Yale University Invitational 2021
2021 — NSDA Campus, US
JV Public Forum Paradigm List
All Paradigms: Show HideHi I’m Will! I did a lot of LD in high school and am only comfortable with traditional debates. I don’t care what arguments you use (as long as they are relevant to the topic), but I appreciate people speaking really slowly and explaining their own reasoning clearly and insightfully. I don’t like it when people spend most of their time reciting cards—most of your speeches should consist of original analysis and contextualization even if you do bring in some quotes from academic papers/articles/books. Although I take notes, I don’t flow and do not care about “dropped” arguments. Address the cruxes of your opponent’s position, but if there are just too many arguments and/or if some of them are silly, I don’t expect you to waste time going through them. My main thing is that if you speak too fast or don’t debate the topic, I won’t vote for you. Feel free to ask questions before the round, and I look forward to hearing you debate!
I am a debater from Arkansas who has competed in the majority of NSDA events, especially within debate. I now do a little bit of college Policy Debate. I'm majoring in Psychology and Educational Studies at Macalester College.
email chain for speech docs: davida9202@gmail.com
Here are the big things, down below is more organization stuff:
***Love K debate. Love it. don't read the K solely for the purpose of being strategic. I can tell when you don't actually know the basis upon which you're critiquing the other side, and it's not cute. That is to say, if you do run a K, I will weigh epistemic impacts so long as you give me a CLEAR solvency advocate + alt, and tell me HOW the K changes how i'm weighing the other side's impacts
***My role as a judge is to be an educator. Don't read stuff that you know your opponent won't understand for the sake of winning. Try to make matches fair (fairness is an impact!)
BIG NO-NO'S THAT WILL LIKELY GET YOU A FAT L:
***rudeness or any attitude that kills the sportsmanship of debate. the stakes are never that high
***violating any rules in the NSDA unified manual (please call your opponent out for breaking rules, i will listen!)
***going over on speech times or prep time. More than a few seconds and you will start to lose speaker points.
***a lack of structure. i must hear clear signposting that i can write your arguments down on my flow. if you can't tell me where to put your argument, i might not be able to evaluate it (this is more for styles heavy on line-by-line, like PF). however, you CAN be creative with your case construction so long as it is easy to flow. just no meme cases. please don't waste my time, i'm not being paid to judge you.
***referring back to evidence by citation but not reminding me of the content, especially if I don't have a speech doc
Things I Am Okay With That Could Actually Help You Win:
***Using sound logic to warrant your arguments (if nuclear bombs drop on a populated area, people will probably die. duh. you dont need evidence for that. you do need evidence that the bomb will drop in the first place, however)
***Getting into the debate of ethics, morality, or any other philosophical concepts. Usually that stuff is reserved for LD and BQ but i think it is paramount in all forms of debate.
***i also love framework/definition debate. i think it's really fascinating in its ability to frame the reality of which your arguments are applied. get into it!
yeah just have fun. i weigh most heavily what is brought up in final speeches when you are offering me reasons for voting, consolidations, etc.
Background: Judging online from Indonesia GMT+7 (12 hours ahead of EST/CDT). I judged several varsity level British/Asian/Australs parliamentary debating tournaments around Southeast Asia from 2016 till 2021. As of Nov 2023, I judged a total of 13 Public Forum, 1 Lincoln-Douglas, and 1 WSDC competitions in the U.S. circuit.
Technicalities: Some people may put a heavy emphasis on the presence of evidence and the presentation of examples, but for me, warrant: coherent logical explanation and step-by-step analysis of your argument is more valuable. Spewing out too many facts and trivia before you explain your assertions confuses me. Use those data to back up your arguments, not to lengthen your speech. Also, don't forget to connect the extensions. Do put elaborations on why any impact you give is significant and unique to your side.
Strategy: Don't ever forget to weigh in your arguments against your opponent's. I also expect the two-worlds scenario when you're painting your case. Rather than saying "To give you an off-time roadmap..." in the beginning, better if you do signpost as you go because it will surely help me do the flow during the speech. I love the "even ifs" and the clear-cut comparison between your model and your rival's model.
Manner: No spreading. Please speak clearly and don't rap out your speech. You may turn off cameras if you (or I happen to) experience lags or internet problems. Please time your own speech and when you start, just speak. There's no need to say "time starts now/on my first word" because some scientists argued that time began shortly after The Big Bang.
Correspondence: albert-yang@mail.com. Yes, without the G.
Hello PF Competitors,
My name is Janene Adu. Here is everything you need to know about how to get high speaks and the ballot if I am your judge.
First and foremost I expect a respectful and accepting debate environment. If you are disrespectful or hurtful to your opponent’s inround especially if it is on the grounds of their identity, do not expect to win the round. This also applies to cases if you run a case that is predicated on racist, sexist, ect notions, you can also expect to lose the round.
My primary voter in any round is going to be evidence. What this means is that I prefer cases with only one or two contentions with strong link chains. I prefer these arguments over cases with many contentions with weaker link chains or extremely niche arguments with overly complex link chains (that’s not to say I don’t like unique contentions, just have the evidence to back it up). One way you can help yourself satisfy this preference is by running a strong narrative case and doing a lot of link weighing in summary and final focus.
One of my secondary voters is the flow. While I am a parent judge, I will be keeping a flow of the round and it can be a deciding factor should I favor neither team on the basis of evidence. The best way to have a favorable flow is to speak clearly and to signpost your arguments.
Another one of my secondary voters is standard weighing (IE scope, magnitude, timeframe, ect). As long as you explain both why you win each weighing framework and why I should value each weighing framework you should be fine with this voter.
Thank you and I look forward to being your judge. :)
I am a parent PF judge, and a practicing attorney with more than 25 years of experience.
I believe a sound debate is about a fair, intelligible and intelligent dialogue. Speed reading off a computer screen or spreading is incompatible with such a process. Fast speakers assume the risk that I could miss some arguments/points/evidence. Additionally, if in my view you've spoken at a fast clip, I will not view unfavorably your opponent failing to respond to an argument that you have advanced.
Do not resort to speech docs. Make your case orally.
I flow arguments and strictly rely on my flowsheet. While I do not take note of points made/unmade in crossfire, I pay careful attention to astute questions and answers. Please bring up crossfire points that you would like me to flow in a subsequent speech. I am persuaded by well-structured, logical and linked arguments that are honestly supported by key pieces of evidence.
In addition to making your case, you must meaningfully engage with your opponents' case. The team advancing a contention must rejoin the issue and tell me why the opposing team's rebuttal/counter/block does not work.
In crossfire, please avoid questions with long preambles.
While, for the most part, I don't get into the weeds with cards and evidence, I may on occasion call for a piece. Teams should feel free to assail each other's evidence during the debate.
Please do not use debate jargon.
I do not like theory and K's. Hew to the topic of the day.
Keep the discourse civil. Incivility in any form will hurt your cause.
Enthusiasm for, intensity, and passion regarding the proposition you are espousing is welcome. Discourtesy or aggression against your opponents is not.
Tactical and strategic thinking in arguing, rebutting, and in crossfire is always delightful.
I appreciate clear analysis of why your contention should win the day in the summary and final focus. Further, the final focus should have all that you would like me to vote on (akin to writing my RFD for me - pros of your case and cons of your opponent's.) Lastly, all arguments and evidence that are in the final focus must have been in the summary and no new arguments in the summary speech - it is a matter of fairness.
Happy debating!
Hello, I am a parent judge in my 6th year of judging PF. My preferences:
1. Please try not to spread. It makes it difficult to flow and follow your point.
2. If you refer to a card please provide more information than just the name of the author so I can connect the dots effectively and am not guessing.
I am excited to see you in action and giving it your very best. All the best and see you at the tournament.
Hey!
The most important thing to know if you're going to be debating in my room is how much I value fair and thorough engagements! This looks like making concessions where necessary (when the arguments have been properly analyzed and are logical) and engaging in fair and charitable comparisons.
Next up, don't be rude! Please respect your opponents.
Thirdly, I am fully cognizant of the fact that speakers have a lot of material to cover in such a small time, but please make sure you don't excessively speed through those arguments! Speak fast, but don't zoom through your speech! Calm down and speak clearly so your opponents and I understand you.
Finally, always be conscious of your burdens in the debate and do justice to them. Do not merely assert, justify those claims. Role fulfillment is a must-do!
Good luck!
Hi! I’m a parent judge and look forward to hearing your cases. Please speak clearly and respect your opponents.
Speak slowly and be respectful. Explain what you are talking about. If you talk too fast, then your argument doesn't matter.
LD: I believe that rounds are decided by framework work debate and values. You can have as many contentions with evidence as you want, but if you fail to connect them into your framework effectively you will not win the round. spreading is antithetical to the purpose of debate, slow down and articulate your points persuasively.
PF: See above but with more focus on framework than on values
I was a high school cross-examination (a.k.a. Policy) debater from 1987-1991 at Jesuit High School New Orleans. I am now an assistant coach for Debate at Phoenix Country Day School as well as the Physics teacher. In between, I earned a B.S. in Chemical Engineering and B.A. in Plan II from the University of Texas at Austin (1996), a PhD in Chemical Engineering from MIT (2001), post-doctoral research in Cell Biology at the Duke University Medical Center (2001-2002), and then was an Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering at Arizona State University (2003-2018).
For Public Forum debate rounds:
1) I do flow. Although I can flow at speed (see below for Policy debate), Public Forum rounds should be about convincing me that your overall argument and position on the resolution is correct. What does this mean? It means that, although dropping an argument is important, it doesn't mean that the argument that was dropped becomes absolute truth. It does mean that your opponent did not refute your original claim and warrant, but you still need to explain how that claim and warrant support your overall position in the round in summary and final focus to convince me that your overall position on the resolution is better than your opponent's. So, in PF rounds, I discourage speed. Speak at a normal pace and trust that I am keeping track of your arguments. Signpost (tell me what argument you're responding to or what overall contention you're talking about) so that I can put your responses where they should go.
2) Use cross-examination periods to ask questions you genuinely want your opponent to answer. Listen to their response respectfully. Don't use cross-examination periods to make arguments. And definitely do not use cross-examination periods to badger or bully your opponent.
3) In summaries and final focuses (foci?), make sure to write my ballot for me by telling me how I should view the various positions in the round. If you use frameworks, tell me how I should view the various positions in the round as if I accept your framework OR your opponent's framework -- do both because you don't know which framework I'm going to find more convincing. The more you can bring the various different individual claims into a holistic view on the resolution, the more you're writing my ballot for me. You still need to win those individual claims (so don't forget to spend some time doing that), but synthesizing those claims into a coherent view of the resolution will go a long way to helping me decide the round. And that's even better if you bring your opponent's claims into that synthesis. For example: "Even if you agree with my opponent's claim that _______, there are still ### million people who benefit because of ________ that we're proposing due to [warrant for that claim]."
4) Remember that clash is critical. Go beyond the taglines to debate the warrants (reasoning) behind the other team's arguments vs. the reasoning behind your own arguments. Then go one step further and help me understand how your argument fits into the larger context of the round to "write my ballot" during your rebuttal / summary / final focus speeches.
For Policy debate rounds:
1) I need to understand what you say. I am fine with spreading as long as you enunciate clearly. And, if a particular argument is critical to your strategy, slow down a bit on the tagline to make sure I flow it properly. I will not be on the evidence chain. I believe debate is a speaking event, so I need to hear you say things and understand them at the speed you deliver them. If a piece of evidence is argued in the round such that my reading what it says after the round may affect my decision, I will ask for a limited number of pieces of evidence after the round. If you want me to look at a particular piece of evidence, tell me that in your speech and explain why reading it should be important to deciding the round.
2) In rebuttals, make sure to write my ballot for me by telling me how I should view the various positions in the round as if I accept your framework OR your opponent's framework -- do both because you don't know which framework I'm going to find more convincing. Unless one or both teams argue to judge the round otherwise, I default to hypothesis testing of the resolution. But I'm certainly willing to be convinced to judge the round in other ways. For example, if you argue a K, just make sure to do a good job convincing me that it's important for me to judge based on the K rather than on the typical framework (i.e., hypothesis testing).
Specifically regarding Ks, if it seems to me that you're just running the K to score a win in the debate round rather than actually caring about the issue being Kritik-ed, you can convince me to vote on it; but you'll find it easier to convince me if you actual care about the issue and legitimately believe the other team is exacerbating the problem. Also, for both Aff and Neg, focus on the "Alt". The Alt should be concrete to the point where I can understand what happens in the world if we do the Alt.
Other argument types:
T - Of course. My default is hypothesis testing unless you tell me otherwise.
CP - A good counterplan debate is great fun. Although CPs are easiest when non-topical and competitive, I'm willing to hear theory arguments that I should allow an exception.
DAs - These are the meat of all good hypothesis testing rounds. Make sure to pay good attention to the internal links in the DA. Also, I'm happy to vote for DAs that don't cause nuclear war. When I debated, my favorite DA was "deficits" which often just led to economic collapse. I'm happy to vote for a DA that causes highly probably harms that are moderately bad, and I find those more convincing than DAs that cause unlikely but world-ending harm.
Case - Please argue case. If nothing more, if you're Neg, please at least make a few arguments against case's solvency and whatever their biggest harms are. If the Neg leaves case with 100% solvency and no doubt about the harms, I find it hard to vote down the Aff. Vice-versa when you're Aff.
Performance Affs/Negs - Your #1 goal in the round (sine qua non) will be to convince me that I should judge the round in a non-traditional way that matches your performance goal. For the Neg, I've found that taking the strategy that I shouldn't vote in that non-traditional way isn't always best -- good Affs are very prepared for that strategy (so this usually only wins against teams that aren't well prepared to run their Aff). So, as the Neg, consider the strategy of accepting the basic premise but do it better (e.g., more inclusive, etc.) than the Aff.
For all of these, remember that clash is critical. Go beyond the taglines to debate the warrants (reasoning) behind the other team's arguments vs. the reasoning behind your own arguments. Then go one step further and help me understand how your argument fits into the larger context of the round to "write my ballot" during your rebuttal speeches.
I have been a parent judge for PF for six years. Though I take a lot of notes, please do not be fooled into thinking I am a flow judge. I am most definitely a lay judge and appreciate debaters who do not speak too quickly or use a lot of jargon. For example, if you must use a term like "non unique," please specify what part of the argument you are referring to, or better yet, don't use the short-cut term "non unique" at all, as it is more informative if you are more explicit in your reasoning. If you speak so quickly that I do not catch the details of your arguments, you may lose the round, even if your arguments are superior, since I will not have heard them in full. Lastly, if you are dismissive or rude toward your opponents, your speaker points will suffer, and it will impact my decision for the round. Rounds that are conducted in a respectful and collegial manner are much more pleasant for judge and competitors alike, and they tend to result in much higher quality debating all around.
My name is Jian Chen and I’m a parent judge from Princeton that has been judging for a while. I’m comfortable with a lot but I ask that you use logic and reasoning to back your case. Please speak clearly and comprehensively. Overall if you can explain and defend you argument well I can follow it
.
I started debate judging in 2020.
Please ask me before the round if you have any questions
Experience
Competitor
1 years - Highschool UIL CX
3 years - National Circuit NPDA/NPTE
My preferred pronouns are he/him/his.
General Notes
Recording and sharing debates is a good thing, be sure to ask everyone before the round/recording starts
Specificity wins debates, and an argument requires a warrant to be an argument
Interpretations and advocacies should at least be read twice and slowly, with a copy of it in the chat/paper for the opponents and judges
Pretty much nothing in my philosophy is absolute, typically anything that is read in the round is what I will vote on
I believe the way we discuss the world has a real impact on how the debaters in the room (including yourself) view the world
If debaters are debating ethically, I tend to believe that framework arguments are more persuasive than the arguments against it. However, I will vote based on how the debate plays out. If you win that defending the topic is bad and you reject the topic, you will likely win the debate and vice versa.
Theory and Framework
I love a great theory or framework shell. I am happy to vote here. I think debaters need to step outside our normal buzzwords and discuss how our interpretations alter the debate game and our education.
Counter Plans
I’m uncertain about conditionality. I am sympathetic to arguments about the MG being key and difficult. However, I also believe the negative should have some flexibility. Feel free to run your shell. Feel free to be conditional. I will vote depending on how the arguments play out.
PIC’s, Delay, and process CPS are usually abusive in NPDA debate, but often strategic and occasionally justified – especially if the topic provides aff flex, but its really all dependent on if you win the arguments in the round.
Kritiks
These are fine. I read them a lot, went for them occasionally. Please provide early thesis-level analysis. I think most K shells I’ve seen are incredibly inefficient and vulnerable to impact turns. Teams should likely cut major portions of their FW page and instead develop solvency and internal links to the case.
MG’s should be more willing to go hard right (or left) to answer K’s. The aff probably links to Cap, but maybe cap isn't the root of all evil or the aff isn't the very specific brink to the cap impacts.
Performance
I like performances and ran them myself, I think if the aff is doing it you should at least mention why the topic is bad/problematic, why the Aff is more important than the topic, and why the topic prevents you from doing the performance in a creatively topical way.
On the neg, you need to prove that you are an opportunity cost to the aff. Maybe it’s as simple as you need to keep debating, but you need a reason.
Flow Judge.
Worlds Is My Fav Event. (This should tell u a lot ab my debate phil)
Ask me anything else before the round starts.
U can post round me, but I pay attention so you probably won't change my mind lol.
Strake Jesuit '19 | UT Austin '23 | SMU Law '26
He/Him/His
Email Chain/Questions: caden.day@utexas.edu
Please start an email chain as early as you can before the round starts. Also, I can absolutely tell when you are stealing prep while "trying to get the email to send" or while "waiting for the email to send." Please don't do that.
TLDR
Tech>Truth. Read anything that isn't exclusionary. Warrant everything (cards, analytics, extensions, etc.). Extend all parts of your arguments (including turns).
Tech>Truth
You can genuinely read anything in front of me as long as it's explained well. I'm most familiar with/primarily read Theory, Plans/CPs, off-case Disads, soft-left Ks, and framework/philosophical arguments. I am less familiar with non-t arguments and tricks. But again, read them if that's your style! I can keep up.
Tricks without warrants will be treated similarly to any other argument without a warrant—they will be given very little credence. So, if you plan on reading tricks, don't just dump them on the flow. Take time to explain the warranting in them.
There is, of course, the obvious exception to my "read anything" policy, which is that I ask you to foster an inclusive and educational environment.
Speaking Style and Speaker Points
I give speaks based on strategy. I start at a 28.
Go as fast as you want unless you are going to read paraphrased evidence. Send me a doc if you’re going to do that. Also, slow down on tags and author names. If, in later speeches, you aren't relying on a doc, dial back the speed a bit so I don't miss anything.
I will dock your speaker points if you take forever to pull up a piece of evidence. To avoid this, START AN EMAIL CHAIN.
You and your partner will get +.3 speaker points if you disclose your broken cases on the wiki before the round. Tell me if you have disclosed your cases because I won't check for you.
Summary/Final Focus
EVERY part of your argument should be extended (Uniqueness, Link, Internal Link, Impact, and warrant for each). Extensions of taglines or claims alone are insufficient. Please please please extend warranting and analysis.
Similarly, if going for link turns, extend the impact that you're co-opting; if going for impact turns, extend the link that you're co-opting.
Miscellaneous Stuff
Defense that you want to concede should be conceded in the speech immediately following when it was read.
Defensive extensions should be in every speech - it is not sticky.
I require responses to theory/T in the next speech. ex: if theory is read in the AC i require responses in the NC or it's conceded.
Any misrepresented evidence that is called to my attention by your opponents will be struck from the flow. In especially egregious cases, I reserve the right to severely dock your speaks or drop you outright.
If you have more specific questions, don't be afraid to ask them before rounds! Similarly, if you have questions about my decision after the round, ask away! It won't impact your speaks or my decision or anything like that. I want you to leave the round with a better understanding of my RFD if you feel confused.
Greetings!
My name is Vidit Desai and I have been debating for the last 8 years and coaching for the last 4. I have debated all throughout university at Western University where I currently study Political science and Spanish. I would contend that I have few things I consider in my judging philosophy:
1. I traditionally do not value speaker style to a great extent, I try my best to focus on the quality of the argument and not the stylistic elements of the speaker.
2. I believe comparative analysis is super important, it is often insufficient just to prove a harm occurs in the other side's world if it is not shown why such a harm is not symmetric.
3. I flow the round pretty closely so make sure you've tried to engage with all of the points made by the other side.
4. Avoid strawmanning, I believe that debate where teams are discourteous in their interpretation of the other side often are not the highest quality rounds.
Hi! My name is Kerry. I am a junior at Dartmouth College majoring in Biochemistry and German. I've grown to love speech and debate over the years. Above everything, I value a well-structured and substantive debate. Evidence should be well cited and should not misconstrue the author's intent. I like clean debates, so steer clear of ad hominem remarks. I expect everyone to flow themselves just as I flow you. I will keep time but I expect you to keep time for both yourself and your partner to keep things running as smoothly as possible. I also ask that speakers slow down when speaking, as especially over an internet connection it can be difficult to hear everything said. I will focus on whichever team can best convince me of their stance, but also how well you speak - do you stutter or use filler words? Are you always looking at your notes or do you know your material? I expect you guys to enjoy yourselves - above all else, have fun!
I am currently a student at the University of Pennsylvania. I competed on my high school's varsity debate. I was elected co-captain my senior year and was one of the highest-ranked debate duos in the Philadelphia public league. I do not have much experience with Public Forum debate, but I have done some research on the style and conventions.
I value respectful and factual debating. It should go without saying, but I'll say it anyway, don't interrupt or talk over your opponents during any part of the debate. I prefer coherent and clear speeches over speeches that are fast and attempt to fit in as many words as possible in the allocated time. I tend to reject false dichotomies and logical fallacies. Keep your arguments straightforward, if you can focus on one central argument and really support it throughout the entire debate, that will serve you better than half-supporting several different arguments.
I don't usually keep track of time, but with the new online format we can play it by ear.
I hold a college degree in electrical engineer and a master's in computer science. Although I started as a lay parent judge in 2019 to support my child’s growth and participation in local tournaments, since that time, I have acquired expertise in evaluating Public Forum debate by adjudicating several national and local debate competitions. I have judged top-ranked debaters in the past thus I have enough experience in understanding complex arguments.
In my career as a business owner and engineer, I also have experience evaluating professional presentations, contracts, and negotiations. I speak three (3) languages and have traveled to seven (7) countries, but I am fluent in English and value the democratic ideals of freedom of expression and the rule of law found in the United States. When evaluating students, I treat each individual as unique and worthy of respect, maturity, and intellectual growth to achieve his/her highest potential in school and in future professional endeavors. Then proceed to the paradigm, and expand on what you look for in definitions, value frameworks, contentions, rebuttals, cross-fire, final focus, and speaker points. It would also be good to create an email chain so we can create a fast evidence exchange.
For the rounds I am judging, I will be looking for appropriate mechanisation of the arguments presented, proper analysis of their full impact and clear cohesion and structure in the way they are presented. I will also be paying special attention to how you explicate the magnitude and time frame of the arguments that you believe best sum your case and help your side and stance. A crucial part of that is that you strategically collapse on your strongest argument and zoom in on their magnitude.
In terms of style, the most important thing for me is that you are first and foremost respectful of one another. There is nothing wrong with having a strong assertive style, and even a strongly critical when questioning the other team, but you should never attack another's debate person or offend them in any way while doing that. Beyond this, I appreciate clarity and being able to follow your flow from one argument to the next - in other words, slow down!
Finally, I want to be able to see clear evidence of collaboration between you and your teammate in terms of how your arguments build on top of one another without duplication and how you refer to the points made by your teammate in your speech to enhance your analysis.
P.S: my face does weird things some times when I am engrossed in notetaking or deep thought, I can promise you it is no reflection of how you're doing so don't be intimidated and have fun!
Qualification:
I've debated for around 5 years. I've competed in PF, CNDF, Lincoln, and Public Speaking.
Paradigm:
1. Make sure to have a framework in your first speech for your side so that I know what you are following throughout the round and what you need to prove on your side.
2. Make all your points (contentions; crossfire; rebuttals; summaries; final focus) clear and straightforward for me.
3. Use valid cards to prove your points but you have to tell me the impacts, don’t throw cards that have no warrants at me. (Those will be dropped)
4. Weigh the points that have been mentioned by you and your opponents, tell me why yours overweigh theirs. I will drop any arguments that you do not carry further through your speeches.
5. I do flow speeches but only things that stand out to me so make sure to extend important points throughout the entire round. I do not flow crossfires so if you want to mention anything that happened in a crossfire, make that clear to me.
6. I look for proper timing in each speech so make sure that you fill in but don't go over the time limit.
7. Speed is alright for me as long as everything can be properly heard and makes sense.
8. I will vote on what is said and what happens in this round of debate without adding my own opinions about the topic.
9. Being polite and respectful to everyone and never be sexist, racist, ableist, etc.
I am a parent judge who is fairly new to PF Debate.
Please avoid speaking too fast so that I can follow you.
Please back up your claims and rebuttals with evidence from reputable sources. Claims without evidence tend to be ignored.
It is a good idea to develop your arguments with depths while rebutting opponent's arguments and counter-arguments with evidence.
Most of the times one well developed argument is much better than many arguments that are not well supported/developed or dropped during debate.
Please treat opponents with respect!
Have fun in debating!
I am a parent judge but because of my favorite daughter's constant discussions regarding the septober topic, I do have some topic knowledge.
Somethings I look out for:
Clarity
Consistency
Collapsing
Extensions to FF
Weighing
julianvgagnon@gmail.com please add me to email chains
from planet debate-
this is difficult for me b/c i'm not sure i have A judging philosophy but I do have many different ideas about and for debate...some inconsistent. that being said i don't want what i think about debate to totally dictate what debaters decide to do in rounds.
topicality- generally don't like it. I find no abuse args to be really persuasive. Since I like critical arguments so much I think you can usually find ground in any debate. i don't like the competing interpretations framework very much. i find the "that limits out any aff" arg to be persuasive. but i will vote on that framework and topicality if left unchallenged. in a good topicality debate on competeing interp vs an ok no abuse arg i'll USUALLY vote aff.
cp- like em. with a critical nb even better. i think i'm a fair judge for these debates. aff theory args generally not persuasive unless unchallenged. very similar to topicality in this regards.
das- great. a lot of people are now struggling with the we control the uniqueness = a risk vs. we got d/risk of turn. i don't think the aff has to have offense to win a da but i do find in a lot of debates that with only defense it hurts the aff a bunch. especially when the neg has a cp. but i tend to weight the da first in terms of probability and then magnitude.
critical args- love em. these are the debates i find the most interesting. i'm willing to listen to virtually any way the neg wants to present them. method. alternative. text no text. don't care. case turn. obviously it's the neg's burden to provide some way to evaluate their "framework" but in terms of theory i think they are all pretty much legit. args are args and it's the other teams responsibility to answer them.
others- i like to see people be nice to each other in debate rounds. some people may say i intervene sometimes. it's true but let me provide context. if you go for you mis-spelled (jk) a word in your plan and you should lose and your winning the arg but the other team says this is stupid...we'll i'm persuaded. you just wasted a bunch of peoples time. another thing. DON'T RUN MALTHUS IN FRONT OF ME- DOESN'T MATTER IF IT RIGHTS OR NOT. i won't flow it. i think that while debate is a game we still have a responsibility to "speak truth to power". discourse is very important. definately co-constitutes with reality. this may be why i'm starting/have been hating the politics debate for the last year and a half. but hey, like i said before, i'm full of inconsistancies b/c sometimes you just don't have another arg in the box to go for. i'm sympathetic to this. especially in high school debate. i still research it for the hs topic and coach my kids to go for it.
from debateresults...
Debate is a game- i have a lot of ideas about how the game should be played but in the absence of teams making those arguments i won't default to them. i think debate should make the rules of the game and provide a framework for how i should evaulte the debate. i'm not a big fan of some arguments...like malthus in particular...but also theory arguments in general. these debates generally happen faster then my mind and pen can handle. ive judged a lot although i haven't much this year on the china topic. some people may think i have a bias towards critical arguments, and while this is true to some degree (i generally find them more intersting than other debates), it also means i have higher standards when it comes to these debates. yeah imagine that, me with high standards.
Parent judge. I don't time, so time yourselves. I have experience with debate, so don't worry about speaking too fast or using complex arguments; do not spread! Make it clear for me in summary and final focus why you are winning the round: I don’t want to do the thinking and weighing of arguments - give me a clear avenue straight to your ballot. Overall, have fun, and I vote on whose argument makes the most sense/is backed by factual and valid terminal evidence throughout the round.
For Palatine: I feel like these rounds are getting messy and confusing. Please take time in your speeches to explain the WHY behind your cards.
Email: jgiesecke10@gmail.com (put me on the email chain)
My fundamental principles:.
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It’s not an argument without a warrant.
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'Clarity of Impact' weighing isn't real.
- ‘Probability weighing also isn’t real
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Calling for un-indicted cards is judge intervention.
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Judge intervention is usually bad.
view of a PF round:
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Front lining in the second rebuttal makes the round easier for everyone — including me.
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Offense is conceded if it’s dropped in the proceeding speech — a blippy extension or the absence of weighing is a waste of the concession.
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Overviews should engage/interact with the case it’s being applied to.
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Warrant/evidence comparison is the crux of an effective rebuttal.
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Offense must be in summary and Final Focus.
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If they don’t frontline your defense, you can extend it from first rebuttal to first Final Focus.
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You MUST answer turns in the second rebuttal or first summary.
- Telling me you outweigh on scope isn’t really weighing, you need to tell my WHY you outweigh on scope or whatever.
- Comparative weighing is the crux of a good summary and final focus and good comparative weighing is the easiest way win.
Judging style:
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I don’t evaluate new weighing in second Final Focus.
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weighing needs to be consistent in summary and final focus
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It may look like I'm not paying attention to crossfire; it's because I'm not.
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Turns that aren't extended in the first summary that ends up in the first final focus become defense
- Miscellaneous Stuff
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Flip the coin as soon as both teams are there
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Have preflows ready
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open cross is fine
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Flex prep is fine
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K’s fine but can only be read in the second case or first rebuttal.
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I will NOT evaluate disclosure theory
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I don't care where you speak from
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I don't care what you wear
email me for questions/add me to the chain: tara.gill.527@gmail.com
tl;dr:
Me: "Do you know why I'm such a laid-back judge?"
Y'all: "Why?"
Me: "I go with the flow"
(creds to @Debate Memes on Facebook haha)
- yes I will vote off the flow
- honestly just debate well enough to make me care enough about the round (which means focus on the bolded text below)
- warrant, extend your full link story and impact, and weigh and you're doing really well
- I don't think most debaters truly spend time explaining warrants or weighing
- things you want me to vote on have to be in every speech after first rebuttal
- I want the round to be chill and educational and fun so please make that happen
quick disclaimers
i'm now old and grumpy and care a bit less about debate than i used to so please don't assume i have extensive topic knowledge
novices:
it's so cool that you're trying out this activity even though it's probably kind of scary. If you don't understand some of my preferences in the long version, the tl;dr should be fine. Just know that you're probably doing great and that you got this :)
feel free to ask me any questions before/after the round.
Longer Version:
hi! I did 2 years of Public Forum at Lexington but I started out my debate career in policy which influences how I judge!
- i'm more tech than the average tech judge so please clash to avoid judge intervention, or at the very least weigh a lot on both link and impact levels :)
- in later speeches, please give quick narrative style overviews at the top of your own case then frontline/line by line (i still don't know what frontline means but just don't drop stuff) if u want me to vote on your contentions otherwise dropped defense will mitigate your impacts. this also means u should frontline in second rebuttal and extend defense in first summary.
- i will vote off most arguments including theory/k if they are debated well (my threshold for these being run well is pretty high lmao so try at your risk) and not used just to be exclusionary (check the bottom of my paradigm)
- do a lot of weighing/impact calc and logical analysis (not just for me, it is also strategic if you're lost/confused and I would know first hand oops)
- once again please weigh weigh weigh. really make the force of gravity a lot here (i'm sorry i'm a physics nerd)
- start collapsing by first summary because depth>breadth in terms of giving quality arguments in short PF speech times
- crossfire shouldn't be three minutes of extra debating please ask and answer questions in a non-aggressive and CIVIL manner or I will be frustrated, get a headache and probably dock speaks.
- if you want to take off a jacket or shoes in round feel free to do so because i almost never debated with shoes. this will not affect speaks or the result :)
- feel free to ask me questions about my decision if you're confused, I will not dock speaks and I feel like it usually helps you learn how you can improve in the future
- i am fine w speed if you do all of the following: prioritize clarity, make sure your opponents are ok too, slow down on tags, authors, and analytics, signpost clearly, offer speech docs if necessary
- lastly, debate is a game: this means that you should not be exclusionary, follow the rules or warrant why you shouldn't, and let me know if there is anything I can personally do to make the debate more accessible to you, and HAVE FUN!!!!!
Extra:
- fist-bump instead of shaking hands haha
- I'll default to a slightly above a 28 if it's by 0.1 and 28.5 if it's by 0.5
- i am also happy to talk after round, show you my flows, and answer questions about either debate or life :)
LD (MSDL States 2024):
i am fairly confident in my ability to flow a debate and understand arguments that are clearly explained to me, however, I also understand there are certain thing specific to LD that I am not familiar with.
- focus on weighing your arguments against your components, basic frameworks (util, structural violence) I am familiar with and are good for providing that comparison
- not sure about other "value criterion" that's a term i've heard but i don't know what that means so just explain to me clearly
- not super used to nat circuit LD speed anymore, but a little speed is fine
- rest of the paradigm applies
My name is Logan Goswick, I'm a CS student at ASU and I competed for 4 years in Public Forum with some light dips into congress and a relatively good understanding of LD and Policy.
In terms of what I want to see in the round:
First of all you need to remember that this debate is meant to be accessible and pragmatic. If you bring K's or Theory into the round you're getting dropped. Speaking fast is fine, but spreading will likely mean I simply won't be able to flow and your points will get dropped.
Second: I also prefer clarity of points over quantity, 3 well-explained refutations are significantly more valuable than 7 shaky, one-card responses. Moreover If it seems like you don't understand why your args work you're losing speaks.
Third: Quantify and explain your impacts. Don't just say things like "tensions rise" or "the economy suffers" unless there are literally no quantifiable impacts in the round.(side not I honestly barely even care about economic impacts when compared to lives, and to be honest it looks really scummy if you prioritize any amount of money into the economy over human lives without first contextualizing the impact of something like GDP on life expectancy or lives saved. It kind of pains me to say that at all because cards that do that are super easy to find and take like 2 seconds to read. )
I try to keep my judging mostly flow based but I am not a particularly clean flow-er. If you bring up a point in your rebuttal or case and you want to use it in your final focus, it had better be in your summary. even if you bring up a point from constructive that destroys your opponent's entire argument, I will not care unless it was in summary.
With that in mind my last note is to keep your speeches doing what they're actually for, summary (especially second summary) is meant to summarize the round, unless it's the first chance you've had to refute a claim, bringing new arguments that haven't been made at all is a dirty tactic and I won't flow them. (obvious exception in 1st summary if you're covering arguments you haven't had the chance to refute.)
Overall, please just keep it clean and within the general scope of what PF is for.
-Address the other team's arguments and do not leave loose threads, but concede points when they have clearly been lost.
-I prefer that you do not spread. Skillfully carrying a logical argument is always preferable to overwhelming with information or arguments.
-Do not be rude in cross-examination.
-Have evidence on hand for when it is requested. Do not waste time hunting.
-Explain the importance of the situation, especially with meaningful, quantifiable metrics when possible.
-Signposting is always helpful but should be done smoothly.
-Explain and work through theory, especially when it is not reasonable common knowledge.
Hello!
I am a new parent judge.
Please speak clearly and speak slowly. Remember, I have not researched this topic so make sure you explain all your points thoroughly. Also, I do not know many debate terms so please try to avoid these. Additionally, signpost so I can follow all your speeches. If you want me to vote on a certain point, keep bringing it up.
Most importantly, make sure you are always being respectful to each other during rounds and have fun!
Thank you!
I'm a former High School debater (Policy debate), now parent of of a PF debater. I look for clear, logical arguments and good 'debating' in rounds. I can handle speed, but not at the expense of clarity and sound reasoning. I flow the debate (training from my Policy days!) and will look at my flow as I weigh the round, but also encourage debaters to guide me on weighing during the round. I follow crossfire exchanges, but if anything comes up during crossfire that debaters believe of note for the round, I'll look to debaters to bring it into the formal speeches in the round for it to factor into my decision making.
Speak clearly
I’m a first-time parent judge.
I will make my decision based on flow. Please keep your delivery as clear as possible. Speaking too quickly will lower speaker points. Weigh impacts throughout the round. Keep debate jargon to a minimum. I will not flow crossfire, but I will listen, and as such keep your tone respectful of one another.
I’m a parent judge.
I will make my decision based on flow. Please keep your delivery as clear as possible. Speaking too quickly will lower speaker points. Weigh impacts throughout the round. Keep debate jargon to a minimum. I will not flow crossfire, but I will listen, and as such keep your tone respectful of one another.
I competed in Public Forum debate for three years at Cypress Bay High School in Weston, FL (2014-2017). I am currently a Junior at the University of Florida.
I haven't judged much since high school so please don't speak too fast and warrant your arguments well.
I will listen to pretty much any argument so long as it relates to the topic AND is explained well.
I probably won't pay much attention to crossfire so should anything important be brought up please bring it up in speech.
Anything not responded to in rebuttal is considered conceded and I will consider it a way to vote if brought up in summary and effectively weighed.
With that being said, please weigh your arguments, I will not do the weighing for you.
I like narratives. Don't go for everything in summary, condense the round, and provide meaningful impacts.
I have been coaching public forum at Shrewsbury High (MA) since 2014, and am now the head coach there. Please note that Shrewsbury PFers have been instructed not to send their cases to their opponents or their judges. They also will not partake in Theory or K debates since they have no place in Public Forum Debate. They will be debating the resolution as is the entire goal of PF debate.
I have a lot of experience judging, but have also been in the tabroom a lot recently. I believe in the values of public forum debate, meaning that the debate should be able to be adjudicated by a citizen judge. I will flow, but I'm looking for clear signposting and a clear structure to each speech. This is just good practice.
I love a good narrative, but not at the expense of solid evidence and impacts.
I want logically sound warrants, please don't just say that my card is from 2023 when theirs is from 2021...I want a real reason for why your evidence is better in relation to your contentions.
Please give me clash and weighable impacts. But please don't just say you outweigh on scope or magnitude without telling me why.
I really don't want to call for evidence, so please don't use false figures or try anything dodgy. This includes things like, "our opponents didn't respond..." when they clearly did respond.
I will not judge based on any plans, counterplans or critical theories. That is simply not in the spirit of public forum debate.
I don't like roadmaps. Your speech should be clear enough for me to follow without one and it's a problem if you need one, and although I'll probably let you give it, I won't be listening to it.
Don't be rude. This includes good etiquette in crossfire. Condescension will make me look for a way to give you the loss.
I do really like cases I haven't heard before. Just be careful though, the reason they're new is that there's usually an issue with them! That's the fun of all this right!?
Hello, I did pubic forum debate for 4 years at Lincoln Sudbury High School. I am now a fourth year student at NYU who has judged a little here in there in college. I have a very standard circuit pf paradigm (if you don't know what that means, ask). I don't mind some speed as long as it is clear. Please ask me any other questions before the round. Please have a fun and relaxed round, thank you!
The most important thing to me is that a warrant gets extending through final focus. Otherwise I WILL NOT VOTE FOR YOU!
I usually won't know the topic well so make sure to explain anything topic specific but I would like to think I have a pretty decent understanding of international politics and basic, debate relevant, economics.
Keep track of your own prep time and if you care, your opponents prep time, because I will not be timing either.
If you are gonna run theory or Ks, ask your opponent before the round if they are ok with it. I don't really like those argument styles but I'll vote for them if they are cleanly won.
:)
My email is bsh298@nyu.edu if there is any questions after a round or anything else (hopefully no death threats).
Pronouns: she/her. I competed in speech and public forum in high school.
Above all else, you must be respectful of your competitors. I will not hesitate to vote against at team who uses any language deemed offensive in the round.
Public Forum:
- Faster speeds in the debate are okay, I will not be able to keep up with spreading. If you do go for speed, be sure you are signposting and your arguments are clear.
- Impact weighing is usually very important in my judging decisions.
- I appreciate a team that can focus on the big picture over small discrepancies.
Email: pmhruskoci@gmail.com
-Paradigm for Ash-
updated February 18th, 2022
-Background-
As a competitive debater, judge and coach of 8 years, I have experience with:
British Parliamentary, Canadian Parliamentary, Australian Parliamentary, Public Forum, World Schools. I prioritize clear mechanization in case above all else. Explain your links/ mechs and give as much context as you can.
> Off Time Roadmaps are encouraged
> You do not need to make any kind of eye contact
> I may be asking for cards
> I do flow cross fire
>I prioritize substantive rebuttal over metadebate/ tech responses.
> I do not require friendly introductions
> Using your opponents name or speaker position is fine, avoid referring to your opponents in the third person (gendered pronouns are messy!). This includes me. You can refer to me as judge, chair, panel- but do not refer to me as Madame Speaker. I will not reduce any speaker points for this, I'm just not personally comfortable with this.
> I may give low point wins.
On Theory, I value theory to be limited to a K or a potential a priori lens, akin to a model or critique. Theory is a priori, but does not proceed the value of case. It merely is a lens for me to view and understand case, rebuttal, and the rest of the debate. Run theory alongside contentions with arguments.
On Prog, contentions should. a) identify structural inequality, b) explain how it manifests vis-a-vis the debated topic, and c) how policy change meaningfully deconstructs and combats structural inequality in this instance. To merely recognize it is not enough in providing solvency against pillars of institutuionalized violence. If conditions b and c are not met, I will not count this as a Prog case.
TLDR: I am not a tech judge. Spending the second half of a PF round using condensed referential metadebate on tech is a waste of time with me. Comparative analysis should use reference to substance and not floating PF norms as I do not adhere to or even agree to all of these 'norms'. Norms can be made up by students on the fly to their advantage on unsuspecting judges, or be norms in some schools and regions and not others. Debate is not fun when you want to make up rules on the fly in order to gatekeep wins/loses. Just convince me. That's what this sport is about- persuasion- not hidden rules. I don't adhere to any norm you could throw at me in speech. Most judges don't. Most judges in JV don't know what you are talking about. Debate is a worse sport for meta-debate/ tech prioritization.
Please avoid appealing to dogwhistling and overly euphemistic language that demonizes groups of people or other ideological camps.
I openly welcome argumenation or sourcing that may use Marxist critical theory, Libertarian, Socially Conservative, Neoliberal, logic and understandings. Please do not assume my politics or preferences simply based on my education, appearance, gender, or age and try to appeal to them. I find this practice uncomfortable.
GG!
I will deduct speaker points for:
> -.5 speak for: "Good morning/ Good afternoon/ Good evening" as an introduction.
Hi! I’m writing this for my dad (who doesn’t believe in paradigms). A couple things you should know:
He’s a parent. Treat him as such; you know what to do.
He’s a professor who gets paid to evaluate students. You’re debating in front of someone who definitely can tell a good and bad link chain apart.
He says he understands speaking quickly. However, he doesn’t think that fast speech is persuasive. I wouldn’t go fast, and definitely not spread.
He doesn’t know any debate jargon. Use at your own risk.
He is a historian, and knows a lot of history. Same for public health -- be careful that what you run would be accepted by an academic in the field.
Be polite & fairly formal. He just spent 15 minutes complaining to me about informal paradigms.
He wants debate to be fun. I'd recommend smiling.
He doesn't believe in off-time road maps. He says that he has never seen them in the rulebooks, and that debaters simply say "first I will rebut the opponent's case, then I will make our case" -- which isn't either surprising or helpful.
Overall, debate like you would in front of a teacher ready to edit your case. Good luck and good debating!
While I am comfortable with a wide range of styles, I do not prefer spreading in debate. Speak clearly so that I can follow your key points and cards. I like to see good use of evidence in the debate round, making your contentions sound. I'm open to your logical points and in this case try to link your logic directly to your case. Weigh your impacts as you progress deeper in the round and bring focus to the debate round as you explain why your team should win the ballot. Make the most of cross-ex / cross-fire and be courteous to your opponents. Use your time - both effectively, and all of it. I take a realistic view of the world economically/politically, so won't place a heavy emphasis on unrealistic or exaggerated impacts from a policy decision.
tl;dr - tech and speed good, but I'm not doing work for you. The resolution must be in the debate. Though I think like a debater, I do an "educator check" before I vote - if you advocate for something like death good, or read purely frivolous theory because you know your opponent cannot answer it and hope for an easy win, you are taking a hard L.
Email chain: havenforensics (at) gmail - but I'm not reading along. I tab more than I judge, but I'm involved in research. Last substance update: 9/18/22
Experience:
Head Coach of Strath Haven HS since 2012. We do all events.
Previously coach at Park View HS 2009-11, assistant coach at Pennsbury HS 2002-06 (and beyond)
Competitor at Pennsbury HS 1998-2002, primarily Policy
Public Forum
1st Rebuttal should be line-by-line on their case; 2nd Rebuttal should frontline at least major offense, but 2nd Summary is too late for dumps of new arguments.
With 3 minutes, the Summary is probably also line-by-line, but perhaps not on every issue. Summary needs to ditch some issues so you can add depth, not just tag lines. If it isn't in Summary, it probably isn't getting flowed in Final Focus, unless it is a direct response to a new argument in 2nd Summary.
Final Focus should continue to narrow down the debate to tell me a story about why you win. Refer to specific spots on the flow, though LBL isn't strictly necessary (you just don't have time). I'll weigh what you say makes you win vs what they say makes them win - good idea to play some defense, but see above about drops.
With a Policy background, I will listen to framework, theory, and T arguments - though I will frown at all of those because I really want a solid case debate. I also have no problem intervening and rejecting arguments that are designed to exclude your opponents from the debate. I do not believe counterplans or kritiks have a place in PF.
You win a lot of points with me calling out shady evidence, and conversely by using good evidence. You lose a lot of points by being unable to produce the evidence you read quickly. If I call for a card, I expect it to be cut.
I don't care which side you sit on or when you stand, and I find the post-round judge handshake to be silly and unnecessary.
LD
tl;dr: Look at me if you are traditional or policy. Strike me if you don't talk about the topic or only read abstract French philosophers or rely on going for blippy trash arguments that mostly work due to being undercovered.
My LD experience is mostly local or regional, though I coach circuit debaters. Thus, I'm comfortable with traditional, value-centered LD and util/policy/solvency LD. If you are going traditional, value clash obviously determines the round, but don't assume I know more than a shallow bit of philosophy.
I probably prefer policy debates, but not if you are trying to fit an entire college policy round into LD times - there just isn't time to develop 4 off in your 7 minute constructive, and I have to give the aff some leeway in rebuttals since there is no constructive to answer neg advocacies.
All things considered, I would rather you defend the whole resolution (even if you want to specify a particular method) rather than a tiny piece of it, but that's what T debates are for I guess (I like T debates). If we're doing plans, then we're also doing CPs, and I'm familiar with all your theory arguments as long as I can flow them.
If somehow you are a deep phil debater and I end up as the judge, you probably did prefs wrong, but I'll do my best to understand - know that I hate it when debaters take a philosophers work and chop it up into tiny bits that somehow mean I have to vote aff. If you are a tricks debater, um, don't. Arguments have warrants and a genuine basis in the resolution or choices made by your opponent.
In case it isn't clear from all the rest of the paradigm, I'm a hack for framework if one debater decides not to engage the resolution.
Policy
Update for TOC '19: it has been awhile since I've judged truly competitive, circuit Policy. I have let my young alumni judge an event dominated by young alumni. I will still enjoy a quality policy round, but my knowledge of contemporary tech is lacking. Note that I'm not going to backflow from your speech doc, and I'm flowing on paper, so you probably don't want to go your top speed.
1. The role of the ballot must be stable and predictable and lead to research-based clash. The aff must endorse a topical action by the government. You cannot create a role of the ballot based on the thing you want to talk about if that thing is not part of the topic; you cannot create a role of the ballot where your opponent is forced to defend that racism is good or that racism does not exist; you cannot create a role of the ballot where the winner is determined by performance, not argumentation. And, to be fair to the aff, the neg cannot create a role of the ballot where aff loses because they talked about the topic and not about something else.
2. I am a policymaker at heart. I want to evaluate the cost/benefit of plan passage vs. status quo/CP/alt. Discourse certainly matters, but a) I'm biased on a framework question to using fiat or at least weighing the 1AC as an advocacy of a policy, and b) a discursive link had better be a real significant choice of the affirmative with real implications if that's all you are going for. "Using the word exploration is imperialist" isn't going to get very far with me. Links of omission are not links.
I understand how critical arguments work and enjoy them when grounded in the topic/aff, and when the alternative would do something. Just as the plan must defend a change in the status quo, so must the alt.
3. Fairness matters. I believe that the policymaking paradigm only makes sense in a world where each side has a fair chance at winning the debate, so I will happily look to procedural/T/theory arguments before resolving the substantive debate. I will not evaluate an RVI or that some moral/kritikal impact "outweighs" the T debate. I will listen to any other aff reason not to vote on T.
I like T and theory debates. The team that muddles those flows will incur my wrath in speaker points. Don't just read a block in response to a block, do some actual debating, OK? I definitely have a lower-than-average threshold to voting on a well-explained T argument since no one seems to like it anymore.
Notes for any event
1. Clash, then resolve it. The last rebuttals should provide all interpretation for me and write my ballot, with me left simply to choose which side is more persuasive or carries the key point. I want to make fair, predictable, and non-interventionist decisions, which requires you to do all my thinking for me. I don't want to read your evidence (unless you ask me to), I don't want to think about how to apply it, I don't want to interpret your warrants - I want you to do all of those things! The debate should be over when the debate ends.
2. Warrants are good. "I have a card" is not a persuasive argument; nor is a tag-line extension. The more warrants you provide, the fewer guesses I have to make, and the fewer arguments I have to connect for you, the more predictable my decision will be. I want to know what your evidence says and why it matters in the round. You do not get a risk of a link simply by saying it is a link. Defensive arguments are good, especially when connected to impact calculus.
3. Speed. Speed for argument depth is good, speed for speed's sake is bad. My threshold is that you should slow down on tags and theory so I can write it down, and so long as I can hear English words in the body of the card, you should be fine. I will yell if I can't understand you. If you don't get clearer, the arguments I can't hear will get less weight at the end of the round, if they make it on the flow at all. I'm not reading the speech doc, I'm just flowing on paper.
4. Finally, I think debate is supposed to be both fun and educational. I am an educator and a coach; I'm happy to be at the tournament. But I also value sleep and my family, so make sure what you do in round is worth all the time we are putting into being there. Imagine that I brought some new novice debaters and my superintendent to watch the round with me. If you are bashing debate or advocating for suicide or other things I wouldn't want 9th graders new to my program to hear, you aren't going to have a happy judge.
I am more than happy to elaborate on this paradigm or answer any questions in round.
This is my third year as a parent judge for Public Forum.
A few tips:
1. Enjoy the experience and have fun.
2. Deep breaths are helpful.
3. Stay hydrated--it helps your voice and your brain.
4. Please don't be afraid to ask questions--I'm always happy to answer them.
5. Be respectful towards one another--you've all worked hard to get here.
6. I'm excited for you--best of luck!
I’m a parent judge.
Some things to consider during the round:
1. Please don’t spread. I won’t know what you're saying and if I can’t understand you, I can’t vote for you.
2. Ask useful questions during crossfire, I think the ability to respond on the fly is important. However, I won’t consider anything said during crossfire unless it is said during a subsequent speech.
3. Please don’t introduce new arguments during final focus. It is especially not fair for the 1st speaking team if they don't have a chance to response.
4. Read an arguments backed with warrants and cards from credible resources and authors, and tell me why you prefer your evidence over your opponents evidence.
5. Collapsing is important. Quality>Quantity. It is much better if you have one really good one that you focus the round on. Make your argument simple yet powerful.
6. Weighing is very important. Tell me why your impacts matter more than your opponent’s do.
7. If any false, fake, or misconstrued evidence is run on purpose, I WILL drop you. Debate should be educational, and fake evidence hurts the purpose of this activity. If you believe that your opponents have run misconstrued or fake evidence, please call for the card.
8. As I’ve mentioned, I’m a lay judge, so I don’t understand most pf jargons. I think debate is about persuading normal people with a decent education, so try to make it so even “normal” parents can understand and vote for you.
With everything said, debate should be a fun, educational, extracurricular activity. Try to have fun and please be respectful to your opponents. But most of all, have fun!
I am a student at Stanford with significant experience as both a debater and as a coach. The best advice I can give you is to be as RIDICULOUSLY EXPLICIT as to why you are winning the round as possible. This clarity includes clarity with regard to exactly where you are on the flow, clarity with regard to the exact nature of the arguments you are making, and clarity with regard to the exact interaction between arguments. While I am a technical/flow judge, you should not assume that I will fully comprehend and be convinced by everything you say. The vast majority of debaters lose rounds not because they could not conceive of how to win, and not because they didn't have the capacity to win, but because they were not as ridiculously explicit as possible in their arguments.
In general, I would suggest that you spend less time than you normally would making arguments in the later speeches, and more time than you normally would doing analysis regarding the different arguments in the round. If you do lots of good analysis--which includes weighing--you will probably win the round.
My comments above take care of most things I would otherwise discuss in my paradigm. I am fine with virtually any argument and don't have particularly strong preferences, as long as they are structured coherently and are compelling.
Parli: a few specifics:
Speed: I am fine with speed, but I find that it's often not done very well in parli. Make sure regardless you are as extremely clear as possible.
Kritiks: Totally fine, but it's extremely easy for a lot of K's to very quickly get very confusing and not very clear. If you do go this route, be as ridiculously explicit as possible. Also, provide some sort of interpretive framework so that I can evaluate the kritik in the context of the rest of the arguments in the round. Also, make your links clear--debaters often go on about the impacts of a k without deeply connecting it to the rest of the round. And don't assume I am familiar with your argument.
Theory: Totally fine, but once again its extremely easy for theory to very quickly get very confusing and not very clear. Make sure your interp and your entire shell is as explicitly clear as possible. Also, make the argument compelling--while I am a flow judge, there is not a high chance I will vote for you off theory if you don't substantively flesh it out. I am not a big fan of frivolous theory, or theory that is run just because the other team is less technically adept.
I won't do K vs theory weighing for you.
copied & pasted this from Asher Spector's paradigm - I agree with everything below. please also content warn arguments if necessary (and have a backup argument ready just in case)! if you're not sure how to content warn something, ask!!
--
As a judge, I will adapt to you too. Do what you do best!
That said, I am a pretty standard PF tech judge, with a couple of specific preferences, outlined below:
(1) I will do my best to only vote off offense that is in both summary and final focus – if it’s in one but not the other, I probably won’t consider it in my decision. If you’re the first speaking team, defensive responses to your opponent’s case do not need to be in summary – I’ll still evaluate them if they’re in final focus. Turns that you want to win off of must be in 1st summary. If you’re the second speaking team, defensive responses need to be in both summary/final focus for me to evaluate them. If you have questions on this, please feel free to ask me!
(2) If I have the choice between voting for an impact that’s weighed as the biggest in the round but is muddled versus a less important but clean impact, I will resolve the muddled impact every time. I hope this encourages y’all to collapse, develop, and weigh arguments instead of going for like 4 different voters (unless you weigh all four of them :) ).
(3) I care very little about what your cards say. I care a lot more about the warranting behind them. I will never vote on the idea that something is just "empirically true," although empirics do help when you're doing warrant comparisons/maybe a probability weighing analysis.
(4) I rarely receptive to progressive arguments (Ks/theory) unless there's a real instance of abuse in the round. I strongly dislike disclosure theory. If you don't know what that means, don't worry about it.
- and don't forget to have fun!
Hello! I am a parent judge and this is my first tournament I have judged. Please limit the debate jargon as much as possible. Please, no spreading! Off-time roadmaps are preferable! Good luck!
I’m a parent judge. Please be clear with your arguments. Signposting is helpful.
Hello! I'm a junior at Duke who did PF and Congressional Debate in high school.
Presentation-wise, I prefer clear, enunciated talking with solid eye contact throughout.
With regards to argumentation, I'm looking for the standard claim --> warrant --> impact logic.
If your opponent brings up a piece of evidence that contradicts your argument, don't come up in rebuttal and say "their argument does not stand because my evidence states the opposite" and end it there. Juxtaposing two contradictory pieces of evidence doesn't prove anything from my perspective. Tell me why your evidence is better/more reliable/more relevant than theirs. That way you're proving the legitimacy of your argument and actually invalidating your opponent's.
Also, have fun! :D
-I will flow. I appreciate a clear narrative across arguments! It's okay to collapse.
-Significant impacts are awesome, especially quantifiable ones! Explain the gravity of the situation!
-Signposting is always really helpful.
-Spreading is okay, but make sure we can actually understand you. Don't speak super fast against an obviously less experienced team (this helps no one!)
-Don't be rude in cross-ex, especially don't be patronizing or condescending toward female debaters
-If evidence is requested, please pull it up quickly for the other team
-If you're running complex theory, please break it down and explain it.
I have been judging debate since high school, and have judged outrounds at a number of tournaments. I favour substance over style as I believe that rewarding style disadvantages ESL competitors, and I encourage all debaters to engage with other teams. I judge hollistically and tend not to be too picky about the organization of speeches, provided that they are clear and logical. I encourage debaters to structure their speeches in the way that they feel will best present their arguments.
Hi!
I am a new parent judge.
Please speak clearly and speak slowly. Remember, I have not done research on this topic so make sure you explain all your points thoroughly. Also, I will probably not know many debate terms so please try to avoid these. This is especially important when weighing. Please do not just throw debate words around, please explain your point. Also, signpost so I can follow all your speeches. If you want me to vote on a certain point, keep bringing it up.
Most importantly, make sure you are always being respectful each other during round.
Thank you!
PF
I will not flow any theory/topicality, plans/CP's. I'm okay with speed, but as this is PF I don't want you to spread. I love impact debate and good clash, as with any debate, and signposting is important. This event has had problems with academic honesty and if you are caught in round lying about a piece of evidence then I cannot vote for that specific argument and will dock your speaks. Please include the links in your cards. I will be checking cards, especially ones that define your impact, if you have cut a card to change the intent of the author I will no longer flow that card and you will lose that impact. When extending ensure to extend the whole impact of your card, these impacts should be weighted using an impact calculus.
LD
I love good clash and evidence-based argumentation. Be nice, this is a debate, not a fight. The more in-depth explanation the better I want to have a well-rounded understanding of what I'm voting for. Keep in mind I don't want to have to do the work for you, it's your job as the debater to tell me how to vote.No more than 3 off, I think LD should be about in-depth argumentation and not attempting a time suck on your opponents.
Speaks
I'm okay with spreading so long as you're clear, I will only say "clear" once and if I am still unable to understand you then I will cease flowing.
Plans/Cp's/DA's
Detail is important and explanation of links and real-world implementation. Please don't run a CP if the Aff isn't running a Plan, also I need framing to vote on a DA with an Aff with no Plan.
Theory
I have the smallest threshold for Theory, I really need in-round abuse and impact for me to vote for Theory, running three theory shells to overwhelm your opponent then dropping them in the last speech will be counted against you if your opponent points this out. I won't vote on disclosure Theory.
Kritiks
The basic Kritiks, i.e. Biopower, Neolib, etc, I understand, but I still want an explanation and an alt. if you're going to run something abstract, please make sure that you paint a clear picture of the world the Kritik encompasses and how the alt is achievable.
I am a junior at the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, majoring in Statistics and Asian studies. I have four years of Public Forum debate experience and participated in major university tournaments every single year in high school. I have judged over 13 tournaments in the past two years. All in all, I am a flow judge, and speed is okay with me. Some suggestions are listed below:
1. Do not bring up new points in the final focus... I will not give you any credit as it will not appear on my flow sheet.
2. Please please please weigh your impact!!!!!!!
3. If your opponent drops a point/impact/link that you think is important, you better call it out.
4. Make sure to extend your argument throughout the debate to get full credit.
5. If I think a card is too good to be true, I might ask for it at the end of the debate.
6. I am okay with speed, BUT please make your words clear. Also, DON'T SPREAD!
7. Please do not interrupt your opponents during cross-fire...give him/her a chance to finish the response before inserting another question or response.
8. Please reconstruct your argument in the rebuttal.
9. I wouldn't flow crossfire. Therefore, if anything happens in the crossfire that you think is important, such as your opponent making a concession, you need to bring it up in your next immediate speech.
10. If you want me to vote for you, you need to have clear voters and link stories!
11. You have to reconstruct in rebuttal to extend your own argument. Or else I consider that to be dropping your argument.
At the end of the debate, there are three things that I will for sure do: disclosure, round analysis, and personal feedback. Please give me a few minutes at the end of the debate to allow me to choose the winning side. During these two minutes, I will also call for cards if the round is too close; just want to be careful :)
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Policy
larrylin57@gmail.com : y'all should add this
past Lexington policy debater and 2N by heart
Be sure to time yourselves, kinda have a bad record of recording every bit of prep and whatever.
I hate theory. I also vaguely dislike process CPs because BORING. Politics DAs can be quite cool. Federalism is a meh. States is a meh. Interesting well explained Ks and K affs are cool. Agamben and cap do not fulfill such requirements. T can be cool.
Anyhow,
things I've run:
- federalism
- t classrooms
- families aff
- Zong
- Trickster Hermeneutics
- IRS DA
- Shutdown DA
- Baudrillard
- Baudrillard K affs
- Framework
- FARM BILL
- Parole CP
- States CP
- T LPR
- Presumption against K affs
- Midterms
- 2020
- Infrastructure
- Citizenship CP
- Cap
- psycho set col
- land based set col
- psycho
- storytelling
- turtle island CP
- 3 tier
- Schlag
- Time
- ASPEC
- T enact
Applies to all:
Debate is pretty cool. It has some characteristics that make it unique. It's a competitive game, it's like a sport in that respect. It's a speech game, it's where two teams of two perform in front of each other and in front of the judge. It's not just speech either, it's an interactive experience between two teams where one teams performance uniquely changes the performance and content of the next team's speech. Debate is also the ground to advocate for what YOU care about, or perhaps explore some arguments on the other side of the library you haven't debated before.
Debate's what you make of it.
GLHF, lmk if you have questions.
also lol im in pacific time so morning rounds are real rough.
PF:
1) have an email chain or otherwise send evidence in some manner, my email is : larrylin57@gmail.com
2) speak with confidence but not arrogance, I'm sentient, not stupid (probably)
3) do clear line by line so it's easy for me to track arguments throughout the debate
4) be respectful of people, no isms here. also be polite and not rude
5) summary and FF, tell me a story. have some flair, have some fun, and have a coherent story.
6) keep weird math and fudging evidence to a minimum. I guess if I don't catch you it's fine? But if I do I won't be pleased.
7) some of these tournaments and topics can get very . . . stale. if you can intrigue me with your arguments while still debating well, I will be very happy.
8) glhf! lmk if you have any questions. I'd be happy to answer them!
9) I've found on several occasions that teams don't really have much offense in their FFs. This seems odd. Have offense in your FF and probably frontload it.
Hi!
I've debated and judged at 50+ uni and high school tournaments before on BP, AP, WSDC and PF formats.
My judging habit is to record nearly every single word debaters say and then cautiously evaluate how each part of speeches functions on each clash, regardless of your speaking rate.
1. I don't automatically believe assertions as valid/strong arguments, unless they're proven or supported. Don't worry! It doesn't mean extra burdens on supporting every sentence you say.
But I suggest you to offer your understanding for the materials you use & minimum explanations & mechanism & analysis & reasoning.
2. I believe warrants should effectively support your stance, not just be listed.
I am a flow judge. when speaking, please speak clearly. Make sure to mention the main arguments in your summary speech first before bringing them to your final focus speech.
I am a first time parent judge but have a little knowledge on PF.
First, please be respectful and kind to your opponents.
Second, speak clearly and at a reasonable pace. Otherwise, I may not hear what you're saying.
Third, please signpost your arguments in a logical flow.
Finally, some technical guidelines:
1. Please don't run progressive arguments, as I'm unlikely to understand them.
2. Use cross as a time to ask questions, not make points. I will not evaluate it (except for respectfulness), and if a point is important, bring it up in a speech.
3. Don't read offensive overviews in first rebuttal. It's already hard enough to respond to 8 minutes of speech in 4.
4. Please weigh and make my decision easy.
I will evaluate both based on how you debate but also the validity of your points. Be honest, as I will take a look at contentious cards after the round.
Name: Lillian Lung
School Affiliation: Stuyvesant High School
Please signpost.
I'm a former high school debater from Thales Academy Apex and thoroughly enjoy the skill and sportsmanship that is present during a debate. I believe the ability to entertain and determine its value without bias is a sign of great skill.
I want solid arguments backed up by air tight evidence. Debaters should be courteous when defending their argument but show determination. Dropping arguments and spreading are things that I do not appreciate.
Above all else face your opponent's argument clearly and directly. Do not play around it and endlessly clash over definitions as this does a disservice to the art of debate.
Hello Debaters!
Good for you at checking paradigms.... I judge several different types of debate:
As a communicator, you should be able to adapt to your audience...ie Judge.
Have fun! Debate is a wonderful activity where you can be smart, have fun, and learn at the same time.
Some items I think you should be aware of that I think weakens your presentation:
Being rude, forgetting to tag your cards, not having cards formatted correctly, and not making some kind of eye contact with judge during cross.
DO NOT say please vote for Aff/NEG...your argumentation and evidence should demonstrate your side should win.
Things to help your presentation: Smile, being polite, and organizing your arguments with internal signposting...sharing cards and evidence before using them.
Public Forum- DO NOT PROVIDE AN OFF TIME ROADMAP- I do not need it.
Please have started the email chain and flipped as soon as you can.
include me in the email chain macleodm@friscoisd.org
Or use a speech drop
General Ideas
There is not enough time in PF for effective theory/K to run. I will not vote for you if tricks or theory are your only arguments. I expect the resolution to be debated and there needs to be clash.
I think you should be frontlining offense (turns and disads) in rebuttal. Straight up defense does not need to be frontlined, but I do think it's strategic. Summary to final focus extensions should be consistent for the most part. Overall, the rule of thumb is that the earlier you establish an argument and the more you repeat it, the more likely I will be to vote for it, i.e., it's strategic to weigh in rebuttal too, but it's not a dealbreaker for me if you don't.
To me warrants matter more than impacts. You need both, but please please extend and explain warrants in each speech. Even if it's dropped, I'll be pretty hesitant to vote on an argument if it's not explained in the second half of the round. Also, I have a relatively high standard for what a case extension should look like, so err on the side of caution and just hit me with a full re-explanation of the argument or I probably won't want to vote for you.
The most important thing in debate is comparing your arguments to theirs. This doesn't mean say weighing words like magnitude and poverty and then just extending your impacts, make it actually comparative please.
Technical Debate
I can flow most of the speed in PF, but you shouldn't be sacrificing explanation or clarity for speed.
I will try my best to be "tech over truth", but I am a just a mom of two five year olds and I do have my own thoughts in my head. To that end, my threshold for responses goes down the more extravagant an argument is.
If you want me to call for a piece of evidence, tell me to in final focus please.
If you have any questions, feel free to ask me before the round.
Policy I am a stock issues judge when adjudicating Policy. I am fine with speed/spreading with signposting and roadmaps.
I can't stand the K. Please don't run one. Debate the resolution or run a T argument but very rarely will I vote off case arguments.
Parli/World Schools- Need to see fully developed warrants, impacts and confidence. I love stories and learning new TRUE stuff...
LD- I love debates about Criterion and no neg cases are great if ran with logic, links, and detailed examples. Tell stories. I will buy it if presented professionally and with logic. I need weighing of worlds and chrystalization.
Congress- Please make sure to reference previous representatives speeches and show me you have been flowing and are responding to what has been said in round.
Showing decorum and being polite- like thanking the previous representative always a good thing :)
PLEASE DO NOT ask if I am ready- I am always ready or I will say to please wait.
World Schools- I love the decorum/Parli element and terminology usage. Attacking the premise of arguments, call out logical fallacies, and weigh the worlds please....Make sure to give examples that are not just made up- I know Harvard studies everything, but please refrain from making stuff up.
I do appreciate puns/tasteful humor and use those POI requests and answers strategically.
Hailing from Asia, I have roughly half a decade of experience navigating Indian, Asian and Australian debating circuits, in many capacities, including speaking as well as adjudicating.
Vaguely, I just look for the following qualities in debates as a judge, which convince me to give a ballot in a particular team's favor.
1. Logical reasoning/links and mechanisms which lead to the consequences you want to put forth.
This roughly translates to simply linking arguments/claims and/or evidences (depending upon the format) to buttress and reinforce your impacts that would win you a round.
2. Clear communication and simple language.
This is more of a tip than as a requirement. I know we sometimes think that superior language and vocabulary can make you sound smart, but it is always better and effective when you can communicate your stand using simple language making your claims/arguments much more accessible to people across the room, be it your opponents or the judges.
Thats it. Debating is easy. It should be just as simple as the above two cardinal principles to be guided by, to win a round/tournament.
That being said, please do not tweak your techniques just to impress me in your rounds and be comfortable with the way you debate.
Who am I:
MS CS. I build AI models in industry
7 Years of Debate mainly in public forum.
I am used to national circuit public forum. I won PKD Nationals in college public forum twice.
-------------------
Public Forum
I will do my best to come into the debate with no preconceived notions of what public forum is supposed to look like.
Tech > Truth unless the flow is so damn messy that I am forced to go truth > tech to prevent myself from letting cardinal sins go.
Here's the best way to earn my ballot:
1) Win the flow. I will almost entirely vote off the flow at the end of the debate. If it's not in the FF I won't evaluate it at the end of the day.
2) Impact out what you win on the flow. I don't care if your opponents clean concede an argument that you extend through every speech if you don't tell me why I should care.
3) Clash with your opponent. Just because you put 5 attacks on an argument doesn't mean it has been dealt with if your attacks have no direct clash with the argument. If you are making an outway argument, tell me and I can evaluate it as such!
4) Please.. PLEASE extend your arguments from summary to final focus. Public forum is a partner event for a reason. i don't want two different stories from your side of the debate. Give me an argument, extend it through all your speeches and that's how you gain offense from it at the end of the day.
K's/Theory
I am fine with K's but please be aware of the following:
Y'all this isn't policy. It's public forum where you have potentially 4 minutes to detail a K, link your opponents to it, and impacted it out. This doesn't mean I won't evaluate and potentially vote on a K, rather I would caution against running a K just to say you ran a K in public forum.
Theory makes debate a better space. Don't abuse it
Speed
I can keep up with pretty much whatever you throw at me. Signposting is critical but in the rare case I have trouble I will drop my pen and say clear to give you a notice.
Plan's/Counterplans
I will drop you if you run one of these. This is public forum.
Speaker Points
Speaker points will be given with a couple points of consideration:
1) Logic. Anyone can yell cards 100mph at the top of their lungs. Speaker points will be higher for individuals who actually use logic to back up their evidence. Honestly you should be using logic anyways.
2) Signposting and clarity: Organization and well-built arguments are key in PF and.. ya know.. life.
3) Coding jokes. I am a computer scientist and will probably lose it (.5 SP bump for adaptation)
Calling for evidence
I will only call for evidence that is contended throughout the round, with that being said if you want me to call for evidence, tell me to call for it and what is wrong with it so I don't have to throw my own judgement in.
Any other questions ask me in round!
Lincoln Douglas:
I have judged quite a bit of Lincoln Douglas in Idaho; however, I am primarily a national circuit Public Forum Coach. I have will no problem following your on-case argumentation. K's, while I have introductory knowledge about, are not my speciality and please adjust accordingly.
I have no problem with counter plans in LD and I will come into the round with an open mind of how LD is supposed to look.
4 Tips for me:
1. Win the flow by extending your arguments and collapsing on key voters.
2. I could care less if you win the value/c debate unless you tell me why it ties to your impacts in a unique scope that your opponent does not.
3. Coding jokes get a .5 SP bump for adaption. (I am a computer scientist and believe adaptation is important to public speaking. But you won't be penalized for this haha)
4. Have fun!
If you have any questions please feel free to ask!
Policy
I have judged well over 50 policy rounds in Idaho; however, I have never judged national circuit (TOC) policy. What does this mean for your adaption to me?
Add me to the email chain marckade@isu.edu
1. Run whatever you want. I have no problem with K's or any other argument some local circuits believe to be kryptonite. I believe debate is a game that has real world implications. I am tech > truth. See #3 for more info
2. I have ZERO issue with fast paced, spreading of disads, on case, and generic off-case positions such as counterplans. You can go as fast as you want on these as long as you are clear in the tagline.
3. If you decide to run something fancy (K's), you will need to slow down a little bit. I have judged K debate, but it is not my specialty and I am not up to date with the literature. But I believe most K's to be fascinating and I wish I judged them more. The most important thing you can do to help me vote for your K is EXPLAIN the links. Links are everything to me <3
Please ask specific questions should you have them. Prefer substantive debates. And, fully support teams who take the initiative to stop rounds when concerned re: evidence ethics (the instructions are fully detailed in the NSDA High School Event Manual, pp. 30-33). On Theory and other such arguments in Public Forum Debate:
https://www.vbriefly.com/2021/04/15/equity-in-public-forum-debate-a-critique-of-theory/
I tend to favor speakers who speak a bit slower!
I competed in Public Forum Debate, Extemporaneous Speaking, and sadly some degree of Congressional Debate throughout high school. I also competed once in World Schools Debate at NSDAs.
I'm willing to hear any type of argument as long as it is presented in a logical & respectful manner...if you are going into my round aware that your arguments are not run-of-the-mill please please please be careful with how you present them...you do not want to leave me with questions about what your argument is while listening to your case because I'm going to get distracted by my own questions and then I will miss your second link, your first impact, etc.
In regards to more specific preferences, look below:
- I do not like spreading at all, especially in an online format where audio can be sketch...if you are spreading, I am going to be at least subliminally primed to favor your opponents so probably avoid doing it...
- If you're 1st Speaking in the round and terminal defense was not contested by your opponents in 2nd Rebuttal I'd mention it in 1st Summary to make it very clear to me what happened and you're aware of it (if it is important for an RFD).
- If 2nd Speaking in the Round, you should frontline in your Rebuttal...at least respond to turns...new responses to turns in 2nd Summary are annoying
- The earlier you begin weighing the better...I want my job as a judge to be completed as soon as possible...weighing is de facto forced in PF for Summary and Final Focus, but feel free to do it in Rebuttal if you have time (if you are preoccupied with responding to their case, blocks, turns, etc., that's fine though)
- I know some judges argue against the nature of Speaker Points because they're very subjective and are a potential vehicle for biases to be expressed subliminally or deliberately, but I also think speaking style is important so...kind of conflicted about them. Generally, I'll try to give everyone higher speaks because I don't want to deal with people complaining about me. If you find a way to incorporate quality Disney movie-musical and/or Disney Channel Original Movie and/or Disney Channel Television Show references, you're likely to get a 30.
- However, if you knowingly falsify evidence, docked Speaker Points are the least of your worries...
- I appreciate solid warranting in every speech. If I don't understand an argument by Final Focus, that's on you. Ensure your links are clear and are still standing, otherwise weighing is just a waste of time.
- I generally type comments and the like during crossfire, so I am not necessarily paying the closest attention to it (first cross may be the exception as I likely won't have that many comments to write down by then)...if something important happens in cross that I should be paying attention to, reference it in a speech please. Avoid being rude or domineering in cross as well.
- People in PF I feel overuse the phrase "Our opponents dropped..."; please, only say your opponents have dropped something if they actually dropped it. Otherwise, I will get annoyed.
- If y'all are fully fighting over a piece of evidence, I may call for it...it's kind of annoying in an online format but ugh I guess its kind of my job? Request for me to call the card if it's truly of significance.
- I don't have much experience with k's, theory, etc. so like...do as you will but I would not recommend going for it.
- If you are discussing sensitive topics I highly encourage you issue a trigger warning for all those hearing / listening to your arguments.
- This is more in-person specific, but feel free to wear whatever you want in round. I remember having to stand outside the round holding my partner's bag while she was switching between slippers to heels and it's really just unnecessary...a number of my speech friends would also wear sweats/baggy clothes over their suits when walking outside, etc. Feel free to debate in that. It makes no difference to me.
I debated in Public Forum debate (2013-2017) at Western Highschool in Florida.
I have a Bachelor's degree in Political Science from the University of Florida and a Master's degree in Liberal Studies from Georgetown University. Attending Northeastern University Law School in the fall.
a couple of things:
-Y'all should be timing the debate. I am the judge, not a babysitter. I like when teams hold each other accountable.
- don't read a new contention in rebuttal. that's not going on my flow
- The first summary should extend defense if the second rebuttal frontlines the argument. I think it is strategic for the second rebuttal to respond to turns and overviews.
- My attention to crossfire will probably depend on the time of day and my current mood. Please use it strategically if not I'll probably switch to watching youtube videos. - do not just read evidence explain the evidence in your own words. Tell me why the evidence matters to me at the end of the day.
- the summary is cool and all but don't go for everything on the flow, condense the round and give me a narrative. Quality of voters> Quantity of voters.
- Weigh, weigh, weigh, weigh, weigh.
-any other questions ask me before the round
SPEAKER POINT BREAKDOWNS
"30: Excellent job, you demonstrate stand-out organizational skills and speaking abilities. Ability to use creative analytical skills and humor to simplify and clarify the round.
29: Very strong ability. Good eloquence, analysis, and organization. A couple minor stumbles or drops.
28: Above average. Good speaking ability. May have made a larger drop or flaw in argumentation but speaking skills compensate. Or, very strong analysis but weaker speaking skills.
27: About average. Ability to function well in the round, however analysis may be lacking. Some errors made.
26: Is struggling to function efficiently within the round. Either lacking speaking skills or analytical skills. May have made a more important error.
25: Having difficulties following the round. May have a hard time filling the time for speeches. Large error.
Below: Extreme difficulty functioning. Very large difficulty filling time or offensive or rude behavior."
***Speaker Points break down borrowed from Mollie Clark.***
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Hello! I am most familiar with Asian and British Parliamentary debate. I've debated extensively on the Indian and Nepalese national university debate circuits and have judged at about a dozen national or international events in BP and AP formats. I'm new to Public Forum, so I'd ask that you keep the jargon to a minimum since different debate terms can mean different things on different circuits. I appreciate the use of evidence in rounds, but you should still have an underlying warrant for any claims you're making--reading an assertion from a professor isn't meaningfully different than you making that same assertion in my view. I am new to theory and K style arguments; while I have no disposition against them, I'm not familiar with the norms or jargon behind them.
Hello, I am a parent judge.
Here is my judging philosophy:
I believe that debating is a life long skill, and I want to see some of the attributes I appreciate in the round.
First, speaking with clarity, confidence, and consistent speed. Be dynamic in your speeches, and emphasize major parts. I also appreciate quick thinking, teamwork, research, preparedness. I want to see your team try to lead the debate and be ahead perceptually.
At the end of the round, I believe that focusing on a few arguments is better than reading many arguments. I really appreciate all the hard work! I am excited to judge your round.
Best of luck!
As a judge, it is my priority to create a safe space for speakers to grow and to have fun.
I have been in debating game for 6 years now as a speaker and judge. I have coached a provincial team and currently the shadow coach for the South African national team.
Things I like to see in speeches are a well understanding of the topic , strategic awareness and being able to adapt your case and responses to what is most contentious in the debate.
Hi - judge's daughter writing his paradigm for him.
Arguments: He's a pretty no-BS guy - if you're running a super niche argument chances are he isn't going to buy it unless it's really well warranted. He really likes the obvious (stock) arguments and you'll find the easiest way to his ballot is the most apparent reasons why to affirm/negate or really well warranted niche stuff.
Speed: He has a low tolerance for fast speed and you're going to lose him if you get anywhere close to spreading - talk at a pace like you would in a conversation. If you need to read your case any faster, send him the link so he can flow it properly.
Flowing: I did teach him how to flow :) so he will be actively flowing! He's less of an impact voter and more of a logic voter - this isn't to say quantified impacts don't help but don't just yell random numbers at him. General piece of advice for all debaters.
Postrounding: PLEASE don't postround him - it's rude and disrespectful. Public forum was made for the public so if he couldn't understand your argument it's your fault, not his.
Speaks: His "average debater" is a 28. He will add or subtract points if he found you to be worse or better than the 'average'.
Anyway, good luck debating and have fun!
With a cumulative 13+ years of experience across multiple formats (CX, LD, PF, WSDC, Congress, BP, AP, etc) and across multiple circuits (5 continents), I like to think that I've seen it all, so I'll keep it simple.
I value and reward consistency in logic. The less logical leaps in your argument, the better.
Analyze everything, don't make assumptions.
Rebuttals should be thorough.
Don't make up evidence, I wouldn't hesitate to call for cards if something doesn't add up.
Cross (or POI in WSDC/BP) is also part of the debate, take it very seriously.
Be kind and respect your opponents.
Been judging debate (PF and LD only) for almost 20 years. Coached PF at Cary Academy last year. While I try to stay up on the "technical stuff," to me, this misses the point of debate as an educational or, for that matter, a persuasive activity. So, while I can probably follow whatever case you want to run, put me in the truth (vs tech) camp. Running a well executed rhetorically sound argument will be the best way to win my ballot.
As for style, clear communications will win the day. Can probably flow at whatever speed you choose to run, but I don't value quantity over quality, whereas I do value clarity over vagary.
In addition to advancing rhetorically sound arguments, I expect debaters to find the clash in the round and give me a standard with which to weigh it. Don't expect me to do that work for you. You don't want me imposing my sensibilities by picking some arbitrary standard for the round. Moreover, between two sound cases, I will prefer any reasonable standard to no standard at all (even for an otherwise compelling/sound cases). Word of caution, though, don't let the round devolve into a pure weighing debate. At the end of the day, I will vote for the side that presents the most compelling case for affirming or negating the resolution.
I have judged debate since 2001. From 2014-2021 I coached Public Forum and Speech events. I retired after 8 years as the Co-Director of Speech and Debate at Cary Academy in North Carolina in 2021.
DEBATE: In debate (LD/PF) I look for clear claims, evidence and links to logical, clear impacts showing contextual analysis. I flow each round and look for you to bring your arguments through the round, tell me the clash and how I should weigh.
I judge as if this activity is preparing you for the real world. I won't flow what I have to work too hard to follow or translate (read speed). Asking for evidence for common sense issues won't count either. You can use flow jargon, but tell me why. You want me to flow across the round? cross apply? for instance, tell me why. Don't exaggerate your evidence. Finally - I'm not here to show you how smart or clever I am by pretending to understand some sesquipedalian or sophomoric arguments (see what I did there?)- that means. 1.) do a kritik and you are going to lose because you failed to acknowledge that ideas can conflict and are worthy of discussion; 2.) "the tech over truthers" and other silly judging paradigms don't make you a more articulate conveyor of ideas once you have to "adult". I will know the topic, but judge like a lay judge. Convince me. Have fun and enjoy the activity!
CONGRESS: Well researched unique takes on a resolution are important. Simple stock arguments and analysis is easy. I look for you to look deeper into the consequences/outcome of passage. Don't rehash, not only is it boring but it suggests you needed to listen more closely. Refutation of previous speeches shows careful analysis in the moment and it shows you have more than the case you wrote the night before (even if you did :)). Presentation is also important. I don't like BS for the sake of being a good presenter but a balance of solid research, thoughtful analysis, ambitious and relevant refutation from a persuasive speaker will get high marks!
I'm pretty new to debate - this is my third year judging
- Please talk in a way I can understand (not too fast, not too much debate jargon, etc.)
- As I'm new to debate, just saying things like "nonunique" or "link-turn" mean absolutely nothing to me, EXPLAIN WHAT YOU ARE SAYING PLEASE
- Despite the fact that I'm a parent judge, I will be judging how you debate not what you say, so do with that what you will
- I might call for evidence if something is fishy (so don't be fishy)
- Above all else, be respectful, nice, and cordial to your fellow debaters. Let's all have a good time with this!
My name is Sapna Palla. I am a lay/parent judge and not a seasoned debater or debate judge - so not a great judge for spreading strategies. I encourage you to speak slowly, loudly and logically so that I may follow your arguments and properly account for them. To me, good reasoning supported by solid evidence is what wins. I believe that talking over your opponents or treating them in a disrespectful fashion detracts from your argument and from the high level of discourse we all seek.
This is my fifth year as a parent speech and debate judge, most of which has been spent judging public forum and lincoln douglas debate.
Please be respectful of your opponent and your judge. Please follow the rules and treat everyone fairly.
I appreciate speaking that is reasonably paced so that I can follow your arguments, so a little quicker than conversation-paced speaking works best for me. You will have enough time to make your arguments without rushing through them. I will listen carefully to your evidence, and to me, a few pieces of strong evidence are far superior to a lot of weak evidence.
I have little knowledge of your topic and have not prepped so do not assume that I know the literature, arguments, or acronyms.
Please convince me with good evidence and a carefully made argument.
- Competed in PF and Public Speaking in HS
- jasminejw.park@mail.utoronto.ca
- Send me an email before/after rounds if you have questions; feel free to use this email for an email chain
- Minimal spreading is fine but if I can't understand you, it won't end up on my flow
- Clear taglines are helpful
- Tech > Truth
- Weigh in FF with voters!
- I don't flow crossfire; mention it in rebuttal/summary/FF if you want it to go on my flow
- If it takes you more than 5 minutes to find a card, you don't have it
- If you're asking for every single evidence and I don't see why you needed it, it won't benefit you
- Be respectful during the debate
I am a fair open-minded judge who is able to discern a good argument, and have on many occasions awarded the debate win to a contention I do not personally agree with. A debate should be decided on who was more convincing regardless of the judges personal views. It is important I can understand you so that I can effectively judge your argument against your opponent, so speed is not as important as being articulate.
I believe that an argument should be well thought out, well structured, and cogent. I do prefer a fairly bullet-proof framework on which to hang the contentions and I am open to theoretical foundations once that framework has been articulated and defined, but ultimately a contention supported by facts and figures is more convincing as it is more quantifiable and less subjective.
I like to see debaters who challenge their opponents on their points with a crafty and well-timed rebuttals, in other words, able to think on their feet. I listen, take copious notes, and when I give my decision, I clearly state why I picked one side over the other.
Hey!
The most important thing to know if you're going to be debating in my room is how much I value fair and thorough engagements! This looks like making concessions where necessary (when the cases have been properly analyzed and are logical) and engaging in fair and charitable comparisons.
Next up, don't be rude or disrespectful! Avoid racist and discriminatory slurs. I am more than willing to penalize debaters on this basis.
Thirdly, I am fully cognizant of the fact that speakers have a lot of material to cover in such a small time, but please make sure you don't excessively speed through those arguments! DO NOT SPREAD. If I can't hear it in your speech, I will not flow. Please speak clearly so your opponents and I understand you.
Finally, always be conscious of your burdens in the debate and do justice to them. Do not merely assert, justify those claims.
Good luck!
I have recently completed my undergraduate degree in political science where I participated in various governmental simulations (i.e. Model United Nations and Canadian Parliament Simulations). I have also been a member of Toastmasters since 2019, which is an international nonprofit educational organization that operates clubs worldwide for the purpose of promoting communication, public speaking and leadership. I have been an adjudicator mainly for Public Forum, British Parliament, and Canadian National Debate styles. For the most part, I tend to approach debates with a very pedestrian perspective since I am still relatively new to the world of debate. Regardless, these are a few things I like to see throughout a PF debate:
1. Speed is okay with me as long as I can clearly hear your words.
2. If possible, I also appreciate clearly seeing the speakers fully on the screen. I really appreciate it when speakers have "stage" (or rather, "zoom") presence (a.k.a, great use of ethos), but I understand if there are technical difficulties that would get in the way of this. Above all, I would never let this have an impact on the final outcome.
3. Arguments should be perfectly clear with a detailed and original analysis.
4. Arguments should be soundly and irreparably clashed.
5. Speech structure should be clearly laid out at the beginning and followed to the letter, ensuring that speeches finish exactly as the timer expires with no second rushed or wasted.
6. I really love when the speech is fluent and it's an added bonus if the speaker shows a wide range of vocabulary and idioms. Furthermore, the speaker can also use wit, tone, and volume to appropriately emphasize arguments.
7. Overall, clarity is key. I like to remind debaters to remember the public in Public Forum. Imagine that you're trying to convince the general public.
8. I encourage debaters not to feel intimidated by me because it's quite honestly the opposite!
I am a parent judge and am new to judging debate rounds. As a result of this I may not be familiar with certain debate terms, so please bear this in mind when speaking. Please avoid spreading and make your arguments as clear as possible.
My general philosophy is run whatever you want, do it as fast as you want, just be clear. I will vote on just about anything except racist, sexist, homophobic etc arguments.
Here are a few notes about how I evaluate arguments:
Topicality -- I vote on it. I do not have any "threshold" for topicality -- either the aff is topical or it is not. That said, for me in evaluating topicality, the key is the interpretation. The first level of analysis is whether the aff meets the neg interpretation. If the aff meets the neg interpretation, then the aff is topical. I have judged far too many debates where the negative argues that their interpretation is better for education, ground etc, but does not address why the aff meets the negative interpretation and then is angry when I vote affirmative. For me if the aff meets the neg interpretation that is the end of the topicality debate.
If the aff does not meet, then I need to decide which interpretation is better. The arguments about standards should relate 1) which standards are more important to evaluate and 2) why either the negative or affirmative interpretation is better in terms of those standards (for example, not just why ground is a better standard but why the affirmative or negative interpretation is better for ground). Based on that, I can evaluate which standards to use, and which interpretation is better in terms of those standards. I admit the fact that I am a lawyer who has done several cases about statutory interpretation influences me here. I see the resolution as a statement that can have many meanings, and the goal of a topicality debate is to determine what meaning is best and whether the affirmative meets that meaning.
I will listen to critiques of the notion of topicality and I will evaluate those with no particular bias either way.
Theory -- Its fine but please slow down if you are giving several rapid fire theory arguments that are not much more than tags. My default is the impact to a theory argument is to reject the argument and not the team. If you want me to put the round on it, I will but I need more than "voter" when the argument is presented. I need clearly articulated reasons why the other team should lose because of the argument.
Disadvantages and counterplans are fine. Although people may not believe it, I am just as happy judging a good counterplan and disad debate as I am judging a K debate. I have no particular views about either of those types of arguments. I note however that I think defensive arguments can win positions. If the aff wins there is no link to the disad, I will not vote on it. If the neg wins a risk of a link, that risk needs to be evaluated against the risk of any impacts the aff wins. Case debates are good too.
Ks: I like them and I think they can be good arguments. I like specific links and am less pursuaded by very generic links such as "the state is always X." Unless told otherwise, I see alternatives to K's as possible other worlds that avoid the criticism and not as worlds that the negative is advocating. With that in mind, I see K's differently than counterplans or disads, and I do not think trying to argue Kritiks as counterplans (floating PIC arguments for example) works very well, and I find critical debates that devolve into counterplan or disad jargon to be confusing and difficult to judge, and they miss the point of how the argument is a philosophical challenge to the affirmative in some way. Framework arguments on Ks are fine too, although I do not generally find persuasive debate theory arguments that Kritiks are bad (although I will vote on those if they are dropped). However, higher level debates about whether policy analysis or critical analysis is a better way to approach the world are fine and I will evaluate those arguments.
Non-traditional affs: I am open to them but will also evaluate arguments that they are illegitimate. I think this is a debate to have (although I prefer juding substantive debates in these types of rounds). I tend to think that affs should say the topic is true in some way (not necessarily a plan of action) but I have and will vote otherwise depending on how it is debated. I do remain flow-centric in these debates unless there are arguments otherwise in the debate.
Hey, I'm Chris, and I debated for Newark Science for four years in LD and Policy. To start, I'd like to say that although I was known as a particular kind of debater, I encourage you to do what you can do the best, whether that be Kant, theory, performance, etc.
As a common rule, please don't go your top speed at the beginning of your speeches. Go slower and build up speed so I can get accustomed to your voice. I've had times where debaters started at their top speed, which wasn't really that fast, but I wasn't accustomed to their voice at all, so I missed a few of their arguments. To prevent this, please don't start blazing fast. Build up to your top speed.
I've come to realize I am probably one of the worst flowers in the activity. This doesn't mean I won't hold you to answering arguments but it does mean that I am far less likely to get a 5 point response than the next person. Take that as you will.
I'm far from a tabula rasa judge; if you say or do anything that reinforces racist, heterosexist, ableist norms then I will vote against you. This is not to say that you'll always lose Kant against Wilderson; rather, it's about the way in which you frame/phrase your arguments. If you say "Kantianism does x, y, and z, which solves the K" then I'm more willing to vote for you than if you say "Kant says empirical realities don't matter therefore racism doesn't exist or doesn't matter"
On that note, I'm an advocate of argument engagement rather than evasion. I understand the importance of "preclusion" arguments, but at the point where there are assertions that try to disregard entire positions I must draw a line. I will be HIGHLY skeptical of your argument that "Util only means post-fiat impacts matters therefore disregard the K because it's pre-fiat." I'm also less likely to listen to your "K>Theory" dump or vice versa. Just explain how your position interacts with theirs. I'm cool with layering, in fact I encourage layering, but that doesn't mean you need to make blanket assertions like "fairness is an inextricable aspect of debate therefore it comes before everything else" I'd rather you argue "fairness comes before their arguments about x because y."
I think that theory debates should be approached holistically, the reason being that often times there are one sentence "x is key to y" arguments and sometimes there are long link chains "x is key to y which is key to z which is key to a which is key to fairness because" and I guarantee I will miss one of those links. So, please please please, either slow down, or have a nice overview so that I don't have to call for a theory shell after the round and have to feel like I have to intervene.
These are just some of my thoughts. If I'm judging you at camp, do whatever, don't worry about the ballot. As I judge more I'll probably add to this paradigm. If you have any specific questions email me at cfquiroz@gmail.com
UPDATE: I will not call for cards unless
a) I feel like I misflowed because of something outside of the debater's control
b) There is a dispute over what the evidence says
c) The rhetoric/non underlined parts of the card become relevant
Otherwise, I expect debaters to clearly articulate what a piece of evidence says/why I should vote for you on it. This goes in line with my larger issue of extensions. "Extend x which says y" is not an extension. I want the warrants/analysis/nuance that proves the argument true, not just an assertion that x person said y is true.
Was in PF for 3 years and I competed on the local and national circuit. Flow judge.
I will always evaluate the framework first and then look towards who best provides offense under the framework. PLEASE COLLAPSE, going for everything in round takes away from your ability to provide a narrative for your arguments. I will only vote on an argument if it’s present in both summary and final focus. That means extending both the warrant, giving a detailed analysis, and the impacts of the argument. Extending card tags alone is not enough. Most importantly, Weigh. If neither of the teams weigh, I’ll be forced to intervene and determine what I think is more important, which you might not necessarily agree with in the end. On a final note, I'm a stickler with evidence, meaning I appreciate evidence that explicitly says what it is that you are trying to communicate in the round; I appreciate logical analysis as well, but there are some instances where having both may serve to benefit you. Probably didn't cover everything so feel free to ask any specific questions before the round.
Good Luck Debaters,
I look forward to listening to your debate.
It will help me to listen well and make decision if you could
- speak clearly, slowly
- demonstrate team work within your team
- respect your opponent team
- show passion towards your case through precise arguments
Hi! This is her daughter! My mom is a typical lay judge whose main focus when choosing the winner is on HOW you speak (a.k.a DELIVERY OF SPEECH).
She listens to the quality of responses > quantity and also flows down which responses you extend through final focus.
Have fun! :))
Parent Judge. Relatively New. Speak slowly and clearly. Make sure you explain your points and the topic well.
Parent judge, no topical knowledge. Don't spread and be civil during cross.
I am a parent judge. I prefer clear, concise arguments over speed (please no spreading). Use signposting - it will help me remember and understand your argument. Do not use debate jargon and keep your own time. Be civil and show respect for your opponents. Good luck!
I am a parent judge. I don’t have high school or college experience in debate. I have judged a few tournaments, in LD and PF over the past 3 years.
I value arguments that are clearly articulated and presented (please do not spread), logically constructed, and are aware of their premises and implications. I also value sound evidence.
I appreciate courtesy and sportsmanship.
Finally and most importantly, I want you to have fun. If you do, I do too!
Used to do Extemp and Congress
I'm more on the lay side and will give the win to whichever team is able to structure and develop their argument better. Impacts and warrants are key and weighing is even more important for me. I don't care much for the persuasive element, just make sure your impacts and warrants are clear throughout the debate. I will take anything said in crossfire into consideration
spreading: If I can't understand you, I can't vote for you
No theory pls
Goes without saying but be respectful throughout the round (and outside of the round too). Don't be disrespectful otherwise your team will lose the debate regardless of how the round went. (please dont put me in that position!)
Here's how I give my speaks:
24> : something offensive or you're just not trying at all
25-26: pretty big issues with speeches throughout round
26-27: Decent speeches, still could use a lot of work
27-28.5: average or above average speeches. Overall good job
28.5-30: great speeches
I competed in public forum debate for 4 years at Poly Prep (2014-2018), coached Lake Mary Prep HM (2018-2019), and currently coach Poly Prep (2019-2021).
Add me to the email chain: hschloss2@gmail.com
Warrant your turns
Do comparative weighing
Tell me why your evidence is better
Bad evidence bad speaks
Hi. I am new to debate. I am a parent judge. Please speak slowly and make sure your arguments are clear and logical.
I am a flow judge and am looking for
1. solid logic and reasoning;
2. strong advocacy of your position;
3. clever usage of your evidence and your opponent's;
4. clear communication;
5. I am open to new ideas and out-of-the-box thinking;
6. and, I prefer dialogue to monologue after the initial phase of constructives.
Good luck everyone!!
I did PF for four years, graduating in 2021. I qualified to Gold TOC and Nationals and finaled Blake and Harvard my senior year, so I can keep up with most rounds.
Tech > Truth
I'll vote for anything, but there is an inherent burden of proof that needs to be met for me to consider an argument. I won't assume something functions as offense/defense solely because you tell me it does.
I'm not super strict on evidence ethics. I think it's very easy to respond to evidence the way you respond to any other argument, and I encourage you to do so. Paraphrasing is totally fine. It's more realistic, and you have to actually understand the content. I've seen way more evidence ethics issues with cut cards than paraphrased evidence. That said, please still have all your cards cut so evidence sharing runs smoothly. If you take too long, I'll dock speaks. I'll only call for evidence if it's disputed, and I actually need to read it to make a decision.
I have a surface-level understanding of progressive arguments (Theory, K, etc.). I understand the basics, but if you read them, there needs to be a lot of warranting. I will not vote for your argument if your warranting is just a bunch of jargon smushed together. Generally, I think paraphrasing is fine and disclosure is good, but I can be convinced either way.
If you're going to read an actual warranted framework, it needs to be read by first rebuttal at the latest. "Offensive overviews" in second rebuttal are dumb, and my threshold for a good response is much lower.
evidence < warrant < evidence + warrant
Cross doesn't matter (I'll still listen), but concessions are binding. Also, please be nice, it's really not that hard.
Frontline in second rebuttal. Conceded defense doesn't need to be extended in first summary (but definitely in FF)
Earlier the weighing the better. I'll allow new weighing in first final if there's no other weighing in the round, but nothing expanding on existing weighing (no new evidence, prereq analysis, etc.)
If you're going to do weighing, please do more than just pointing out that your impact number is larger. Obviously, I'll still evaluate it, but I want actual comparisons between arguments. Weighing impacts on probability makes no sense, please stop doing it. Strength of link means nothing to me if I don't have some kind of metric for comparing the strength of different links and a reason for why I should care about a link's relative strength.
I prefer slower tech rounds. Speed is still totally fine, just remember that the faster you go, the more likely it is that I miss something, and I'm not flowing off a speech doc. If you go fast in the first half, please at least slow down a little in the back half, especially in final focus.
If you don't signpost in summary and final focus, I will have no idea what is going on in the round, especially if you're going super fast and ignoring the line-by-line
I don't flow card names. If you say a card name, you need to tell me what the card says (including when you're extending stuff in sum/ff).
Please time each other. No grace period, finish what you were saying if you started before time was up, anything else won't be flowed
Extend the full link chain + warrants + evidence for whatever argument you're collapsing on in both summary and final focus. I will not evaluate something if it's not in both speeches or you just skip over your entire link story. Please don't make me drop you because you didn't extend something.
Pleeeeeease collapse.
Nothing new in summary or final focus unless it's responding to something new the other team read in their previous speech, except for weighing.
I default first speaking team.
I start at 28 speaks, and I'll go up or down based on how well I can understand you and how well you debate. Debating well with poor clarity warrants higher speaks than speaking clearly but debating poorly. I will probably give somebody a 30. I won't go lower than 27 unless you say something bigoted or are just straight up being mean.
Post rounding is fine. If you really think you won, odds are I missed something because you went too fast, and it was super blippy.
You don't have to call me judge, Arjun is fine and kinda preferred
For email chains, use arjunrsingh333@gmail.com
If you have any other questions, you can ask me before the round. I am willing to change any part of my paradigm if both teams agree (speech times are non-negotiable).
TL;DR
Extend through summary/final focus and weigh to win
Did Policy Debate in the late 90s & coached Policy and then later LD in the 00s. In the past 12 years, I've almost exclusively coached Speech events at Lakeville North High School. I taught at Gustavus speech and PF camps when those were still around and have been teaching Extemp Speaking at ISD the past six summers.
If I'm judging you in a Debate round, please know that the time I've spent away from Debate means I'm not necessarily familiar with how practices for each of the events have evolved. If fast and technical are your preferred style, I'll try to keep up but no promises that I can entirely. Podcasts at 2.5x aren't quite the same so you may need to watch and adjust. Chances are I'm unfamiliar with topic-specific lit or whatever critical lit is currently in style so you may need to do more connecting of the dots in order to keep me on the same page as you. For familiarity and thresholds for types of arguments, ask before the round.
Go slow. Be clear. Be nice.
If you would like more, I have written detailed paradigms for each style I judge:
Standard Flow Judge, Ex-PF Debater, a little bit rusty
I am a parent judge and not a seasoned debater or debate judge - so not a great judge for spreading strategies. I encourage you to speak slowly, loudly and logically so that I may follow your arguments and properly account for them. To me, good reasoning supported by solid evidence is what wins. I believe that talking over your opponents or treating them in a disrespectful fashion detracts from your argument and from the high level of discourse we all seek.
Please add me to the email chain at hotdragontea@gmail.com
Experience: CX for 5 years (Grade 6-10), PF for 2 years (Grade 10-11), World Schools (Grade 12)
Furthest I’ve Gone in Tournaments: Taiwan Nationals Winner/Top Speaker 2015 in CX and Quarterfinals in TOC PF Silver in 2016
Judging Style: I am a flow heavy judge. However, I will only write down what you say and will make judgments based on your arguments only. For example, if your opponent double-turns themself but you don't address it, I will not count it against your opponent. I will only use my own judgment and experience if both sides have equal arguments.
Frameworks: If you have a framework, I will judge based on it. If you have a framework and your opponent doesn't bring up a counter-framework, the debate will be judged based on your framework.
Theory/Kritiks: I am okay with theory but will need you to explain it carefully. Do not play the theory game if you are unable to explain all your links. It is NOT my burden to understand all the possible Kritiks out there. IF I DON'T UNDERSTAND IT I WON'T VOTE FOR IT. It is your responsibility as the debater to explain the K if you run it. I do prefer DAs/CPs to Ks. I’m generally good with Marxism Ks, Feminism Ks, Ableism Ks, and Race Ks (I ran Afro-Pessimism and Afro-Nihilism in the past) but anything beyond these I’m going to need clear explanations about the theory. I also need you to have an impact on your K or else I don’t see a point in it.
LD debaters: Please do not expect me to understand every single theory thing that pops up. I'm comfortable with the basic ones used in CX, but please play safe and pretend I don't know much.
Impacts: It is extremely important to me that your case and arguments have a tangible impact. If the argument is part of a link game, that's fine but the link game must end in an impact. Do not leave me thinking so what? If that happens and the opponent makes a decent counterargument, I'll give it to them.
Speed is fine but please be clear.
I started judging this year (2021). I prefer for debaters to speak at a speed that they would use in normal conversation.
I have been a coach for over 10 years , but my team is student-led and you can consider me lay. (This was written by my students to prevent judge screws-you can thank them later.) I appreciate a more personal form of debate when it comes to judging.
Lots of eye contact with the judge (even during crossfire) and always address me as “judge” and your opponents as “my opponent (s)“ during speeches. Stand for all speeches and crosses, except grand. I will be highly inclined to vote for the other side if you do not address your opponents contentions and extend and show the impacts of your own.
Do not waste time looking for your cards. Have your cards ready and make sure that the evidence being cited is easy for your opponents to find.
During interactions with your opponents, I will dock your speaks and drop you if you act like a bully. Please, have an appropriate amount of physical desk space between you and your opponent.
When speaking, I appreciate a clear emphasis on what is important. I’ll be timing you, but please keep time for yourself.
I am a parent judge with a little bit of judging experience.
The biggest things for me that will help me in my decision:
-Please speak slowly so I can catch everything you are saying
-Lots of signposting so know what you are talking about
-Please don't leave anything unresponded to
-I value evidence, so please make sure to back up your arguments with evidence.
-Weigh your case against your opponents to really sell me on your argument
For evaluating speaks, if you speak slowly, clearly, and coherently you are sure to get good speaks
Please time one everything to make sure the debate goes smoothly
Any form of excess aggression or rudeness will result in very low speaks!
For evidence or case, docs use this email: parisvakili@hotmail.com
In Public Forum Debate, I will prioritize the students' capability in creating further analysis in regards to the facts and materials that they deliver during their speeches. Giving away facts is cool but letting people know the step-by-step process as to how the facts are materialized is even cooler. Rebuttals and responses are better to not be one-liner or "they say-we say" debate, a deeper reason to prove why your opponents are wrong will be more credited. I expect a debate where students are able to cite factual and scientific resources such as journals and papers which has gone through scientific methods and researches rather than newspaper or website, although I wouldn't penalize you just because you cite them because they may also provide important facts and information. The team that wins, would be a team that can provide more tangible examples and facts that may be impactful to us in the future.
Hello debaters. To let you know, I only have judged a few HS PF debates before. Therefore, I would like to ask for you to speak at a regular pace. The faster you speak, the less of a chance I write your arguments on the flow. Anything I dont hear, I will probably not count to the round.
Here are a few preferences of mine:
1) Please signpost. This will make it much easier for me to understand the round, and will have a beneficial impact on your speaker points
2) Dont be mean or abusive in crossfire and be courteous when talking one another. Your points will be affected by your behaviour, and I could possibly drop you because of this behaviour.
3) I value warranting over a bunch of cards. Please explain why your argument is true and dont just tell me that so and so said it. Your link chain is important
4) I prefer you to collpase on 1 argument. When you collapse, it allows me to understand why you're winning more clearly.
5) In the end, the winner of the debate will be decided by who has the most cohesive and supported argument
6) This is something I realized very recently, but I tend to not like high magnitude impacts with low probability, so please steer away from arguments like that
I am a parent judge.
There are a few things that I would like to make clear when you are debating
1. This is probably the most important thing to note on this paradigm: Please speak as clearly as possible (and please speak at a average pace) Anything I don't hear, I will not count to the round. If you spread, I will not understand anything.
2. To help me understand better, please signpost. (It will also get you get higher speaker points)
3. I will be as impartial and as fair to this topic as possible, even though i have biases. If there is an argument I think is untrue, but you still warrant it well I will count it.
4. Speaking about warranting, if you want to win the round, I don't want you to dump evidence everywhere. Explaining and warranting is more important. When comparing arguments, I will evaluate on who has the better warrant first and then the evidence second
I will evaluate the round by going through these 3 things:
1. The most important thing is how well I understand your arguments and warranting. I probably don't know a lot of terms when it comes to this topic, so please explain everything. The more I understand and the more you explain, the better your chances are.
2. I secondly evaluate by the way you respond to your opponents arguments. Please address everything so you have the best chances at winning.
3. please weigh and don't just say you outweigh. Once again explain the weighing. Being comparative is probably the most important parts of weighing.
Some additional things:
1. Don't be rude or else you get low speaks
2. I like when people are intelligent and well spoken
3. Again to reiterate, please speak at a normal understanding pace. PF was supposed to be a debate where normal people off the street can understand it, so try to meet that goal as best as possible.
I've judged in the Canadian University circuit for a while. I like cases with clear mechanisms that engage and weigh out against the other team. In general, I award wins to whichever team contributed to a higher quality of debate overall. Feel free to speak fast, although I might not flow everything if you try and speak as quickly as physically possible for a human to speak. I won't credit anything that isn't said in the round, so if a team hasn't engaged with one of your points please do point this out for me or else I may not notice. I will not read evidence unless it becomes a point of contention, so if evidence is bad please tell me why. Off-time road maps are appreciated. Any type of theory is completely fine with me.
Hi friends! My name is Abby (they/she) and I was a Public Forum debater, Extemper, and Congressional debater for just about the entirety of high school! I participated in both local and national circuits, so I will most likely have a decent idea of what you’re talking about. I was a pretty traditional debater from a pretty traditional circuit, but I’ll be able to understand just about any type of argument as long as it’s explained well. I'm also lowkey a flow judge so keep that in mind! In case you care, I’m currently a junior at the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities studying Sociology of Law, Criminology, and Justice as well as Political Science (if you have any questions about college sociology/poli sci programs or the U, I am totally willing to answer them!).
If you only have like 10 seconds before the round, quick notes:
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Be respectful!
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Include me in the email chain/evidence doc (my email is at the bottom). I <3 receiving speech docs, too.
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WEIGH!
- Tech > Truth unless it's something really silly.
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Clearly explain any theory or anything wildly non-traditional.
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Explain more complex arguments/link chains and explain them WELL.
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Evidence fraud is icky. Don't do it.
- Please turn off your ringtones/alarms!
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Spreading has no place in PF. Talking fast is fine, but make sure you're speaking at an understandable, clear pace. If you plan on exceeding 230wpm, I want a speech doc or something of the sort beforehand so I can better follow along. If I can't understand you, I can't flow.
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Treat everyone equally regardless of their identity or skill level.
- I forget to mention this before rounds but I am generally a very expressive person- please ignore my face while you're speaking, sometimes I just can't contain myself. My facial expressions are not an indication of my ballot or your performance.
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If you’re reading something potentially triggering, have a backup case ready and ask everyone in the round if they’re okay with you reading it. Don’t read overly graphic arguments in front of me. I will drop you if you read something that requires a trigger warning but is not given one. Mentioning things like war, genocide, and sexual violence is fine as long as you don't get into the nasty details without a TW.
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If you purposefully misgender or use any offensive language towards me or your opponents, I WILL drop you and give you the lowest speaks possible. Don’t even try to get away with hatred, I’ll catch it and cause problems.
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Have fun!
Long version:
Constructive:
I like framework, but I won’t die if you don’t introduce one. I was usually first speaker when I was a debater, so I get the struggle of fitting everything in within four minutes, but don’t be gasping for breath while screaming 50 different contentions at me. Also, and I can't emphasize this enough, EXPLAIN THEORY, LONG LINK CHAINS, AND ANYTHING SUPER COMPLICATED. It makes things easier for me and for your opponents. Debate isn't fun if nobody understands what's going on.
Rebuttal:
For both first and second rebuttal, address framework if one is presented in the round!! Give me reasons to prefer your framework over theirs. If you don’t, I’ll prefer your opponent’s automatically or I’ll default to a cost-benefit analysis. Use your time wisely. I don't care if the first rebuttal doesn't do any frontlining on their case, but it might be helpful to you.
CX:
Don’t be a jerk. Don’t talk over your opponents if you can help it, and please don’t yell. On the same note, don’t be afraid to be assertive! As a non-male debater, I noticed that my male opponents often overlooked me or didn’t take me seriously- don’t let them do that to you. I’ll probably pay attention to cross, but I won’t flow anything unless you explicitly bring something up in a speech. If you’re being rude or disrespectful to your opponents or partner, it’ll hurt your speaks and possibly even impact my ballot.
Summary:
WEIGH!!! I know everyone says that, but it’s super important! Remember to address everything important and set up voters for your partner’s final focus. When it comes to weighing evidence, don’t just cite the names and dates of the cards- tell me what they say and why I should prefer your card.
Final Focus:
I just want you to give me voters. Sum up the round accurately and touch on everything your partner said in summary, even if it’s just for 5 seconds. Use your time wisely.
Speaker Points:
I generally give really good speaker points as long as I feel you deserve them (I’m talking 28-30). I can handle speed for the most part, but I do believe that spreading has no place in PF. I’ll stop flowing if I cannot understand you, but I’ll let you know before it gets to that point (most likely by flailing my arms around or doing something of the sort). Just remember: I’m not stupid. Don’t treat me like I am, otherwise your speaks will suffer. Also, don’t be a jerk (if you’re really rude, I will drop you)!! Don’t throw around fancy debate language and then not elaborate. Using buzzwords like magnitude, turn, and fiat means NOTHING if you don’t explain yourself.
LD:
I've watched a total of 2 LD rounds in my entire life and only judged 1. I don't know a lot about it. If I'm judging you, I apologize. Most of what I said above applies to you, too. Just speak at a decent pace (not spreading pls) and explain everything well. We'll get through this unfortunate circumstance together.
Miscellaneous:
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I don’t tolerate hate or any bad -isms/-phobias (sexism, racism, xenophobia, etc.).
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I’ll time your speeches, but make sure to time yourself too! If you go over time, I’ll give you until the end of your sentence to finish. When it comes to cross, I'll let you finish answering the question if you go over time.
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Evidence fraud is gross. Don’t do that (I really don't want to deal with it).
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If you’re a varsity/more experienced team, DON’T be mean or condescending to a JV/novice team. They’re learning. Be good role models.
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Please please please turn off any obnoxious ringtones or notifications coming from your phone while you’re debating. They drive me absolutely crazy. That includes those annoying beeping timers.
- I will not count the time it takes to send/receive speech docs or cards as prep unless it's taking an excessively long time. Same goes for resolving tech issues.
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Don’t be afraid to make a joke, be a little bit sassy, and have fun! Debate is supposed to be educational, but that doesn’t mean it has to be boring!
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I will ALWAYS disclose after the round unless I am explicitly told not to or if extreme circumstances arise. I do not want to spend an hour after the round giving oral critiques so I'll keep it short and leave my lengthy RFD for the ballot. I will not give you my flow. They're usually incomprehensible anyways so there's no point in asking me to share it.
If you have any questions or comments, don’t be afraid to email me! I’ll do my best to respond ASAP! Include me in any email chains and/or evidence docs used in round. If you ask in round if I want to be added to the evidence doc/email chain, I’ll probably be very sad because that means you didn’t read my paradigm. :(
email: wichlacz.ab@gmail.com
I'd say I'm your typical college student judge -- looking forward to judging some quality rounds after 4 years of high school debate. For reference, I mainly competed in Congressional debate, Public Forum debate, and Extemporaneous Speaking.
For Public Forum specifically: I know the event has evolved a lot recently, but I still value more 'traditional' debate. I also strongly believe that PF should still be as easily accessible to any judge as possible (hence the name, Public Forum) i.e. I want you to do the work for me as if I was foreign to debate -- I especially love killer summaries that tell me exactly what to weigh. For crossfire, I don't flow it but I'm listening (so stay polite and composed), just bring anything relevant up in your speeches. I'll give feedback if asked at the end of a round.
I am the Scott Woods who teaches and coaches at BASIS Scottsdale in Arizona. There are others. For instance, I am not the slam poet Scott Woods (although I enjoy his work), so if you try a slam poetry case because you think that your judge is a pretty famous slam poet, you will probably be disappointed by the ballot.
About me: I teach middle school English and high school speech and debate. I competed in interp and platform events in college. I'm a Scoutmaster, a Republican, and I go to church regularly. Many people who know me don't believe that I am as conservative as I think I am.
I want the debate round to be for the benefit of the debaters. I have been coaching and judging debate for several years, mostly in PF, but some LD. I also judge policy rounds occasionally. I've judged at the TOC four times and at NSDA Nationals three times. When I judge on a panel, my decision is often different from the majority, possibly because my judging skills are so refined and subtle, or maybe for other reasons that escape me.
I think of debate as an educational game that should be fun, challenging, and life changing for the good. I don't like sneaky approaches to debate, tricks, or unsporting behavior. I especially don't like anything that attempts to achieve an unfair advantage over an opponent. Among the behaviors I don't like to see are spreading, because it seeks to gain a time advantage by squeezing more content in the given time, forcing one's opponent either to spread or to be disadvantaged, because it makes debate into a ridiculous exercise (and I consider making good things appear ridiculous in order to achieve personal gain to be bad form), and because it is aesthetically unpleasant (and I consider intentional ugliness inflicted on others to be bad form). Also, if you spread I won't flow as much, won't understand as much, and won't believe you as much. If both teams spread, then I'll just have to guess at who won, which is very likely something that you don't want me to do. Please speak in a clear, persuasive voice at a reasonable public debate speed, and be sure to point out when the other side is spreading, show the harms, then show why they should lose on that. I'll probably buy it.
If your debate strategy includes using tactics that have the effect of giving you an unfair advantage over your opponent, your chances of winning will go down. Your arguments should give you the advantage, not your sneaky approach, your hidden claims, your abusive framework, or your tricky wording. Again, call out your opponent's sneakiness. This is especially fun and elegant in an LD round when your opponent values morality, justice, fairness, etc., and you call them out for violating standards of morality, justice, or fairness.
I prefer clear, well-reasoned arguments that are logically valid and well supported by warrants and evidence. I also value impacts. Show me magnitude and probability. I will evaluate these by taking on the stance of an intelligent person who is well educated, open minded, and not a fool. If you read a card but don't put it into the context of a clear argument, then I won't care about it. You have to use evidence to support your warranted arguments. Your cards are your evidence. I hear many LDers giving lengthy quotes of dense philosophy, without contextualizing the quoted speech. I would much prefer that you summarize the entire argument of the philosopher clearly, briefly, and accurately, rather than quoting some paragraph that seems to support your interpretation. I almost never buy appeals to authority. If you say that Philosopher X says Y, therefore Y is true, I will probably not believe you. Feel free to call your opponent on this.
Since I think that debate is a worthwhile activity that can positively shape the character of youth, I value having fun and being nice. I don't want to spend an hour or so with people who are being mean to each other. Let's have fun and enjoy the round.
I won't leave my knowledge, training, or prejudices at the door, mainly because I can't (if I were truly tabula rasa, I would be an infant or an imbecile). Instead, I'll try to be aware of them and limit the impact of my own opinions or knowledge on the debate. If you don't make the argument, I will try not to make it for you. You must do all the work in the debate. I will, however, apply my knowledge of effective argumentation and the "reasonable person" test to the arguments in the debate. If you give me a weighing method and a clear path to signing the ballot for you, your chances of winning the round go up. Please understand that I will fail to leave behind my biases, assumptions, prejudices, etc. This is a feature of being human. We can't control the processes of our thought very well, and we are largely unaware of what guides and controls our thinking. Your job as a debater is to make these biases, assumptions, and prejudices irrelevant against the overwhelming power of your arguments. Good luck.
Please understand that I will likely be judging you after having taught children all day or having traveled a long distance and slept poorly. I will probably not be at my best. This is true for many of your judges. You should consider taking this into account when you write your cases and make your arguments. After you lose a round that you think you should have won, don't complain about the stupid judge. Instead, consider what you could have done differently to compensate for that judge not being at his or her cognitive best. That's your responsibility. I don't want to think during a round. Thinking is hard. It's not my job. I often disappoint debaters when I am required to think. Your job is to pre-think the round for me, better than your opponent does. The team that does this best will win.
It's up to the round to decide on the framework. If your framework is abusive or unreasonable, I'll drop it and favor your opponent's analysis, especially if your opponent calls it out as such. I prefer realistic frameworks that generously look at the resolution as though the debate were really a public forum (even in LD) for discussing an important issue. I also prefer realistic arguments that are accessible to the public.
It bothers me when debaters don't know their case because someone else wrote it, they haven't researched the topic, or they are just using the cards that came with the briefs without trying to understand the bigger picture. This become a problem when debaters misinterpret cards or philosophers they don't understand. If your opponent calls you on your card and disputes what it means, then I will call for the card at the end of the debate and make my own judgment. I don't want to do this for a number of reasons, mainly because I don't want to do the work that you should be doing. That being said, I know a lot about many subjects, so if I think that you are misinterpreting a card, I may call for it, even if your opponent has not called you out on it. I don't like to do this, but I also don't like misinterpreted or false cards to affect a round, and I don't expect high school students to have comprehensive knowledge of the world. If I think that your card was misinterpreted, then I will drop the argument it supports.
Please do the work for me. Make it easy for me to decide who wins. Tell the story of the round. Be organized on the flow in your rebuttals.
If your opponent calls for a card, they may continue to prep while you search for it, without that time counting against their prep. This is the procedure at the TOC, which I particularly like because it encourages teams to provide their opponents with the cards they ask for in a timely manner. If you don't have the card, and the context surrounding it, then I will drop the argument that is supported by the card. If your card clearly says something other than what you say it does, I will very likely vote for the other side. Please don't misrepresent your evidence.
Regarding policy debate: Every round that I have judged in policy debate has come down to judge adaptation. Whoever adapts best to my limitations as a judge (see above) will likely win the round (or, if you prefer, my ballot). My recommendation is that policy debaters should have two cases: one that they normally run and another that they write for judge adaptation. Debaters should also practice adaptation whenever they can, making sure that their arguments are comprehensible (at a minimum) and convincing (this should be the target) to normal, educated people.
Good afternoon students! I am looking for good premises that can strongly support your conclusions. Logical fallacies such as bias fallacy will weaken your argument so please try to minimize logical fallacies as much as possible. Throughout your argument, please make sure the premises are true and that they are strongly needed for your conclusions to stand. Also please make sure to work collaboratively with your teammates as teamwork is essential in any debate. Thank you and have fun! I look forward to judging your arguments and I know all of you will do very well!
Here are my paradigms for various events. If you have any questions feel free to ask for clarification in round.
PF paradigm
I am a former PFer and so I am familiar with the event. I competed for 4 years and I am pretty easy going as for judge preferences. I flow the round, but I do really like to see weighing, sign posting throughout the round and voters in the summary and final focus. I am okay with some speed, but this is not policy or LD so don't go over the top.
Congress Paradigm
I competed a bit in Congress in high school and am familiar with the event. I also have 2 years organizing a youth congress program in Iowa. I am looking for organization in speeches, and also prefer if you speak with limited notes rather than read word for word.
LD Paradigm
I have judged some LD and competed about 2-3 times in high school, but I still consider to be a lay judge. I do flow though, but please provide clear extensions.
Speech Paradigm
For Public Address/ Limited Prep speeches, I like seeing organization in the speeches, and for events such as oratory a clear argument
For Interp. I prefer seeing clear character pops and smooth transitions between characters.
Tell me which time signals you want otherwise I will typically give just 2 down for interp/ public address events and then 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 in extemp.
I am a lay judge, please speak slowly.
I am a Second-year Undergraduate Student at the University of British Columbia with over 5 years of debate experience with BP and WSDF at both the high school and university levels.
Logic with evidence is the best way to win me over!
I am still relatively new to judging PF so if I forget anything please just remind me. I am a flow judge although I prefer speed to best be kept to a minimum and for words to be clearly enunciated for clarity. If you spread and make it hard to hear your arguments clearly you will probably lose speaker points.
I also won't flow crossfire so any important points or concessions achieved here should be highlighted in your next speech.
I ask that debaters share all their cards and speech docs with me at the end of the debate for round evaluation.
Happy Debating!
I like clear, understandable speech and arguments. Please do not speak too fast, which is hard for me to flow through. Thanks!
I pay a lot attention on the evidences and resources. All arguments should be supported with clear evidence and the resources need to be credited.
Flow is the most important factor to me. Please show me how you connect all arguments.
Also, being polite and respect all team members during debate.
Hi! I'm a fourth-year university student studying international relations and business admin. I debated for 6 years in CNDF, BP, WSDC, and PF so jargon is mostly fine. If you run theory or K's I'll try my best to follow, but I wasn't a progressive debater so you might want to play it safe by just being traditional.
Public Forum
Content
Tech > Truth
Please don't refer to cards ONLY by author name. I don't write down author names for cards and I'll have no idea what you're referring to. I'm putting this at the top so y'all see it.
Frameworks are cool but if you bring in a framework, you need to tie it into your arguments and explain to me what you gain/opponents lose. PF speeches are too short for you to waste your time on a framework debate if winning it makes no difference on the overall decision.
Warranting/logic behind your evidence is very important. Not being able to explain your cards looks really bad on you.
Saying the word "Extend" is not extending evidence. You're extending arguments, not authors, which means there should be some explanation and some development. I won't vote on anything that's not extended through summary and brought up in final focus. You must extend responses in summary if you don't intend on me dropping the argument. I also expect extending on defense too, or I will assume it to be dropped. (If you're in varsity you can extend authors)
Weigh the round so I don’t have to. You don’t want to be in the position where I'm weighing arguments for you and putting the decision in my hands. I love impact calc :))
Literally run me through how I should vote, this is the easiest way for you to win.
Cross ends as soon as the timer goes off. To pre-emptively address your questions, you may finish your sentence, but don't add another 4 paragraphs to your answer. Please be polite to each other.
The Second Rebuttal MUST frontline. The First Summary MUST frontline. Please frontline. Thank you :))
Please collapse in summary or final focus, makes the debate way cleaner to evaluate and trying to win on everything is going to make everything a wash.
If you go over time I will not cut you off, I will simply stop flowing. Please don't make me intervene.
Style
If you’re going to talk fast you need to be clear and signpost properly. I’ll give extra speaks if you make a joke. This is NOT an invitation to be rude.
Please do not pause for a long time between speeches, if you're taking prep time let me know. If you pause, I will start prep time :))
I'm generally pretty lenient with speaks, so unless you were rude or the debate was extremely messy, I usually won't give lower than a 27.
I will give a 30 if (only have to fulfill one):
- You and your partner each give 3 Taylor Swift references
- You and your partner can guess ONE of my favorite kpop groups + my bias in that group
I'd be happy to talk to you after the round if you want more feedback. Feel free to ask me for my email or other contact info!
If I flip a coin and it lands on its side (which apparently happens every 1/6000 flips for an American nickel), you will debate in Canadian National Debate Format instead of whatever format the tournament is in. Here's a link to a guide.
(This is generally for PF debates where there's a coinflip built into the format. I judge lots of parli now so sorry to any parli kids I confuse! Feel free to check out the CNDF format tho LOL)
I did PF and BP in high school, and have been coaching/judging since then. That being said, I'm studying neurobio+datasci in college so please don't expect me to remember all the IR/econ drama that goes on in the world :') If someone mischaracterizes a country's/individual's involvement in some global issue, it's better to call it out yourself than to assume that I'm aware of the mischaracterization.
I took bits and pieces of this paradigm from other judges' paradigms that I really like. Credit goes to Lauryn Lee and Kyle Kishimoto.
@ Parli kids: everything in this paradigm that isn't PF specific (cards/evidence, CX, etc.) applies to you.
Content
Please don't refer to cards ONLY by author name. I don't write down author names for cards and I'll have no idea what you're referring to. I'm putting this at the top so y'all see it.
I'm unfamiliar with theory and kritiks and I don't like voting off them. I am not the judge you want if you plan to run either of those.
Frameworks are cool but if you bring in a framework, you need to tie it into your arguments and explain to me what you gain/opponents lose. PF speeches are too short for you to waste your time on a framework debate if winning it makes no difference in the overall decision.
Warrants + Evidence > Warrants > Evidence. Not being able to explain your cards looks really bad on you. This also means that I prefer warrant comparison to evidence comparison. Evidence comparison should happen when the warrants directly clash and there isn't much of a way to evaluate them, or one side's evidence just sucks. But in general, comparative analysis is awesome and one of the best ways to win.
Saying the word "extend" is not extending evidence. You're extending arguments, not authors, which means there should be some explanation and some development. I won't vote on anything that's not extended through summary and brought up in final focus.
Weighing needs to be comparative and specific. This means your weighing has to directly interact with the opposing team’s argument – you should be answering the question “If all of their arguments are given to be true, why do I still win the round?” Because of this, I don’t really consider attacking the truth of their argument as an effective weighing strategy – weighing assumes the arguments to be true. I also think more teams should do meta-weighing – why is your form of weighing better than another? Why is your argument that wins on probability stronger than theirs that wins on magnitude?
I listen to cross-ex but I don't flow it. If you get a concession from CX, it doesn't matter until I hear it in a speech. CX ends as soon as the timer goes off, and to pre-emptively address your questions, you may finish your sentence, but don't add another 4 paragraphs to your answer, or I'll drop your speaks.
Style + Misc.
If you’re gonna go Lightning McQueen on me you need to be clear and signpost properly.
I’ll give extra speaks for a tastefully savage remark. This is not an invitation to be rude.
If it takes longer than 2 minutes to find your card, I'm not counting it.
Debate is great :) I'd be happy to talk to you after the round if you want more feedback or you can email me at elizzhou@berkeley.com
I am a first-time parent judge.
1. Speak slowly and clearly. If you speak too quickly I won't be able to understand what you are saying.
2. Please signpost and frame your arguments in a logical flow.
3. Be courteous, polite and respectful to your opponents.