General

Respect your judges and competitors.

Follow the rules, as I read them and will ask Tab staff if there are any issues.

Be timely to your round.

Debate

I judge mostly on the content you provide and how you approach your opponent's speeches. However, your delivery is important in order for me to hear and understand you. I do flow the debates and will use my flow to do a majority of my own deliberation. Please use signposts, it will make it far easier for me to focus on your content, rather than where you are in your speech. I will prioritize certain points if you provide evidence or backing as to why they should be prioritized.

DO NOT SPREAD! I will not be able to keep up, it will not be an instant loss, but your points are far more likely to slip off (or not even appear) on my flow.

If you are to use theory, rather than evidence, please make sure you have adequate support as to why I should care (it’s the same for the vice versa). You may discuss general points, but show me impact. No non-topical kritiks.

For LD, your CV and VC are incredibly important as to why you win. However, you can win through other means if the values and criteria are a wash.

Online: Normally I would use a check and x system on my ballots. But due to online functionality, I will use :) and :( .

Congress

I judge your score based on a combination of how well it is written, the content of the speech, the delivery of the speech, and how it applies based on what has happened thus far in the chamber. I will rank you based on your scores, your questioning, and what your impact was on the chamber.

I want to see rebuttals and new content.

I do not want to see repetitious points or speeches with all words, no content.

I want questions that influence the flow of debate.

I don’t want gotcha questions that are only for making your opponent look bad (If it otherwise influences debate it is okay, but don’t do it maliciously).

Some level of purposeful blocking and vocal inflections during your speech would be recommended.

Speech

I will judge you based on a combination of vocality, movement, and content (these will weigh differently based on your respective event [this is not to say the ones weighed lower are unimportant]).

Please stand out in your event, it will make you more memorable when I am ranking you. Do not be monotone or use minimal blocking. Appropriate vocal pacing and emphasis are key to making it high on my ballot.

Please be respectful of other speakers, when they are presenting. Please stay attentive (or at least act like it). I know many of you will see the same script up to 4 times a day, but remember you want your judge and audience to give you attention, so do the same for them.

Your event has recommended guidelines for the judge, but they are also for you. Make sure you excel in each of them and you are more likely to rank higher. If you are unable to locate this, please read your league’s website or ask your coach, not your judge.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Good luck and have fun! :-D

Hi, I am a parent judge and have only judged lay rounds so far.

This is how I feel about things in debate:

General preferences:

- Call me Judge

- send me your case

- Speak no faster than 200 WPM so I can understand and follow along with your case efficiently

- Don't use complex acronyms or terms and instead say the full thing so I can understand what it is

- If you don't do the above I may have time understanding you and will not be able to accurately evaluate the round and this may cause you to lose because of it

Policy action debate or topical debate:

- I personally would prefer and understand this best as a parent judge

- I would like clear links and impacts for each policy or topical argument you make

Theory:

- You can make theory arguments but make them accustomed so that a lay judge would be able to see how education or fairness is being contested otherwise I won't understand it or flow it

- I will NOT understand or accept theory arguments stating when theory should be run because it distracts from topic literature and actual theory

Kritiks:

- Refrain from running these, they are too hard to understand and they distract from actual topical debate

Frameworks:

- Explain whether it is consequential or intentions based

- Stress more on making it understandable and relating to topic literature

Other:

- If I didn't mention it then I have no idea what it is and you shouldn't try it

I am a parent judge with one year of judging experience. DO NOT run any higher level case such as a K, CP, DA, or anything else but traditional. I am most comfortable with traditional (Framework + contentions). Please do NOT spread. If I can't understand you, then I can't evaluate what you are saying. Talk conversationally, and be persuasive. However, most importantly, be respectful, and have fun!

I've judged LD and PFD earlier and had been a debater myself in a different format.

I'm open to the various formats and delivery of speeches. Content matters more to me, the speaker has to maintain dignity about other speaker, any type of Abuse to any person, religion or culture is absolutely unacceptable.

I understand lay the most but larp is also fine.

I prefer speech delivery at a rate which has words clear to understand. Fast pace is ok, as long as words are clear.