I am a traditional Lincoln-Douglas judge. In a debate round, I want to see strong links in the contention debate that ultimately support the value/criterion debate however, the contention debate is less important to me than the overall value/criterion debate.

FLOWING--If you think your case is good enough, you shouldn't need to spread or attempt to spread. Not only does this take away from the round, it begins to lose its educational value if you're just trying to put so much information out there that your opponent can't possibly talk about all of your points. I want you to tell me what I need to know to understand how your case wins. I will not flow if I can't understand what you are saying because you're attempting to bombard your opponent.

VALUE/CRITERIA--A value is something of moral worth that we should strive for and we can achieve it through the lens of your criterion. Your contentions should show me how we can make that happen within the boundaries of the resolution.

PRECONCEIVED PERSPECTIVES--I value my ability to consider every issue from both sides regardless of my personal views. I couldn't care less what side of any issue you're on so long as you can show me through the debate why you're right.

TIMING--The timer for prep time begins when you sit. It will stop once you stand up. I will do my best to give you thirty-second reminders doing prep time.

USE OF ELECTRONICS--In today's world it's hard to limit students on the use of their electronic devices. Students are expected to abide by all tournament rules regarding the use of electronic devices. If I see a debater attempting to use an electronic device for an inappropriate purpose such as communication during a round, I do not treat that violation lightly and it will be reported to tournament officials.

As with all school events, nothing is more important than the educational skills learned through programs like speech and debate. Please be cognizant that while it is fun to win, I do not consider use of unsportsmanlike maneuvers to be worthwhile to the educational purpose of speech and debate. I expect all students to treat each other with respect despite opposing viewpoints.

Brief Background:

Original “Ted Turner” debater, now known as Public Forum Debate. Mainly a Lincoln-Douglas and World Schools judge, but judge all speech and debate events. Currently community judge for Stevens High School, in Rapid City, SD.

General:

+Time yourselves, I will verify if needed.
+Keep the debate flowing, any downtime or off-time road maps more than 10 seconds should be considered prep-time.
+Speed is fine as long as it does not detract from clarity and connection.
+Keep it civil and professional, there exists a line between assertiveness and contempt for decorum.
+Do not rely on esoteric counter plans or kritiks/critiques, while they can be used appropriately, make sure your own case is sound.

LD Debate:

From its roots in the 1858 Senate Race between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglass, the Lincoln-Douglas Debate style is one of adversarial nature. As a Lincoln-Douglass Debate judge I am a purist; focused on logic, ethical values, and clear philosophy. Ultimately, all jargon and style aside, it is your duty to persuade the judge to accept your interpretation of the resolution using: Analysis, Argumentation, and Presentation.

Keep in mind the roots of this debate style, your job is to persuade the judge to your side. This relies heavily on your ability to be a good communicator. Do you connect with your audience? Is your argumentation sound and organized? Is your analysis clear and connected? Present your side however you see fit, I will follow.

Public Forum Debate:

Public Forum Debate is meant to be a more accessible debate format. Keeping true to its foundation you must appeal to your audience through reason, organization, evidence, and delivery. This is a public debate style meant to reach a wide audience. Quality raises over quantity in Public Forum Debate.

Extemporaneous Speaking (And Most Speech Events):

Argumentation, Analysis, Evidence, Delivery. These are my core focuses when judging. First and foremost this is a speech event, make sure to command the room and focus on the fundamentals of speech. The argumentation must be on-topic and the analysis needs to lead to a clear understanding of the topic. Sources should be diverse and naturally sewn into the flow of the speech. Your stance on the topic does not affect my decision, I support all ideas. Be organized and bring your audience along with you.

World Schools

Content, Style, Strategy. It is as simple and as difficult as those three areas. I appreciate that World Schools emphasizes the need for quality style. For years I have argued that if your content and strategy do not connect with the audience, they fall on deaf ears. Content should have sound analysis and logical attachment. True engagement is a key in WS. Take and give those POIs! Otherwise it becomes a dry debate, just reading speeches. Drive the debate and truly listen to each other. Focus on specific issues rather than debate theory or procedural arguments. Did I mention engage? Engage!

Run your arguments as you will just:

1. Be respectful

- this applies to both arguments and behavior in the round

2. Time yourself

- don't make me stop you because you are out of time, have a timer and use it

3. Slow Down

- if you can't state your arguments, and make them convincing within the time limits without talking at the speed of light then your arguments are not strong enough.

"Slow Down" - me, on like 80% of ballots

For Public Forum: I'm a traditional, slower speaking public forum judge. I vote on the contention debate. Focus more on the logic and analysis argument. Don't use abusive definitions, and be rude or condescending at your own peril.

For Lincoln-Douglass: I focus on the value/criterion debate when voting, but if the debate is centered on contentions that is subject to adjust. Again, please don't speed read, and respect your opponent

I am new to speech and debate so I am learning!

I'm not the best at flowing yet so I appreciate it when teams speak at a pace that allows me to keep up!

To all debaters:

If you have any questions, let me know before the round begins.

Please be respectful in the round. Overly aggressive questioning, condescension, or insulting behavior will be commented on the ballot for your coaches to see. It may not affect the outcome of the round, but it's very important nonetheless.

Public Forum paradigm:

I am a PF coach and did PF in high school, so I am very familiar with this form of debate.

Beware running squirrel framework, I'm unlikely to be convinced unless it is well-justified or the opponent fails to point out its abusiveness/inaccuracies/etc.

For summary, I prefer line-by-line and then impacts at the bottom.

I like voters and impacts in the final speech - line-by-line is a bit rushed for 2 minutes.

Speed is okay - don't speak faster than I can understand you. If you are stumbling over words and not being concise that will not help you.

I am unfamiliar with Ks in PF. If you run a K, you have to explain it well.

In terms of what I look for in a win, if you cover all points on the flow and make a stronger case for/against the resolution that is a sure win. A stronger case for/against essentially means that taking all the evidence together that has been introduced AND extended throughout the round, one side is preferable to the other.

LD paradigm:

I did not do LD in high school but I am a philosophy major in college and have judged LD several times, so I understand discussion of value/criterion and philosophers. But, of course, make sure to explain the value/criterion well.

That being said, I would stick to more "traditional" LD arguments since I'm not as familiar with LD.

Value/criterion do matter more than contention-level, but I expect both to be covered effectively. It is especially important to win contention-level if you concede to your opponent's value/criterion.

Line-by-line argumentation works best for me.

Speed- same as PF.

To all debaters:

If you have any questions, let me know before the round begins.

Please be respectful in the round. Overly aggressive questioning, condescension, or insulting behavior will be commented on the ballot for your coaches to see. It may not affect the outcome of the round, but it's very important nonetheless.

Public Forum paradigm:

I am a PF coach and did PF in high school, so I am very familiar with this form of debate.

Beware running squirrel framework, I'm unlikely to be convinced unless it is well-justified or the opponent fails to point out its abusiveness/inaccuracies/etc.

For summary, I prefer line-by-line and then impacts at the bottom.

I like voters and impacts in the final speech - line-by-line is a bit rushed for 2 minutes.

Speed is okay - don't speak faster than I can understand you. If you are stumbling over words and not being concise that will not help you.

I am unfamiliar with Ks in PF. If you run a K, you have to explain it well.

In terms of what I look for in a win, if you cover all points on the flow and make a stronger case for/against the resolution that is a sure win. A stronger case for/against essentially means that taking all the evidence together that has been introduced AND extended throughout the round, one side is preferable to the other.

LD paradigm:

I did not do LD in high school but I am a philosophy major in college and have judged LD several times, so I understand discussion of value/criterion and philosophers. But, of course, make sure to explain the value/criterion well.

That being said, I would stick to more "traditional" LD arguments since I'm not as familiar with LD.

Value/criterion do matter more than contention-level, but I expect both to be covered effectively. It is especially important to win contention-level if you concede to your opponent's value/criterion.

Line-by-line argumentation works best for me.

Speed- same as PF.

In debate, I look for critically thought out arguments that make sense resolutionally. Answer the question-provide the plan. In old school talk-I am a stock issues/communicator judge for policy debate. Much of that would pose true for Public Forum.

I do not like evidence spew for the sake of spreading opponents out of the round. I can track with moderate speed, but I want to hear some analysis of the argument and subsequent rebuttal. If I have stopped typing on the flow-or writing on my flow pad, I can't judge it. Speed does not win the day for me-signposting is appreciated.

LD-I want to see clear value/criterion debate-when rounds tend toward the policy, I tend to tune out. I was a die-hard LDer who was trained to answer the resolution, provide clear value clash, and wrestle with the pragmatic solutions...if there are any. I like to see how the students can creatively tackle the same resolution-so a less common tactic is cool with me- Again, speed is not my game-if I can't understand you-it doesn't make it one the flow and is not judged.

I love to hear the conversations that come out of really good rounds where there is a clear exchange of ideas and a definite clash-that, to me, is where the most authentic learning takes place! Talk pretty and have fun!!!!

Hello! My name is Evan Kirksey and I have been actively involved in forensics for 9 years now, with high school, collegiate, and now coaching experience. I am also a recent Speech Communication and Theatre Education graduate, and am now a coach at The University of Central Missouri, so I am well versed in debate jargon. I can keep up with most arguments easily. However, I appreciate rounds that aren't entirely focused on jargon and tech. I like well developed arguments, clash, and rationale. If you just speed and spread through the round without actually explaining your arguments, you likely won't win my ballot. Be clear and concise about where you are on the flow, your responses, etc. Persuasion needs to play a role in your performance as a debater, or I will not be compelled to vote for you.

Policy Debate: I am more of a games player. To clarify, I see debate as an educational game that is being played. There are basic rules that are established (sides are set, time limits are set, a resolution has been established). I do reject moves that seek to create a completely unfair environment for either side (I can talk about what ever I want because resolutions don't matter attitude). I am good with almost any argument that is grounded in sound theory.

Specific Issues:

Kritiks- I like a good kritik that actually explores what the affirmative/negative is doing in a round, but the team running the kritik must understand what the kritik is actually doing. I do expect every K that is run to have a clear link to the K, implications for me to weigh and an alternative that goes beyond vote for us (in 99% of the K's). If it is an extremely complex concept, don't assume I already know what you are talking about. You will probably need to slow it down a step or two to make sure I am following the logic you are discussing.

Performance Debate: I am not a fan of these concepts. The reason is simple. You showed up for a debate round. You should debate the resolution. What performance debates do in my opinion is come to a Monopoly tournament and dance in the hallway and expect to win the Monopoly tournament. You can't not do the event and expect to win the event.

I am not a fan of the politics DA. The leap in logic of plan causes people to vote in a completely different way just has no theory behind it. I will listen to it, but the threshold for beating the argument is very low.

Concepts like topical counterplans and such are fine, if you can present a clear defense connected to theory that explains why they should be okay.

In the end, I look at the offense that is left on the flow. I prefer teams that go after more offensive style arguments then those playing defense on everything.

On speed, my expectations are that you must be clear enough for me to understand you and the evidence that you read (not just tags). If you are not, then I will not flow it and I will not yell "clear." It is your job to communicate.

Lincoln-Douglas: I am more of a traditionalist. I prefer more focus on the framework in the debate and connecting your observations back to the framework and the resolution. I am not a fan of disads/counterplans/and other traditional policy arguments being run in LD since it ignores the unique distinctions between the two events.

Running of K's- A recommend that you read what I said about it in the policy level and know that this can be a bigger problem because of a lack of time in presenting and defending the K.

Speed is fine, but you must be clear. I need to understand what you are saying. I am more forgiving on the line by line in LD than I am in policy, but you do need to address the main issues and just not ignore them.

Public Forum: Good debate that uses strong evidence throughout to prove your positions. I do not weigh the cross-fires heavily, but I do listen to them and will allow for answers to be used in the debate. You don't have to win every point on the flow, but you need to provide me with clear reasoning why you should win and less about why your opponent should not win. Weigh the round. When citing evidence, make sure that you are not relying on paraphrasing.

World School: Coaching it for the second year. Do not try to define people out of the round. Focus on the stated judging requirements of style (delivery) and content (logical reasoning and appropriate backing). The logical reasoning presented is not the same as strategy. The logical reasoning is content.

I am a fairly classic LD judge. I like to hear a strong value debate and well argued philosophic positions. For me, a criterion is an absolutely necessary component of a case and must provide either a weighing mechanism for the value or measuirng mechanism for acheiving the value. As a general rule I prefer empirical evidence, but will not prefer an argument with empirics over an analytical argument out of hand. 

I am a rhetoric coach, so I look for strong structure and clear arguments. Speed will not win you any points with me. This is a public address activity. Your arguments need to be understandable and substantiated. I will consider framework, but I will not vote solely on it. Make sure that you understand what your evidence is saying.

I am a rhetoric coach, so I look for strong structure and clear arguments. Speed will not win you any points with me. This is a public address activity. Your arguments need to be understandable and substantiated. I will consider framework, but I will not vote solely on it. Make sure that you understand what your evidence is saying.

I am a former South Dakota debater who competed in PFo, oratory, and interp. I’m now the head debate coach at Mitchell High School. I’m a traditional Public Forumer; this event was created for lay judges and heavy Public Forum jargon should be left to the side.

- This isn’t policy. Slow down and give me a quality delivery for higher speaks. Throwing delivery by the wayside for a fast and robotic presentation is a massive mistake so many debaters commit. I’m an Aristotle girlie - persuade me with your ethos, logos, and pathos!

- I'll be closely following the arguments presented, and if you believe there's a pivotal point crucial for winning the round, please ensure to address it in one of your subsequent speeches.

- Please time yourself in speeches. I'll keep track of prep, but I encourage you to do so as well. If you call for a card your prep starts once you start reading the card.

- Direct quotes > Paraphrasing. I won't immediately downvote you for paraphrasing, but if your debate opponent can provide a compelling reason, I might reconsider. The same principle applies to the misuse of evidence. If your opponent requests a card citation, and it contradicts your argument or the way you presented it, it could be deemed abusive, potentially leading to a loss in the round.

- Creativity in arguments is encouraged, as long as you have the link chain to back it up. Using abusively creative arguments is not my favorite (ie., student loan debt forgiveness will lead to nuclear war.)

- Weighing metrics are SO IMPORTANT! Even if it seems obvious to you, lay it all out for me so you ensure it gets weighed how you see fit.

- Summaries should not be utilized as second rebuttals; use your summary for voters and to tell me why I’m preferring you on each flowed contention.

- Be assertive, not aggressive! I’m such a firm believer of “If you have to be mean to get your point across, you’re a bad debater.” Aggressiveness will cost you speaker points.

- I have come to despise off-the-clock roadmaps and asking if every individual in the round is ready; you can begin and we’ll catch up.

- Telling me what I’m going to be voting is such a pet peeve of mine. Tell me what to weigh, what to prefer, what to analyze, what to flow through - do NOT tell me what I’m going to vote. :)

I debated Lincoln Douglas for all four years of high school. One of the biggest things a debater should do in order to win is adapt to judge preferences... Here are mine,

1) I’m a big framework guy, does that mean if all you win is framework will you win the round? Absolutely not. If you don’t have a framework at the end of the round though it’s going to be difficult to win my vote. I’m a big fan of framework because it makes every contention level argument easier to weigh. FW turns are one of my favorite arguments and if done right will do a lot towards gaining my ballot

2) On the contention level I need sign posting and you need to directly address sub points not just contention headings.... Also, like framework I love a good turn on the contention level and I also love direct clash of arguments from both cases. My biggest advice is to be articulate and concise on the contention level.

3) I’m a fan of faster paced debates. Does this mean spread your opponent out of the water..... nope. I can handle most speeds but don’t get out of hand, slow down on tags, explanations, and transitions.

4) If you’re debating in South Dakota with me in the back of the room... Avoid policy arguments plz :)

5) Finally, I need to see respectfulness during the debate. Yes you can still be savage in cross-x but that doesn’t mean be rude.... There’s a difference. If you ever call your opponent dumb or stupid you will lose the round.

6) Finally, if you ever see me make facial expressions during a round don’t get nervous. After debating for so many years you learn it’s hard to control them sometimes. Odds are you’re doing just fine :)

Hopefully this helps y’all out, rock on ballers!

LD Paradigm:

-I briefly debated traditional, Lincoln Douglas debate for OG. I am open to either progressive or traditional debate.

- I dislike "this is LD debate so they can't run this" arguments

- please limit your jargon or buzzwords, especially if you don't know what they mean or how to use them.

- I enjoy listening to kritiks, but I'm not super familiar so please explain it well.

-be aware that I may not be able to completely follow you if you go crazy with spreading/jargon.

PF Paradigm:

-please don't run a circular framework debate the whole time, i.e. "my framework is a pre-q to theirs". Focus on the contentions and analysis :)

-I love voters and impacts in the final speech

-Speed is okay, but not "policy fast."