I am open to all arguments and will do my best to adapt to you. I am very focused on my flow so be mindful when moving from one card/argument to the next to leave a gap or say "and" to clearly indicate motion. Slow down on authors and dates please.

CX: I'm a policy maker but am always open to other arguments. My main concern is whether or not you've proven the resolution is true or false.
Topicality/theory: I default competing interp. If there aren't good extensions or if it's a wash I probably won't vote here.
K: If the lit is obscure you'll need to explain it to me a little more than popular Ks. Feel free to ask.
Case: I want the aff to extend in every speech. I will likely not vote exclusively on case defense, so negs please have another voter.

LD: I'm very line-by-line driven, and focus on the flow. Be very specific with voters.
Value/criterion: Not a must-have, and in many rounds I judge I find debaters will spend time on this without ever impacting it as a voter. If you go for this, that is totally fine, but give a clear reason why it matters in determining the resolution's truth.
Pre-standards/observations: Fine with these, but I feel the more outlandish ones need a little more work to actually matter. In any case, it is important that these are answered and not dropped.
Off-case: totally fine and love to see it, so long as whoever runs any off has an understanding of how to run that argument.
NC: I tend to be less persuaded by strats that try to spread the aff thin and just go for whatever they drop/undercover, and while I won't stop you from doing that, I begin to err heavily in the aff's favor when they have four minutes to answer 4 off, respond to your case, and defend their own. In my opinion, it's better for debate for you to demonstrate your skills by thoroughly arguing a really good voter rather than throwing half-hearted args at your opponent to see what sticks.
Aff: The most frustrating part of judging LD is watching 1ARs that try to do line-by-lines on everything and drop part of the flow. I want to see a 1AR identify the reason the 1AC theoretically wins, extend that and respond to attacks against that premise, identify why the neg would theoretically win, and respond to that. The aff does not have to win every single argument in round to prove the resolution true, so show your skill by covering what you absolutely must in this small period of time. Too often I see 2ARs make good arguments that are too little too late, so do whatever it takes to give a 1AR that doesn't drop anything important (only drops stuff that isn't important) be it taking extra prep, going with opposing framework, etc.

I have a decent amount of judging experience but I would suggest treating me as a lay judge. That means going for complex theory arguments is a risky move if not very well communicated.

I would like to be added to the email chain: tanishbhowmick@gmail.com

Some things to consider during round:

1. I prefer logical arguments overall. Whoever has a more persuasive, fluent, and substantial argument has a higher chance of winning, though nothing is guaranteed.

2. Being aggressive is fine, just as long as you are not offensive in any nature

3. I am ok with speed but it's been a while so I suggest starting off a little slower before ramping it up. I will yell slow if you're going too fast and if I have to yell 3 or more times you're getting 27.5 speaks max. I also don't like cramming in extreme amounts of arguments; quality over quantity always.

4. Theory is fine, but do not depend on it for the whole argument. As mentioned before, I still prefer substance over anything else. I wouldn't suggest complex philosophies because, as I said, my experience is limited so try to refrain. If you do decide to go with any complex debate rhetoric, make sure to explain them fully or I might not understand and will ignore the argument during my decision.

Finally, just have fun with the debate. This is in my opinion one of the most enjoyable educational extracurriculars and so I want the debate to be fun and well-spirited.

Judge Info:

Number of Years Judging Forensic Activities: 4

Coach For: Speech Events

Occupation: English Teacher

General Paradigms:

With the exception of extemp topic, speech events should be carefully memorized and functionally executed. You should be engaging and original to the best of your ability. Do your best and don’t forget to breathe. Debate events should rely heavily on logos and source ethos (if sources are cited). Be sure that warrant and impact effectively develop the argument.

Extemp Paradigms:

My preferences goes to cited evidence with dates included. Evidence should assist to prove your statement, not overpower the overall argument. In synchronous competition if the speaker’s triangle is used, please try to keep your whole body on camera and keep the camera at eye level as much as possible. Road maps are appreciated. Rounds are determined on argument effectiveness, speaking engagement, and speaker skill/ preparedness in that order.

OO/ Info Paradigms:

Road maps are appreciated and VAs are ideal (but do not necessarily win or lose points in rounds). Evidence should be properly cited and should assist the speaker’s point, not be regurgitated as the speaker’s point. If the speaker’s triangle is used, try to stay entirely on camera. Camera will ideally be placed at eye level. Judging is based on originality, use of evidence/proof, speaker delivery/ level of memorization, and use of VAs/body language.

PF Paradigm:

Speed of delivery does not matter as long as comprehensibility of speech is not affected; please keep in mind that I am flowing your arguments in order to best evaluate your round – try not to kill me. I have no preference on the format of summary speeches but prefer that you do not introduce major arguments in them. Final Focus should address the value of arguments made and wrap up the competing arguments in a clear and concise way. Argument is valued over style in this event. I discard arguments that are raised for the first time in Grand Crossfire and Final Focus.

My pronouns are they/them/theirs. Please do not call me ma’am. I know it's a southern respect thing but it's icky to me. If you need a title for me, I unironically like being called judge, Judge Contreras is fine, just Contreras works too. My students call me Coach, and that's also fine. Teens, please don't call me El (that's one southernism I stand by!)

Affiliations:

Head Coach and social studies teacher at L.C. Anderson High School in Austin, TX since 2022.

San Marcos High School- I competed all four years in high school, I did extemp, congress, and UIL Policy.

Speech people!!!!

I will not rank a triggering performance first. I just won’t do that. There’s no need for you to vividly reenact violence and suffering at 8 a.m. on a Saturday morning (or like, ever). Triggering performances without trigger warnings will have their rank reflect the performance. Use your talent to tell a story, not to exploit pain. Also, normalize giving content and trigger warnings before your performance!! Give people a chance to take care of themselves. If I'm judging your round and another competitor triggers you, you are welcome to quietly get up and walk out during their performance. I will not dock or punish you for this, your mental health is the most important. Please take care of yourself and each other!! I'm in a "you should do a different piece" mindset on this issue and if you can't reenact that narrative without exploiting suffering, something is wrong.

Debate comments (PF, LD, CX, World Schools)

Just disclose. I know LD's norm is sending 30 minutes before round, I think that's a great norm.

In PF, send case docs. Don't be secretive with your cards. Your opponents should not have to disclose a disability in order to get you to send docs. I also think sending a speech doc for rebuttal and summary is a good norm. This is not (necessarily) something I'll down you for but it could be, if you're intentionally being harmful.

I will evaluate anything as long as it's warranted and extended. I won't make arguments for you, tell me why and how you're winning. I'll vote tech over truth unless the truth overwhelms the tech. Sticky defense is so fake, extend your arguments if you want to win them. Unextended = dropped. Proper extensions, tag and cite, claim, warrant, impact!!

Both partners need to participate in grand cross. PF is a partner event! No, you can't skip grand cross. I'm listening to cross and waiting to hear the questions from cross brought into round.

Please do a www.speechdrop.net room, it is a fantastic site, and I will definitely pop in and read cards and cases if you have the speechdrop room set up. Always send case, always send speech docs. I am #notsponsored, just a fan! My email is down below.

Spell out all the abbreviations you use in round. Don’t assume I know what you’re talking about. People know what the UN is, the EU, etc, people may not know BRI, any random trade agreement, etc.

speed: You don't have to go at a conversational pace but nobody should be full-on-spreading in PF. When you're off the doc, you have to go slower. I try not to flow off the doc but I will use it as support if you're faster than I can follow. I'm not in a debate round to read off your case doc, I'm in round to hear YOU. Slow down on taglines, analytics, authors- basically anything you think is vital to my decision.

PF-specific comments:

• I'll vote on anything, not a huge fan of theory, not the best judge to evaluate theory
• i love frameworks! they should be well-developed. blippy frameworks don't win framework debates
• extensions are not just saying "Extend my contention 2", you must extend the card tag/cite and the claim, warrant, and impact! Let me hear the link chain again!!
• speaker points- these national tournaments keep giving me a rubric to use and I'm trying to apply that to all the realms I judge in. Points start at 28 and I adjust from there. Points will only be below a 27 if you did something harmful or rules/norms were horribly broken.
• PFers, please read cards with actual taglines. "furthermore", "and", are not taglines. A tag is the thesis of the card, it is the summary of the content. I've been seeing a lot of that lately- it's lazy and bad practice.

LD-specific:

• I don't judge LD often, not as comfortable with LD speeds but I'll use the doc
• I will evaluate k's, as long as they're well-developed and defended. i know theory is normative in LD and I'll do my best to evaluate it fairly and wisely. probably not the best judge for your theory debates
• consider me pretty lay, generally pretty trad. Read me a standard, read me a value, slow it down!!
• I know this event is generally more technical but again, don't assume I know what you're talking about!! spell out all your abbreviations, provide definitions (especially if you're reading a K), do your best to make the round and the space more accessible!
• pref me slightly better than a lay judge
• I come from pf so arguments such as kritiks and theory will make less sense to me butI’lltry my best to evaluate them

email- theedebatecoach@gmail.com

and

docs.anderson@gmail.com

please <3

This message is specifically for competitors in debate events; I value respect in the round. Please don’t be rude in front of me. It doesn’t make me laugh, it reminds me of uncomfortable/unpleasant rounds where my competitors were rude to me or my partner. That has no business in a debate space, please don’t bring that energy into a round. This goes double for people in privileged positions who make women and gender/racial minorities uncomfortable or unsafe in the debate space. Not only will I chew you out and tank your speaks, but I will also let your coach know about the harmful practices. it's on all of us to make the debate space inclusive and equitable.

TLDR- be nice, be kind, and be self-aware.

Congress comments:

I did congressional debate all four years I competed in high school, I really enjoyed it and love watching a good Congress round. I have a lot of respect for a strong PO and usually reward that with a higher ranking. POs that struggle with precedence, maintaining decorum, and Robert's rules of order will have that reflected in their rank.

Clash, clash, clash! Put the debate into congressional debate.

There's a line between sassy and rude. Tread it carefully.

General comments:

something that I genuinely appreciate in every event is a trigger warning before potentially triggering performances and speeches. controversially, I care about all of your experiences in a round and would like to give everyone an opportunity to opt out. If you’re a spectator or a competitor in a speech room, you deserve the opportunity to step out. If you’re competing in a debate round, you have every right to ask your competitors to read a version of their case that excludes the triggering material. As a judge, I reserve the right to step out/turn off my camera for a moment before you give your performance.

In a debate round, I’d appreciate that triggering material cut out. I don’t think intense/graphic depictions of human suffering add much to your overall case anyway, I’d rather you extend cards in that time or frontline or do anything besides exploit human suffering.

If I correct your pronunciation of a word in my ballot, it’s genuinely to educate you. It’s hard to know how to pronounce a word you’ve never heard aloud, just read (looking at you, Reuters!)

I have a degree in history, with a focus on Latin American history. Keep that in mind when discussing issues focused on Latin America. Feel free to ask me for a reading list to better understand conflicts, revolutions, and government suppression (including US intervention) in Guatemala, Argentina, Honduras, El Salvador, and more.

If you are spectating an event and are fully texting in front of me or attempting to talk to/distract a competitor, I’m going to ask you to leave. I will not warn you once, I have a zero-tolerance policy for disrespecting competitors or interfering with competition in that way.

If you get me as a debate judge, sorry in advance.

--Congress--

3 points, or 2 points with GOOD analysis and GOOD GOOD clash.

3 pieces of evidence minimum, 5 preferred.

Do not re-hash arguments. If you do, you better be clash clash clashing at the same time.

PO’s can earn high ranks by advancing the round and showing they are in charge. Pulling power plays and asking me for help? Not great.

--Speech--

Extemp/Info/OO: use an entertaining AGD and tie it through the roadmap, and topic sentence/conclusion of each point.

Extemp: This is state. 6 sources.

Info/OO: 3+ pieces of evidence.

Teasers hype up your Interp pieces. Use them!

Block block blocking: Utilize your space and move! I know that this is a virtual world, but there are ways to do it.

Over the top funny pieces... are sometimes not funny.

Fine with curse words!

PF Paradigm at the top, LD at the bottom. I approach the events in a completely different manner. I wouldn't apply what is in the PF paradigm to LD.

PF Paradigm

I am a coach that has been involved with debate for a while. At the most basic level, I will evaluate the impacts students have access to at the end of the round using the weighing/framing mechanisms provided. You should be weighing in the back half of the round. Here are some notes about the details.

-I am listening but not flowing crossfire. While I'm not voting on anything that is said here, I am judging your knowledge of the important args and the topic in general.

-I am not tab. The best description of my judging style is a critic of argument. I want to vote for the best debaters, and to that end, I feel this activity is at its best when students explain warrants. I will vote on consequential drops, but I almost never vote on unwarranted blippy claims, even if they are carded. So for instance, if Smith 20 says "the economy will crash in two months," and that is the end of the story; for the purposes of the round I am not assuming the economy will crash in two months. You need to explain why Smith thinks that and contextualize its importance within the round. If Smith doesn't give a reason you are comfortable explaining, or you don't understand why Smith thinks that, this argument should not effect the RFD. My bar for a warrant that I will accept is very low(often I disagree with the warrant but still accept it), but the bar does exist. Just give me something that makes sense. The top competitors warrant and do all this naturally, so I don't think a lot of adapting should be going on.

-I prefer a brisk but understandable pace in the rebuttal/summary speeches, offense in the FF needs to be clearly extended (preferably weighed) throughout.

-I view debate as a game that teaches essential skills, and will vote for the students that in my opinion win the game. Using offensive arguments or not respecting the dignity of your opponents will lead to you losing the game.

-There is a zero percent chance I will vote on theory. I am ok with paraphrasing but prefer direct quotations. I do not expect disclosure (full text or otherwise).

-There is a zero percent chance I will vote on a non-topical K. There is a zero percent chance I will vote for a K that links into the topic in general. If the K has a strong link into the opponents advocacy, I will consider it, but probably still vote against it.

-Defense is not sticky.

-You should frontline in 2nd Rebuttal.

-Sell terminal defense, I have a higher bar for granting access to the impact then a lot of judges.

-There is no reason for a plan or CP.

-I don't like politics DAs, in policy rounds they work as a net benefit to a CP decently, but as independent offense in PF I think it is poor in general. The only way I'm voting on it is if it the other team severely mishandles it or has no offense I can comfortably vote on.

-If you want to see cards have the names ready and say them immediately after the speech. The 1st speaker for each team should be ready and adept at sending cards. I am not ok with a stream of asking for cards one after the other stretching out the time. The PF round should end in roughly an hour.

LD Paradigm

The PF paradigm above doesn't apply very much here. I debated LD in high school, but that was a long time ago. In LD, I'm resigned to being tab and voting on execution. I will try my best to reward the better debater, so if you can go fast and clear that is good.

I prefer debate on the topic and I view this activity as a game, so my natural inclination is to expect the resolution to grant both sides with ground, although the specifics can be debated. In general, I don't like to vote on blippy drops. I rarely vote for non-topical affs. Framework debate is ok and I will vote for the debater that executes their style the best. I enjoy judging debates with clash, and reward developed arguments which clearly link to the core issues of the resolution. I will vote for Plans, CPs, DAs, Ks, Theory, and framework. You are not winning the round in cross.

I don't have a problem with speed, but if I can't understand what your saying I will not connect the dots for you. A brisk speech that is clean is preferable to a faster pace in which words are mumbled and there are many noticeable stumbles. I keep a detailed flow and if an argument is dropped it matters. I like to hear voters during the final speeches.

I have a tabula rasa approach and I evaluate every debate based on what is presented to me in round.

I am open to all styles of debate.

i'm basically like a flay judge, tell me what to vote for and why.

Please treat me like a lay judge. Go slow and keep it simple. :)

Don't get super technical because i don't believe that's the way pf should have to be

3 min summaries mean please collapse and weigh

i dont like it when teams waste 20 extra mins in round not even looking at cards but pulling them up, so if u have to spend more than two mins trying to find called cards itll start eating into your prep - have your cards prepared

IN CONGRESS:
I expect to see plenty of clash. The event is called congressional DEBATE! Utilize questioning period effectively, and ask targeted questions. Analysis is the #1 priority

I am, at heart, a traditional judge, though I welcome innovative choices that make for effective storytelling in all events.

In extemp, I will be looking for a focus on the given question, clear points that support the speaker's answer, credible supporting sources, relaxed gestures that help emphasize important ideas, and a clear and smooth speaking style.

In Oratory and Informative, I will be looking for a speech that fulfills the purpose of the events - I should feel persuaded to some sort of action in oratory and I should learn something new and unexpected in Informative. The speeches should be supported with multiple, credible sources of different types. The speaker should be conversational in their delivery - formal enough to honor the topic, but casual enough to relate to the audience. Gestures should feel natural and flow from the requirements of the speech.

In the Interp events, I will be looking for an honest performance at heart. In dramatic, I should believe the emotional journey of the character(s), and should not feel overwhelmed by an overly intense interpretation. In Humorous, even when the source material is silly, the audience should feel the truth underneath the comedy. Introductions should be meaningful. If I am ever made to feel that I should not be seeing a high school student performing something (whether it is related to content or language), it takes me out of the moment and will have a negative impact on my ranking. Mature choices are fine, but it is important to maintain lines of appropriateness.

I’m a senior at Round Rock and this is my 4th year doing LD. Put me on the email chain- seyagadoo@gmail.com

Feel free to run what you're most comfortable with. I'm fine with speed, just make sure you're clear.

I’ll be focused on the flow so please make sure to extend everything and provide a good line by line. Use your rebuttal speeches effectively and don’t drop parts of the flow and stay organized so that I know where you are on the flow. Weigh your arguments and make it clear how I should evaluate this round and what really matters. I’ll base your speaks off of both strategy and clarity of speaking/spreading.

Feel free to ask any questions!

Tanya Reni Galloway

I enjoy analyzing the quality of evidence, persuasive techniques, and presentation style of all debate categories. I have judged all debate categories over the past 10 plus years including Congress, FX, DX, CX, LD, PF, BQ, and WS. I am an old-school purist. I judge all categories so I prefer that each category stays in its own lane. Having said that, I realize many students love progressive argumentation, so I say tabula rasa. I will judge the style they are trained in and give feedback accordingly. It is always about the student. My feedback and comments, on my ballots, are designed to empower the student to take their game in debate and life to the next level. I believe our speech and debate students are developing themselves as leaders and can use their skills to make profound differences when applied to areas of life that matter to them.

I also judge all IE events. I love OO, when done well, it is like a mini TED talk. I love to see the WHY. Why did the student choose the topic or selection? What resonates for them? In the categories which require acting skills, I really look for a connection between the student and the selection, when the student embodies the selection and becomes the character. I believe acting skills can build empathy and connection to the human condition. These students can use these skills and apply them in an area of life that they are passionate about and make a difference in the world. They can be the voice for others, who do not have the courage or opportunity to speak or perform in front of others.

I competed in high school and college and won awards in acting, singing, and public speaking events. I was a professional actress and trained at the Film Actors Lab. I am a trained toastmasters judge. I currently lecture on art as therapy. I was also the manager of the Communications Programs for the Dallas branch of a global personal and professional develop company, Landmark Worldwide.

I am an enthusiastic supporter of academic sports. Speech and debate participation provides cognitive and behavioral enhancement. It improves reading, listening, speaking, critical thinking, and writing skills. It also improves motivation and increases curiosity and engagement. I enjoy empowering the future leaders of our community and world. I encourage the students to take the skills they are learning and to apply them to areas of life that are of concern to them now, so they can make a difference and learn the practical value of their skills. It increases engagement for both at-risk and gifted students. I also think coaches are rock stars! Thank you for the difference you make each day with your students. It takes heart, dedication, patience, and perseverance, You are the one they will always remember.

UPDATE 2024: Have not judged debate in a couple years, so don't spread super fast, over explain the topic for me a bit, and make the round as easy as possible for me to vote for you. Wouldn't recommend you run Ks, theory, dense phil, or any tricks. Happy to answer any other questions.

Hi! My name is Zara, I’m a junior at UT and I did LD for 3 years at Round Rock High School. Please add me on the email chain: zara.inam@gmail.com

I’m pretty much fine with anything that you want to run, but you need to do a good job running it and making sure that I understand. I’m fine with speed, but slow down on the tag lines and cites.

Disclaimer: I have not debated in a little bit and am not very familiar with this topic, so please just make sure to explain your arguments and things like acronyms and plans a little more thoroughly for me to understand. It'll make it easier for me to evaluate the round, and probably easier for you to win my ballot

virtual debate: please go a bit slower than you would normally in person, online debate makes spreading a lot harder to understand. Try to go like 80-90% of your original speed.

I'm not keeping time, so make sure to time yourself and your opponent. Please speak up if they go over time and don't realize.

tech > truth: 99% of the time (the exception being racism, sexism, etc)

signpost and off time roadmap!!

Preferences

1. LARP (DA’s, CP’s) - this is mainly what I read when I debated and what I am most comfortable with. Make sure to fully explain your link chain and impacts. I really want to hear about the impacts and please please weigh, thats the best way for me to understand what you're saying.

2. Theory - I'm fine with theory - but I am not likely to vote off of a frivolous theory shell. I want to see a lot of engagement with the theory argument if you want me to end up voting off of it, it is up to you to explain the abuse and what I should do about this.

3. Traditional Debate - I'm also fine with this, but still want you to focus on everything in the round. If you drop stuff/ spend all of your time on framework, it makes it really hard for me to vote for you. be strategic.

4. K’s: I personally did not read a lot of K's, but I think they are super interesting. If its not a super common K - you'll need to explain the literature well. Pls make sure you are ready to explain the K well - I need to be able to understand it well to vote off of it. Like everything else - just be clear with your arguments, rushing thru super fast and expecting me to understand a complicated K won't go well.

5. Framework/Phil: I honestly think a good framework debate is really interesting, go ahead with this, but be sure to explain if its a complicated framework. However I am not well versed in dense phil or uncommon frameworks - so you will need to do a good job of making it clear to me and how I should evaluate it.

6. Tricks or abusive arguments: i'd really rather you not read these lol

Bottom line: feel free to run what you want, but if its something a little more uncommon, please be sure that you actually know what you are saying and are able to explain it. If I get what you're saying and why it matters - i'll easily vote for you. I typically ran LARP arguments, so that’s what I’m most comfortable with. Again, feel free to run anything, but again, if you are running a complicated FW or a K, make sure to explain it well to me so that I understand.

I’m very focused on the flow so please make sure to extend everything (and give a good extension summarizing why the arg actually matters and apply it to the round) and provide a good line by line. Please focus on the line by line, and I'd like to see you actually attacking the integrity of their cards and ev. If theres some sketchy evidence or the card is not reliable - bring it up!

Use your rebuttal speeches effectively and don’t drop parts of the flow (!!!!) and stay organized so that we all know where you are on the flow. Dropping arguments is really unfortunate in a debate round and I really don't want to have to vote against you for doing this!!! Be strategic, and make sure to make your arguments clear earlier in the debate, because if you come up with completely new arguments late in the debate, I won’t be able to evaluate them.

PLEASE WEIGH your arguments and make it clear how I should evaluate this round and what really matters.

I really don't want to intervene too much in the round and have to interpret things for myself - the best way for you to win the round is to be clear with the arguments that you are winning and why these args are important.

I’ll base your speaks off of both strategy and clarity of speaking/spreading. I'm not too harsh with speaks - just make be strategic and clear.

Debate can be overwhelming and stressful at times - please be compassionate and nice to your opponents!

I don’t really know what else to put on here, so please ask me any questions you have before the round, and I’ll be happy to answer!!

Have fun and good luck!! :)

round rock high school '23

pf and extemp

if you have any questions, shoot me an email - simijasti@gmail.com

pf

- tech>truth

- put me on the email chain (if y'all are starting one which I recommend in an online setting)

- please weigh (don't do just generic weighing)

- I don't care what you run as long as you know what you're talking about

- "progressive" arguments are fine

- no trixs

- theory is fine (only when necessary)

- I like a good framework

- fine with speed but if you are going too fast I will either ask you to slow down or ask for a speech doc (if your opponent ask for one, just give it to them)

- I like clash

- summary is the most important

- PLEASE BE FUNNY!

- no racism, sexism, or homophobia (you will lose the round with the lowest speaks)

- be nice

- I'm generous so good strategy, jokes, explaining, weighing, and making the round clear will always earn you a 30

- Showing me your pet will give you auto 30 for you and your partner (except for cats, unless it's hairless, sorry lol)

- have fun!!

I competed in public forum debate for four years at Centerville HS and have judged for the past four years. I am currently a senior at NYU. Add me to the email chain at sij233@nyu.edu.

There are a few things that I want to see in the round.

1) I think that using logic with evidence is important. Do not just dump cards and not explain the warranting behind them.

2) I like when teams give organized rebuttals and signpost.

3) Don't fight over evidence.

4) Don't run theory/K's as I am not too knowledgeable on them.

5) Use off-time roadmaps in the round so that I know where you are starting at.

6) I won't flow cross but if something major happens let me know in a speech.

If you have any questions, let me know before the round.

Good luck!

Hi! I competed in LD, PF, and CD in high school, along with several platform events (OO, Info, DX, FX). I did interp events in middle school, but didn't we all? I'm in college now and basically spend every weekend judging debate tournaments. If you have any specific questions about my paradigms or a decision, please reach out to me. My email is graceejudicee@tamu.edu! I love providing feedback!

LD

I don’t like spreading. The purpose of a debate round is to use critical thinking skills to convince your opponent/judge of a specific argument, not speak so fast that you lose your opponent and gain the upper hand in the round.

Generally speaking, I prefer a traditional style of debate. However, if you chose to go for a theory shell argument, I will flow it. Just be careful. If you ONLY/MAINLY go for theory, there is a good chance that your opponent will have an adequate response, leaving you with very little offense.

When it comes to evidence, if you are sharing it with your opponent, share it with me as well (graceejudicee@tamu.edu). Don’t just give me a card name and date and expect me to value its importance. Convince me that it is important, accurate, and more reliable than your opponent’s card.

PF

Doing the weighing for me is like an insurance policy. In rounds where there is a lot of clash, some arguments turn into a wash. When you weigh, in addition to extending arguments across the flow, you are giving me more reasons to vote for you.

When it comes to evidence, if you are sharing it with your opponent, share it with me as well (graceejudicee@tamu.edu). Don’t just give me a card name and date and expect me to value its importance. Convince me that your evidence is important, accurate, and more reliable than your opponent’s card.

If I hear something in final focus that wasn’t brought up in summary, you’ve just wasted your own time.

If you are second rebuttal, you need to frontline.

Congress

A great PO will make my ballot, but I always prefer great speakers. I know it is difficult to find a PO in lot of rounds, so I always appreciate volunteers.

If you aren’t the first affirmative or first negation, I expect some sort of clash. Refer back to your fellow representatives. I don’t want to hear 3 speeches with the same exact points.

Questioning is important. If you have great speeches, but fail to participate in the rest of the round, that will result in a lower ranking.

Don't speak just to speak with zero preparation if you know it will be a terrible speech! I'd rather a chamber move to previous question after 3 speeches than hear someone speak for 2 minutes off the top of their head. Keep in mind, this is different than writing a speech during recess. I always appreciate those that offer to write during recess to keep the round going.

I'd rather hear one "6" speech from you than three "4" speeches.

Once you enter the chamber, stay in "character", even during recess. Compared to other styles of debate, delivery and presentation is more important.

IEs/Extemp

Make me laugh. I love humor, but forced humor and stock introductions are awkward. Cringe.

For extemporaneous speaking, PLEASE provide a clear introduction with a source AND a preview of your three points. Extemporaneous speeches without some sort of preview/roadmap during the introduction are often unorganized. Also, actually answer the question. This seems like a no brainer, but you'd be surprised.

Delivery and presentation always matter, but CONTENT is SO important.

In out rounds, I expect the time of your speech to be pretty close to the time limit on the TFA ballot. Basically, 4 minute extemporaneous speeches in semi finals won't fly with me.

I am a high school (senior) LD debater at RRHS. I debated LD for 2 years and PF for 1 year. I'll be open to any argument with a clear claim, warrant, and impact (unless it's morally repugnant/atrocious, ie, racism good).

I would like to be on the email chain.

noki2020hyung@gmail.com

Speaker points evaluation: overall strategy, knowledge of topic/case, and cross-examination.

LD:

Speed is fine.

2NR and 2AR should have clear voters, ie, crystallization of the round.

I like to see good line-by-line debates and also good impact weighing/comparison. Basically, clash.

Framework debates are cool, although I am most familiar with util/policymaking framework. Just make sure to clearly explain the framework if it's something that is not commonly read.

PF: I might not be up to date with the newer trends in PF (like disclosure theory), so just let me know if you plan on running something like that.

I would like that you fully cut your cards (not type in your own analytics and then just link the website). I would prefer that you copy and paste the entire section of the article from where you are reading from.

I would like to see good clash in the rebuttal speeches and I think final focus should fully explain key voters.

Kritik

Kritiks in PF are weird, but go ahead if that's what you like running.

Spreading

Spreading in PF cracks me up. I prefer if you didn't (that's why they created PF in the first place), but the worst I might do is tank your speaks by like .1-.5

Overall, be polite and have fun debating the topic.

I’m Robin Koshelev (they/he) and I debated policy for 2 years and am a current LD debater at Round Rock High School. I judge novice CX, LD, PF, as well as speech events like extemp.

Everyone:

I would like to be included on the email chain. My email is robinkoshelev@gmail.com

I'm tab. Run whatever argument you prefer. I try to be as unbiased as possible, so do what you do best.

Don't be racist, sexist, ableist, homophobic, transphobic, etc. Don't cheat. Don't be rude.

Roadmaps, signpost, organization are all important.

Dress code is classist I don't care about it.

Debate

I disclose (unless it's explicitly against tournament policy) and try to give specific, detailed feedback during rdf's. I flow all* parts of your speech, including cross, but I usually won't evaluate cross unless a team brings it up in a speech

Spreading is fine, just be clear. For rebuttals/analytics, either send them on your doc or don't zoom through them at max speed. If you spread something you don't send on a doc you are rolling the dice on whether I flow it or not.

I don't count sending a doc/flashing as prep but if you're obviously stealing or stretching prep I'll make a pointed comment and your speaks will be lower for it.

I evaluate speaks based on presentation, organization, and integrity. Quality of spreading and speech, prep integrity, organization, unwarranted aggression/rudeness/snarkiness, etc. I'm pretty lenient when it comes to speaks and I listen to 30 speaks spikes. If you're funny, entertaining, enjoyable to listen to, then you will get good speaks.

Kritiks: I like them. I'm familiar with the basics (cap, afro-pess, abolition, fem, queer pess, set col) but if you're going for something more niche then thoroughly explain the lit. Link and alt are important, spamming buzzwords in tags isn't going to win me over. Other than that, I love a good K debate.

Theory: Go for it but theory tends to be a wash unless the other team drops it or you prove they're actually being abusive. I'm absolutely willing to vote on it, but my threshold is high.

Topicality: I'll vote on T if it's extended and argued well.

DA/CP: Love myself a good policy debate. Make sure the link story is solid and do impact calc. Aff, extend and explain your perm.

Framing: do it. Tell me how I should evaluate the round, how I should see the world. I don't like to default to my own framework, but I will if no alternate is proposed.

Case: impact calc! do it! I enjoy it! Do not discount the importance of your case. Extend it, argue it, use it as offense. The 1AC is your greatest weapon as the aff.

KAff: I'll definitely listen to both performative and non-performative K-affs but I'm not the most experienced in this sector and more likely to lean neg on topicality so run at your own risk.

Mmmmm line by line. Do it.

LD

No trix.

If you really like phil then I'm probably not the judge for you. I'll evaluate it but on a list of debates I would enjoy judging phil is dead last.

CX

Open CX is fine but don’t rely on your partner to answer every single question. Both of you should be speaking.

My biggest pet peeve is when one partner coaches another through a speech. It won't affect my decision but it will affect your speaks.

Novice

Every time I get sent the entirety of the novice packet with no signposting in between contentions/off/cards/arguments a baby kitten cries. Don't be that person please.

You can spread but I'm a lot more lenient to teams who think it's unfair for novice debaters to spread. Making sure your opponent(s) is/are okay with spreading is probably the best bet.

I know you’re reading off the novice packet, but don’t rely solely on your cards. Know your arguments, and know how to argue them efficiently. It's easy to read pre-prepped blocks (arguments), but much harder to actually debate. I will appreciate a debater who goes up for a rebuttal and tries their best to engage with their opponent's arguments far more than I would a debate who reads varsity blocks with no line by line.

Clash is important; make sure you actually debate with the opposing team.

Try your best to stay organized! 70% of debate is just communicating effectively with your judge. Remember, you're not trying to convince your opponent, you're trying to convince me.

I'm really quite chill in round. You'll be okay and you'll improve from the round no matter what I vote.

I think that public forum is, at its core, the melding of sound argumentation and solid speaking. You should present not only well-structured, rational, strongly warranted arguments, but you should also do so in a way that can be relatable to whomever is in the back of the round.

That being said, I don't mind some speed - but be sure you are articulate and clear, especially with tags and authors. Sacrificing quality for quantity is a poor choice if you cannot handle (or your judge cannot handle) the speed. Make wise choices.

In terms of 'atypical' arguments. I think that it is very hard to run a K argument well in PF. I don't believe that it cannot be done, just that it is very rare. If you are running theory, then you better have extremely solid warrants and you should have it explained to the level of access of understanding fitting to this style of debate. DO NOT just read cards that you got from your Policy friends/teammates and call it a day. ALSO...YOUR ADVOCACY SHOULD MATCH YOUR ACTIONS. Do NOT use theory arguments as a cheap tool to surprise unwitting opponents and get the ballot when you have engaged in no actions that match the advocacy of your theory arguments. If you are running disclosure theory, there better be a history of you disclosing at EVERY round and you engaged in multiple forums, workshops, discussion boards where you are ACTIVELY engaged in increasing disclosure in a way that promotes education and fairness. If you get up and read disclosure in front of me and do not have this, it will be an automatic loss. I am not joking.

I think that framework is a solid strategy - if there is a purpose. Frequently teams have f/w just to have it and then don't touch it for the rest of the round. If it is there, then you should extend.

On the issue of extensions, be sure that your arguments are carried through the debate. Do not read at the beginning and then bring back up in the final focus and expect me to grant them to you.

Finally, there should be a clear advocacy in the round - and a clash between teams. I hate debates that are like ships passing in the night - no clash.

Hello! I’m very excited to be judging you today. I hope to do the best I can to understand and enjoy your message but I do have a few hang ups.

For Congress:

Please, do not feel compelled to hyper pack your speeches with too many sources, and too much analysis. I do not like overly fast performance

This is a debate event, and I never want to forget that; clash with your opponents

Be polite! Don’t speak over your opponents but nonetheless don’t let them speak over you. Cut them off nicely.

I don’t necessarily weigh cross, but I weigh your behavior in it. Be active enough and be nice.

Always cite the legislation in your speeches; specific lines to prove you really get what's going on. It gives you a big credibility boost as well!

For I.E.’s

Keep it calm, I don’t like overly fast speaking.

Hand gestures are nice, but I prefer you’d keep your hands at your side when they’re not needed

I’m a big fan of blocking.

Not much after that!

Cheers :)

Hi there, my name is Kevin and I debated for McNeil High school from 2016-2019 and I have experience in LD, PF, and extemp. I primarily debated LD.

I prefer to be on the email chain: kevsipa@gmail.com

As far as judging for LD, I will judge anything as long as it's not abusive. I have experience with most arguments as far as K, Theory, etc. but make sure you explain your positions/arguments well as there may be arguments that are unfamiliar to me

Organization is extremely important. The speaker should concentrate on answering the question. I look for a good casual tone with a slower paced speech which is both clear and concise. Documentation is important but should not overshadow the main topic of the speech. Transitions into topics should be clear, when the performer sign-posts their speech.

Begin with a good AGD and then carry it through the speech.

I have been judging speech events for the past 10 years and competed as a high school student as well. As a theater teacher I am looking for engaging storytelling. Using your vocal variety, movement, diction and moments/beats to create an engaging piece. I am looking for students to really become a character in both body and vocal.

For Oratory/Info/Extemp I am looking for the same as above, convince me of your point by using solid presentation skills, and facts.

Hi - I am a parent judge, usually judge IEs when I am judging.

IEs - I don't know much about IEs but speak really well and be animated. Make sure the message of your performance is clear and conveyed. For extemp, make sure you have good substance and sources to back up your claims and the speech should be organized.

Debate - I don't normally judge debate, and am unaware of the intricacies of debate rounds. If I'm in the back of the room, go slow. Go slow, and make sure to explain your arguments so I know what I'm voting on. Try to simplify arguments for me so I have a clear understanding.

Speaks for debate: I'll give above a 28 most of the time, but if you spread and if I can't understand I'll give you 25 speaks. If I can't understand you, I won't vote for you.

I will try my best to judge well, good luck!

Quality over quantity. This not only applies to the number of speeches you give but also the amount of evidence you have and refutations you give. I would prefer deeply thought out refutation and clash rather than naming everyone who spoke before you. In so far as presentation I do not care about how you look or how your voice sounds, I care about mindful pacing and thoughtful presentation.