I am a parent judge with five years of experience judging traditional debate.

I appreciate clearly developed arguments and good judge instruction (explain why you've won the round). I take thorough notes throughout the debate but don't keep a rigorous flow. The most convincing arguments in the round are the ones that will win my ballot.

Please provide a clear framework (including definitions) and explain how your offense functions under that framework.

I did PF in high school and I've been coaching primarily PF since I graduated (6 years!). I would consider myself a more traditional judge, but I am familiar with circuit debate.

GENERAL

I'm okay with speed. If you're going to spread, please include me in the email chain. If you're not outright spreading, I'm still cool with speed... I should just be able to understand what you're saying and flow without missing a lot.

Fence post what you're attacking or I won't flow it. I also prefer to see attacks going down the flow (cont. 1 first, cont 2. second, etc.) rather than jumping around. It makes for easier flowing and a more ordered argument.

Also, please note that I don't flow cross. If something comes up in cross and you want to make sure it's on my flow, you need to mention it in the speech following cross.

PF

I vote based on overall flow and on voters offered in FF, unless someone has glaringly lost during the round. But I generally try not to make a solid decision until after the debate is finished.

I love framework debate. However, I know that not every topic lends itself well to a framework and that a lot of debaters don't enjoy framework arguments in PF. That being said, if any framework is offered during the debate, I will likely make my primary voter the framework (unless it is egregiously abusive).

LD

I am significantly less familiar with LD than I am with PF, but I know it well enough. I like to see a lot of debate on values in round. You should carry your value through the round, not just mention it at the top of your case and in your voters.

I'm pretty open to seeing whatever you want to do in LD! Don't feel like you have to do something specific to cater to me. I'll judge whatever you give me.

Link for Judge Philosophies wikispaces.

https://judgephilosophies.wikispaces.com/Niemi%2C+Reed

I listen to the debate in front of me and hope that you are respectful, courteous, and inclusive with how you approach your opponent and the debate space (ie: please don't argue in favor of indefensible things, like racism, sexism, etc.). I flow each round, but am also fine with you consolidating or responding to the big picture if that's what you want to do (and if you want to do a line by line instead, that's fine, too).

A little about me: I have been a part of the speech and debate community for over 20 years, as a competitor, coach, and now state association leader. I've coached and judged every event from LD to CX to WSD at all different levels. Have fun, learn a lot, and be a good community member in round and I will, too.

⬅️Also, that is my dog, Petey. He serves no purpose other than hey, you might be a little stressed reading paradigms before your round and *look at his little face*.

Competitive Experience

High School - CHSSA/NSDA - Extemp, OA, PuFo, LD

Collegiate - NFA - Policy/CX

Coaching Experience

High School - CHSSA/NSDA - Assistant (Alumni) Coach; Head Coach/Program Coordinator

Judging Experience

High School - CHSSA/NSDA - All events

Collegiate - NFA - Policy/CX

Background

I have been involved in speech & debate in some capacity since high school and competed at the collegiate level. My emphasis has namely been geared towards extemporaneous speaking and debate (namely PuFo, LD, and Policy/CX). Though I'm new to coaching, I've been in this community of wall takers for over 10 years and love every minute of it!

In terms of my general judging philosophy I'd say two phrases should be considered, those being "tabula rasa" (clean slate) and "sell me!". My perspective is that it's the competitors burden to prove to the judge or show why their performance is equipped to pick up the ballot. Certainly I can make the connection and piece together the narrative/story, but the more you ask me to intervene the more I have to implement my biases into the round. Long-story short it's disheartening to see competitors lose rounds because they leave ambiguity to be pieced together, and as a former competitor who has lost more than one round to this - I don't want to do the same to other speakers/debaters.

In general, from a technique standpoint if you act as though your judges are lay judges it's easier to ramp up than it is to tone back.

Debate Cues

1) Procedures - Card quals, roadmapping, and signposting

These make for a smooth round and much more efficient! Do your judge a favor and get things moving the longer the day, the less quality the adjudication- we get tired too haha

2) Arguments - Impact Calculus, Topicality, and Solvency

I generally am pretty open to what is brought forth, hence my "tabula rasa" spiel, but need to see a clear end result from either team in the debate. Whoever has the more believable and impact narrative will pick up the ballot.

3) Evidence - Needs to be there, this is debate...

No matter the style of debate, if you make an argument it needs to be proven in some way. If not then you ask me to be an "activist judge" where bias takes precedence over argumentation, in my view this is unfair to the competitors and bad for debate.

4) Sportsmanship - We all want to learn from this experience

Compete with honest intent and assertion, but not to cause harm. Too many a time debates get ugly and personal, that's not why we're here. This is a learning opportunity and academically stimulating. Let's keep it civil and competitive.

Speech Cues

1) Structure - Clear and concise

My coach taught me this rule and it's what I teach unto others: a) Tell them what you're gonna tell them; b) Tell them; c) Tell them what you told them. There should be a logical pattern in your speech.

2) Impact - Make it personable

Cultural competency is a really big aspect of public speaking that goes unsung. Find someway to connect with your audience and give us something tangible to take away from the speech, once completed.

3) Creativity - Bring it to life

I have a really special place for Interps and OPP because it brings forth the creative energy and so too can other speeches. Make this speech an experience for us to enjoy!

4) Authentic - You are the centerpiece

With speaking you are the epicenter, give the audience a reason to divert their attention to you! Also, bring some creativity to the forefront this makes for a more compelling speech.