I Judge debate primarily and moot court. I have been judging events for over 10 years now. I am a trial attorney for 25 years and have tried thousands of cases. I am a regular speaker for both public and private events. I regularly speak at events and present seminars on various issues for the Oklahoma Bar Association and other entities. I spent 13 years in the United States Army and Oklahoma National Guard as a decorated NCO. I have a Juris Doctorate, degrees in Political Science, History and Sociology. I attended Oklahoma State University and The University of Oklahoma College of Law. I have participated in moot Court competition as well as Judged various moot court competitions and debate competitions.

When Judging, I am most concerned with presentation. I want to see someone who is organized and presents a solid case for their position. I want presenters to follow the prescribed format of their event, but most importantly convince me of your opinion. Set a strong foundation and provide evidence. Make me believe you and you alone are correct.

I will not tolerate bullies, racism, homophobia, sexism or other rude and unacceptable behavior. If you act like that, I will make sure you do not get positive marks from me. 

I am more concerned with substance over form. I use my vast trial and presentation experience, combined with my experience as a presenter and public speaker to evaluate the competitors as to the viability of their arguments and the foundation of their evidence and persuasiveness of arguments. 

General debate:

- I value respect of each other above all else. Keep it fun, no need to get *too* saucy with one another. There's a difference between aggressiveness and meanness.

- It's fine to keep your own time; I can keep track of prep time if you need me to (assume I am anyway).

- No spreading. I'm a flow judge. If I can't keep up with you, I can't flow. If I can't flow your arguments, I can't weigh them.

- I appreciate nuance if it makes sense. Don't try to throw nuanced arguments at me just for the sake of it. Show me how it works in the round.

- Evidence - I like it. I like substantiated evidence. Don't card dump on me, but provide me with adequate proof of your claims. I don't care how many sources you were able to find. I care about quality and relevance of those sources.

- Signposting is much appreciated. :) (goes back to that whole flow judge thing)

- Be confident. I have a speech/drama background as well so I value a solid public speaker who carries themself well. Confidence goes a long way.

PF:

- I enjoy a framework debate, but if you aren't going to provide framework - (a) be willing to weigh your side to your opponents' or (b) provide enough of an impact calculus to convince me you have the stronger case without framework.

- Pretend I don't know anything about your topic. Prove to me you do. That's kind of the fun part about public forum. It's supposed to be geared toward a "general audience."

LD:

- I'm pretty simple when it comes to LD - convince me your value/criterion are superior. Please link your arguments to your value, and remind me often. If you can't convince me there's a link, there's no case.

Overall just have fun with it. At the end of the day that's what debate is supposed to be. You'll find I'm pretty chill so just keep it clean, convince me you've got the better arguments, and we'll have a good time.

O/V

She/her pronouns. I am a kritikal debater, but I do understand and will vote on policy-centric arguments. I place a high importance on respect of your opponents which means DO NOT 1)speak over your opponents 2) be unnecessarily rude to your opponents 3)disrespect your opponent's preferred pronouns or name. If you exhibit any of the behavior I have stated, it will reflect in your speaker points and may even cost you the round. I will not be doing any work on the flow for you, so it is up to YOU to tell me what matters in the round, extend your arguments, and explain your arguments. Organization is super important, makes it easier for me to follow and understand your arguments. I am good with spreading, but make sure you are clear, signpost, and clearly state tags. My email for questions/email chain is dixonn808@gmail.com. (If you play LOONA or Rico Nasty I will boost your speaks ;))

Kritikal Args

I mainly run identity-based, queerness, or colonialism arguments in debate so I am pretty comfortable with most critical lit. If you run a "high-theory" argument make sure you clearly explain it. I WILL NOT put in extra work to understand your argument, it is YOUR job to tell me what you run. Impact calculus is super important. Make sure you flesh out your arguments and clearly tell me WHY I should be voting for your kritik.

Policy Args

I run some policy arguments and understand them enough to vote on them. Impact calculus is extremely important here, if you don't do impact calc I probably will not vote for you. I do not like rounds that have over 3 offcase positions, I feel that they are unfair and make shallow debates. I prefer 1 or 2 offcase positions that are explained well.

Theory

Run whatever theory args you want, as long as they are fleshed out and explained well.

FW/Topicality

Honestly, I probably will not vote on either unless you give me a good reason it would be influential. Most of the arguments I see of this kind are usually policing-esque and I do not like that at all. If you are going to run these arguments though, make sure you give specific reasons to prefer and respond to the actual arguments your opponents make.

Speech

I gauge every round based on what is presented. How well do you deliver your material? Remember, no one knows your speech better than you do. I will not know you made a mistake unless you bring attention to it. If you need to take a pause to gather your thoughts, do so.

NEVER TELL A JUDGE HOW BAD YOU WILL DO or HOW UNPREPARED YOU ARE!!!

Debate

I don't mind spreading, but if you are speaking to the point where I can't understand what you say, I will not be able to truly judge your arguments. I look at which person/team supports their arguments the best. I gauge every round based on what is presented.

I try to approach each round with a Tabula Rasa philosophy. I am willing to listen and evaluate any type/form of argumentation. I will want debaters to evaluate and frame arguments as the round progresses with emphasis on comparative analysis between those competing arguments.

Speed is generally not a problem.

I prefer K debate, I like high theory, and I know how to flow T.  Policy, in its most traditionally understood form, is not my cup of tea, but it is the majority of what I judge so go figure. I will vote on the team that wins the round- framing is just as important to me as impact calculus.  There is not an argument I wont vote on- except for distinctly new arguments in the rebuttals. Spreading is great, just don't get mad if I yell speed- I rarely have to and when I do I HAVE to.

More about me:

My pronouns are they/them- I will give bonus points and maybe candy to teams that ask everyone's pronouns before the round :)

I debated for four years in high school and a little over one in college. I only did LD in HS, and I mostly did K debate once I joined collegiate debate. For the past three summers I've worked at UTNIF- and the majority of my judging experience happened there.

I'm studying Latin American Studies, and LGBTQ studies at the University of Oklahoma.  I have a decent understanding of Global economics, current events, and Political Policy in general.