The Ed Long Invitational at The Hockaday School
2021 — NSDA Campus, TX/US
Public Forum Paradigm List
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I graduated from Plano West in 2018 and competed in my Junior and Senior years in PF and IX. I approve of wearing fedoras in round.
I'm not the picky type, so I'll just be going over some general things.
Treat me like a more lay judge, meaning you will need to explain things as if I have never been anywhere near debate in my life, and will need to be clear. Spreading should be minimal as if I can't understand, I will not be able flow it, and that certainly won't be helping your case. With that in mind, be loud as well. That tends to help with clarity.
Speaks: I'll be lenient for the most part, so expect high points, within the 28-30 range. Unless you're being uncivil, in which case, expect something lower.
As for things within the round itself, the usual will apply. Have warrants, don't fire off as many cards as you can without purpose, have warrants again and make sure you weigh your arguments.
Most importantly, BE CIVIL. Especially in crossfire, or you'll lose speaker points and potentially more.
Congress:
Direct me to the exit, because I probably wandered in by accident and am definitely lost and in the wrong room.
Yo whats good
I'm currently a freshman studying CS at UT Austin. I debated in PF for 3 years in high school.
For questions/ev: sumearthb@gmail.com
Tech > truth except in obvious scenarios. What's conceded is true for the purpose of the round.
I'm probably not gonna be completely familiar with all topic-related jargon, so try and explain to some slight extent (e.g. evergreening patents for pharma).
For online debate:
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I’d prefer cameras on during the round.
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When sharing evidence, stay unmuted unless you say you’re actually taking prep. This minimizes chances of people stealing prep. If you get caught stealing prep by me or the opponents, speaks will be kinda bad. :(
General debate things:
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Debate how you think is best for the round. I’ll try my best to adapt.
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Debate should be safe and educational for everyone in the round. If anyone makes the space unsafe for the others in the round, I’ll end the round.
Public Forum:
General preferences:
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My vote will go to the team with the least mitigated link chain and impact at the end of the round.
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When doing extensions, please extend the argument, its warrant, and an impact. The round and my RFD will look funny if you don't extend links or impacts. Extensions should be done completely in order for me to actually evaluate the arguments. Even if you're "winning" the argument on the flow, if it's not extended properly (i.e. a warrant, impact, etc. is dropped in summary or FF), I'm going to be somewhat hesitant to vote on it. Whatever you go for in FF should've been in summary. Collapsing on an argument is a lot better than going for everything btw. Quality of extensions >>> # of extensions
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Weigh your voting issues against other arguments. The comparison makes my decision a lot easier. The earlier weighing starts in the round, the better. Otherwise, I’ll have to use my own impact calculus in voting.
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Evidence comparison is pretty cool. However, don't just tell me that your ev postdates or something and leave it at that: tell me why I should prefer the analysis of that ev over your opponents' supposed older ev and why their analysis is discredited by being older or whatnot.
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Tangible/terminalized impacts are good. Reading a stat like “a 0.1% increase in South China Sea tensions leads to a 10% increase in the chance of war” doesn’t really tell me much about the impact on people, nations, or whatever you impact out to.
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I default to cost-benefit analysis unless there's another explicitly stated FW.
Rebuttal:
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Second rebuttal has to frontline defense on arguments that are being collapsed on. If defense is frontlined by 2nd rebuttal, you must extend it in 1st summary. Defense isn't sticky if 2nd rebuttal frontlined. If you’re conceding defense to get out of turns, it should be done in 2nd rebuttal/1st summary. Otherwise, it’s going to be really hard to recover.
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Turns must also be frontlined in 2nd rebuttal. Turns, if you're going for them, must be extended in summary and actually implicated for me to think that it's offense.
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If rebuttal is just a constant card dump with no real interaction with warrants and explanations of what I’m listening to, speaks will drop.
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Any offense dropped is conceded.
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If an argument is non-responsive or unwarranted (which to me is terminal defense), please explain as to why.
- If weighing starts in 1st rebuttal, it should be responded to by 2nd rebuttal.
Summary/FF:
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Any argument that FF is going for should’ve been in summary.
- I prefer line-by-line summaries over big picture summaries.
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Extend and weigh any argument you plan on having me vote for. If multiple weighing mechanisms are being used by both teams, explain to me why your mechanism should be preferred and makes your impact more important in the context of the round (i.e. meta-weighing).
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If an argument was conceded, just say it was conceded, extend it, and then move on.
Novices:
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Don’t go for too much. Find the arguments you think are most important/explained best with the least number of responses against it and go for it.
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Seeing impact calc and other forms of comparison are ways to secure my ballot. In a lot of novice rounds, debaters just leave the arguments out there in the air and don’t clash/compare.
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Feel free to ask me any questions that pass through your mind. I want to make sure you get as much out of the round as possible as the more you learn in your novice year, the better off you’ll be in the following years.
Progressive argumentation:
Theory:
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In VPF, I’m fine with any shell being read. However, as the argument becomes more frivolous, the higher the threshold is for me to vote on it and the lower the threshold for the responses that can be read against it.
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Theory that’s specific to case/ev practices (e.g. disclosure, paraphrasing, clipping, etc.) is good. There are a lot of issues with evidence practices in debate, PF especially. However, this doesn’t make me predisposed to any interps. If the team reading theory doesn’t debate it well, I’m probably just going to forget about it, unless the other team reads RVIs.
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I’m fine with theory that’s not content-related but rather behavioral (e.g. warnings, misgendering, etc.) being read as long as there’s clear abuse in the round.
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Extend all parts of the shell: interp, violation, standards, and voters. Interact with the opponents’ counter-interp and weigh.
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When responding to theory, explain why your counter-interp is good for debate.
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I default to theory before case, no RVIs, and reasonability.
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Keep in mind that I’m not very experienced in theory debate. I’ll do my best to understand the violation and the argumentation, and I’ll pull some decision out of whatever I hear.
Other forms:
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I’m not familiar with K, T, and whatever other forms of progressive arguments there are. Because of that, it’s probably well-advised to not read those in front of me.
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If it’s imperative that it’s read, I’m all for it. I’ll try my best to understand what’s happening.
Evidence:
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All ev read in round needs to be cut. Make sure you have the link as well in case someone requests the actual article.
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If you paraphrase ev, make sure you have the cut card ready.
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If it takes longer than 2 minutes to exchange evidence each time it’s called for in round, I’ll be sad.
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Bring up evidence issues in-round. Teams should have the opportunity to justify why something is abusive or why it should warrant a loss.
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I’ll call for evidence once the round is over if a) someone tells me to, b) I think it’s really sus, c) there's conflicting ev and no one did ev comparison, or d) I’m interested >:) I'm probably not going to drop you for weird, manipulated evidence, but (if it looks manipulated) expect very poor speaks.
Speaker points:
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To get speaks > 29, make sure to pay attention to what I wrote above.
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If you plan on spreading but I have to clear you multiple times, speaks will probably be low.
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If you disclose on the wiki, +0.2 speaks.
After round:
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I’ll disclose as long as the tournament allows it. If they don’t or rounds are running really late, just send me an email, and I’ll disclose that way.
Jane Boyd
School: Grapevine HS - Interim Director of Debate and Speech
Email: janegboyd79@gmail.com (for case/evidence sharing)
School affiliation/s – Grapevine HS
Years Judging/Coaching - 39
Years of Experience Judging any Speech/Debate Event 39
Order of Paradigms PFD, LD, World Schools, Policy (scroll down)
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Public Forum Debate
I am more of a traditionalist on PFD. I don't like fast PFD. The time constraints just don't allow it. No plans or counter plans. Disadvantages can be run but more traditionally and not calling it a disadvantage.
Basic principles of debate - claim, warrant, and IMPACT must be clearly explained. Direct clash and clear signposting are essential. WEIGH or compare impacts. Tell me ;your "story" and why I should vote for your side of the resolution.
I have experience with every type of debate so words like link cross-apply, drop -- are ok with me.
The summary and final focus should be used to start narrowing the debate to the most important issues with a direct comparison of impacts and worldview
I flow - IF you share cases put me on the email chain but I won't look at it until the end and ONLY if evidence or arguments are challenged. Speak with the assumption that I am flowing not reading.
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Lincoln Douglas Debate
A good debate is a good debate. Keep in mind that trying to be cutting-edge does NOT make for good debate by itself. While I appreciate innovation - I hate tricks for the sake of tricks and theory used as a strategy. I prefer topic-based arguments. Keep that in mind.
Framework/Values/Criteria/Standards/Burdens
Standards, criteria, framework, and/or burdens serve as the same thing - these are mechanisms for how determining who wins the debate. If a value is used it needs to be defended throughout the case and not simply an afterthought. The framework of the debate should not be longer than the rest of the case. Unless it is necessary to make the framework clear, cut to the chase and tell me what is acceptable and not acceptable, but don't spend 2 1/2 minutes on something that should take just a few sentences to make clear. I want to hear substantive debate on the topic, not excessive framework or theory. Note the word excessive. I am not stupid and usually get it much quicker than you think. In the debate resolve the issue of standard and link it to the substantive issues of the round then move on.
Evidence and Basic Argumentation:
The evidence adds credibility to the arguments of the case however I don't want to just hear you cite sources without argumentation and analysis of how it applies to the clash in the debate. I don't like arguments that are meant to confuse and say absolutely nothing of substantive value. I am fine with philosophy but expect that you can explain and understand the philosophies that you are applying to your case or arguments. A Kritik is nothing new in LD. Traditional LD by nature is perfect, but I recognize the change that has occurred. I accept plans, DAs, counter plans, and theory (when there is a violation - not as the standard strategy.) Theory, plans, and counter plans must be run correctly - so make sure you know how to do it before you run it in front of me.
Flow and Voters:
I think that the AR has a very difficult job and can often save time by grouping and cross-applying arguments, please make sure you are clearly showing me the flow where you are applying your arguments. I won't cross-apply an argument to the flow if you don't tell me to. I try not to intervene in the debate and only judge based on what you are telling me and where you are telling me to apply it. Please give voters; however, don't give 5 or 6. You should be able to narrow the debate down to critical areas. If an argument is dropped, then make sure to explain the importance or relevance of that argument don't just give me the "it was dropped so I win the argument." I may not buy that it is an important argument; you have to tell me why it is important in this debate.
Presentation:
I can flow very well. Slow the heck down, especially in the virtual world. The virtual world is echoing and glitchy. Unless words are clear I won't flow the debate. Speed for the sake of speed is not a good idea.
Kritik:
I have been around long enough to have seen the genesis of Kritik's arguments. I have seen them go from bad to worse, and then good in the policy. I think that K's arguments are in a worse state in LD now. Kritik is absolutely acceptable IF it applies to the resolution and specifically the case being run in the round. I have the same expectation here as in policy the "K" MUST have a specific link. "K" arguments MUST link directly to what is happening in THIS round with THIS resolution. I am NOT a fan of a generic Kritik that questions if we exist or not and has nothing to do with the resolution or debate at hand. Kritik must give an alternative other than "think about it." Most LD is asking me to take any action with a plan or an objective - a K needs to do the same thing. That being said, I will listen to the arguments but I have a very high threshold for the bearer to meet before I will vote on a "K" in LD.
Theory:
I have a very high threshold of acceptance of theory in LD. There must be a clear abuse story. Also, coming from a policy background - it is essential to run the argument correctly. For example having a violation, interpretation, standards, and voting issues on a Topicality violation is important. Also, know the difference between topicality and extra-tropical. or knowing what non-unique really means is important. Theory for the sake of a time suck is silly and won't lead me to vote on it at the end. I want to hear substantive debate on the topic, not just a generic framework or theory. RVI's: Not a fan. Congratulations you are topical or met a minimum of your burden I guess? It's not a reason for me to vote though unless you have a compelling reason.
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WORLD SCHOOL DEBATE
I have experience and success coaching American Style Debates. Worlds Schools Debate quickly has become my favorite. I have coached teams to elimination rounds at local, state, and NSDA National tournament every year that I coached WSD. I judge WSD regularly and often.
The main thing to know is I follow the norms of WSD (that you all have access). I don't want WSD Americanized.
How would you describe WS Debate to someone else?
WSD is a classic debate. The type when folks think about the debate. Much more based on logic and classic arguments with some evidence but not evidence-heavy. It is NOT an American-style debate.
What process, if any, do you utilize to take notes in the debate?
I flow each speech.
When evaluating the round, assuming both principle and practical arguments are advanced through the 3rd and Reply speeches, do you prefer one over the other? Explain.
I look at both. Does the principle have merit and the practical is the tangible explanation? I don’t think that the practical idea has to solve but is it a good idea?
The WS Debate format requires the judge to consider both Content and Style as 40% of each of the speaker’s overall scores, while Strategy is 20%. How do you evaluate a speaker’s strategy?
Strategy is argument selection in speeches 2, 3, and 4. In 1st speech, it is how the case is set up and does it give a good foundation for other speeches to build.
WS Debate is supposed to be delivered at a conversational pace. What category would you deduct points in if the speaker was going too fast?
The style mostly, but if it is really fast then maybe strategy as well.
WS Debate does not require evidence/cards to be read in the round. How do you evaluate competing claims if there is no evidence to read?
The argument that makes the most sense, is extended throughout the debate, and does it have the basics of claim, warrant, and impact?
How do you resolve model quibbles?
Models are simply an example of how the resolution would work. Which model is best explained, extended, and directly compared? If those are even, which one makes the most intuitive sense to me?
How do you evaluate models vs. countermodels?
Models and countermodels are simply examples of how the resolution would work. Which model is best explained, extended, and directly compared? If those are even, which one makes the most intuitive sense to me?
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Policy Debate:
A good Debate is a good debate. I flow from the speech not from the document. I do want to be on the email chain though. I prefer good substantive debate on the issues. While Ks are okay if you are going to read them, make sure they are understandable from the beginning. Theory - the same. If you think you might go for it in the end, make sure they are understandable from the beginning.
Be aware, that on virtual, sometimes hard to understand rapid and unclear speech (it is magnified on virtual). Make necessary adjustments.
Links should be specific and not generic. This is everything from K to DA.
The final speech needs to tell the story and compare worlds. Yes, line by line is important but treat me like a policymaker - tell me why your policy or no policy would be best.
Introduction:
Hey y'all,
I am now in my seventh year of coaching Public Forum. Although I am more experienced than a lay judge, I still like a good narrative explanation of the round with less focus on technicality and more focus on clash.
Pronouns: He / Him / His
Speaking:
Clarity and Speed are my two biggest concerns. Speak clearly and, for all that is good in this world, do not spread (I will try to make exceptions for LD and Policy judging, but if I stop taking notes and just start staring at you, you should probably slow down).
Evidence:
In the event of an argument concerning the validity of a piece of evidence, I will require the evidence and any contrary evidence if available. Any evidence which does not have an accessible citation will be thrown out. Any evidence which bears marks of intentional tampering or distortion will be grounds for an immediate loss for the offending party.
Argument:
Basic style - Claim, Warrant, Impact. Make sure to evaluate impacts on both sides of the debate. A comparative debate with clash between arguments makes it easy for me to determine who won the round. For Policy and LD, I will not judge Kritiks* (Ks), so please do not run them in front of me. My personal belief (and you may disagree with this) is that Ks defeat the educational purpose of debate by eliding the resolution. For example, if I am expecting to learn about the merits and drawbacks of deep sea exploration, I will be disappointed if the focus is on whether capitalism is evil. I apologize for being a debate norms Luddite, but consider this fair warning.
*NOTE: I will make exceptions for teams that only have Kritiks as cases, but they must be incredibly compelling.
Etiquette:
Please don't be rude (i.e. snarkiness, frequent interruption, and condescension). Repeated rudeness, despite quality of speeches, will result in lower speaker points. Do not attempt to race-bait, gender-bait, or villainize your opponents. It is not your opponents' faults that they may have to argue justifiable but morally-bankrupt positions (for example, political realism and state security over humanitarianism). Unless your opponent is arguing something intrinsically heinous like eco-fascism or colonialism, you will hemorrhage speaker points for engaging in this behavior.
Addendum:
If you have any questions not clarified in the paradigm, please ask before the round. I will be more than happy to answer any questions, comments, or concerns.
Name: Liz Dela Cruz Contact Info: lizdelacruz@me.com PF Paradigm (Updated 021621)
Expirence: I debated and coached Policy (Cross-ex) debate for a number of years. If you want to know what I did, scroll down, I have my Cross-Ex (Policy) Paradigm below.
Note:
I am a flow judge! I will provide a Google Doc Link to use. I prefer this to an email chain because I there is a delay in getting emails sometimes. I also don't like putting the evidence in the chat function. It is easier for me to go back and review the evidence.
I also usually always pop up a couple of minutes before the round to take questions about my Paradigm. If you have clarity questions, please feel free to ask.
General:
1. Debate is about having a good time and learning, please be respectful to everyone. Just remember that this is just a round and there will be another. Do your best and have fun.
2. Due to my policy background, I like Signposting. Please let me know where to go on the flow. Think of my flow as a blank slate. You tell me what to write and where. Moving contentions or switching from Pro flow to Con flow? Tell me.
3. I will vote for FW, independent Voting issues, and Pre-req arguments. But there needs to be enough substance for me to do so. If you decided to go for any of these, make sure to extend the case evidence that is needed to back it up. If not, it tends to be hard for me to vote on it.
4. I debated both theory and K in debate. If you want to do it, I am fine with it, but make sure to elaborate on how it correlates to the topic and your corresponding side.
5. If there is something said in Cross and you would like to use it in the round I am fine with it. But you need to make sure that you bring it in the speech to make it binding.
6. Just saying cross-apply case doesn’t mean anything. Or extend …. Card from case- give me substance and warrants for why you are extending it for me to consider it.
Summary/FF:
1. Make sure to extend the arguments and evidence from the Case to the summary and from the Summary to the Final Focus. It is key make sure to extend and explain.
2. You can only use what you extend in the Summary in the Final Focus.
3. I am a big fan of weighing! Magnitude, scope, impact analysis, substance love it all. Makes my job easier.
4. Break it down! Give me voting issues!
Speed:
1. I did policy, speed is not an issue. Please don’t ask me if you were to fast. I can hear you.
2. Do not sacrifice clarity for speed. If you are concerned about me not flowing your speech, then slow down and enunciate!
3. I will not tell you clear or slow, those things are for you to work on as a debater. If you are worried about it, then do speaking drills before the round and speak slower.
Policy (Cross-Ex) Paradigm (Updated 041715)
Affiliation: SouthWestern College, Weber State University
Paperless Ish: Flashing is Preferred: Prep time ends when you hit "save on the USB". Flashing is not considered part of prep time. If you take more than two minutes to save on the USB and get files flashed over, I will ask that you "run prep time". If you are going to do an email chain and would like to put me on it feel free. My email is listed above. If teams have spandies and tubs and USE 60% or more paper in a debate, will get some sort of candy or asian yummyness!
Experience: I was a policy debater for SouthWestern College. We run socialism and sometimes not socialism but more often than not it’ll be socialism. Did I mention we run socialism?
Voting Style: Do what you want but make sure it’s on my flow. Be clear and concise and tell me how I should interpret the round. Don’t make the assumption that I’ll randomly agree with your arguments. Spell it out for me so that there is 100% chance I get it. Spend time on the overview or underview. Make it very clear where I should be voting and why. This is something that makes my life easy and the life of all judges easy. Paint me a picture using your arguments. Give me reasons why I should prefer your position over theirs. The clearer the debate is the easier it will be to vote for you. Heck clear up the debate if it gets messy you’ll get nice speaker points. See how I’m telling you all to do the work? That’s because the debaters not the judge should be deciding how the judge should judge. I’m an open canvas. Paint me a nice picture. Just no nemo.
Speed and flowing: There’s fast and then there’s fast. As much as I’d like to admit I can keep up with a giant card dump in the neg block with a billion arguments, it’s just not going to happen. I can keep up with most speed reading. It’ll be easier for me to get your arguments down on my flow if you slow down during the tag/citation so I can actually hear it super well. If you spread your tags and I’m not keeping up, that’s on you as a debater. Arguing when you lose because I didn’t have that card or arg flowed when you made it a blippy mess isn’t going to do anything so don’t even try. That being said, I keep a very concise flow. And what you say in the 2nr and 2ar will be what I vote on. Policy
Argument Issues: Case: I feel like sometimes case debates get overlooked a lot. If you’re aff, don’t be afraid to use your case as giant offense if the other team is only to go 1 or so off. Good cases can swill outweigh da’s and K impacts if done well.
Non-Traditional Affs I evaluate Non-traditional Affs the same as traditional ones. However, there are things I like clearly defined and explained: 1. Explanation of advocacy 2. Role of the Ballot 3. Role of the Judge 4. Why is your message/mission/goal important.
Topicality I don't really care to much for T, but I will vote on it. I haven't voted yet on T being a reverse voting issue, but I do believe that T is a voting issue. I also tend to lean towards competing interpretations versus reasonability. Although, if the argument and work is there for reasonability, I will vote on it. Especially if the other team does not do the work that is needed on Topicality.
Theory Just saying things like "reject the team" or "vote Aff/Neg" typically doesn't do it for me. I would much rather hear, "reject their argument because it … blah blah blah." On the other side, saying "reject the argument not the team" is not enough for me to not consider it. I need solid reasons to reject the team like abuse. Actual abuse in round based on what was run is very convincing.
Performance I like watching performances. Since I judge by my flow, it allows me to separate myself from how I evaluate the round. Please note: Just because I am expressive during the debate does not always mean that I am leaning to your side. I am a very expressive person and thus why I judge strictly by my flow. So if there are points that you want me to highlight, pull them out in the later speeches. It will help with clarification and clash.
Kritiks I like kritiks. That being said a lot of mumbo jumbo gets thrown around a K debate. If you want me to pull the trigger on the K I need to know how it functions. Explain the rhetoric of your K to me in the block. Don’t assume I know what your alt is and what it will do in conjunction to the aff. That’s your job to make sure I know. Explain what your alt is and how it solves not only the impacts you read but also the aff’s or why the aff’s impacts don’t matter. Don’t assume that I’ll vote for “reject the ***” alts. Spend time in the block and in the 2nr how your K works in the round. Give me a picture of what the world of the K looks like and what the world of the aff looks like.
DA Not all disads are created equal. The Aff should attack all parts of the DA. Impact calculus is a must.
CP I believe that CPs should compete with the 1AC. Not only does this give better clash, but it also allow the 2A to defend their Aff.
speed is fine as long as you make an email chain/speech drop - email is obinnadennar@gmail.com
im fine with all types of debate. i love critical arguments/case positions that engage with various types of philosophy. k debate is my favorite. cool with everything else.
one note on theory: i do not like frivolous theory (i.e. down my opponent since they are wearing socks - yes, i have seen this shell). if your opponent gets up in the next speech and says this is stupid and don't pay attention to it. i will discard it and i will not see it as a voting issues. that being said, if there is actual abuse in the round, theory is not only fine but welcomed. competing interps over reasonability.
please feel free to ask any questions before the round. ill be more than happy to answer them
General stuff
i competed for 4 years in pf
i did some stuff
i'm down for whatever in round
postround me if you think i'm wrong
i will almost always prefer good warranted analytics over bad unwarranted evidence
put me on the chain jeffpfree@gmail.com
if its not on my paradigm I don't encounter it often or haven't formulated an opinion on it yet; just ask before round
LD:
Pref Shortcut
1 - T/Theory, Policy
2 - Tricks
3 - Phil, K
4 - High Theory K, everything else
note for k debate
since i did bad event in hs I am not very read on majority of k lit, especially more obscure stuff
that being said read whatever you want -- it just might take me a little bit to fully understand it
Defaults
T/Theory>K
Edu>Fairness
No RVIs, competing interps, DTD
PF:
event is kind of not good and rounds are usually boring - i am definitely biased towards whoever has more entertaining round strat
disclosure is probably good and paraphrasing is probably bad
i am not very sympathetic towards trigger warning shells that preclude discourse and kill arguments - i'll evaluate but my threshold to DTD is much higher than with any other theory argument
evidence standards are very low atm, i lean heavily towards any bracketing/misrep/etc. shell
Hello!
The short version on how to win my ballot:
-Be clear. If you can't spread then please don't try.
-Warrant. Repeating author names does not make your argument more important in the round, warranting why it is more important/valid does.
-Weigh. Please. Just. Weigh.
If you have any questions, my email is freundmikas@gmail.com
How I evaluate rounds in more detail:
Constructive: I really do not care what you read. I am less familiar with progressive args and therefore less likely to vote for them. If you paraphrase, please do so with integrity. If I think a piece of evidence is power tagged or flat out misconstrued I will call for it. Send me a speech doc if you want before or after your speech.
Rebuttal: The second rebuttal has to respond to the first rebuttal. Please warrant your response, if you simply dump I will not grant you any contextualization you decide to suddenly add in second summary or final focus. Be strategic, frameworks and weighing overviews are usually a good idea especially in second rebuttal. No Offs in second rebuttal. Overall just be clear and strategic.
Summary: Defense is not sticky in first summary. Weighing should at the very least be present here to be an active part of my decision, however, it really should be briefly mentioned in rebuttal. Please collapse, it will make the round cleaner and more interesting for everyone involved. No new arguments in second summary unless you are FL something new from first summary.
Final focus: Anything that was not in the summary should not be in the FF. This is the time to really emphasize your weighing and win my ballot based on that. Extending a ton of responses and going for coverage while sacrificing contextualization will be a mistake.
Cross: I don't care what you do. However, please don't take advantage of the situation if your opponent clearly has very little experience or is a novice. We should encourage younger debaters to stay in the activity! Either way cross won't affect my decision.
*Obviously I will not tolerate any arguments or comments that are condescending, hurtful or straight-up racist/sexist/discriminatory in any way. Comments as such will award you with the lowest speaks I can give as a judge.*
Also, please don't postround me. As a debater myself I know the frustration that comes with disagreeing with the judge's decision. However, I am doing my best to make the "right" decision and hope that you can accept it, even if not wholeheartedly. Overall if you have a question that will help you learn from the round don't hesitate to email me I will be happy to help!
I debated at Westlake for awhile.
he, him
debate is a game.
i am ok with whatever you run
speed is ok ✅
have fun
DEBATE ROUNDS
To win my ballot: Logical links and clear connections are important whether you're running a traditional or progressive case. Your argumentation skills and strategies is what your opponent is challenging, therefore; a clear, cut, concise connection is what wins the round. Listen to your opponent, (FLOW), provide impacts and know what your talking about. If you've got a few tricks up your sleeve, be sure you know how to use them.
I do not mind speed, but if you decide to spread make sure you slow down on tag-lines. Consider speaker points when spreading. I look to vote for a strong link and one's ability to prove why your case wins the round. Voters are extremely important to me so make sure you use the time in your last speech wisely.
I do my best to flow all arguments presented in the debate and rely heavily on my flow to determine the round winner. Make sure to signpost well, and please give me a roadmap of your speeches.
If you decide to do an email chain please, add me. mhix@neisd.net
Speaker Points
Positives: politeness, confidence, well-placed humor, preparation and well executed strategies/arguments.
Negatives: rudeness and unnecessary condescending comments, pointless cross examination, skirting the issues or avoidance
SPEECH ROUNDS
Staying true to the competition rubrics.
If I can't hear you, then I can't score you. Please, speak loud and clear.
I'm a lay judge, so please speak slowly. This is my first year judging a debate tournament.
Hello,
My name is Atul Kapoor. I am a lay judge with a solid amount of judging experience. Please explain your arguments clearly, and speak at a pace with emphasis on quality of your argument rather than quantity. Do not spread and do not overload your speech with debate jargon. I will do my best to judge only off what I am given in the round, so please do the work for me and don't make me have to intervene. Please add me to the email chain at kapoor.atul@gmail.com.
I don't base my judgment on your crossfire, so please don't use it to persuade me. Crossfire is for you to understand your opponent's case and address it in your next speeches. Pretend I'm not listening during crossfire. Make your case in the next speech.
If you're presenting an extinction argument, make sure it's believable. For instance, arguing that affirming or negating healthcare for all could lead to nuclear war and extinction seems far-fetched. If your opponents present an extension argument that seems implausible, address it. It shouldn't only be me thinking it's not plausible.
I assess your speaker points based on clarity, articulation, appropriate speed, and eye contact. Sometimes, I may give low scores.
I will do my best to disclose my decision when I am allowed to, and will leave feedback on the ballot. Above all, remember to have fun and be respectful to your opponents!
Best of luck!
Hey, my name is Bryce!
Put me on the Chain: Bryce.Keeler720@gmail.com
Create a chain every round, saves time calling for evi, thx
PF Paradigm
General
* Debate is a game, I'm not a policy maker
* Tech > Truth
* Cut cards, Strike me if you don't
* auto drop for racism/sexism/homophobia or anything I deem problematic that can make the debate space unsafe for others. If you are, auto loss with 25s.
* Things you can do to make it easier to win the round
* line by line in rebuttal
* framing
* warrant extensions in last 2 speeches
* collapsing
* comparative weighing on link level
Misc
* I don't buy sticky defense
* I pref cut cards, +1 speaks if you use them
* Speaks start at 28 and go up or down based on strategy
* Spreading is fine, send doc if you are
* I presume neg unless a presumption arg is read
* Skipping grand = +1 speaks
Progressive Args
Shortcut
* T
* Policy
* K
* Phil
* High theory
* Tricks
tbh prob won't understand high theory, that being said, you can still read it just might take me a while to understand
Not very caught up with k lit, pls explain well
Defaults
* T > K
* Edu > fairness
* No RVIs, competing interps, DTD
Extra
* Disclosure is good, paraphrasing bad
* disclosure and paraphrasing is very easy to win with me, i have a really low threshold for DTD on those arguments
* I like evidence shells (powertag, misbracketing, etc.)
If you have any questions ask before the round
Also, If there is anything I can do to make the round more accessible, please let me know before the round :)
About me:
I have been coaching and judging PF for eleven years. I judge on local circuit tournaments and have also judged many national circuit tournaments, including the TOC. I am familiar with the topic, but that does not mean that you should not explain your arguments. As a coach I am very aware of all the nuances of Public Forum debate.
Put me on the email chain: nkroepel@district100.com and belviderenorthpf@gmail.com
Round specifics:
Tech>truth (I always try to be tabula rasa and not interject my knowledge into your round). I will vote on just about anything besides abusive, offensive arguments. I will take arguments as true, unless otherwise argued by your opponent for the scope of the round.
I can flow speed, but I prefer not to. I do not want you to use it as a way to exclude your opponents. In the end, Debate is about intelligible conversation, if you are going too fast, and don't do it well, it can get in the way of clarity of expression, which upsets me.
I do not flow cross-fire, but I do pay attention to it. However, if you make an excellent point in cross-fire, you will have to bring that information up in a subsequent speech. Also, DO NOT be rude, I will reduce your speaker points for it. It is inappropriate for teams to make their opponent's feel inferior or humiliate them in the round.
If you are speaking second, please address your opponent's responses to your case, especially turns. It does not have to be an even split, but make sure it is something that you do. Defense is not sticky, you need to extend it.
I expect that summary and final focus are cohesive to each other. First summary needs extend defense. Second summary needs to address responses on your case, especially in areas you are going to collapse on, and it should also respond to turns. I do expect that you collapse and not go for everything on the flow in summary. I WILL NOT vote on an issue if it is not brought up in summary. Please weigh in your final two speeches and clash your arguments to those provided by your opponent.
As I expect the summary and final focus to be consistent, that also means that the story/narrative coming from your partnership also be consistent. I may not give you a loss because of it, but it is harder to establish ethos. Defend a consistent worldview using your warrants and impacts.
Make it easy for me to fill out my ballot. Tell me where I should be voting and why. Be sure to be clear and sign-post throughout.
Extensions need to be clean and not just done through ink. In order for you to cleanly extend, you need to respond to responses, and develop your warrant(s). You cannot win an impact without warranting. In rebuttal, please make sure you are explaining implications of responses, not just card dumping. Explain how those responses interact with your opponents' case and what their place in the round means. DO NOT just extend card names in subsequent speeches.
The flow rules in my round for the most part, unless the weighing is non-existent. I will not call for evidence unless it is a huge deal, because I view it as interventionist.
DO NOT make blippy arguments-warranting matters!
DO NOT make the round a card battle, PLEASE. Explain the cards, explain why they outweigh. A card battle with no explanation or weighing gets you nowhere except to show me why I shouldn't vote on it.
And finally progressive debate-I'd strongly prefer you do not read atopical arguments. I think most kritikal positions are exceptionally unpersuasive on a truth level, but this should not explicitly influence how I evaluate them, except to say that I'm probably more willing than most to evaluate intelligent analytical defense to Ks even if your opponents have "cards" to make their claims. I am still learning when it comes to judging/evaluating theory. I need a slower debate with clear warranting-neither K or T are a big part of my judging experience either. You CAN run it in front of me but combining it with speed makes me even more confused. I can't promise that I will always make the right decision.
Updated for Fall 2021:
I'm currently a sophomore at Rice University studying natural sciences. I have roughly 3 years of PF experience from high school.
Some general things to keep in mind:
a. Please be a nice person. I encourage you to debate however you want, but don't cross any lines while doing so or else your speaker points will suffer.
b. Please add me to the email chain or any other evidence-sharing equivalent if it exists. My email is lidaniel355@gmail.com
c. For online debate specifically, I strongly encourage (but don't require) that you keep your camera on for the entirety of the round.
For Public Forum:
a. I'll vote off of the least mitigated narrative that has a clearly extended impact.
b. Please weigh as early as summary, it makes evaluating rounds much easier.
c. Frontlining is necessary in second rebuttal.
d. Anything dropped is conceded for the purposes of the round.
e. Evidence ethics is pretty awful in PF debate. If you think your opponent has egregiously misconstrued an important piece of evidence, you can ask me to call for the evidence during your speeches (I won't entertain these requests if it's after the round or during prep time). I have no problem dropping entire arguments over bad evidence and in extreme cases, I'm not entirely impartial to the idea of directly dropping the team.
f. I think there is merit to many theory arguments, but I would still advise not to read them in front of me because I don't have the background to competently evaluate theory debates. Same goes for basically any other form of "progressive" argumentation.
Put Me on the chain liubill1124@gmail.com
General
Second rebuttal should rebuild your own case and respond to theirs
Comparatives very important
This can be evidence comparison too
Impact calc is key
CX is not binding
Link ins and prerequisites are good and useful weighing args that should be made
Cards
Don't hesitate to call for evidence
When sending cards in the email chain, send cut cards, not just links
Prog
I'm down to hear progressive arguments
Speed is alright
Back half specifics
- Extensions in summary need to be clear and warranted
- Strategy in summary/ff need to be similar
- Defense in ff needs to be in summary
- Collapse hard on a few arguments
Speaks — will drop you and your speaks for exclusionary language or behaviours
I am a parent judge with two daughters who do debate.
1) Please speak slowly and clearly so that I can understand you.
2) Give me the entire narrative of your argument (explain your argument on all levels).
3) I would prefer if you strayed from using any debate jargon as it makes it harder for me to follow the round.
4) I will usually choose the path with the least resistance to the ballot, so make sure to make any responses you extend very clear to me.
5) Convince me why your impact is more important than your opponent's, otherwise I will have to make that decision myself.
6) I trust that both teams will have good evidence ethics, but if there is an issue, you should tell me about it.
7) Be polite and respectful.
Have fun!
Plano West Senior High School ’19; 4 years of PF, 4 FX/DX
Myself:
I debated four years on the North Texas, Texas, and National circuits in PF and extemp. I did alright. If you want to email any speech docs/have questions about the round, here is my email (jamammen01@gmail.com).
PF Paradigm:
My paradigm is kind of long but there is an abbreviated version below. I don't think it is that different than the standard tab paradigm. Couple key points to bear in mind for those of you scanning 5 minutes before round begins:
I will not buy unwarranted arguments even if the warrants are in previous speeches. This is true for simple claims, citations of evidence, and weighing. If a warrant is properly carried through, then the impacts that subsequently follow from previous speeches will be implicitly carried through. If neither side does the legwork necessary, I will lower my threshold for requisite warranting until I find the argument best warranted. Also weigh, I like that.
1) Tech>Truth, argument conceded = 100% true, no intervention (barring #11) unless you make a morally reprehensible claim
2) The 2nd rebuttal has to cover turns or I consider them dropped. On the flip side if turns are dropped, they act as terminal defense. Also in 2nd rebuttal don't read new offensive overviews it doesn't give the opponent's enough time to respond.
3) Defense is sticky even with a 3-minute summary. i.e. even if defense on case is dropped, it must be responded to for case to be evaluated. Offense evaluated must be in the summary, but an uncontested impact will be implicitly flowed through even when not terminalized if the warrant is read (read the full description below).
4) Crossfire is non-binding in the sense that you can tack extra analysis in the next speech to try and get out of a concession
5) If offense survives 2 speeches untouched (barring case), it's dropped
6) Don't use "risk of offense" unless absolutely necessary
7) Need parallelism in summary/final focus, offensive extensions must be in both speeches
8) All extensions should include a warrant and impact (including turns). Summary must extend full argument
9) Proper weighing and collapsing are crucial to having the best possible round
10) No new args/weighing in second ff
11) If they have an argument straight turned, you cannot kick it
12) No new evidence in second summary unless it is responding to new evidence in the first summary
13) Do not try and shift advocacy after rebuttals
14) Anything you want me to write on my ballot should be in summary and final focus. If your opponents drop an argument or don’t respond to sticky defense, you still have to extend it for me to evaluate it.
15) PF is a debate event, but part of it is speaking. speaks are given on how well you speak (more details below)
Debate is meant to be a fun sport, so win or lose, try to enjoy the round. Have fun!
Whole paradigm below:
Personal Preferences
Preflowing - Preferably already done before you walk into round. I don't mind if you take a few minutes before the round starts but after 5 minutes, we are starting the round.
Coin Flip – Flip outside if you want or in front of me, either one is fine. Just make sure that both teams are in agreement
Sitting/Standing/etc. - If you guys want to sit in all the crossfires then go ahead. I do prefer however that during actual speeches you stand, it just looks more professional that way
Asking Questions after I disclose/RFD - post round discussion is good for the activity, ask away.
Lastly, I’ll always try to disclose my decision and reasoning if permitted to do so, and always feel free to approach me and ask me questions about the round (jamammen01@gmail.com). I firmly believe round feedback is the best way to improve in this event, and I would love to be a contributor to your success.
Too many judges get away not evaluating properly, not paying attention in round, etc. and while people do make mistakes, I think direct discussion between competitors and the judge offers an immediate partial fix. Asking questions ensures that judges are held accountable and requires them to logical defend and stand by their decisions. I do ask that you refrain from making comments if you didn't watch the round.
O Postround me if you want to. I am happy to discuss the round with anyone who watched, regardless if you were competing.
O I'd encourage anybody reading this who disagrees with general postround discussion to read this article which goes in depth about the benefits of post round oral disclosure and why this practice is more beneficial than harmful to the debate space
Spectators - In elims, anyone is allowed to watch. You don't have a choice here, if you're trying to kick people out who want to watch I'm telling them they can stay. In prelims, if both teams can agree to let a spectator watch then they are allowed in. That being said, be reasonable, I will intervene if I feel compelled. I would ask that if you are watching, watch the full round. Do not just flow constructives and leave.
General Evaluation
- Tech>truth. In context of the round, if an argument is conceded, it's 100% true. The boundaries are listed right above. Other than that, I really don't care how stupid or counterfactual the statement is. If you want me to evaluate it differently, tell me.
- I go both ways when it comes to logical analysis v. strong evidence. Do whichever works better for you. Be logical as to what needs to be carded.
- Well warranted argument (carded or not) > carded but unwarranted empiric. In the case both sides do the warranting but it is not clear who is winning, I will likely buy the carded empiric as risk
- Conceding nonuniques/delinks to kick out of turns, etc. are all fine by me. However, if your opponent does something dumb like double turn themselves or read a nonunique with a bunch of turns, I will not automatically get rid of the turn(s). Once it flows through two speeches you've functionally conceded it and I'm not letting you go back and make that argument.
- Reading your own responses to kick an argument your opponents have turned definitively is not a thing. Even if your opponents do not call you out A) you will lose speaker points for doing this, B) I'm not giving you the kick.
- If offense is absent in the round, I will default neg. I believe that I have to have a meaningful reason to pass policy and change the squo.
- I would highly encourage you to point out if defense isn't responsive so I don't miss it. That being said, I try my best to make those judgement calls myself based on my understanding of the arguments being made so I don't require you to make that clarification. A non-offense generating dropped arg that doesn't interact with an offensive extension is meaningless.
- Another thing I hate that's become more common is debaters just saying "this evidence is really specific in saying _____", "you can call for it, it's super good in saying _____", and other similar claims to dodge having to engage with warranting of responses. If you say these things explain why the warrant in it matters and how it interacts with your opponent’s case.
- If neither team weighs or does meta comparison, I will intervene. Preference: Strength of Link > Subsuming Mechanisms > Comparative Weighing > Triple Beam Balance.
Speech Preferences
- Second speaking rebuttal MUST address turns at the very least from first rebuttal or I consider them dropped. I think that both teams have a right to know all responses to their offense so they can go about choosing what to go for in summ/ff in the best possible way. Second speaking team already has a lot of structural advantages and I don't think this should be one of them.
- I need parallelism between summary and final focus. This means all offense, case offense, turns, or whatever you want me to vote off need to be in both speeches. Do not try to shift your advocacy from summary to final focus to avoid defense that wasn't responded to.
- Highly would prefer line by line up until final focus, this should be big picture. This doesn’t mean ignore warrants, implicating impacts, and weighing. I will evaluate line by line final focuses however.
Framing
- If framing is completely uncontested, I don't need you to explicitly extend the framework as long as you're doing the work to link back into it. On the other hand, if framework is contested, you must extend the framework in the speech following a contestation as well as the reasons to prefer (warrants) your framing or I will consider it dropped. If framework flows uncontested through two speeches it is functionally conceded and becomes my framework for evaluation. If framing is not present in the round, the LATEST I am willing to buy any framing analysis is rebuttal. Any time after that, I expect you to do comparative analysis instead.
-I usually default CBA absent framing. Of course, if you present and warrant your own framework this doesn't really matter
Weighing/Collapsing
- Weighing is essential in the second half of the round if you want my ballot. It can even be done in the rebuttal if you feel it is helpful. I believe collapsing is a crucial aspect that allows for better debate, don’t go for everything.
- I think that second final focus shouldn't get access to new weighing unless there has been no effort made previously made in the round in regards to weighing. Weighing should start in summary AT LATEST. Exception is if there is some drastically new argument/implication being made in first final which shouldn’t happen.
- Weighing and meta weighing are arguments. Arguments must be warranted. Warrant your weighing.
- No new terminalization of impacts in final focus (i.e. do not switch from econ collapse leading to job loss to econ collapse leading to poverty)
Extensions
- Extensions should include the warrant and impact, not just the claim and/or impact. Also just saying "extend (author)" is NOT an extension. I don't need you to explicitly extend an impact card if your impact is uncontested but I do need to get the implication of what your impact is somewhere in your speech. When evaluating an argument as a whole I generally reference how I interpreted the argument in the constructive unless distinctions/clarifications have been made later in the round.
- THE SUMMARY MUST EXTEND THE FULL ARG (UNIQ, LINK, Internal Link, Impact) This is especially true for case args or turns. On defense, the warrant and how it interacts/blocks your opponents arg is fine. A 3-minute summary increases my threshold for this extension.
- I advise that even though defense is sticky, extend critical defensive cards in summary and weigh them. I am more inclined to buy it.
- My threshold for extension on a dropped arg is extremely low but even then, I need you to do some minimal warrant/impact extension for me to give you offense
-Even if the opponents don't do a good job implicating offense on a turn (reference above), the turn still functions as terminal defense if extended. Just saying the opponents don't gain offense off of a turn doesn't mean the defensive part of an extended turn magically disappears....
-Turns need to be contextualized in terms of the round or you need to give me the impact for me to vote on it by summary/ff. They don't have to be weighed but it'd probably be better for you if you did. A dropped turn by the other team isn't a free ballot for you until you do the work on some impact analysis or contextualization.
Progressive arguments:
*Under NSDA Rules/Not TFA* - Please run args within the boundaries of NSDA competition rules. If you don't, I can't vote for you even if you win the argument
I don’t like these arguments and am inclined not to vote on them as they should not be very prominent in pf and should not be seen as free wins. I think that the discussions that are created through theory are good, but should be had outside the setting of round. That being said however, if there is a clear violation by your opponents, run theory and I will vote on it. Do not run disclosure theory, you will get dropped.
Speaks/Speed:
TLDR: My range is generally 27-30. Below 27 means you were heavily penalized or said something offensive, 29+ means I thought you did an exceptionally good job. I give all 30s on bubble rounds, anyone with a good record should clear. Speaks should not be the difference in you breaking if you win the bubble round.
- I can handle moderate speed, just don’t spread or you’ll lose me. I will clear if I cannot understand you and if I have to clear multiple times, we're going to have a problem. If I miss something, not my problem. If you think an email chain would be helpful, start one and add me (jamammen01@gmail.com). Good job for reading this long you deserve a reward, creative contention names geet +.5 speaker points .
- General Penalties (This is just a condensed, but not all inclusive, list of speaker point issues listed elsewhere in the paradigm):
1) Taking too long to preflow (.5 for every extra minute after first 5 min)
2) Taking too long pull up evidence
3) Unnecessary clears during opponent speeches (.5 per)
4) Stealing Prep. This is unacceptable, you will be punished heavily if I catch you
5) Severe clarity issues that aren't fixed after consecutive clears
6) Using progressive args to try and get free wins off novices
7) Trying to do anything abusive - read your own responses to turns, reading conditional cps, floating pics, etc.
8) Severe evidence misrepresentation (Trust me you probably won't want to see your speaks if you do this)
-Bonus speaks. I have added more ways to get bonus speaks, whether you utilize them is up to you
1) Reading case off paper (.1 bonus for each partner)
2) Appropriate humor and/or Crossfire power moves (varies)
3) +1 if your laptops are just closed(without misrepresenting evidence)
Evidence:
- I will call for evidence if I am explicitly told to do so or if there is a gap in both warranting and/or card comparison. I will also call if I am just curious.
- I would suggest having cut cards for anything you read available.
- If your evidence is shifty through the round (I.e. what you claim it to say changes notably between speeches), I'm calling for it and dropping it if misrepresented.
- Powertagging: It happens, pretty much everyone does it but it better not be misrepresented.
- "Made up"/ "Can't Find" Evidence Policy: In the case I call for evidence after the round, I may request for the citations and your interp/paraphrase/etc. to look for it myself if you claim you "can't find it", but it will be looked down upon.
o L/20 and probably a report to coaches if you refuse to give me this information when asked because that sends me a strong signal there's something really sketchy about this ev that you don't want me to see.
o If you cannot produce the original card you cited, it is dropped
o If I think what you are citing sounds ridiculous/doesn't exist I will search for it. Low Speaks if I cannot find anything similar to what you cited with the given quotations/interp - I assume it's either severely powertagged or made up.
Round Disclosure:
- I’ll always try to disclose with rfd and critiques after the round. I am also open to disclosing your speaks if you want to know.
-I will still disclose even if I am the only judge on the panel to do so.
- No disclosure policies are dumb as I think these policies encourage bad judging but I will respect them.
Lastly, if you're still slightly/somewhat/very confused on understanding my ideology and position as a judge, I've linked the paradigms of a couple people who have probably had the biggest personal influence on how I view debate and the role of a judge:
https://www.tabroom.com/index/paradigm.mhtml?judge_person_id=53914
https://www.tabroom.com/index/paradigm.mhtml?judge_person_id=54964
https://www.tabroom.com/index/paradigm.mhtml?search_first=art&search_last=tay
https://www.tabroom.com/index/paradigm.mhtml?judge_person_id=84007
Feel free to ask me any other questions before or after the round (jamammen01@gmail.com)
Debate is meant to be a fun sport, so win or lose, try to enjoy the round. Have fun!
LD/CX Paradigm
If you get me as a judge in these events, I AM SO SORRY. My best advice would be to treat the round like a pf one, as this is how I will be evaluating it. This means going a bit slower and keeping theoretical/progressive arguments to a minimum. I will however, evaluate these arguments to the best of my ability if they are presented to me. Again, very sorry.
Extemp Paradigm
IDK if anyone is actually going to be looking at this, but I will write one just in case. I am a very flow judge even in extemp. I believe that what you are saying matters more that how you say it. That being said, this is a speaking event and how you say things matters. (I say like 70% what you say, 30% how you say it). This means not just reading off a bunch of sources like an anchor, give me your analysis on the topic. That is what will boost your rank. In terms of speaking speak clear and confident. Also, I like humor, make me laugh. Any Marvel references are appreciated.
If you say anything super questionable or unreasonable, I will fact check it. If it turns out you were making things up, it will be reflected negatively on the ballot.
Random
Also if the round is super late and you guys don't want to debate (i.e. not bubble round or higher bracket) we can settle the round with a game of smash or poker or smthg...if you guys are good with it.
Lastly, have fun!
Hello everyone! My name is KJ (he/him), I competed all 4 years of high school and now go to Texas State University.
I am primarily an IE person. I competed in every IE event including OO, Info, and Extemp. I as well competed in World Schools a bit too. I was a 4x state qualifier, state finalist, 5x state semi finalist, 2x NIETOC semifinalist, and a 3x NSDA qualifier. I was as well an All-State and All-American competitor with over 2200 NSDA points. What I am looking for is understanding of the piece. How well thought out it is and how much effort you have noticeably put into it goes a LONG way.
IE's
- Needs to be clean, concise, and have a deeper meaning as to why you're telling the story, interp is acting with a purpose
- Be proud of what you're performing! and have fun with it!
- Characterization is key, I want to see real peoples stories that I am actually able to connect to
- I want to know what's going on! Don't just throw us into the middle of everything, give us some exposition, who are you? Where are you? What is going on?
OO, Info, Extemp, WS
- Are you just telling me the facts? Or are you engaging with the information and the topic you've chosen and presenting it in an effective way?
- Charisma is KEY, you wrote this speech, be proud of it!
- How well thought out is your argument or topic?
- Are you speaking fluidly and confidently or are you using filler words and swaying nervously?
- Make sure that you're applying the facts that you give to the grand scheme of things, what are the implications?
Like I said earlier, I was always more of an interp person. However, I do know all of the rules and the ins and outs of debate! I may not be as adept as I am with speech but I know my way around. Essentially just treat me as a lay judge who knows a lot about the subject.
Debate
- Well thought out arguments will go a long way, the more you put into a speech the more you will get out of it, and trust me when I say that we as judges notice how much effort you put into it
- How well do you structure your speech? How well does it flow?
- How do you respond to questions and how do you interact in the round?
- Don't just tell me what you are going to do but also HOW you are going to accomplish it and WHY
- Add me to the email chain plz - kjamarino@gmail.com
- As far as flowing goes, I'm not a stickler for it during cross so don't worry about it
- I can follow spreading but if you'd like to have mercy on my soul and not that would be awesome
- I'm not a huge theory argument person, so if I feel you're twisting the resolution in a way that it most likely wasn't intended as may not work if its too far out there
All of these are just my personal opinions regarding judging, please do not change your speech or performance based on trying to get my 1. So long as you have fun, enjoy what you're doing, and you are proud of the work you've presented, that is all I ask.
Email: kjamarino@gmail.com
Tom McCaffrey
In Public Forum and Extemp: I prioritize reasonable framework and clear analysis supported by evidence from credible sources. I'm interested in the big picture, and more in the significance and impacts of arguments than the quantity. I can't vote for points and impacts I can't hear or understand, so slow up for key points and explain them clearly. Be smart but be kind, don't yell at me or each other. I often see a negative correlation between persuasion and volume or intensity. I assign speaker points from 27-30, which may reflect positive and negative behavior, and may include partial points when allowed (e.g. 27.5, 28.75).
In Congressional Debate: I value natural delivery of points and impacts, and reasonable positions; talk pretty. I look for acknowledgement of prior speakers' points and clash leading to good argumentation and refutation, and for purposeful questioning leading to clarity, understanding, or insight. Knowledge of and adherence to Parliamentary Procedure is expected in the chamber. Skillful Presiding Officers make sessions a positive experience for all and will be ranked accordingly.
World Schools: a great debate event that should not sound, look, or feel like any other event. Please demonstrate that you understand, use, and respect this event's differences, norms, and value.
In Oratory, Info, and Impromptu: I value your originality, creativity, and persuasive presentation of ideas of personal importance. Cite your sources, explain their importance when not obvious.
I like POI as the most wide-open opportunity we have to connect and weave an unexpected and dazzling array of related choices to elevate an important advocacy.
In DI, HI, DUO: I think of everything we do in Speech and Debate as storytelling. Tell me a story! Among chiseling tools I prefer the precision of a scalpel to the raw power of a jackhammer. It's easier to get and keep my attention with thoughtful, meaningful, measured creative performances of cuttings that preserve a storyline than with more frenetic or extreme choices.
I believe speaking skills can, do, and should win tournaments. There are only two outcomes, and they're both great: you win or you learn. And you keep and add to the learning forever! Be kind and have fun!
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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I have competed in or coached various debate formats for over 20 years. Namely, I competed in policy debate for 7 years and competed and coached public debate for another 12 years. Ultimately, I value being a tabula rasa judge at the core.
For PF in particular, my desire is to see debate focus predominantly on persuasion and reasoning. Evidence should be a guide to the debate, not the debate itself. Impact calculations should be obvious, explained, and well defended by logic and reasoning. Debaters should not depend on evidence to speak for itself, nor should they be unable to explain basic warrants when prompted. Kritical argumentation and topicality should only be used if it is applicable, provides needed negative/con ground, and should not be used as a time suck. Finally, debaters should be well rehearsed with signposting and telling me where they want arguments on the flow; I shouldn’t have to make that judgment for them.
For email chains: jbagwell05@gmail.com
amanda072086@gmail.com
Speak clearly. Any speed is fine as long as you slow down and read your tag lines and main points very clearly. Spreading is fine. Give clear indication of when you have reached the burden you set out.
LD: I am a true values debate judge in LD. Tabula rasa judge. Flexible to any kinds of cases and arguments as long as they are respectful. If your case is not topical or abusive and your opponent argues and proves that in their speeches then I am willing to vote based on topicality, education and abuse.
PF and CX: Be respectful and cordial to your opponent. I’m open to most anything in Policy rounds. Always stay on the debate topic, don’t wander off onto an irrelevant subject because it’s more enjoyable to argue about than the topic is. Always allow your opponent the opportunity to complete their sentence before continuing to cross.
I’m a Tabula rasa Judge especially in Policy debate. If you don’t tell me how you want me to weigh the round and set a minimum burden for each side to have to meet within the round to win then I will default to judging based on the block and will turn into a games playing judge and will make voting decisions based on what my flow shows and dropped arguments or arguments that were lost or conceded will very much factor into my vote. Impacts, Warrants and links need to be made very clear, and always show me the magnitude.
I tend to view myself as conservative and traditional judge. When judging LD I taught this for twenty years and I tend to focus on intent of resolution and the burdens of each speaker. I don't favor critiques nor do I want the negative to present a counter plan. When judging Policy I do not just pay attention to stock issues, I also think that I occasionally view a round through the eyes of a policy maker. I truly enjoy teams that are organized and can articulate clearly the impacts of evidence and connect the evidence appropriately to their position. If you claim a comparative advantage, then be prepared to support it with evidence that actually links clearly back to a specific piece of evidence your opponent used. I do not mind voting on topicality, however the wording of the resolution is flexible and your analysis of terminology and application within the round can make even a topical case susceptible to a no vote if you neglect to properly articulate why you are significant or substantial with adequate evidence or proof. I prefer to hear arguments proving the disadvantages or why a counter-plan can solves and I don’t think that everything leads to total destruction. I am not overly fond of kritik’s but I will listen and I have voted on them when they are well presented and supported by evidence and understood by both team members. I flow fairly well but, if you use speed you must have clarity of speech. I think the spread is not really necessary if your research and understanding of the resolution is sufficient. When I am judging World School debate, I want both teams to responds to points of order or to request that they address them once they have completed their presentation.
PF:
I am looking for good clash between arguments and in your crossfire. Each substantive point should be stated clearly. Your talking speed should not be fast, it should be clear and at a regular talking pace. Please make use of your crossfire wisely, I am looking for good contesting questions. If you collapse on a good argument and warrant it well, I'm much more compelled to vote for you over a team that just spoke quickly. Please give an overview of your speech before you start, and I expect line-by-line rebuttals at the very least. Also, keep on signposting during your speech. When a turn is not responded to, your chances of winning the round is very slim. Some kind of framing at some point in the round is definitely preferred because it'll help me decide what to evaluate better. If no one has a question please just sit down and cut crossfire short. I’ll evaluate any valid argument, but if it goes too much into technicalities, you might lose me...
Have fun!!!
please put me on the email chain: kateshadman@gmail.com
^^please send docs, don't dump an entire speech into the body of the email
Colleyville Heritage HS (TX) '20: 4 years PF (tfa and nat circuit)
University of Oklahoma '24: 4(ish) years policy
pronouns: she/her/hers
tl;dr (pf)
do whatever you want, i vote on the flow. your barrier to speed is your opponent (if they can’t handle it don’t do it). please warrant and weigh your arg and terminalize your impacts — if you do this you will most likely win. 2nd rebuttal should frontline, if they don’t defense is sticky in 1st summary. if it’s in final it needs to be in summary. have good evidence ethics.
come in pre flowed and send the email chain at the start time
for roadmaps: just tell me which piece of paper to have on top
tl;dr (cx)
my only cx experience is in college, so I'm not as with it as the other college policy debaters
I don't care what you read, I'll listen to pretty much anything. write my ballot for me, I love judge instruction (especially on the K, implicate it to the round plss). I'm biased for a good policy round but don't get me wrong, I love a good K (most familiar with set col, security, and cap). pls label each piece of paper in the 1NC. regardless of the argument, make sure to extend the link (really hard to vote on anything in the 2AR/NR if it's missing) and implicate your args.
come in pre flowed and send the email chain at the start time
for roadmaps: just tell me which piece of paper to have on top
welcome to my paradigm:
*before your speech, pls just tell me what piece of paper to start on and I'll follow you from there (cx: just give me the order of the sheets of paper)
Warrant, Weigh, Win- it's that simple.
- it needs to be on the flow, I need clean extensions and weighing if you want me to vote on it
(please weigh. please, please, please weigh)
- for it to be an extension, I need claim, warrant, and impact
- tell me why/how you're winning and why your argument matters (write my ballot for me)
- terminalize impacts
- please come in pre-flowed and prepared to debate (i want to start the round asap)
- speech doc/email chain should be sent at the start time of the round (or earlier, just not later)
- signpost, I want to write down all of your wonderful arguments (in the right places)
- speed: i don't care how fast you go, know your opponent (if they can't handle the speed -- don't go fast, if they don't have experience flowing off speech docs, this isn't the round for them to learn), if you're going to go sicko mode, give me a doc, otherwise, I flow on paper if I'm not writing stuff down, slow down
pf specific:
- quality > quantity
- tech > truth
- default util
- I don't like calling for ev. you should be doing the ev analysis yourselves, ie. compare the ev between speeches then say it in the speech (I won't vote on it if it's not on the flow)
rebuttal:
- 1st rebuttal shouldn't be doing case extensions (unless it's an ov, fw, or weighing you want flowed on your case), i already got the args from case, it's just repetitive
- 2nd rebuttal: pls frontline offense
summary:
- if 2nd rebuttal frontlines, defense is not sticky
- if 2nd rebuttal doesn't frontline, defense is sticky
- please weigh (pls, pls, pls)
final focus:
- final focus should mirror the summary (if it's not in the summary it shouldn't be in final) (weighing should also be the same)
- PLEASE DON'T GO FOR EVERYTHING, collapse and narrow down the debate
crossfire:
- start whenever y'all are ready, don't wait on me
progressive args (pf)
I would rather not but, do whatever you want, but, it's extremely hard to do the work you need to do within the pf time constraints and the bar doesn't lower just because it's pf. if you are going to do something funky, one of the biggest mistakes I see is not implicating the K (or whatever) to the round, make sure you do work on page comparison otherwise, it's really hard to see how the argument is relevant to the round. tell me how to evaluate the arg in the context of the round.
"progressive args don't belong in pf" isn't a response (unless you have a beautifully curated block on this arg), you need some legitimate ink on the flow
again, I would rather not judge progressive rounds in pf, if you want to, you run the risk of losing the ballot a lot easier than if you debated traditionally
evidence:
don't do anything stupid and don't take forever to pull up evidence, evidence should be cut properly and cited with a working link, if your opponents are doing something bad/sketch with ev make it a voting issue--I am very likely to vote on it (if it's legit)
personal thing about ev- evidence shouldn't be paraphrased when it's introduced into the round, you should be reading from cards, obviously this gets lost in the back half of the round (which is fine)-- if you are going to paraphrase make sure you have the cut cards available and that you are representing them correctly
Please don't speak too fast. I am a novice judge. Please don't use debate lingos.
I try to be objective and fair when I'm judging. Arguments that are backed by statistics and examples are the most appealing to me. Good luck to all the participants!
speak loudly
speak clearly
I am an old-school judge. In LD I want to see very clear values and a criterion that weighs them so I can judge whether you've tied your impacts in support of your case. I am going to judge your arguments on quality not quantity, so please don't throw out a bunch of statistics and cards without putting them in perspective for their impacts. In PF, everything applies other than the value and criterion, but it should be clear from your contentions what is important in the round. I appreciate frameworks, but not kritiks so if you do a k without contentions that support your aff or neg, it's probably not going to score very high.
Most crucially, I do not like speed or spreading. Make your best arguments and support them. If you go too fast and I can't understand your argument because of how fast you're speaking, I can't score it.
Westlake 21, Wharton 25
Debated for five years. Currently coach for Potomac Debate Academy. I like warrants and implications a lot.
- If you go a regular pace and win the round, I will award you with fantastic speaks. Don't go fast for the sake of going fast.
- I will vote for the easiest path to the ballot. Do extend and do weigh. If you don't, don't expect to get >27.5 speaks.
- Time yourself and your opponents. No one does and it is annoying.
- Preflow before round. If you show up to round not preflowed, I will dock speaks heavily.
- Can and will evaluate prog. I am best at evaluating theory, and then more basic Ks. If you're gonna run anything be very clear about how it functions in the round. I am now three years out from my last K debate. I have forgotten a lot. Please run things well.
- Docking speaks a lot if it takes a long time to pull up evidence.
- If you disclose, lmk and I'll add 0.5 speaks.
You can email me at xyz85678@gmail.com or FB message me. Sometimes I don't see message requests though.
Open to pretty much listening to any argument/case in all debate events.
If you speak too fast, I will tell you to slow down.
I flow on paper.
Keep your own time; check your opponents time; do not steal prep time.
PF: I do not flow cross fire. I do not flow new arguments in the final focus. Check evidence during crossfire or prep time (do not create random time for evidence check). How to get high speaks: strategic questions asked during crossfires, do not be rude/do not create a screaming match, do not steal prep time, do not misinterpret your evidence, create clash, do not be racist/sexist/ableist, be efficient with your time/be organized, make it easy for me to flow your speech, and make logical arguments.
CX/LD: probably best to treat me like a lay judge who knows some debate jargon. I am not well read in theory/critiques, so it might take some more explanation/work on your part for me to understand.
**If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask before or after round**
Background: Debated high school Public Forum from 2012-2014 and, judged PF from 2014-2018 in Texas
Pronouns: She/her