Debate should be an educational and communicative activity. I look for debaters that can discuss the topic with intelligence and honesty. Any attempts to play games with my emotions or my sentiments will get very low marks on the ballot. Debate the topic and do so with integrity, this is my expectation.

Brian Geffre

Shanley High School

Fargo ND

Experience/Background: Former PF debater for four years. Big Question debate qualifier and top 13 in BQ debate nationals. Political science, history, and emergency management/homeland security background. Currently a law student.

Style Preferences: I can flow quickly so I am not opposed to fast paces. I typically flow on my laptop. However, please enunciate and be clear to project every word.

Please make the argument for me and convince ME. Please do not leave me to piece together the argument--tell me the why and the how. I like it if you directly tell me the impact of the evidence and claim. Bring the argument back to the resolution and make connections. If you have to, restate the resolution and tell me your argument's relevance.

FLOWING:

If typing, I flow the entire round in the RFD so that teams and coaches can see how the round went. I add my thoughts in italics, so that you can see my reactions to different arguments. I'll put my biggest RFD (and the value clash) at the top of my notes.

DECISION:

1 - Debaters should carefully consider how much evidence they use. Logic can only take you so far on its own. Evidence can only do so much on its own. The two need to balance.

2 - Impacts really matter. Make sure to clearly state your impacts.

PREFERENCES:

1 - Please do not spread. I understand that students do it to fit as much information in as possible, but you risk opponents and judges not being able to track everything you say. A good argument will be about argument quality, not word quantity.

2 - I recognize that I do have a bias against disrespectful debaters. It is very important to me that debaters maintain their composure and professionalism through the entire round. Competitors are future leaders and need to be able to set a good example for those around them.

3 - Meld values into your contentions and come back to that! Please balance the value clash with the contentions. I'll use the wining value to weigh both teams' contentions.