For email chains/evidence exchange: chancey.asher@gmail.com

I am a lay parent judge. I am looking at Contentions, Rebuttals, Extend, Impact, Weighing. Also, I am looking at your links - if you are trying to link to an impact of 8 billion lives lost because whatever this debate is about will lead to global thermonuclear war and the end of humanity, I PROBABLY won't buy it.

What is your impact, and why is it greater than your opponent's impact?

I also love clean rounds. I start to lose focus when a round gets bogged down in technical disputes.

I have two years worth of experience in college level policy debate.

I have been judging for a little over a year.

I will familiarize myself with the basic arguments on the topic.

One note: if you plan on reading fast and making 20-25 arguments in a speech, then you have your arguments numbered and typed out. If you talk too fast for me to flow your words I will not be able to give a good reason for you to win the debate.

Also if you say, "they say X but but we say Y." This is a competing claim and not a complete argument. A complete argument would be "they say X but we say Y, because Z." Most debaters are good at intersecting competing claims but a lot of them neglect the warrants (reason the argument is won). You can also takeout warrants like this," they say Y because Z, but really Z is wrong." I respect debaters that focus on and engage warrants. In my mind these kinds of arguments make for the best debate rounds. Also if you do not carry over (restate an argument) in consecutive speeches the argument is considered dropped and can no longer be brought up in later speeches.

I’m a parent judge since 2020, with no debating experience of my own. I'm looking forward to seeing you debate.

The clarity of your arguments will be the most important thing. Make sure that I can understand the structure you're following. The terms of art that you use in discussing debate among yourselves are probably less familiar to me, so plain language at a reasonable speed is best. I’m not likely to vote on something that doesn’t make any sense to me.

Impacts are what matter, and not the amount of arguments. Make sure everything you want me to vote for is extended, and important moments in crossfire are explained in speeches.

I will try to keep track of time including prep, but please make sure to do so as well.

Please keep in mind that in a virtual debate, true crosstalk in a crossfire usually means that I can't hear either speaker, so do your best to allow your opponent to finish before responding.

Have fun, try to come out of the round smiling.

I am a lay judge who appreciates strong, analytical arguments.

PF Judge

I like a good, clean debate with clash and coherent reasoning and logic.

Don’t spread (It’s my biggest pet peeve)

Speak clearly and slowly, and LOUDLY

If you are asking for evidence from the other team; make sure to bring it up don’t ask for evidence just for the sake of it.

Make sure you weigh in summary and final focus, I choose the winner based on overall consistency through the round and whichever team carries and extends their arguments throughout the whole round. Logic and coherent reasoning are super important.

Don’t just say “I have a card” explain to me the significance of it

Cross-ex should be civilized

Good luck :)

Experience:

This is my third year judging Public Forum. However, I am a parent judge, not a professional judge. I take my role seriously and have done everything I can to prepare myself and ensure you and I both have successful rounds.

Preferences:

1. Please do not spread. I am a flow judge. Help walk me through it; use signposting and make sure I hear your arguments, evidence and rebuttals.

2. During rebuttal/final focus be specific with why you think you won and your opponent(s) lost.

3. Maintain good sportsmanship and be professional.

Good luck and I look forward to the upcoming rounds!

What I look for as a judge:

Using respectful language and behaviors between debaters

Speaking at a nice pace - not too fast, not too slow

Clearly stating contentions/arguments

Keeping on topic

Adhering to time frame

Hey Y'all! Welcome to my paradigms:

Plan out your ideas: I will keep flow so please give me a roadmap of your contentions and stay organized.

Spicy arguments: If your aff or neg I'm open to hearing any argument as long as you can support your ideas

speeeeed: feel free to spread or talk as fast as you want. If I can't understand you I will let yall know by saying "slow down"

Online tourments: try to do a mic check before each round if you have headphones/mic that would be helpful ig you're in an echoey room.

Have Fun!

Use respectful language and behaviors between debaters

Speak at a nice pace - not too fast, not too slow

Clearly state contentions/arguments

Demonstrate keen listening abilities by challenging/addressing opponents contentions directly

Stay on topic

Demonstrate good time management skills

Organize thoughts/points to build a coherent narrative

Hi, I am a parent judge.

Please make sure to be respectful and kind in the round and allow everyone a chance to speak, refrain from cutting off people or interrupting them.

I will weigh on who provides the most information and logic in the round. Please do not falsify evidence.

he/they

Email: david@notiosolutions.com

Experience: Debated in high school and college, now coach.

Paradigm: Persuade me. Warrant it.

...no really, that's it. Persuade me. You can persuade me using any number of techniques, but whether I'm voting off the flow, on theory, or topically on a well impacted argument, I'm still just voting on what I find the most persuasive.

I'm ok with speed. However, If I can't understand you, I'm not being persuaded. If you are going to spread, share your case with both me and your opponents.

If an argument is important, make sure you've clearly communicated it. If it's an online debate, make sure you repeat or slow down when making important points. I will not vote on arguments not carried throughout the round.

If only one side in a PF debate gives me voting criteria or framing, I will most likely be voting for that side.

I will highly favor teams which actually interact with their opponent's case as opposed to simply reading a counter card and not addressing substance.

A few other things:

-Nazis equal Nazis. If you are going to link to Nazis or the Holocaust, do so carefully and avoid trivializing Nazis or the Holocaust by comparing everything to them.

-if you have a preferred pronoun, please let me know how you would like to be addressed prior to the start of the round.

-If you are reading a case that might be upsetting/triggering to your opponent, please provide a content warning at the beginning. If your opponent requests you not read triggering content, I will seek guidance from Tab and see if a side switch or other accommodations can be made. However, just because content is uncomfortable does not automatically mean it should not be read.

I'm a trial attorney who has had countless bench and jury trials. I also debated in high school (policy and LD). I value organization, well-reasoned arguments, a pace that can be followed (not so fast I can't keep up), and persuasion. It is important that a person argue the facts as they are but distinguish the facts when necessary.

With team events, I like to see partners on the same page, making arguments that work together.

We all make mistakes, sometimes get tongue-tied, and realize later that perfect thing we should have said. This is perfectly ok, but the thing I'm looking for is the ability to pick yourself up and move on when you've made a mistake or had challenges. A person can absolutely win with a very strong conclusion!

The most important thing is to have fun and learn from the experience.

I value civility in debate. I expect competitors to treat each other with respect at all times.

Good luck!

Hello!

My name is Chinaza Ruth Okonkwo and I am a junior at the University of Pennsylvania. I was a competitive debater and I did a speech in high school.

Debate: I did JV and varsity LD in high school for 2 years (in Cali). During my time as a debater, I was ranked 10th in California at the State Tournament and won the 32nd Stanford National Invitational JV Bracket. I competed in the national circuit and I am a traditional judge and debater with a hint of progressivity. I am a tabula rasa judge, which basically means I'll buy any argument as long as you are able to convince me of its purpose in the round and create a really nuanced argument and case. If you're going to run theory do it well. The same thing applies to Kritiks. Don't just read a block of text at me. I am a big fan of the philosophy aspect of LD so you'll definitely get lots of points if you can successfully incorporate your values throughout your case. Speed: NO SPREADING especially if your opponent is not okay with it. Flowing: Please sign post but I'm a pretty flay judge. Cross X: Everything in CX counts for me but only if you bring it back up in your constructive so if your opponent makes a concession and you don't bring it up it doesn't matter anymore but if you do I'll use it going forward. I like aggressive CX but don't be rude. You will get dropped. Prep Time: I allow flex prep.

Basically, be nice and have fun. If you have any questions feel free to ask.

Hello. I debated in PF for 3 years from 2017-2020 for Westlake High School, Texas. I competed on the national circuit during my last year.

Tech > Truth. I think debate is a game.

If anything is confusing on here or if you have any questions, just ask me before round.

*For online rounds: Please do not prep without timing while the other team is looking for cards/having technical difficulties. Be fair and honest, time your prep.

1. Argumentation. I was mostly a substance debater so this is what I am most comfortable with. That being said, I do not care what you run as long as it is explained to me (although I would definitely prefer substance arguments). Again, I am tech > truth so you can say extinction good and I will buy if it is explained well. I have experience running extinction framing if that is something that interests you. I understand the basic functions of theory and K's, but I am not well-versed in the lit. You can run those progressive arguments if you like and I will evaluate as best as I can, but just keep in mind that I'll have some trouble if you are going fast and not explaining things well for these types of arguments. It's just hard for me to follow and conceptualize these more progressive arguments, but I don't want to stop you from reading progressive arguments if that is what interests you. If you do like reading wacky substance arguments, go for it, I'm all ears.

2. Speed. I enjoyed going fast while debating and I can handle some speed, but I never was the fastest flow-er so try not to go too fast. I should be fine with most PF speed. Going fast is your choice and I'll try my best to keep up, but there is always a chance that I miss the nuance or specific warranting when you're speaking fast.

3. Extensions/weigh. Please make sure you are extending all parts of your argument (links, warrants, impacts, and anything in between). If you extend your link but no impact, it will be very hard to evaluate. Also, extensions or any argument has to be in both summary and final focus for me to evaluate it. However, don't spend all your time extending, just extend and continue. If something is dropped and the other team extends it, I will consider it as conceded. Also, frontline your case in 2nd rebuttal, otherwise the defense will be conceded. Defense is not sticky. Don't bring up new arguments in summary and final focus and expect me to count it as extensions. Weighing is also VERY good and will win you rounds. I know weighing can sometimes be hard and messy, but try your best. Conceded weighing stands true.

4. Card Calling. I think calling for cards as a judge is interventionist, however, evidence ethics is also extremely important. I will only call for a card if I am explicitly told to in a speech. If there is a piece of evidence you want me to look at, tell me in a speech, and I will look at the place that you tell me to look at. I try not to intervene, but I want to be fair, so if something is not right, just tell me in a speech and explain why.

5. Presumption. I will try to make a decision to the best of my ability. If there is nothing I can possibly vote on and I have to presume, then I will presume neg because it is the least interventionist (the aff's burden is to disprove the neg). However, if you want me to presume any other way (1st or aff or whatever), just warrant why in a speech.

6. Disclosing. I will always disclose unless I am not supposed to. I will try and give oral feedback and I will write less on the ballot, so write down what I am saying if you don't want to forget. If you want to ask questions or anything, go for it, just try to be chill. I won't be mad or hold it against you, I think questions are good and will help everyone learn more.

7. Speaks. I would say that I generally give higher speaks, and I will give 30s to great speakers. Some tournaments are trying to standardize speaks, so I try my best to adjust to what the tournament speaks call for.

8. Other notes. Please, please signpost otherwise I might miss something trying to figure out where you are on the flow. Try to be nice during round to make it more fun, but I understand if things get heated and won't dock speaks unless you are being blatantly rude. Don't be sexist, homophobic, racist, or anything of the sort. I sometimes make motions such as nodding my head or giving a questioning look, but I try not to be distracting. Use this to your advantage to see if I'm vibing with what you are saying or not. I never vote on cross, but I may occasionally listen if I am interested. Time yourselves and your opponents so there is no confusion. I would prefer that you flip when I am present just so if there is any disagreement I can help resolve it. If both teams want to flip before, I don't really care. Also, I am not coaching or prepping topics, so I won't have the topic knowledge as other judges might have, so take that as you will (I will usually catch on pretty quick).

I am a traditional judge, believing PFD is not Policy or LD, please stick the tenants that established what PFD was and still should be. Speed is deterred, if you speak too quickly those contentions and cards are dropped , slower pace and stronger arguments win out. Please be respectful and, when asking for cards or evidence please have readily available, if not, the time will be taken from your prep time, especially if the inability to locate and send is abusive.

Thank you and looking forward to a great debate!

For PFD, I am a traditional judge, believing PFD is not Policy or LD, please stick the tenants that established what PFD was and still should be. I am a parent Judge with 3 years of experience in different formats, so your ability to pursuade me with your arguments and counter arguments is more important to me than the technical aspects of debate. Speed is deterred, if you speak too quickly those contentions and cards are dropped , slower pace and stronger arguments win out. Please be respectful and, when asking for cards or evidence please have readily available, if not, the time will be taken from your prep time, especially if the inability to locate and send is abusive. Thank you and looking forward to a great debate.

For LD, I am a traditional judge, believing LD is not Policy, please stick the tenants that established what LD was and still should be. I am a parent Judge with 3 years of experience in different formats, so your ability to pursuade me with your argumehts and counter arguments is more important to me than the technicial aspects of debate. Reasonable speed is okay, but if it sounds like you are choking when speaking, you are speaking too quickly and those contentions and cards are dropped , slower pace and stronger arguments win out. Please be respectful and, when asking for cards or evidence please have readily available, if not, the time will be taken from your prep time, especially if the inability to locate and send is abusive. Thank you and looking forward to a great debate.

It's most important to me that the debate remains respectful between the opponents.

Please do not just state an opponent's drop, but extend it as well.

Good luck! :)

-Roadmapping: No preference for on or off time.

-K's: Dislike

-Spreading: Ok, but enunciate

-Topicality arguments: Ok

-Time usage: Use all or almost all of your time

I am a parent judge, and lack a little bit of the technical lingo that goes along with the event. I do have a good record at being a fair open-minded judge who is able to discern a good argument. I do understand that limited spreading needs to happen in LD but I do not like excessive spreading. I will give you a verbal warning if you start to spread but if it continues and if I cannot understand you I cannot effectively judge your argument against your opponent.

I believe that an argument should be well thought out, well structured, and cogent. I like to see debaters who challenge their opponents on their points with crafty and well-timed rebuttals.

I'm a judge who likes to go with the flow. I take copious notes when needed, and when I give my decision, I explain in detail why I picked the winner. I expect debaters to have original arguments and a solid framework. I do not like debaters repeating the same argument multiple times to just finish up their time slot.

I debated LD and Policy all throughout high school. In college I judged tournaments in Utah, Arizona and California.

While judging, I like debaters to tell me why they should win. By this I mean clearly state which of your arguments (contentions) I should flow through. The ones your opponent hasn't addressed are easy. With the contentions they have addressed, tell me why your argument is better (you have better sources, better stats, etc.). Many judges will circle the contentions they think you have won and draw an arrow across the flow sheet. Think of these as points for your side. But, I prefer you to tell me which of these you have won and why. I don’t mind spreading, just make sure you don’t transition to jibberish. Learn to read your judges. If I put my pen down, I probably can’t understand you.

The best advice I have is to relax and have fun! Debate shouldn't be torture--tournaments should be fun. Let’s face it, most people are terrified of public speaking. Debate tournaments give you the chance to practice critical skills you’ll use the rest of your life, both personally and professionally.

Good Luck!

Hello, my name is Sam Zubler! I was part of the speech and debate team for four years (three in mock congress, one in speech), and this is my sixth year helping to judge tournaments. I have the most experience with Speech, but I got a bit of experience with Debate last year.

Still, please try to limit spreading in debate. Clarity is key. Since spreading can be a bit subjective, I created three basic determinations to make my views very transparent. 1) If you are skipping syllables, you are going too fast. 2) If you are tripping over your words and its not obviously nerves, you are going too fast. 3) If you are gasping/panting for breath between sentences, you are going too fast. Otherwise, as long as you don't get Too technical with your arguments, everything should be fine.

I am a fairly lenient judge, but I do focus a lot on presentation skills due to my speech/congress background. This can include fluidity, but it also covers posture, use of movements, facial expressions, appropriate theatrical accents, and some pronunciation skills. If you are well informed and well rehearsed, you should be fine.

As a heads up, I may get super nitpicky if you are really good. This is for the purpose of being able to rank you, because sometimes the tiniest of mistakes or hesitations can decide your ranking. I want you all to be able to know exactly why you got the rank that you did, because I know that I hated unhelpful comments when I used to compete.

Accommodations: if you need any, tell me. Verbal stutter or slurred voice? Tell me. I will not count such things against you IF you tell me. I can't do anything if I don't know.

Feel free to ask me any questions, ideally before the round starts. I look forward to seeing all the creative arguments and speeches!