I competed in Congressional Debate in Illinois and on the National Circuit between 2011 and 2015. Since then, I have had the pleasure of judging, primarily for Congress and PF.

In Congress, I want to hear solid arguments AND witness flawless speaking styles. Avoid filler words, repeating the same phrase, etc. My biggest pet peeve is rehash/redundant arguments. If you are speaking after the 4th speech, I should hear new arguments AND clash. If you are crystallizing, I want more than a summary. Tell me exactly why your side wins and turn every untouched argument effectively. Please be professional and cordial. If you are a great speaker but don't respect others in the chamber, I am not going to rank you as high. It is very possible to be a good debater and concurrently lead the chamber in a respectful manner, so show me both. Use your question time effectively!

I am new to judging LD, but I am doing all the research that I can to make sure that I understand all of the intricacies of LD. In order for me to understand your arguments, please slow down and avoid LD-specific jargon.:)

42fryguy@gmail.com

I debated at KU and Blue Valley Southwest, I am currently coaching at Glenbrook North

FW

I am heavily persuaded by arguments about why the affirmative should read a topical plan. One of the main reasons for this is that I am persuaded by a lot of framing arguments which nullify aff offense. The best way to deal with these things is to more directly impact turn common impacts like procedural fairness. Counter interpretations can be useful, but the goal of establishing a new model sometimes exacerbates core neg offense (limits).

K

I'm not great for the K. In most instances this is because I believe the alternative solves the links to the aff or can't solve it's own impacts. This can be resolved by narrowing the scope of the K or strengthening the link explanation (too often negative teams do not explain the links in the context of the permutation). The simpler solution to this is a robust framework press.

T

I really enjoy good T debates. Fairness is the best (and maybe the only) impact. Education is very easily turned by fairness. Evidence quality is important, but only in so far as it improves the predictability/reduces the arbitrariness of the interpretation.

CP

CPs are fun. I generally think that the negative doing non-plan action with the USfg is justified. Everything else is up for debate, but well developed aff arguments are dangerous on other questions.

I generally think conditionality is good. I think the best example of my hesitation with conditionality is multi-plank counter plans which combine later in the debate to become something else entirely.

If in cross x you say the status quo is always an option I will kick the counter plan if no further argumentation is made (you can also obviously just say conditional and clarify that judge kick is an option). If you say conditional and then tell me to kick in the 2NR and there is a 2AR press on the question I will be very uncomfortable and try to resolve the debate some other way. To resolve this, the 2AC should make an argument about judge kick.

JUN is pronounced like FUN (she/her)

I enjoy authentic debate. I will rank higher for speakers who genuinely advance the debate by bringing in fresh and nuanced perspectives. 

Debate is meant to be informative and challenging. Avoid intellectual bullying and remember that we are in a space that is an extension of the classroom. 

Sources should be credible, recent, and varied. 

Respect, inclusivity, and kindness go a long way, especially considering the range of experience and exposure that each debater brings to the chamber. 

The chamber is as fun as you make it! If it’s starting to get stale and boring for you, it is for me as well. Speakers and PO are encouraged to set the mood, tone, and pacing of the chamber to one that reflects decorum, vigor, and efficiency. 

Make every effort to learn correct name pronunciations and pronouns for all individuals.