I'm a parent judge and so I have very basic but specific guidelines:

1. Share an outline or roadmap at the beginning that is not only clear but that you follow in your presentation (If it does not flow, I cannot follow).

2. Speak at a moderate pace so that it is easy to follow and understand.

3. Following speaker etiquette is important. While I may not vote down a debater for rudeness or lack of etiquette, it will affect their speaker points.

4. Strongly prefer traditional debates so please do not use progressive tactics (e.g., no spreading, no kritiks).

5. During cross fires, please do not ask questions for questions sake... recommend that you take advantage of the opportunity to ask probing questions to either clarify a point or expose a flaw in your opponents statements.

6. (For LD) Aff has a burden to show the resolution is, generally speaking, a true statement. Neg has the burden to show it is a false statement.

First of all, let me start by saying I HATE SPREADING. And I mention it frequently, and we STILL. SEE. SPREADING. You are not auditioning for an auctioneering job, you are trying to present a convincing argument. Three strong points well presented will be more effective with me than ten thrown out in an indecipherable flurry of syllables strung together. CUT IT OUT.

Good information well documented goes without saying. But there, I just said it anyway.

A presentation that has an arc, where the delivery is smooth throughout but that varies in tone, volume, rate, intensity, etc. will always tend to sway me in your favor. Good signposting is smiled upon.

Finally, look and sound like you're having a good time, or at least that you have something that you're glad you get a chance to present. Have confidence in yourself, and know that even if you stumble, you're going to get through this. And of course, when you find yourself totally lost and the information or words that you had right there two minutes ago have somehow disappeared, stop, smile, regroup and carry on. You will get through this. Probably doing better than you think.

Be mindful of your judging pool. Especially when you have less experienced parent judges, consider taking your time for an extra beat here and there, be sure to signpost well, enunciate and speak up. Some of us are old and not as quick as we used to be. Good luck, have fun, and, as we say in my hometown, Don't Forget To Be Awesome.

I did debate in high school for 4 years (LD and PF), so I am a fairly experienced judge.

Speed is fine as long as you're not spreading and your opponent can understand you, I will tell you if I need you to slow down.

I do not like circuit arguments and would prefer arguments that are logically coherent. If I don't understand your argument I will not consider it in the flow even if your opponent doesn't respond to it. Chances are I will understand, but if you tell me civil disobedience causes nuclear war, I'm going to need a very strong link chain.

At the end of the round, I will look towards who best upholds the criterion that is best argued for, based off of the impacts left standing, so make that clear to me in your last speech.

I do count arguments made in cross as long as they are referenced at any point in the round and a good cross will add speaker points.

Don't be rude or disrespectful, but don't be afraid to attack the logic of your opponents case.

Congress:

I value insightful responses to challenging questions during the questioning period. By that same token, if you ask challenging and provoking questions, it will reflect well on your round placement.

I wholeheartedly value speeches that embody the congressional debate sentiment: a focus on the American constituents who "elected" you to office. At the end of the day, that is who you represent. The best speeches are compelling, comprehensible, motivating, and delivered at a normal speaking pace (no spreading). I definitely don't mind a joke/pun or two. Speaking well, in a very compelling way, is just as important as what you are saying. Try not to read from your screen or notes too much.

For PO contests, speed and efficiency is key. The better PO is the one that successfully moves the round along with minimal hesitations, almost as if you don't even notice their presence.

World Schools Debate:

I heavily value speaking compellingly and passionately. That means that you shouldn't be spreading. Also, make sure that you keep in mind that because this is WSD, you should be considering the perspective of the world, not focusing your debate on a specific country.

Public Forum:

Try not to spread, as Public Forum is intended to be accessible to the average non-debater. Additionally, make sure your arguments are presented in a compelling way; what you say is just as important as how you say it. For online tournaments, your arguments are communicated more effectively if you are not clearly reading from your screen for the entire speech. Try to look up at the audience every once and a while. I am also comfortable with nonconventional arguments (at least nonconventional for PF) as long as they are presented compellingly and have a clear tie-back to the topic at hand.

About me:

I participated in Congressional Debate and World School's Debate in high school, attending both CA State Finals and US Nationals. I am now an undergraduate student at Yale University.

I've competed in Speech and Debate for over 6 years now, 4 in High School and 2 in college. I've done 4 years of LD and 6 years of Parli/NPDA, as well as impromptu and extemp. I prefer debate rounds with solid argumentation and good framework, and am not the biggest fan of theory shells and K's. I will listen to them, but you would present a much more convincing argument to me if you were to argue the topic of the round rather than the the theory shell.

I tend to vote on what the debaters crystalize as voters, which should be issues, and not values, isolated cards, etc. However, my default is to evaluate the round based on standards and their extensions.

I will judge fairly and clear pronunciation is most important to me, as I prefer depth over spread. I will not vote for arguments that I don’t/can’t understand, and I appreciate links back to the standard(s) to be very explicit and direct. I also will not vote on drops that have gone unimpacted, and expect that prestandards are warranted. I cannot emphasize enough to BE CAREFUL WITH YOUR JARGON.

Ryan Nam - Los Osos High School

Background: I've competed in Speech & Debate for four years at Los Osos High School, primarily in Parli and Extemp. I've also competed in Congress, Public Forum, Extemp Debate, Worlds, etc. I have judged at a few tournaments, primarily for Parli and Public Forum, and I'm currently on the Boston College Mock Trial team ('22). If you have any questions or concerns about my history or background, you are more than welcome to ask before the round.

Parli Paradigm:

With most of my experience being in Parli, there is not much on material that would surprise me during a round. Do not ask if I am familiar with material before a round because I will most likely not answer. The following breaks down categories of Parli that you may have specific concerns about to help you find your answer. If your question is not answered here (and it is NOT about material), you are welcome to ask me about it before a round starts.

Types of Debate: It is my belief that there are three fundamental resolution styles in Parli: policy, value, and fact. Make sure you are aware of which resolution you are working towards in a round. If there is a dispute on this during the round, please make sure to address it during the round and not ignore it.

Policy: Policy should be fun, engaging, and the most creative format of Parli that we can debate on. I value strong fundamental set-ups for plans (i.e. AFF should have a clear and engaging inherency/problem). I also find it important to express creativity in this style. Being able to execute creative plans (even if they seem realistically ridiculous) is always interesting to watch from my perspective and will engage me more with your speeches. Of course, strong fundamentals and a clear understanding of the style/resolution is crucial. If "creativity" means you have weaker overall debating, then avoid it and stick to what works for you. I will always prioritize strong fundamentals. All tactics (i.e. CPs, perms, PICs, Ks, topicalities, etc.) are welcome for both sides. If you feel like you are being excluded via speed or that their plan is especially niche in its application, then express that during your speeches properly and I will flow it. I will probably be familiar with most of the literature (if you are using any) during these tactics, but that does not mean you should neglect it or skim by it. I am a firm believer in flowing only what I hear during the round and if I do not hear you properly explain something to me, then I will not flesh it out for you.

Value: Make sure to have your own value or I will assume you are working under AFF framework. If AFF does not have a value, then I will work under NEG framework. If no one gives me a value, then I will go with whatever framework has been presented during the round at all. The idea here is that we do not need to come to a consensus for a framework as you would normally in a policy round. Simply achieve your value best and (bonus points) try to show why you are ALSO achieving your opponents' value better than them. This is your time to really hone in on niche arguments and incorporate some aspects of philosophy that touch on moral or philosophical issues. For instance, human lives may/may not be the best impact here, so be creative with how your arguments work UNDER YOUR FRAMEWORK.

Fact: This is a simple fact-oriented debate. I do NOT weigh rounds based on quantity of factual material, but will weight based on quality. Of course, just having one good statistic is not going to win the round for you, but do not expect to just pour out a bunch of facts on me without proper explanation of what they mean and why they matter and expect to win. Treat this round as classic debate without bells or whistles and just try to win the round via strong warranting and impacting.

Public Forum Paradigm:

In Public Forum, you obviously are limited on time and must focus on what you feel are the important ideas. The hardest part of this event is proper time management as a team. It is fine to address important small details, but do not linger on them and attempt to look at the bigger picture. Framework issues should hopefully be addressed in the 1AC/1NC as best as possible. Cross is generally used as a speaking score indicator for me. If you claw out an important statement or argument from your opponent, you should reiterate that in your following speech for me to properly flow.

I really enjoy how fast this event goes and if you can keep up the tempo and be aggressive in your argumentation, it will yield more offensive flow for you. Frankly, there is not much on material that I can address, but do explain your arguments thoroughly, yet efficiently as if it is my first time hearing the resolution to begin with. As I mentioned in my Parli paradigm, I also tend to value creativity. I understand that it may be harder in this event as by the end of the month, the tier list of arguments is generally pretty much fixed, but maybe developing your case with new and intriguing twists can be helpful for you throughout a round. Do not be careless, but use your strong fundamentals to incorporate some fresh ideas into the round, if possible.

General Paradigm:

Speed: I can "understand" up to 400wpm, but I would recommend sticking to no more than 300wpm. I am not confident in my own ability to flow all of your arguments above that as I have been out of debate for a few years. As I have stated earlier, if you are getting spread out of a round, then I welcome you to argue that appropriately. If not, I will assume you understand what is happening just fine. That being said, I am aware that most judges disapprove of spreading in Parli for good reason. I am not that judge. You are welcome to spread in this event AS LONG AS YOU CAN ACTUALLY DO IT. Do NOT spread if you are not clear and cannot enunciate properly. *If I say "clear" during a round, please actually either slow down or read more carefully. If I am saying "clear," I expect you to respond in some way and not doing anything about it, is likely to cause me to not flow your arguments correctly*

Tag-teaming: I am fine with it. I would appreciate a notice that you will be doing this just for me to make sure that the opponents are also aware of their ability to use it. Also, I will only flow what is said by the appropriate speaker at that time. Therefore, if you are speaking and your partner says something, make sure to repeat it to me or else it will not go on the flow. This is very important if you are tag-teaming.

Flow/Protecting the Flow: If it has not been clear by now, I am a flow judge and will flow arguments equally across the board. My eventual weighing does not impact the flow, but will be factored in at the end of the round. I protect the flow for novice/JV, but I will not protect the flow for Open/Var events. I would advise you to be attentive during your opponents' speeches to keep track of this.

Impacts: This is how you win rounds. If you do not impact out an argument, I will not do it for you. Flesh out your arguments and negative impact out your opponents' arguments. If you want to run an impact chain to death/human suffering every time, then go ahead. Just impact out everything that you feel should be impacted out.

Foul Language/Rudeness: I am OKAY with mild foul language. It will not hurt you during the round. However, do not start cursing every sentence or speech for the sake of it. If it slips, it slips. Don't sweat it. On the other hand, rudeness will not be tolerated. If you begin to attack your opponents directly and not their arguments, this is not only frowned upon, but will likely lose you the round. This is an educational activity that should be fun, enjoyable, and accessible to ALL people. Please advise.

I have not included speech paradigms, as I fall pretty much in the same realm as any other speech judge. If I am the only judge, you can ask me simple questions NOT related to the direct speech material and I would be happy to answer.

If there is anything that was not covered in this paradigm that is not related to direct material, please feel free to ask before a round starts. It will be more beneficial you to be knowledgeable and aware than to simply assume.

Good luck!

e: ronitnath@berkeley.edu Add me to the chain

Los Osos HS: 4 years trad LD, 3 years circuit, 2 years parli, 1 year policy

Berkeley: lmao still haven't decided if I want to do online policy ahaha

Short: policy > phil (LD) >= k > theory >>>>>> trix (are for kids)

Speed is fine, debated for many years

Long:

(any events:)

Hi! I've debated for many years, I did some policy and pufo, but mainly did LD on the circuit. For any traditional debaters paniking after reading the "short" section, don't worry, I did a lot of traditional debate, and if the debate goes that way, I'll accommodate my judging style to you.

Thoughts:

Speaks: asldfkjasldkfjs

SIGNPOSTING

EVIDENCING and REASONING

Memes, creativity, and memes, are highly good.

Disrespectfulness is highly bad.

Debate is probably a game, but an educational one? Honestly even after debating I still have no idea.

Misc thoughts:

(I'll use "cx" as policy)

CX v CX: I love it, as long as you're not boring. Impact framing is very very good, and more important than you realize, meaning, just tell me how to compare different impacts. Saying extinction will not win you the round, especially if there's any form of probability analysis unresponded.

Few notes: disrespectfulness includes anything that demeans anyone, except nazis. Nazis have no rights in debate. Outside of debate? Still working on that.

More on circuit vs traditional rounds:

My entire team would be incredibly mad if I advantaged the circuit debater. That being said, if your opponent starts to try to spread, but does so like they're, trying to learn, please only do like 20~30 words faster than them. Also, I don't care if it's a "traditional tournament" or not, use whatever arguments you want. Except trix, or I will end you.

Otherwise, tone the buzzwords down, but otherwise I don't care what arguments you use, as long as you still have all the warrants. At the end of the day, they're still arguments, and I expect the other debater to figure out what's going on, and respond. The one caveat is that circuit debaters have a somewhat common lexicon of stupid things we say, and so I will expect a little bit more warranting if you go for a particularly non-traditional argument. That's just to say, if you go for Warren/Baudrillard/uniqueness counterplans in a traditional round, I'll still vote for you.

A good debate means both sides have strong, well researched cases with points that are supported with evidence and easy to follow. Debaters are respectful of each other and the spirit of the event.

I judge on framework and flow. The debater that wins will be the one who best defends their case with supported rebuttals and upholds their value through the end of the debate.