I've judged a few times for the past few years. I value good debate but try to keep it within the confines of PF. I like teams that maximize clash, keep the round relevant, and aren't too difficult to follow. I'll vote for the side who wins on the flow unless you are impossible to follow. I give generally good speaker points unless there is a big problem. Above all, be respectful and kind, it's just a debate.

What I like in a debate: Speak strong and clear, be sure to signpost, give me voters, frameworks, tell me how to judge the debate. Please be nice to each other, I do not like rudeness or yelling at each other, be respectful. Tell me on the flow where you are.

My history with debate: I did public forum, extemporaneous, and congress all throughout high school. I have been judging for 2 years.

nickhernandzz@gmail.com (she/her)

*TOC* '22 - Helping some kids out, guess I'm back just for this one tournament

Conflicts: Walt Whitman DP and Marist School

Background: Plano West Class of '18, Was affiliated with Hebron ('18-19), Colleyville Heritage ('19-20), The Marist School ('20-21), Worked with debaters from Plano East ('19-21), Coppell ('19-21), Westlake ('19-20), and Walt Whitman ('20-21)

If you're really that curious about anything else check judging record I guess.

My speaks used to average in the mid 27's if that matters

I don't even know why I have to say this, safety is critical to participation, if you make the round unsafe it's a stop the round L0, trip to tab

Top level notes (I.e. Important Stuff):

-I have not been involved in circuit debate since this tournament last year. I have not thought about arguments, I have not done research, I have not coached. My level of competency for fast, technical debates is undoubtedly lower than it used to be

-Arguments and styles that appeal to a lay audience are both good and useful but do not confuse this with the "truth > tech" nonsense. Full link chains are still required and any argument is founded on a warrant. Conceded arguments are 100% true, I don't care how ridiculous you make them out to be. If you think they're non-sensical the burden's on you.

-Speeches are meant to build on top of one another. The role of the rebuttal is to address offense - this means you should be covering turns/disads/etc. in the 2R. No, "sticky defense" is not a thing. What is in summary should be in final focus and vice versa. No new arguments in the second final focus, that's ridiculous.

-You should be weighing. Weighing should be comparative. Weighing is an argument and therefore should be warranted. Weighing should be introduced as. early. as. possible.

-Your backhalf extensions ought to be extensions of the full argument. UQ -> Link -> I. Link -> Impact. Don't forget the warrants or the impact, those are kinda important and tend to be left out more often than not.

-Crossfire does not matter, I do not listen to crossfire, I'm probably writing notes on the ballot. If something important happens in cx bring it up in speech proper

Other Stuff:

-Progressive arguments? Used to be okay with them, now it's a run at your own risk. I probably don't remember much. I was kinda a disclosure and paraphrasing-bad hack but if you win the argument you win the argument. No I will not vote on impact turns that teams should lose for disclosing or cutting cards. Yes you need an offense to win an RVI. Yes you automatically lose if it's competing interps and you don't defend a competing interp. Yes theory is apriori to case.

-Speed? I used to be able to process things pretty quick but I'm old now and out of practice so my brain probably can't handle super speed too well. Go at your own risk.

-Evidence? If I can resolve the round without looking at evidence, I will not call for evidence. I will not call for evidence if the round is difficult to resolve. However, I will call for evidence if I am told to do so and it affects the outcome of the round or if I am told that evidence is misrepresented or miscut. If your evidence ethics are hot steaming garbage that's an easy way to get L20. You've been warned

-Presumption? Used to presume neg, I guess that's still a thing? Convince me otherwise, y'all are debaters.

-Speaks? Speaks for content, I don't care about delivery unless I can't understand you. You get three clears before I put my pen down. If you've disclosed, remind me and I'll bump you.

If you have any other questions please ask. I've undoubtedly forgotten something that's probably important

For all events clarity is extremely important to me, for example you would be better off with 4 sources stated clearly than 10 that don't come across clearly. With that, I prefer fewer well thought out arguments over tons of half baked ideas.

I don't love spreading, especially if you have to gasp for air the whole time, it takes away from what you are saying and distracts from the content of your speech.

I don't really want to limit too much as far as content goes because I feel that is unfair to the competitors, that said, I am mainly a PF judge so in other events I may not love something like a K for policy or running a theory heavy case or something like that.

At the end of the day, I believe debate is about learning how to both formulate arguments and effectively communicate them to your opponent and your judge. You have to have both informed content and clear speaking to be able to be successful.

Dear students and coaches,

Thank you for this opportunity to witness your hard work as your judge today. Feel free to ask any questions before we begin the round. There are unique challenges in this new virtual environment, so let's be sure to practice patience and forgiveness with each other. And most importantly, make sure to have fun!

BACKGROUND: Plano East HS, class of 2011; University of Texas at Austin, class of 2015. My HS debate career focused primarily on extemp (FX), congress, and ended with 1.5 years of CX (2A/1N, former Michigan camper). I also briefly competed in college extemp. Over the past ~7 years I have judged extensively across Houston and Dallas circuits in all debate events, including recently for TFA State and NSDA Nationals. I currently work in the energy industry.

CORE PARADIGM: Naturally, details will differ by event, but generally speaking I am a games player judge. In addition to general argumentation strategy, I want to see demonstration of three competencies in this round: 1) integrity, via demonstration of the relevancy of your argument/evidence, 2) comprehension, via clear communication of how your cards prove the point you are trying to make, and 3) curiosity, via direct, respectful clash with your opponent.

SPREADING: I'm comfortable with speed, although note that the more arguments you make, the more arguments you will have to defend. I am inclined to permit your opponent drop an argument if you dropped it yourself first. Generally, it is better to make one or two very strong arguments than to make ten weak ones. Also, given variability in wifi, slower speaking can also help ensure that your speech doesn't cut out during virtual tournaments.

CROSS-EX: Open CX is fine. In a world where school teams are sharing cases and resources, I need to see very clearly that you are understanding how your case works. I don't flow CX formally, but will be unimpressed if it becomes clear that you do not know your material thoroughly enough to answer questions about it. Be kind and respectful to your opponent. Do not try to use CX as extra speech time.

NON-TRADITIONAL ARGUMENTS: I have grown more open-minded to Ks and other non-traditional arguments. However, please don't abuse this style of argument to avoid building an actual rebuttal or engaging. Topicality and theory arguments are fine - I view this as a core part of the heart and governance of debate - but it is not a catch-all strategy. PICs are fine too.

I look forward to hearing your insights! Good luck!!

Kind regards,
Kelsey Sawyer

(updated January 2021)

I value your ability to clearly articulate what you say over the amount of information you give.

I value Roadmaps of what you are going to talk about before you do it.

I prefer you do less reading from PC and more from your memory.

Any argumentation is fine except for K's so long as it is explained well.

No spreading, a medium amount of enunciated speed is allowed. I will let student know if it's too fast.

Phone timers are okay.