For extemp and public address, I prefer that students use a conversational style. I prefer that they use evidence as needed. I prefer they not try and name numerous sources, but be honest in what they are using. I like a roadmap they refer to for each point.

For interp, I like a meaningful teaser that sets the world they are creating and tries to introduce as many characters as possible. I think introductions should be short and sweet and be more personal. I think blocking and movement should be used to enhance the story, but is not necessary. I really look for fully developed characters that really listen and react to each other. For author's intent, I think it is okay to re-interpret a piece. I don't have a real issue with a curse word if it is used purposefully.

My name is Huy. My pronouns are he/him/his. I was an avid forensics competitor in middle and high school in the TFA, UIL, and NSDA circuits. I was a speech and interpretation competitor, so I have extensive experience in those events; I have still judged a number of debate rounds.

My critiques are not meant to tear you down. I try to write a lot for every competitor, so please use these critiques to learn and refine/apply new things to your craft.

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Interpretation (Includes DI, HI, Duo, Duet, PO, PR, POI)

All forms of literature are fair game. I do allow swearing in moderation.

Memorize your piece. Plain and simple. I will mark down for looking at scripts during round/while another competitor is performing for non-binder events (and POI). Look at the binder sparingly during PO and PR.

Clarity. Enunciate--if I cannot hear you, I cannot judge you properly. Please (try to) do accents properly. Eye-contact, confidence, posture, stuttering, and et cetera is included in this criteria; I will recognize when you're doing characters and when you are doing the intro.

Introduction. Have an introduction. It's standard to do a piece in the teaser-introduction-piece format, but I do not mind as long as you have any introduction. It should be insightful and be more than a on-the-surface-level analysis.

Characterization. Have multi-dimensional character(s). I prefer realism when doing serious pieces, and caricatures when doing humorous pieces, but this is up to the competitor(s) discretion. I have seen competitors do well with caricatures in DI, and vice versa.

Blocking. This includes all forms of physical movement: morphing/melting/changing characters, hand gestures, crossing, binder tech, et cetera. Unless specified otherwise by the tournament director, I will judge under TFA rules, meaning you CAN move below the waist AND do binder tech during PO and PR. You have free range of movement for all other events, including POI. Don't overdo binder tech--I do not care how flashy a piece is if it has no substance. Given the online format, I do not encourage using the floor (i.e. lying down) for longer than 30 seconds unless necessary. For Duo and Duet under the online format, please still try to interact with your partner as much as possible.

Creativity. Do not copy online videos. I will down you automatically. Have integrity. I want to see something new and creative with your piece. Make it your own, and have fun with it.

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Speaking (Includes OO, INF, IMP)

Be persuasive. That is the point of these events.

Memorize your speech. This applies for OO and INF. Plain and simple. I will mark down for looking at speeches during round/while another competitor is speaking. For IMP, please do not use an index card unless it is a novice round. Memorize your quote verbatim.

Clarity. Enunciate--if I cannot hear you, I cannot judge you properly. Eye-contact, confidence, posture, stuttering, and et cetera is included in this criteria. I love speeches with personality.

Structure. Your speech can have any sort of structure you want. Though I prefer 3-point (i.e. intro, 3 body, conclusion), I don't mind as long as there is structure. If you do not have structure, I will down you automatically.

Citations. For INF and OO, please state explicitly where you found your evidence. For INF, if you are quoting someone or an event, please state who they are or what the event was. All events must explain these citations/relate them back to the speech. Have an adequate number of sources. A speech without evidence is a human without bones--no way it can stand up.

Anecdotes. Use sparingly. I do not like speakers who overload their speeches with dramatics. Save that for DI.

Gestures. Find a good balance: do not be excessive, but don't forget to gesture. Use them in the important points you want me as a judge to focus on.

Visual Aids (VAs). Applies for INF only. They are OPTIONAL. I understand the current circumstances, so you VAs do not need to be elaborate. However, if you have words on the display, make sure it is visible on camera while tournaments are still online. I will still mark you have an obviously messy VA (i.e. pieces of paper glued to a board).

Creativity. Do not copy online videos. I will down you automatically. Have integrity. I want to see something new and creative with your speech. Make it your own, and have fun with it.

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Extemporaneous (Either FX or DX)

Be persuasive. That is the point of these events.

Memorize. Plain and simple. I will mark down for looking at your prep during round/while another competitor is speaking. Please do not use an index card unless it is a novice round. Memorize your question and citations (if you quote) verbatim.

Clarity. Enunciate--if I cannot hear you, I cannot judge you properly. Eye-contact, confidence, posture, stuttering, and et cetera is included in this criteria.

Structure. Your speech can have any sort of structure you want. Though I prefer 3-point (i.e. intro, 3 body, conclusion), I don't mind as long as there is structure. If you do not have structure, I will down you automatically. Try to have a balance of sources in each point--each one should be equally important. Do not put 5 sources in the first point and have 1 in each of the other ones.

Citations. Please state explicitly where you found your evidence (e.g. Reuters on November 17, 2019). I prefer current sources, which is nothing older than ~5 years unless necessary. I do count on the number of citations and do not include repeated ones. If you are quoting someone or an event, please state who they are or what the event was. All events must explain these citations/relate them back to the speech.

Fact Check. Obviously incorrect facts will be noted.

Gestures. Find a good balance: do not be excessive, but don't forget to gesture. Use them in the important points you want me as a judge to focus on.

Creativity. Do not copy online videos. I will down you automatically. Have integrity. This includes using someone else's introduction or conclusion. I want to see something new and creative with your speech. Make it your own, and have fun with it.

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Lincoln Douglass Debate

Be a good sport. Debate rounds will get heated. No name-calling/cussing.

Clarity. Enunciate--if I cannot hear you, I cannot judge you properly. I will try my best to flow, but given the online format, if I do not catch something, I may have to ask you to repeat. Speaking points will be determined by criteria that apply in Speaking paradigms above.

Run anything. Literally anything.

Time yourself. Obvious for varsity debaters, but many novices do not know.

I will disclose at my discretion if the tournament director permits.

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.

Pref. IE, Speaking

Hi! I’m Tayller Colwell and I competed in Speech and Debate for 3 years. I competed in IE events only, I am a 2x state qualifier, 2x state quarter finalist and a semi finalist.

When judging IE:

I’m looking at the piece, how well it is executed, chemistry within the piece and performer, how well the performer understands the piece. Technicality, did the performer follow all the rules and regulations while performing.

Did the performer go to the next level with their piece? Was their creativity, originality and was it clean?

When judging debate:

We’re there arguments well thought out? Do they remain on topic? Are speeches well constructed and respectable?

Do they have enough sources to back up their information

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!

CX: To be honest over the last 3 years, I have transitioned primarily to a tournament director. I judge maybe 20 policy rounds tops each year of varying skill levels. My ability to keep up with speed has faltered as a result of not keeping in form. I will let you know if you are going too fast. It is typically theory/T standards/voters where I will lose you if you spread through them. I am comfortable voting for just about any winning argument within any framework you want to explicitly place me within. I evaluate and compare arguments through an offensive/defensive heuristic as well as impact calculus. I would say that I am more a policy maker judge than anything else. This means that I will vote for the best advocacy in the round, which means you have 3 options as the negative (squo good, CP, or K). I would say very much tech over truth. Default condo good. On T I prefer a well developed standard debate. I tend to default reasonability but at the end of the day if you can sell me on competing interps, I'm not opposed. This should be the only thing you are going for in the 2NR if this is your strategy. DA's - I love good uniqueness updates on DA's and 2AC N/Us. Love a good Politics scenario. Will vote on the impact turn on either the DA or the ADV. I'm cool with CPs. On the K debate, I am unfamiliar with a lot of K literature, I know the basics of Cap and Security but because I haven't engaged with the arguments in a few years, I'm definitely a little hazy on the details. If you are going to run a K or a K AFF please make sure you can explain it well. I want to feel comfortable after the initial cross-x that I know what your world looks like. I will vote on Framework regarding the K debate. Finally, on the Theory debate, make sure there is a clear violation and that you have some real offense coming off the argument if it is something you are going to commit to.

PF: I typically judge policy debate. I am comfortable voting for just about any winning argument within any framework you want to explicitly place me within. I evaluate and compare arguments through an offensive/defensive heuristic as well as impact calculus. I need reasons why your world is a better world for me. I don't think PF is the place for frivolous theory. I don't mind voting on critical arguments although I will grant leeway if you butcher the explanation of the criticism to your opponents. I am cool with speed, however, seeing as we will be online I urge you to stay at about 80%. Defense isn't sticky. If you have any other questions feel free to ask. I would like to be on the email chain. Julian.T.Erdmann@gmail.com.

LD: To be honest over the last 3 years, I have transitioned primarily to a tournament director. I judge maybe 20 rounds tops each year of varying skill levels. My ability to keep up with speed has faltered as a result of not keeping in form. I am comfortable voting for just about any winning argument within any framework you want to explicitly place me within. I evaluate and compare arguments through an offensive/defensive heuristic as well as impact calculus. Please slow down for theory spikes, any analysis, or what you deem important. I flow on paper, if I can't write it down it doesn't show up on my flow. I prefer not to flow off the document, if you are going to go so fast that I need to, send me your analytics. I would like to hear taglines. During the rebuttals when you are doing comparative work, please please please slow down. I'm not the fastest flow judge anymore. I will vote on the RVI especially if you can link in round abuse. I'm not familiar with the skep stuff. I'm not familiar with most K literature. I understand the basics of Cap and Security but outside of that don't assume I know your author/method/K. Your lack of explanation on the K lowers my thresholds on what it takes for your opponent to beat it. I feel you should probably defend some sort of alternative/advocacy statement. Feel free to reach out for any other questions. Add me to the chain Julian.T.Erdmann@gmail.com please.

I judge Congress often and am always looking for excellent delivery, effective eye contact, and original thinking/clash that will set the speaker apart from the pack. I really search for the speakers who really make me want to listen to them. Speakers need to ask relevant questions, answer questions quickly and completely, and be respectful of the rest of the room. I expect the PO to run a tight ship and keep tabs on speaker order and frivolous questions. POs can be ranked first in the room, depending on the quality of speakers and PO. Evidence is crucial, but a clear speaking voice with passion, wit, and grace goes just as far.

Interp - The most important thing to me in an Interp performance is to portray genuine emotion. If you really feel it, the audience will too. Be a good audience member by avoiding distractions and providing your complete attention to the competitor performing at the moment. Being a good audience member also means staying the entire time unless you are cross entered as well as providing appropriate nonverbal feedback to the performance. Please don't "mean mug" or attempt to nonverbally intimidate another competitor. I appreciate a good binder trick and a creative approach while maintaining author's intent. In the Intro, I would ideally like a conversational tone that allows me to meet you, displays your understanding and connection to the subject matter, and sets up the performance well. Literature that contains profanity does not bother me as long as the profanity adds something to the message and is not superfluous.

Extemp - Depth of analysis is most important to me although I expect a solid speech structure with an introduction, 2-3 main points, and a conclusion. I encourage 7-10 scholarly source citations throughout and would like to see that the sources add substance to the speech. Using a variety of types of sources such as state, national, and international as well as think tanks, periodicals, and books adds to the overall credibility of the presentation. As far as delivery, I want to feel that you are talking TO me not AT me. As such, be conversational yet informative or persuasive.

PF Paradigm:

The number one priority of Public Forum Debate is that it remains accessible at all times.

Debaters are expected to time themselves and their oppenents. If there is some discrepancy on time, your speaker points will be in jeopardy. Please be responsible.

Go at whatever speed you are comfortable as long as it is not spreading.

I will flow what is said during speech, but not crossfire. I expect you to extend arguments from crossfire if you want to use them.

You must provide your win conditions. I need a framework to interpret how the round will be judged. That also means that weighing needs to be considers as well.

Don't assume definitions especially in the resolutions.

I will look at evidence only in the case that both teams appear to have evidence that contradict each other.

InterPA

Tech

Diction matters more in online competition than in face to face competition. In synchronous rounds, please emphasize your diction more.

You are welcome to ask for feedback regarding your placement within the camera.

I'd recommend you make sure the camera is perpendicular to your eyes/face. The angle coming from below sometimes makes viewing facial involvement unclear.

Preferences

Content Warning before your pieces. If you have any belief that your content could upset someone, you owe it to your audience to prepare us. Plot twists are not worth hurting your audience.

I really evaluate the quality of the cut/writing in close rounds.

A cut needs to have a clear beginning, middle, and end. The beginning means the characters, relationships, and problems are introduced. A perfect teaser has these element. The middle shows the characters attempting and failing to resolve a problem. The end discusses whether characters resolve or fail to resolve the problem and then what happen because of that.

Public address speeches follow some kind of previewed and road mapped structure to the speech.

Event Specific

Info

I don't evaluate lack of VAs as negative. I evaluate overused or nonhelpful VAs as a negative.

I don't really care about how you move in your speech.

OO

I follow PCS and CES structures the best.

I am sucker for empirics. I don't believe something is inherently a problem that affects everyone until you show me with a source that it affects people more than yourself. For example, if your speech is about how "We say no too much," you better prove beyond a doubt that we empirically say "No" a lot.

DI

I'm kind of over traumatizing DIs. DI is my favorite event though.

I value verisimilitude in the characterization and the blocking.

HI

Characterization matters the most. I value clear characters and efficient movement between the characters.

I also really pay attention to the resolution of the problem in HI. If the problem is resolved in a sentence or through an apparent unknown force. I blame the cut.

Duo

I hate how its done digital and really hope no one assigns it to me.

Blocking should highlight the conflict between the characters.

I find speaking towards the camera instead of pretending the two are in the same piece to be more believable.

POI

Characterization should be clear. I shouldn't doubt the differences between the characters.

Binder tech or lack of binder tech is irrelevant to me.

Extemp:

Tech

Time yourself for synchronous rounds. I don't trust internet connections to be consistent to allow me to give you effective time signals.

I can tell if you're reading off of your computer.

Sitting or Standing don't matter to me.

Preferences

I will flow the speech.

I don't look down on speeches past 7:00, but 7:20 is a little risk

Link back to the question always. Tell me why you are answering questions.

Fluency matters insomuch that I can understand you. Short pauses and disruptions will not be marks against, but if I cannot follow what you are saying then I will have trouble evaluating your speech.

My experience is in Congress, LD, extemporaneous speaking, informative speaking, and original oratory. All this to say, I’ve competed in speech AND debate, so my judging philosophy is based on artful and skillful speaking.

Speaking

Be engaging. Especially with IE, don’t lose your audience. Be animated and passionate!
While that isn’t as important in a debate event, make sure to have a clear line of reasoning for your arguments. The flow should flow well.

If you speak clearly, I can follow spreading. If I can’t catch it in the flow, I won’t vote on it, so spread with that in mind.

Evidence

Paraphrase some evidence and DO NOT card dump. Integrate evidence well and establish a clear line of reasoning for your arguments or your evidence won’t count as a warrant.

Don’t forget to date all your evidence.

Decorum

Above all, be respectful of your opponents and don’t use fallacies when arguing their case.

Hello everyone! My name is KJ (he/him), I competed all 4 years of high school and now go to Texas State University.

I am primarily an IE person. I competed in every IE event including OO, Info, and Extemp. I as well competed in World Schools a bit too. I was a 4x state qualifier, state finalist, 5x state semi finalist, 2x NIETOC semifinalist, and a 3x NSDA qualifier. I was as well an All-State and All-American competitor with over 2200 NSDA points. What I am looking for is understanding of the piece. How well thought out it is and how much effort you have noticeably put into it goes a LONG way.

IE's

- Needs to be clean, concise, and have a deeper meaning as to why you're telling the story, interp is acting with a purpose

- Be proud of what you're performing! and have fun with it!

- Characterization is key, I want to see real peoples stories that I am actually able to connect to

- I want to know what's going on! Don't just throw us into the middle of everything, give us some exposition, who are you? Where are you? What is going on?

OO, Info, Extemp, WS

- Are you just telling me the facts? Or are you engaging with the information and the topic you've chosen and presenting it in an effective way?

- Charisma is KEY, you wrote this speech, be proud of it!

- How well thought out is your argument or topic?

- Are you speaking fluidly and confidently or are you using filler words and swaying nervously?

- Make sure that you're applying the facts that you give to the grand scheme of things, what are the implications?

Like I said earlier, I was always more of an interp person. However, I do know all of the rules and the ins and outs of debate! I may not be as adept as I am with speech but I know my way around. Essentially just treat me as a lay judge who knows a lot about the subject.

Debate

• Well thought out arguments will go a long way, the more you put into a speech the more you will get out of it, and trust me when I say that we as judges notice how much effort you put into it
• How well do you structure your speech? How well does it flow?
• How do you respond to questions and how do you interact in the round?
• Don't just tell me what you are going to do but also HOW you are going to accomplish it and WHY
• Add me to the email chain plz - kjamarino@gmail.com
• As far as flowing goes, I'm not a stickler for it during cross so don't worry about it
• I can follow spreading but if you'd like to have mercy on my soul and not that would be awesome
• I'm not a huge theory argument person, so if I feel you're twisting the resolution in a way that it most likely wasn't intended as may not work if its too far out there

All of these are just my personal opinions regarding judging, please do not change your speech or performance based on trying to get my 1. So long as you have fun, enjoy what you're doing, and you are proud of the work you've presented, that is all I ask.

Email: kjamarino@gmail.com

Add me to the email chain: ruthcrismartin@gmail.com

I debated for Vista Ridge for 4 years (graduated in 2022), and I’m studying Communication Studies at UT Austin.

I did LD for a year, and 3 years of PF.

PF:

I don't have any topic knowledge. If you want me to know something, bring it up in speech.

Signpost in every speech and make sure to warrant arguments in the round.

Frontline in second rebuttal.

Defense is not sticky, so please extend.

An argument is dropped if it’s not brought up in the next speech.

Collapse in the second half of the round, as I will only evaluate what has been extended in summary and final focus. That being said, weigh in summary and tell me why I should vote for your impact over the other. If I'm left with two valid arguments that say the opposite and there's no weighing or clash, I cannot determine who the winner is without intervening. Also, I like voters in FF.

I’m not great with speed anymore, so do what you want with that information.

I won't vote on theory, progressive arguments, LARP and K’s in PF.

If you have any questions, feel free to ask me before the round.

Any other event:

Treat me as a lay judge.

In general, be respectful of everyone in the round.

For speech events I look for very clear and distinct characterization, character ARCS, humor & knowledge on how to tell a story. Performances I look for need to look less like a performance or speech, and more like a clear, continuous, flowing story with a purpose and message. In Duo I look for teamwork, display of equal strength & efforts, & I look for a message and important performance rather than just something flashy. I care a lot about an event’s ability to take itself seriously and the merit someone has in telling their story.

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.

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!