1) Did you debate in high school?

No – but I did 4 years of forensics.

2) Did you debate in college?

No

3) How many elimination rounds have you judged on this topic?

0 – but have judged forensics.

4) How many preliminary rounds have you judged on this topic?

0 – but have judged forensics.

5) Please choose the following that applies to your judging criteria:

I. Which best describes your priorities in judging debates?

c. Communication skills and resolution of substantive issues are of roughly equal importance.

II. Which best prescribes your paradigm or approach to judging debate?

a. Skills emphasis (Who does the “better job of debating”)

d. Hypothesis testing emphasis

e. Tabula rasa (judge adopts perspective according to standards in the round)

III. What speed or rate of presentation do you prefer?

a. Slow and deliberate – conversational pace, speed discouraged.

IV. Counterplans are:

c. Acceptable if justified, and if consistent with other elements of the negative approach.

V. Topicality is:

b. Fairly important; roughly on par with other major issues in the round.

VI. I find generic disadvantages:

b. Acceptable if specific links are clearly analyzed.

VII. I find kritiks:

b. Acceptable if specific links are clearly analyzed.

I have been a coach for 13 years and most of those have been in a 3A school.  My paradigm is pretty straight forward for the Aff team.  The Aff should be able to uphold their burden of proof and respond to all Neg arguments.  I am also not a huge fan of K Affs.

The Neg side of the paradigm is a bit more in depth.  I believe every case is non-topical in some way shape or form.  I hate Generic DA’s and will not vote on them.  DA’s should be specific to the case if you want me to vote on them.  I like CP’s.  K’s are things I despise and loath if you run one I will not weigh it in the round.  Besides these things anything else is fair game on the Neg.

I prefer a moderate speed in the debate.  I should be able to understand you and be able to flow the round and see the clash of arguments.  I am not big on abuse arguments there is a time and a place for some of them but they should not be a go to argument.

1) Did you debate in high school?

No – but I did 4 years of forensics.

2) Did you debate in college?

No

3) How many elimination rounds have you judged on this topic?

0 – but have judged forensics.

4) How many preliminary rounds have you judged on this topic?

0 – but have judged forensics.

5) Please choose the following that applies to your judging criteria:

I. Which best describes your priorities in judging debates?

c. Communication skills and resolution of substantive issues are of roughly equal importance.

II. Which best prescribes your paradigm or approach to judging debate?

a. Skills emphasis (Who does the “better job of debating”)

d. Hypothesis testing emphasis

e. Tabula rasa (judge adopts perspective according to standards in the round)

III. What speed or rate of presentation do you prefer?

a. Slow and deliberate – conversational pace, speed discouraged.

IV. Counterplans are:

c. Acceptable if justified, and if consistent with other elements of the negative approach.

V. Topicality is:

b. Fairly important; roughly on par with other major issues in the round.

VI. I find generic disadvantages:

b. Acceptable if specific links are clearly analyzed.

VII. I find kritiks:

b. Acceptable if specific links are clearly analyzed.

I did not debate in high school, but I have been teaching language arts for 17 years, including speech classes, and I have been coaching forensics for 6 years.

I want content that is relevant to the topic and current. I will look for evidence that supports your argument and a logical argument overall. I prefer real-world arguments. I am open to a variety of strategies to make your point, but you must keep your information clear and linear. Speed is ok as long as you can speak clearly and enunciate. I should be able to easily follow your argument.

I will not tolerate rude behaviors or negativity toward the other team. I favor polite debates. I expect you to speak fluently and coherently and treat each other with respect.