Prefs Shortcut:

Phil - 1

Larp - 1

FW/T - 1

Kritiks - 1

Theory - 2

K-Affs - 3

Tricks/Unnecessary Theory - Strike

Introduction

Debated for Princeton High School on NSDA/TFA/UIL. I did Policy, LD, plus multiple speaking events. I ran a lot of Larp and phil, dabbled in k's but did not run them often.

Any Pronouns, Reference me in any way you want, i will default they/them for you unless you say otherwise

Email Chain plz : hdkcangell@gmail.com

Real Paradigm

Run whatever you want, i will listen to anything and will judge off what you tell me to, there are some exceptions and clarity required for this though:

If you're going to spread be aware that my hearing is bad and i will rely on your document. If you spread without sending the doc i will laugh at you, and if you get theory run on you because of this, i will default.

Be logical and reasonable with theory, observations, etc. The meta debate is very important but treat it with grace, it's not your path to a free ballot.

I never got really into kritical debate, but i love it nonetheless, so read it if you like but treat me like a child.

No tricks, especially if you cannot explain them in a way that matters, and you don't want to be the one to fail to change my mind on this.

I consider disclosure frivolous without real, factual evidence of violations

Overall

I will start at 29 speaks and go up or down from there

Don't be the reason that i add something to my paradigm

Ask me specific questions if you wish, and email me if you have questions as well.

I am a debate coach, but please consider me more of a lay judge because I have limited experience.

Lincoln Douglas Debate

I tend to value truth over technique if both are equally matched (so long as no fundamental errors are made).

Please do not neglect your framework, as it is a fundamental part of LD debate.

I'm not a tabula rasa judge when it comes to your framework: I will use what I know about philosophy and logic to evaluate if your value and criterion are sound.

That said, I tend to evaluate all contentions, evidence, and/or observations from a place of non-judgement. So be sure to call out drops and/or any misinformation in your opponent's case or it will stand.

If two opponents are well-matched, I will rely on overall clash and/or voters to make my decision. Be sure to tell me what you believe the arguments boil down to and what you believe I should use to make my decision.

LD Debate: I am a more traditional judge. Spreading is fine, but needs to be legible. Speaking quality is important. Debater should demonstrate quality in oratory skills, as well as argumentation. Values and criterion should support resolution with contentions that build. Cross-Examination should build level of discourse and be conducted with a high level of respect. Impacts and voter's appeal should be provided appropriately to drive home case. I am a first year Debate coach, but competed in debate in high school at Keller Central HS. I am not closed off to any type of debate, and am open-minded, despite my natural inclination to more traditional debate.

CX/Policy Debate: I am an open book and enjoy hearing nuanced and different arguments. Open to all kinds of Affs and Negs. I prefer the neg to break down to their best argument in the final rebuttals. Spreading is fine, but shouldn't interfere with ability to intake information.

I am the Speech/Debate teacher and coach at The Colony High School in Texas and although I've judged quite a few tournaments over the past two and a half years, I consider myself still learning about coaching and judging debate and interp events. I pledge to do my best to judge events fairly and accurately. I appreciate articulate and easy to understand speakers and do not like spreading. I may ask you to slow down if you are speaking too fast so that I may adequately judge your speech. I may disclose results to you after your performance or may choose for you to review my comments on Tabroom. I consider myself a coach first and judge second - so if you ask how you did after a round/performance, you may hear some words of encouragement or gentle critique. I would want a judge to do the same for my students.

Know that I am listening intently to your performance or for the case you present in your argument and wish everyone the best of luck!

“As a coach member of the National Speech & Debate Association, I pledge to uphold the highest standards of humility, equity, integrity, respect, leadership, and service in pursuit of excellence.”

I tend to lean more traditional and prefer debaters stick to stock issues. I'm ok with speed, but I don't have the best hearing, so try to be clear and loud. Make sure you slow down and emphasize taglines. I'm fine with you debating K's as long as you fully explain the kritik.

I judge and coach primarily LD Debate and Public Forum, though I have coached some CX, and I married a CXer! I have an Extemp Debate paradigm at the bottom also.

LD Debate:

I consider myself traditional. I do not like what LD has become in the TFA/TOC/National circuit.

I do not like speed. Debaters who spread their opening cases because they are not ready for a traditional judge have not done their homework. Speeding up at the end of a rebuttal because you are running out of time and want to get to the last few points is somewhat forgivable.

I do not like you spouting 27 cards and trying to win the debate just by having more evidence and more points than your opponent. I want you to explain your position clearly. I want you to explain how the evidence you are providing is relevant and how it helps to make a logical argument.

I dislike debate jargon. Debaters tend to develop bad speaking habits as they go through their careers. I like a debater that can talk like a normal human being. For example, rather than saying, "Counterplan" as some overarching title, say, "I want to suggest we do something different."

I do believe that LD Debate is at its core still a values debate. I want to hear you talk about values and explain how a value is reached or not. That said, I prefer a contention level debate to an overly long framework. Think about it...we call it FRAMEWORK, yet some debaters spend nearly the whole speech on it! Give a brief framework and move on to explain the argument that supports your V-C and connects clearly to the resolution.

I like a summary at the end of the NR. For the 2AR, please do NOT think you have to do line-by-line. Stick with a simple explanation of why you won.

PFD:

See the LD paradigm on speed, etc. PFD is about simply convincing me your side is right. If both of you have contradictory evidence for the same point, then point that out, and try to win the argument somewhere else. Presentation matters in PFD more than in any other debate event, except maybe Congress.

CX/Policy:

I'm a stock issues judge. Slow down! Give me clear Harms--Plan--Solvency. Provide clear funding if applicable. I'm good with CP's and like disads. However, I think the nuclear war impact is rather silly and could be destroyed by someone that got up and pointed out that it hasn't happened and likely won't happen just because Russia gets mad. T's are okay, but I don't suggest you put all your eggs in that basket. Knowing that I'm an old LDer, the best CX teams will appeal to my logical side, rather than my "I think I have a card around here somewhere" side.

EXTEMP DEBATE

This is NOT a shorter version of LD or Policy. You have two minutes. Just give me a clear explanation on why your side is correct. Essentially, this is a crystallization debate. Brief evidence is necessary, but this is not a card v. card debate. Don't chastise your opponent for not having evidence for things that are generally known. Don't chastise your opponent for not addressing your case in the Constructive; they don't have to. Don't provide definitions unless it is truly necessary. Don't be FRANTIC! Calm, cool delivery is best.

I stand as a tab judge, meaning that I will flow any argument as long as the speaker provides strong structure to the argument, and can explain why that argument is relevant to the round. I strongly disadvise running any kritiks or theory arguments if you are a novice debater. If you are neg and you run a CP, you must provide a net benefit and explain how the CP solves for the Affirmative's harms better/more efficiently than the aff case.

NEG:

CPs - the easiest way to win the round if you know how to run them. As long as you can prove that it solves for the aff harms and has a greater net benefit, I will likely vote for it. Do not, under any circumstance, run a CP in the 2NC. I will not flow it.

DAs - must be well structured and each DA will need a brief elaboration by the Neg to show that it links to the aff case.

Ts - I will be willing to vote on a topicality argument if it is well structured and shows enough significance to the round.

GENERAL:

Impact Calculus - This is the biggest decision-maker on my ballot. I am most likely to vote for the side with the greatest impact calculus, meaning the best timeframe, magnitude, and probability towards their case.

Voters - It is very important you tell me why I should vote for you in your rebuttal speeches. Absence of voters may cause me to miss something important on your side of the debate, which may mean I have to vote for the opposition by default.

Speed - I can handle speed if it is absolutely necessary for the round, but if you're just talking fast to talk fast and you leave substantial time on your clock, I will probably dock some speaker points. It is more beneficial to the round to take your time explaining your case, as it promotes fairness to your opponent and will guarantee your judge has an easier time following the round. In the case of a virtual tournament, please do not spread or use a fast speed for the sake of technical difficulties.

I have been coaching all debate events for the past 9 years.

LD:

I'm a stock issues judge. I prefer traditional formatting and style of debate. I love to see a lot of framework debate in LD. I do understand at TFA tournaments a more progressive style is the norm. I will judge progressive rounds fairly and will not vote against someone because they are more progressive. I just prefer traditional.

I will not vote on Ks. I do not like to see them in round.

I'm not a fan of spreading. I have found that in a virtual format it is next to impossible to understand you when you are spreading. I don't mind if you are speaking fast and clearly.

Respect and professionalism are important to me. There is no reason to be disrespectful to your opponent. Professional language is important for you to be credible in a round. I don't like to hear ums, uhs, likes in rounds. This is a speaking event as well as a debate event and I want to hear excellent speaking.

Congress:

I've been coaching congress for 9 years. I have coached UIL, TFA, and NSDA state/national qualifiers.

Clash is what I look for the most.

I hate re hash. I do not rank people who do not bring new information into the round. I think 45min is a great time cap for debate on each piece of legislation. That helps prevent rehash and allows for better debate.

I appreciate representatives moving to previous question when the debate turns into only re hash. I very rarely rank representatives who break the aff neg cycle.

Quality of speeches is more important than the quantity. I do want representatives to be really active in the chamber. I want to see great content and great presentation. Content and presentation are equally important to me. Keep content organized and clear. Speed should be slow and clear. I do not like yelling in a congress speech.

Remember to have fun and enjoy the round! As a judge I'm always rooting for you to do your best and enjoy the debate. :)

SPEAKING AND INTERPRETATION:

I look for the three "P's" when judging events of this type:

(A) Is PRACTICE/PREPARATION evident?

(B) Is the delivery POLISHED?

(C) Is the delivery of the speech (and the behavior and attitude of the speaker, especially towards other competitors) PROFESSIONAL?

If applicable to the event, I also look for a deep and solid analysis of a topic. For example:

(A) Were objections to the speaker's position/thesis thoughtfully considered and addressed in a serious manner (i.e. not just mentioning an objection and then dismissing it outright as ridiculous without further argument)?

(B) Are statements overly general or well-supported by facts, evidence, or specific examples?

(C) Does the speaker, in their speech, contradict themselves or fall victim to the very biases or errors they are advocating against?

DEBATE:

You are there to persuade me, the judge. This means three things:

(A) You must speak clearly and at a rate that I am able to flow as you speak. This means DO NOT SPREAD. It does not matter how many arguments you have, if I as the judge cannot follow and understand them, I cannot be persuaded by them and you will not have time to sufficiently explain and defend them.

(B) You are there to persuade me that your argument is better than your opponent's, not to make your opponent cry. That does not mean you cannot be firm in defending your case and attacking your opponent's, but there is NO excuse for being rude or unprofessional.

(C) Never assume anything about your judge or audience. Do not get caught up in jargon or assume that your listeners know what Kant's categorical imperative (or anything else for that matter) is. If you're going to throw a term or thinker out there like that, you must define and explain it.

For LD, argue from your value and criterion, and use evidence (as needed) to support your arguments. Do NOT turn the debate into a debate over evidence. Persuade me that your value, criterion, and arguments are better than your opponent's, not that you have a “better” or more recent source/card.

Finally, you MUST keep to the allotted time limits, including prep time. "Brief off-time road maps" should be no more that 3 seconds. Period. If your prep time has ended, do not proceed to take 20 more seconds to collect your notes, stand up, and take a drink of water. If your prep time has ended, your prep time has ended.

I'm an old school policy/stock issues judge, who likes to see debate over the resolution, & prefers your speech speed to be slow enough to where you can pronounce every word clearly & I can understand you. 

I am a student currently enrolled at Collin County Community College. I competed in Poetry and CX during my time on my high school's debate team.

I don't necessarily have a preferred style of debate but clash is going to be more favorable than counterplans. Your argument should make sense and be easy to follow. I prefer quality of evidence to quantity.

While I am okay with speed, it is important everyone in the room is able to understand what you are saying. For my own sake, as I have not done a flow sheet in at least 2 years, signposting would be much appreciated. If you would like to flash your case over to me so I can follow along that is totally fine. (I will have a flash drive with me if you do not have one of your own and your case will be deleted from it at the end of the round.)

I will be keeping time but you are welcome to keep your own time as well.

I will not tolerate any abusive tactics or unproductive arguments.

While I am somewhat familiar with the jargon used in LD rounds it has been a while since I have actually needed to use it. Explanation matters.