not to be given credit for (say, in late rounds), I would notice that too. You are free to point out. I would prefer that you make your point quickly, and move to discussing substance. Also, you are free to tell me what arguments "flow" and what do not. As I am listening, I am making up my mind and such suggestions form the speaker do not generally make a difference in how I perceive the debate.

Above everything else, I look for:

* how you assign weight to your arguments,

* how critically you think about the impact of both side

* do you acknowledge obvious weaknesses and weigh them against the benefits

* how well you address what your opponents bring up

Many times, I do not know immediately at the end of the round who the winner is going to be. I take notes aggressively during each round. I review my notes after the round, some times agonize, and then decide. Regardless, of when I make up my mind, I do not prefer to share the results immediately after the round with the teams.

I have been a parent judge for PF since 2019 and LD since 2021, I still consider myself still learning along the way. I might also be new to the debate topic during tournament. I appreciate clarity, logical flow and please be respectful! Wish we all have fun at each round.

Lay Judge

* Speak slowly and clearly. Keep things simple and logical. Don't use debate jargon.

* When you read evidence, please say reasons behind it also (don't just say we have _ card and move on).

* I prefer reason over evidence. I like when teams remind me of their final case arguments but don't spend a whole minute on it - just say it in one or two sentences.

* If you collapse, please say clearly that you are collapsing.

* I don't believe improbable arguments like nuclear war and extinction. A piece of advice is to run smaller impacts for me to believe and vote for it.

* Please be respectful to each other

Thx and have fun.

Background : Have judged on the local middle school circuit for the past 2 yearw. I have judged both PF and LD debates during that time.

Speaking : I can handle reasonably fast speed in talking as long as it is clear and if I find it too fast, I will let the debaters know to slow down. Try to focus on clarity over speed.

I expect teams to be civil and respectful during the crossfire and during the entire debating rounds. Similarly, be respectful to your team member as well and don't interrupt or whisper when anyone is speaking.

Substance: Have coherent arguments. Every argument should explain exactly how you win the debate. I love evidence and take note of arguments grounded in empirics. State your warrants and Impacts succinctly. Provide ample evidences during your responses and impacts. Also, make sure to cover all the opposing teams arguments during your responses. Please , do not bring any new facts or arguments during the final speech to ensure the opponent team has a chance to respond.

Use all three modes of persuasion as Aristotle mentioned - " Ethos, Pathos and Logos" to score a Win !

Have fun and enjoy the tournament !

Hello Debaters,

I've been judging debate for last 3 years. I enjoy good factual debates, professional courtesies and sportsmanship. I love to see teams challenge each other on facts and evidences rather than just through sound. Tell me how and why should I vote a particular way.

Add me on the your Google Doc or Cards: cmu2010@gmail.com

For urgent issues, you can SMS me at +1 408 391 9027

I have experience judging middle school speech and debate (PF & LD) for last two years.

Speech Format :

I prefer debaters to deliver speech with consistent pace and clarity. Also i prefer debaters to keep track of the time for each round.

Good Luck!

Gina Li is a strategy, merger and acquisition professional with 20+ years working experiences in various sectors. She was an expat working abroad for 15 years with global perspectives. She has been judging both Public Forum and Lincoln Douglas since 2018 at various events, in addition to facilitate local student-run speech and debate volunteer activities in the bay area.

She requires all contestants to speak clearly, not necessarily faster the better, try to maximize the given time to rationalize the best data and evidences to support the key arguments. While majority of the contestants are well prepared on their contentions, the winner normally possess the abilities in better framework, effective arguments to counter opponents positions during rebuttal, crossfires and closing. Also please RESPECT your opponents, try not to cut them off if possible.

Knowing everyone is working very hard on each tournament, I wish each contestant the best luck!

I am a professor of Ophthalmology at Stanford and I am a parent judge who looks forward to hearing concise and informative arguments. I am not keen to have volumes of data thrown out without depth of the argument brought the forefront. Assume I know nothing about the topic (far from true) but your case needs to be understandable by anyone and everyone--so don't float too high in the clouds. I flow your arguments so keep it tangible.

Most importantly: smile, relax, and have fun. let your hard work and preparation flow in the moment.

PF: Please be very organized in your speeches and signpost. It makes it easier to flow. Speak slowly and clearly for all your speeches and please provide an off time road-map. Please don't disrespect your opponents. Have fun!

Please speak clearly and slowly. I will listen to all of your arguments thoroughly, and am more interested in policy-style arguments. I value authenticity in arguments so I don't have to listen to the same arguments throughout all the debates I judge. Also please be respectful to your opponent and good luck!

My name is Satish Ponnaluri and I am a parent judge

Congress -

I value speeches that are rightly timed in the progression of the debate. This means I will equally weigh an author who explains the status quo as the same as a speaker who gave a crystal with minimal refutation rehash. I value speaking a lot as well. You need to convince me why I should believe you. That being said, I will drop senators who give rhetoric in lieu of evidence and logic chains.

PO will usually get the top 5 on my ballot if you are adequate with few mistakes. Overall round presence is extremely important, this includes effective cross-ex, round leadership, and familiarity of motions. Other than that, be kind to everyone else in the round and have fun!

Speech Events:

I give weightage to quality of arguments and the evidence provided.

I am a parent judge with no experience debating myself, but have been judging for the past few months. I understand and enjoy debates that are slow enough for me to follow all arguments. I prefer you present your case clearly and do not spread, as I cannot vote for someone I may not understand. It would be in your best interest to provide a clear, persuasive argument with a conversational feel.

I also request that you time each other, so I can stay focused on your topic. Handshakes don't really matter and will certainly not influence either way, nor will I bring any biases when judging. A quick thank you would be fine.

Bottom-line, my final decision will likely align with the whoever speaks clearly, convinces better and defends better with effective framework and arguments.

You are smart kids, be polite, be expressive and most importantly enjoy your debate.

From San Jose CA. My son is active in debate and I've judged speech and debate competitions for ~5 years.

Speed- I prefer elucidation and clarity to speed.

I like fewer more well developed points versus lots of varied but weaker arguments.

I dislike rude behavior, verbal or through gestures.

I really enjoy the creativity that teams bring to their debate topics and the diligence they bring to the preparation.

Hi - My name is Raji Rao and I am a parent judge. This is my 4th year judging debate tournaments in bay area. I have judged both PF and LD Debates in the past and in this tournament judging LD.

I expect the debaters to keep their timers and prefer an off time road map. Will take both value( and value criterion) and contentions into considerations. Quality over quantity is preferred. Good Luck and bring out the best.

Hi, I am Alise and am a lay judge for PF. I have never competed in debate, but I have judged public forum at a few local tournaments around the Bay Area.

I will evaluate the arguments that I can understand. Please speak at conversational speed if possible or I may not catch your arguments. I will take occasional notes, so please focus on being persuasive and really explaining each of your arguments.

This is the first time I will be hearing this topic, so please explain any acronyms/arguments in the same way you would explain them to someone for the first time. I want everyone to have fun and enjoy themselves so please keep the debate cordial. Feel free to ask me any questions before the debate!

I am an old policy debater from high school and college. A very successful one at that, although that was a long time ago (yes, I too went to TOC and yes, they had it back then). I do flow and will do my best to render my decision solely on the arguments presented in the round. I have no preconceived biases for or against any position on the topic. It should be your job as debaters to tell my why your evidence is superior or why your position outweighs at the end of the round. If you have a framework, you should use it in rebuttals and/or final focus to frame why it means you should win. If both teams offer frameworks, there should be some clash to explain why I should choose one framework over the other.

I have a strong opinion about evidence: I have been told that the minimum standard for citing evidence in rounds is author's last name and date; if you don't have that much, it isn't treated as evidence, it is just you speaking your mind. If you want something considered as evidence in a round, you have to *read it in the round.* You can't just say "we have a card which says..." and somehow assume that now counts as evidence.

A note on jargon: there are a few terms of art that I have heard a few times in Public Forum and they are not very clear. Frontlining, for example, is used by some people to basically mean what we used to call "preempts" meaning an argument made before the opponent in the expectation that the opponent will make that argument. Like "they will get up here and say sunlight is good but here are 3 reasons why that is wrong." Coaches have told me this is the correct usage. Other teams have used it synonymously with "response" as in "I am going to frontline their case then go to my case." That is apparently the incorrect usage, but if you are going to use the word, explain what you mean by it. Offense and defense are also super overused since your offense is their defense and vice versa so asserting that I "shouldn't give them any offense on this" ends up being confusing. Just tell me why they are losing an argument - if they have lost the argument it is irrelevant whether it is an offensive argument or a defensive argument and for which team; they have lost it. Unless you are punting (granting) something, in which case just tell me why that argument doesn't matter (e.g. outweighed, de-linked elsewhere, irrelevant according to the framework I should be using, etc.). Saying I shouldn't give them any "offense" on that argument is just extra words - you have already explained why it doesn't matter so I can figure out for myself that that means...well, it doesn't matter. Terminal defense - I have heard this a couple of times and nobody has/can explain what it is supposed to mean, including the head of the judges room at Stanford. If you say this, tell me what you think it means!

I am a parent judge who has judged for about two years. I won't understand super fast talking of any kind, so I advise you to speak at a normal pace.

I will only vote based off what is said in the round, and will not make any assumptions myself. This means that you should assume that I know nothing about the topic, which is probably true. If you want me to consider an argument, I suggest you bring it up in the final speeches of the debate. This is mainly where I will make my decision, so I think clearly stating your reasons on why you won here is important.

Other than that, have fun.

I am a Lay judge for PF debates, but I do flow the debates. I try to come into every round with a blank slate, so whichever team can convince me on the solvency of their side will have a better chance of winning. Please do not speak very fast, so that I can understand and take note of your contentions. I enjoy a vigorous debate and healthy back and forth during crossfire rounds, but please try to be nice and courteous to the other team and have fun!

I can flow but I prefer a more "lay" type of debate.

DVHS Parent for Speech

I have been a judging PF from 2018 onwards. I have judged varied tournaments from Novice to Varsity levels.

Present your story clearly.  My preference will be clarity over ambiguity.

I don't mind if you speak fast.

I also weigh based on maturity of the thought, clear communication and metrics relating to your argument

I am a current engineer at Ordr Inc. I've judged for Dougherty Valley High School in multiple events, including Extemp, PuFo, and forms of prep speech for about 5 years.

I'm usually most interested in how well speakers respond to arguments and effectively communicate their ideas in a way that's easy to understand and that makes logical sense. The flow of debate is extremely important, and I will be docking points for rehash. Clothing and appearance do not influence my decisions too greatly, just be sure to remain respectful and composed throughout the round, and well as before and after. Make sure your warrants and evidence are solid and that you explain them effectively. Know your facts, express them properly, and you're good to go.

I am a flay judge in that I have lots of experience judging, but I'm not an actual flow judge. I know how the debate process works, and I've judged in over 15 tournaments.

Good rhetoric and lay appeal and I will most likely vote for you. If you don't know something or are otherwise unsure/unready for something just fake it until you make it; I like seeing confidence.

I will not flow cross-ex but I will be paying attention. If you bring something up in cross-ex and want me to flow it, remember to say it in speech as well. Emphasize important points with speech inflections, as well as bring up things you want me to remember/write down several times. Don't put down your opponent (like in LD) and don't bully during cross-ex, although remember to be assertive and stand up for your partner (during grand) if you have to.

Speech

It doesn't matter to me what you do while you speak, as long as you make eye contact regularly. Sit, stand, meditate, doesn't matter to me. Please try to signpost as much as possible, it really helps, and it makes it a lot easier to follow what you're saying. It also helps your speaks (now you're listening, huh?). Gesticulate, use ethos, pathos, logos, talk loud, whatever you have to do to get my attention and my vote (and high speaks).

Kritik

Since I'm not a professionally trained judge, I don't have any specific policy against K's, but don't expect me to go with your point of view without strong rhetoric. I must need to know exactly WHY their view on a policy is wrong, and WHY your take matters more. If I were you, I would not run a kritik.

Etiquette

Insulting your opponent is DIFFERENT FROM arguing with them. You can say the same thing by yelling as you can by assertively speaking to your opponent. Please do not argue/yell/bully your opponent. That is a sure way to lose speaks and maybe the entire round.

Speed

I, like the vast majority of other judges, will have an easier time listening and understanding to you if you speak slower. Note: I prefer slower speaking, but I can handle faster speed to some degree. I may look confused/stop writing/not take note of important parts if you are going to slow; that means I do not understand you, and you may need to slow down.

Other

I can promise you that I will understand these issues more than most judges. Please make sure to time yourselves, if there is a discrepancy between the prep time, speech time, etc., try to work it out yourselves, although I will interfere if too much time is taken.

Thanks for reading this information, although I know it's long and boring. Good luck!