alexvaughn389@gmail.com

Wylie High School (2015-2019)

UT Dallas (2019-2022)

he/him

I am rewriting this because why not.

CX - I rarely judge but if i happen to default to my LD paradigm

LD - I rarely judge but have experience. I consider myself a tab judge so give me a framework to evaluate the round and emphasize that over the course of the debate. I urge you to stray away from progressive debate tactics (like K's, T, etc.), mainly bc most debaters in LD can not run them properly or respond to them properly, and it makes for bad debate. Sorry. That being said, I am competent at evaluating any round of LD and any type of argument as long as you can explain it well.

PF - I judge this the most. Please know that blatant PF "toxic disrespect" is an automatic loss and 25 speaks. Make sure that you are always respectful to your opponents and have healthy discourse. Also, there seems to be a trend where people waste time by asking and begging to flash a certain card that ends up not mattering or teams taking too long to respond when people want to see the evidence. Please know that this will not happen in any of my rounds. I will immediately intervene and decide for myself, and then talk to your coaches because it is ridiculous. It should take no more than 20 seconds to find and flash a card, albeit email it, and any longer or other abuse of time theft will result in my intervention. Aside from that, I can evaluate any arguments, including DAs and T, but be sure that your opponent knows how to respond to them, otherwise its an awkward debate. Be sure to give voters.TLDR: don't be ridiculous, be respectful, give voters, and give good debate.

Congress - Just know that the person that gets my one will likely not have all of their speeches prewritten. Rather, they take what their opponents say and craft a speech mid round to give rebuttal arguments and constructive debate. Also, they actively participate on every bill. For the PO, as long as you know the basics it's fine and you will likely be ranked well, you can ask for help whenever.

Extemp - Make sure you answer the question. I have ranked the best speeches last because they simply don't answer the question word for word as it appears. I don't want that to happen to you :(

IE/whatever else - Give TW's if you discuss sensitive material. That's it just do you.

Howdy! My name is Linnea Brashears, and I am a current student at Texas A&M University in College Station, TX. I graduated from Veterans Memorial High School in Corpus Christi in May of 2020. I was very active in TFA Speech and Debate tournaments, and competed all four years in Interpretation and Speech events! As a judge, I recognize implicit bias, and it will never influence the result of a round.

For Interp Events (including PO, PR, POI, HI, DI, DUO, DUET) I request that:

The speakers utilize strong, memorized, and captivating intros, after a preview of their pieces. Binder work should be clean, and choreography/transitions should be crisp! I'll be looking for authentic presentations and realism in pantomime. I want to feel what your characters are telling me they are feeling!

For Speech Events (including INFO, OO, FX, NX, DX) I request that:

The speakers utilize strong, supported, and captivating intros that are well memorized and are relative to the speech being presented. As a judge preference, I like when speakers utilize the orator's triangle, however, it is not totally necessary. Transitions and intro sentences to each topic should be relevant, and the organization of the speech is very important! I also look for creativity and originality within topics. Remind the audience of the significance of your speech frequently. Visual aids should be neat, necessary, relevant, and should only aid the audience in understanding the speech.

For Debate Events (LD, CX, PF, BQ):

Speakers do not spread and I would always appreciate an off-time roadmap. I like to see good sportsmanship. It is debate, not an argument. Lay judge

I look forward to seeing your talents!

Congress: I look for well structured and well supported speeches. I also expect you to be engaged in the room and for you to respond to other student's speeches.

I was a high school debater in the 1980s. I coached high school debate in the Dallas area for 30 years. I retired from coaching in 2022. My primary areas of coaching were LD Debate, Extemp and Student Congress but I coached almost every event during my career other than POI and World Schools. I loved my time in the activity. I don't judge often anymore. I do enjoy watching students perform. Good luck in whatever event you are doing today.

Congressional Debate: Be active in the session!!! Give speeches, ask questions, make an effort to participate no matter how long it takes to get called on. I really do think delivery is as important as content in this event. Playing the role of congress person means you are speaking with the conviction required to persuade people to vote for or against something. The deeper you are in the speech rotation the more clever you have to be. They can’t all be canned speeches. Create some clash in your speeches. Reference and refute other specific speaker’s arguments. This not only enhances the debate, it shows you have been paying attention. Extending arguments from other speakers is fine as long as you are adding something new.

Since these speeches are so short you should have a brief intro, I think 2 arguments is fine. I don’t need an extemp preview just tell me how many arguments you will make and be sure to signpost in the body of the speech. I don’t need full extemp speech citations but I like some type of reference as to where information came from. You should be ready to elaborate on sources if asked in CX.

If you are the PO dont surprised if I ask you to hit the gavel on a book or something. Often hitting a gavel straight on the desk in the classroom is loud and hurts my ears if I am sitting too close to you. :)

LD: I have a lot of experience which means I am old. I guess that makes me a “traditional judge” or so I am told. If cases have a value and criterion then I like for the contention level of the case to link them or what is the point of having them. If neither side has them then let’s go straight impacts. While I don’t really like Kritiks I will listen to them and expect them to be answered. I am open to counter plans and disads. Here is the thing, Don’t assume I have read any of the literature on anything. Don’t assume I know any of the topic jargon. EXPLAIN it to me. I prefer quality over quantity. It has to make sense. I am open to almost anything but if you run it you have to explain the relevance in the scope of the round. What is the story? Impact it for me. Why should I vote for it? As far as speed goes most probably won’t like me. I can handle an up tempo delivery when compared to normal conversation but I just can’t keep up anymore if you are spreading and spewing down. If I am working so hard to flow it chances are I am not really evaluating it. You have a better chance of slowing down and explaining fewer arguments than speeding up and getting too many in the round. There is a fine line here because I know NC has to enact some strategy and I know the 1AR has to cover. Signpost and give me a slight pause after a tag line so I can get it and then I will be ready for that evidence. Write the ballot for me. Give me clear voters. Weigh the round for me. Drops matter but you have to extend them and impact them. Be professional in the round. I still like to think that presentation matters.

Extemp: Always answer the question. I like to judge extemp by evaluating both content and presentation. Due to lack of preparation time I know there will be a few stumbles for most. Limiting these should be the goal. How do you do that? By slowing down. It isn’t a debate rebuttal speech. Avoiding some of the crutch fillers such as “we/you can see”, the typical “like” “Um/Uh” will go along with me. Have 3 points that answer the question, an intro and conclusion, be organized. I think 7 sources in most cases is perfect for a speech. When people get up 10-12 sources I think they might be making some of them up. If you have 3 or 4 sources you probably do not have enough support.

Policy Debate: Honestly, I really only judge this during the UIL spring season. I might judge a novice round sometimes. If I am sitting in a varsity policy round at a big tournament….well, I’d rather not be. Not because I dislike policy I am just not as confident in my flowing ability with the excessive speed. (being honest here) I am open to anything but I guess you can call me a stock issue judge......if that is still a thing. Look over my LD information above about what I like and don’t in a round. “What is the story?” Are you making me believe it with warrants and impacts?

General Debate: I follow clear line-by-line arguments, I should not have to work hard to follow your arguments or understand what you are trying to prove. Clear extensions with solid analysis will win the round, but being rude won’t. If your plan to win is to interrupt your opponents you are going to have a tough time. I'm good with speed, just slow down in tags, dates, and authors. Just because it’s on your doc doesn’t mean you read it. If you set up an email chain my email is alyson.spencer@kellerisd.net. I have experience competing and judging in LD, CX, and PF so I know how the game is played. Let me know if you have any questions.

Case: Clear arguments that are well laid out are the way to go. I prefer the quality over quantity. Your goal should be to win because you have a better case not smother your opponent in arguments.
T: This is important. I don’t care how much of a positive impact comes from your case, if it doesn’t link in it will not win. Proving this sooner rather than later is key.
DAs and CPs: Do it, I’m game.
Ks and KAff: Prove that it is true and relevant and you got it.
Theory: I don’t buy theories that waste my time. If you are going to run a theory make it worth my time and energy.

--Speech--

What are your stylistic preferences for extemp? I enjoy the traditional format of extemp speeches, but prefer them to be as conversational as possible. if you're going to have a standard opener that you use religiously, be sure it makes sense. also be sure it isn't the exact same as every other person on your team. Use what YOU know and lean into that so that conversation flows naturally.

How much evidence do you prefer? quality over quantity for me. cite your sources with the date included, and use varied sources. at least 3 different ones! and make sure if you're bluffing that i can't tell you're bluffing.

Any preference for virtual delivery? acknowledge the camera if we're competing virtually! make sure you are in a space where you can be seen and heard.

What are your stylistic preferences for Oratory/Info? CONVERSATIONAL. Do not make it seem like this is the umteenth time you've competed with this piece. The beauty of oratory/info is that this is, or should be, your passion piece! YOU wrote every word. and if you're going to speak on something for 10 minutes over and over again, you should love it. And no matter how many times you've run it, it should feel like the first time every time. Your topic is near and dear to you and it's your job to make it near and dear to us. Universality is key. Though I may not be a part of the community or group or conversation, I need to understand why i MUST become a part of it or aware of it. Your passion and excitement for your speech should be palpable. Make it feel like the first time every time because for most people in the room it is the very first time we've gotten to hear this speech. and you have ten minutes to use this room as your platform and speak on what's important to you. make sure we leave this room talking about YOU! Your goal should be for us to be at our family dinner table telling everyone who will listen about this moment we took away from your speech. your gestures need to make sense and be natural. do not simply fall into gestures that you see being done just for the sake of doing them. if you wouldn't normally use particular hand gestures or vocal variations DONT DO IT for the sake of a round.

How much evidence do you prefer? I need enough statistics to not feel like you're just giving me your own personal think tank. back up what you're saying with multiple different credible sources. offer viewpoints that challenge yours, and then back them up with your facts.

Any unique thoughts on teasers? Your teaser sets the tone for the entire piece. Think about how you want to introduce us to the next ten minutes that we are going to watch!

Any unique thoughts on introductions for Interpretation events? Make them personal to YOU! Tell me why this piece matters to you while also telling me about the piece. What qualifies you to speak on this? Why should we listen and care? If you don't know who/what you're speaking on don't waste your time. oftentimes we are lifting up and bringing awareness to a community or an issue that is very delicate. use your intro to tell us why you're doing this and why it matters. Even in HI!!! i LOOOOVE a good tie in to real life. leave us talking about what we learned regardless of whether we are laughing, crying, or everything in between. take me on a JOURNEY.

Any preferences with respect to blocking, movement, etc: Make every movement a moment. I should be able to snap a photo of you and tell what you're doing and where you are. make movements and pantomimes intentional and thoughtful. break the mold! take me somewhere I've never been.

What are your thoughts on character work? you absolutely must BECOME your character. you need to study people who have experienced what your character has experienced. embody them wholly. whether it's in a humorous or serious way. do not halfway commit to something and expect us to buy in.

How do you feel about author's intent and appropriateness of a piece? For example: an HI of Miracle Worker (author's intent) or a student performing mature material or using curse words (appropriateness)? Author’s intent- doesn’t bother me too much. Appropriateness is BIG for me. You’re in HIGH SCHOOL- crude sexual humor and excessive cusswords just aren’t necessary. It’s also cheap comedy IMO. If you’re that “mature” aim higher for your content. A few innuendos are okay, but don't get crazy. There are far more ways to get laughs then to take it literally below the belt.

When it comes to LD I look for framework arguments above contention arguments and I am fine with logical arguments. No spreading please. Higher points for addressing the issue raised by opponents from your initial position. I like good CX. Being aggressive is fine, just make sure you don't say or do anything that is offensive. Not a big fan of shell case.

I prefer speechdrop but here is my email for document sharing/evidence chains if you need it:betty.stanton@jenksps.org

I'm the head coach of a successful team, and have been coaching for 18 years. I did CX in high school so long ago that Ks were new, and I competed in college.

LD: I'm a very traditional judge. I like values and criteria and analysis and clash. I want framework debate to actually mean something.

PF: I’m a very traditional judge. If the round becomes a very short CX round instead of a PF round, we have a problem. I want evidence and actual analysis of that evidence, and I want actual clash.

CX: I can handle your spread and I will vote where I'm persuasively told to with the following exceptions: 1) I have never voted on T. I think it's a non-starter unless a case is so blatantly non-topical that you can't even see the resolution from it. That's not to say it isn't a perfectly legitimate argument, it's just to say that I will probably buy the aff's 'we meet's and you might have better uses for your time than camping here. 2) If you run a K, you should firmly and continuously advocate for that K. 3) I, again, will always prefer actual clash in the round over unlinked theory arguments.

General Things ~

Don't claim something is abusive unless it is.

Don't claim an argument was dropped unless it was.

Don't advocate for atrocities.

Don't be a jerk to your opponents (This will get you the lowest speaker points possible. Yes, even if you win.)