Last changed on
Fri January 7, 2022 at 5:47 AM PDT
I competed in Congress for 2.5 years in high school and I'm currently coaching Congress at Newport. In my high school career, I competed at TOC, 2x NCFLs, and NFLs. I went to semi-finals at NFLs my senior year. This is not to toot my own horn, but rather to let you know that I know and I LOVE this form of debate. I care deeply that you all have fun and take as much away from this activity as I did, and that will be reflected in my comments and critiques. I prefer that you are all having fun and foster healthy competition. I don't like to see anyone torn to shreds. Be kind.
That all being said, it's been about 7 years, and I went to HS in Wisconsin, so this is my first time judging a WA state tournament. Hopefully things aren't too different!
I consider decorum heavily in my judging. Ad Hominem attacks will not be tolerated. My pet-peeves are speaking over each other in questioning and prefacing your questions without permission.
Clarity, persuasion, and analysis will be weighed most heavily. Clearly state your source, explain what it means and why it matters, and convince me (and your fellow debaters) why it matters.
Clash is also important. I expect you to maintain decorum and keep your clash respectful, and I expect that you will call out your fellow congressmen and congresswomen's points, by name, and refute them where it makes sense.
Delivery will absolutely give you an extra edge in a close round but is pretty much the last thing I consider.
Use your questions to further debate or get more clarifying info to use in refutation in your own speech. Do not ask questions simply to participate. Especially, and I cannot stress this enough, avoid asking questions in a sarcastic or ironic tone and questions clearly meant to disparage your opponent.
If you are P.O.: I often rank the P.O. unless they are being unfair or not putting much effort in. If it's your first time, it's absolutely okay to ask me some questions before we start and I'll help you out as much as I can. It's a tough role, but it was my absolute favorite part of this style of debate.
