Hi, my name is Maddie. I debated LD in Neenah, WI for four years. I competed at both national level and Wisconsin level tournaments. (I went to Glenbrooks and Badgerland every year and then CFL's twice so like a decent amount of experience).

Email: alft0003@umn.edu

I am able to understand most arguments, I ran Kritiks, theory, CP's, Plantexts, etc. (pretty much everything). However, I'm not a huge fan of really dense philosophy stuff. Not my fav, but do what you gotta do. If you run dense philosophy or Kritiks I want you to really explain it to me and tell me how it functions in the round. If you can't do that, you won't win the round.

One thing I hate is unnecessary topicality. Unless an argument is CLEARLY untopical, you should not be running topicality. I think it's a cop-out. I will most likely just not flow it and ignore it but whatever you wanna do.

I am fine with spreading. I spread as a debater. It has to be clear and for the love of god DO NOT breathe like a dying fish. It gets on my nerves and takes away from your argument as much as mumbling does. If I can't understand you due to clarity or breathing, I will not flow your argument.

Framework is super important!!!! Please use it as a weighing mechanism!!! Tell me how you win the round with it!!!! I love that!!!! Impacts are super important as well and it’d just be the best if you tied that to your framework. Like damn, that’s a good round.

I won't flow cross because I don't really see a reason to do so??? If you want me to put something on the flow from your cross, please state so and I will do it. Also, do not steal cross or talk over each other. Happened to me a ton as a debater and I really just don't think it's appropriate. Flex prep is fine with me, use your time the way you'd like to.

I'd say that I'm pretty fair with speaks. I know that what the ballot gives as a recommendation is not representative of what good speaks are. The only thing that will dock your speaks is rudeness (towards me or your opponent), any arguments that contain racism, homophobia, sexism, or xenophobic ideas, etc. (I will drop you automatically and give you a 20), or if you're unclear when you speak.

You can pretty much do whatever you want, just don't be a jerk. I would love to hear any arguments that you put forward! Debate is supposed to be fun and a place to express yourself. Have fun with it! Give me your weird and random arguments! I'd love to hear them from you.

Most importantly, have fun :) (Updated 01/11/22)

Judging for Marquette University High School (MUHS)

I usually judge a couple times a years as needed for the team.

How fast can students speak during speeches? Not preferential to faster speeds. If you are speaking too fast or unclear, I will let you know with a hand motion.

Evaluating the Round

Framework is most successful when its appropriately used or applied during the round. Most applicable when its mentioned more than in just the introductory speeches. If you ask me to weigh framework in the round, I'm open to doing so.

Value and value criterion are at the preference of the debater if they merge into FW and it makes sense within the round.

I'm okay with plan text and counterplans, but I sway a little more traditional in LD debates in a K.

Overall major point/win goes to the competitor who can weigh impacts, apply appropriate frameworks (when applicable within the round) all while your contentions hold up after the round.

Hi, my name is Bri and my pronouns are they/she :)

I'm currently a student at UWM

I debated in high school for 2 years: I briefly debated PF before I switched to LD.

I didn't have a full 4 years of debate experience due to the pandemic. Because of this, I was a very traditional debater and that has carried over to my judging style.

Speed is fine, if you spread just make sure your opponent and myself can actually understand what you're saying. If I can't understand you, I will not flow it. If you're going too fast, I will say "clear" and ask that you slow down :)

Cross X is for asking questions and I will not flow arguments during that time.

For virtual tournaments:

The mic on my laptop does not work so I try to keep my end of communication within the tabroom chat. If I need to say anything I can always connect headphones but of course that doesn't always work either. Technology is hard.

Thank you!

email: bribano98@gmail.com

General Stuff:

Experience: I debated for three years in Policy Debate for Neenah High School (WI) and I have been judging LD, PF, Congress, and Policy since I graduated.

Paradigm: Tabs, unless there's no F/W in which case I default to Util. I will vote for anything well run in a debate round. Tech/Truth.

Timing: I will be timing prep, cross and rounds, but I expect you to time yourself. I will let you know when you are going over.

Pacing: I am very comfortable with speed but speaking fast should not make you incomprehensible. Both myself and your opponent should be able to hear tags, warrants, and analytical arguments.

General:

- Make sure to stay organized — clear roadmaps and signposting is really helpful with making a clear and concise argument.Discriminatory, hateful, and harmful language will not be tolerated in rounds.

PF

Extensions: Please extend arguments, not just authors. Anything not extended in summary won't factor into my decision at end of round except defense extended from first rebuttal to first final focus

Rebuttal: Turns that aren't answered in second rebuttal are de facto dropped. Second rebuttal doesn't need to answer weighting that's in the first rebuttal, it can wait until second summary.

Weighing: Weighing is good, it is the first thing I will vote on. Scope means nothing without magnitude.

Cross: Statements made in cross are not inherently binding.

Policy/LD:

Non-Traditional Affirmatives: I will vote for anything well-run. You need a clear ROB so I know what I’m voting for at the end of the round. Come into the round prepared for T and arguments that the K is not compelling within the debate framework.

CPs: I have no problem with a CP, but they require a clear net benefit over the affirmative plan and there should be a good defense on a permutation if one is argued by the affirmative.

T: Topicality can be a voter, but it requires standards and voters as well as a clear violation of in round abuse.

Ks: Kritiks are good when they have a proper link chain, impact and alt. Make sure that if you choose to run a Kritik, you understand what the alt is and can explain how the alt solves.

Theory: I am comfortable with high level theory debates. If you choose to make theory arguments, make sure you focus on arguing how your interpretation is better than your opponent and argue comparative offense calculus.

Congress:

I hope to see each speaker taking a position on legislation and providing some questions throughout the round. I prefer to avoid one-sided debates, but I understand they can happen. Check for sponsorship speeches before determining the order for rounds. I will vote POs when they do a good job or if the tournament encourages voting POs. I have a limited experience running parli, but my general goal is to make sure that rules are followed and everyone is able to have a productive debate.

If you have any questions about my paradigm, my ballot, or want to include me in email chains (please do), my email is willclark813@outlook.com

Line by line argumentation is important, but not as important as framing the debate in the final rebuttals with good overviews and impact assessment.

My experience is as a high school and college policy debate. I won the Virginia State Debate Championship and qualified for the National Debate Tournament (NDT) in college twice. Sixteen years later, I am coaching Lincoln-Douglas Debate for a newly founded school. I am open to any arguments that the debaters make as long as they impact the argument as to why I should vote for them.

I’m a very simple judge, not many presences or bias towards different types of arguments. I am good with understanding theory or T. My decisions are made simply based on what arguments are won on the flow. Technicalities are a big thing for me, if you make drops or fail to properly extend arguments I will not consider them. I have over 5 years of judging experience in Policy, LD. PF.

Hi Debaters. I am a first-time judge, and as such, here are some general comments I "borrowed" from another judge.

1) Stay organized--don't trail off, and definitely stick to the arguments that are at hand. Please do not run any new arguments outside of the constructive speech (other than responses to your opponents). Please be clear with your impacts.

2) During your debate round, I want you to use your evidence wisely, use trustworthy sources, and convince me of what YOUR TEAM BELIEVES is right, using ethos. The quality of your evidence and your arguments are a lot more meaningful than the quantity (so please only stick to 2-3 contentions so I can follow along better). If you extend these arguments really well throughout your other speeches in a clear manner, you will be more successful.

3) Please speak at a normal pace. You will not get good speaker points from me if I can't follow you. No spreading. The right pace is that of a news reporter on the radio or TV.

4) Keep your camera on (mute if not speaking or responding). Be nice. Treat your teammates and opposing teammates with respect. No eye-rolling or other non-verbal gestures that indicate disgust or condescension are tolerable. Be civil in crossfire. I don't flow crossfire and don't judge your crossfire conversations. Use what you gain in cross to make your speeches stronger.

5) Please do not use debate slang. I am not familiar with it.

Good luck to you! You are already ahead in life by participating in debate tournaments and learning so much.

Neenah is the school I'm affiliated with.

I was a competitor all four years. I did policy for the first two years and LD the second two.

I judged LD a lot last year and a few times this year.

Speak as fast as you would like if you are clear.

Framework is very important.

I am very open to plan texts, counterplans, and kritiks.

I do not expect to see a value criterion.

The debater who lays out a better argument will win.

I would prefer to see Kritiks or plan texts. I enjoy more intriguing arguments than just the standard argument back and forth.

I am a "lay judge". But, I can tell you how you can win and get high speaker points from me:

1) Stay organized--don't trail off, and definitely stick to the arguments that are at hand. Please do not run any new arguments outside of the constructive speech (other than responses to your opponents). Please be clear with your impacts.

2) During your debate round, I want you to use your evidence wisely, use trustworthy sources, and convince me of what YOUR TEAM BELIEVES is right, using ethos. The quality of your evidence and your arguments are a lot more meaningful than the quantity (so please only stick to 2-3 contentions so I can follow along better). If you extend these arguments really well throughout your other speeches in a clear manner, you will be more successful.

3) Please speak at a normal pace. You will not get good speaker points from me if I can't follow you. No spreading. The right pace is of that of a news reporter on the radio or TV.

4) Mute if not speaking or responding. Be nice. Treat your teammates and opposing teammates with respect. Be civil in crossfire. Use what you gain in cross to make your speeches stronger.

5) Please do not use debate slang. I am not familiar with it.

Civility, respect and and alignment to league policies are expected.

I am heavily focused on the clarity of your arguments; specifically, the flow of cause-and-effect links to your ultimate Impacts.

Many debaters get lost in the transitions from argument to argument; focus on the clarity of the linkages/transitions which connect your speech together. Provide a Rebuttal which summarizes how your Main Arguments connect to a MAJOR IMPACT which significantly affects society.

Many debaters get lost on the transition between the current argument and the next point. Transition statements between ideas and arguments help the Judge follow your flow. Clarity of the flow of argumentation and the Final Impact are key, here. CLARITY of the flow of your arguments are key.

Tell us how your arguments uphold your Values and Value Criterion in your Final Rebuttal, as well as their essential link to the Final Impact.

TL;DR: Do what you gotta do. I'm cool with whatever as long as you understand it and explain it so that I do too. I've got a decent background with progressive debate. Don't run anything bigoted or offensive, and don't be mean or rude to your opponent. Speed is fine & I'll say clear as much as I need to. If it isn't against tournament rules, please do go into the room before I get there to set up.

put me on the email chain: simsajaya@gmail.com

Longer version:

Background: I debated for Golda Meir for four years, policy for one year and LD for three. Currently the head coach at Homestead HS in Wisconsin.

Debate Stuff:

Preflow before you come into the round - don't make us wait for you.

Speed - Speed is fine, but do it well. Slow down on tags and anything else important. I'll say "clear" as much as I need to, but it'll hurt your speaks if I have to too much.

Framework (LD) - You should have at least some form of it. Whether that's a value/value criterion or a role of the ballot, there should be something telling me from what lens I should look at what you're saying. If you're running a plan and don't think you need one, at least try to fit under your opponents.

Theory - I'll listen to it, especially in the event of legitimate in-round abuse. Just make it make sense and have all the necessary components.

Kritiks - I like them! As I said, if they're very complex explain it well, but generally speaking, I like K's. I will like them even more if it's something you are passionate about and really enjoy reading. Do not run a K if you don't understand what you're running. I like kaffs a lot too.

Performance - Cool w/ me! The performance needs to be something you care about and you need to have a purpose. You should also explain in round impacts. I very much like performance and I very much like its purpose in the debate space.

Plans/CPs/PICS - I like plans and CPs in LD, but I don't enjoy PICs. I'll listen to them, but I generally find them abusive. I'd be very receptive to PIC theory.

Impacts and stuff - I expect very clear voters. Tell me exactly what I need to vote on and why. I also expect that you show me what the aff world and the neg world both look like. Have clear impacts and always pull them through.

Other things:

- Don't be mean.

- Sexism, racism, homophobia, transphobia, Islamophobia, and any other negative -phobias or -isms will absolutely not be tolerated. Debate is meant to be inclusive, not hurtful.

- I'll give you pretty high speaks unless you're rude or offensive.

- If there is an obvious skill difference between the debaters, I expect the more experienced debater to not make the round obnoxiously hard or discouraging. You should be able to win without scaring someone.

I am a very simple judge. I prefer stats and logic over something that you know off the top of your head. I also do not understand speed all that well, I'm trying my best with it but I've had trouble understanding it since my debate years. PLEASE HAVE ALL OF THE EVIDENCE FOR EVERYTHING YOU ARE GOING TO READ. I will not stress that enough. Little to no evidence will cost you an entire round with me as your judge.I love when competitors clash especially during CX (trust I did it during debates a lot), so just generally clash but don't be rude about it. I will listen to outrageous (out of the box cases) and I find them fun. So if you are willing to do it and take the risk, go for it! Sexism, racism, homophobia, transphobia, Islamophobia, and any other negative -phobias or -isms will absolutely not be tolerated. You'll get the lowest speaks I can give and I'll find a reason to drop you. Debate is meant to be inclusive, not hurtful. I'll give you pretty high speaks unless you're rude or offensive.

Speaking:

Try not to go too fast! I have been a debater, but it's been a while since I've flowed anything too fast.

If you don't speak clearly, I won't say anything during your speech. Instead I'll ask clarification afterwards.

Evaluating the Round:

1. For framework, I look at who wins the framework debate in general, who has an easier to use framework, and who's framework is easiest to understand.

2. I don't really care about values. If you have one, great! If you don't, no worries.

3. I'm okay with plan texts, however with counterplans and kritiks I'm not too fond of them. I like to hear good conversation about the resolution; however if your CP and Kritiks makes sense I will listen to it and flow it. If it's too dense/esoteric/difficult to understand I won't be as interested. My general debate philosophy is to have quality discussion and be inclusive. If your reasoning for running what your running is for shock value or to disclude your opponent then you probably shouldn't run it.

4. When deciding who wins, I looked to see who has a better overall story and who has the most desirable world. If you do a great job of painting a picture of what will happen if I vote for you, I'm more likely to vote for you. Weighing, voter issues, and clear speaking are all great ways to do this.

Other information:

Be kind to your opponents. I will drop speaks and will probably give a loss to anyone who is condescending or disrespectful.

Background:

I did not debate while I was in high school. However, I have been judging LD and PF for the past 5 years.

Speed:

Speed really only belongs on a race track. I find it unnecessary and unproductive. I feel it really takes away from one's ability to a persuasive speaker. If I cannot understand you, then I will not flow it. If it is not on my flow, it is as if it was never said.

Definitions:
I am not a big fan of the definitions debate. The definitions presented by both sides are generally very similar and have the same meaning. This is not a good way to spend your time. Speak on things that actually matter and could affect the outcome of the debate.

Analysis:

I like analysis; don't just read to me. Show me that you understand how that evidence supports your argument. Explain why I should care about the evidence you present. Your evidence should also be cited and from a reputable source.

Cross-examination (and Crossfires):

This is a time for getting clarification on your opponent's case and points, not to criticize them, and try to prove your superiority. (This is the purpose for your allotted speech times.) I expect cross-ex to be civil.

Voters and weighing the round:

I like having voters and the round weighed. Tell me what you think is important in the round and why I should vote on them.

Disclosure/ Ending Comments:

I do not give oral comments after the round. All my comments that I have for you (or your team) will be given on the ballot.