NAME: William Bryant

SCHOOL AFFILIATION: Muhlenberg County High School

NUMBER OF YEARS JUDGING PUBLIC FORUM: 1

NUMBER OF YEARS COMPETING IN PUBLIC FORUM: 1

NUMBER OF YEARS JUDGING OTHER FORENSIC ACTIVITIES: 0

NUMBER OF YEARS COMPETING IN OTHER FORENSIC ACTIVITIES: 0

IF YOU ARE A COACH, WHAT EVENTS DO YOU COACH? Public Forum

WHAT IS YOUR CURRENT OCCUPATION? Teacher for Muhlenberg County High School

In response to the sharing opinions and beliefs about how the criteria listed fits into a debate round, I am currently still getting my feet wet in the field of debate. When judging, the speed of delivery is only important to the extent that the debaters have prepared their arguments well and have much to say about the subject of the debate. Knowledge of the proposition and the ability to answer the arguments of the opponents are a top priority for me. I would value argument over style and be looking for good responses to the opposing teams arguments. So, my answer would be yes to the question: "If a team plans to win the debate on an argument, in your opinion does that argument have to be extended in the rebuttal or summary speeches?"

From the beginning to the end of the debate, I try to listen to the arguments and rebuttals and award the win to the team who has argued their point well. From watching the two young debaters from my high school who are entering the competition, they put in hours and hours of preparation. If the team has put in the work, it becomes apparent in how they argue. I am not an experienced debater - nor have I been judging long enough to become a seasoned judge. I will do my absolute best to judge a competition fairly on the basis of merit and not arbitrarily.

My paradigm is pretty straight-forward. I believe debate is an educational opportunity designed to promote discourse. While I can handle speed, I do not prefer it as I believe that it detracts from the intentions of the activity. I prefer lots of clash. Having the ability to provide a strong line-by-line response is effective. Use your evidence to your advantage. Don't assume I will make the connections for you. If you want me to flow it, say it.

In Congressional Debate, there is no need to preface how many times you have spoken. It's a waste of time. Your name and your school is sufficient. As a Parliamentarian, I will be as hands off as possible. If you think there is an issue, that is up to you as representatives to ask the PO. Try to be as direct as possible in your questions. Lots of time is wasted in prefacing.