Lay Judge

Limited experience judging PF. No experience judging LD.

Speak slowly and clearly.

Dear all,

I am Ramanathan (Ram) working for an IT company in Greenville, SC. I was born and raised in India and immigrated to the US 14 years ago.

I enjoy judging speech and debate (especially your round) and it’s great to be part of this event which not only helps to shape the life and future of the students but also for myself with a greater understanding of current issues and topics.

I’m fluent in English but I would appreciate it if you (debaters) can avoid jargon as well as speaking too fast. I remain a judge/spectator for the entire part of the debate and step in if and only there is a need (exceeding time limit, inappropriate language, etc.). Also, I keep time for the entire round just to make sure the burden is not on the debaters.

It’s great to meet you all and look forward to judging your event. All the very best!!

.

I am a parent judge and this is my 3rd year judging PF and LD.

Most rounds that I have judged in the past are very close calls, never an easy / clear-cut decision. So, I take a lot of notes during the rounds, and take time reflecting on both sides before making a final decision. And so a not-too-crazy speed of delivery works best for me. If you go super-fast, you might lose me.

Also, a good set of definitions at the beginning of the debate has been helpful for me in following along on some of the not-too-familiar topics.

I am also not a big fan of teams who use sarcasm or overly aggressive speech to put down their opponents. I value a healthy and respectful debate. So the team who is able to defend their values while attacking their opponent’s case in an effective, yet respectful manner usually wins my vote!

Happy Debating!!

When judging any kind of debate, I prefer for competitors to remain on topic and avoid spreading. I consider it indicative of a lack of preparation when a competitor does not use the majority of their time. Although I prepare for each tournament by familiarizing myself with each topic, my decisions are based on which side is able to best convince me of their argument. I expect competitors opinions to be validated by sources and proof. While I love spirited debate, I expect competitors to maintain respectful demeanor and professionalism throughout the round. 

In speech and interpretation events, I not only consider what happens in each round, but also the standard of competition throughout the season.

I am a lay judge. I've completed online training and watched several demo videos.

Speed: I'm okay with speed, but I really like an articulate, eloquent speaker. Prioritize clarity, be sure to signpost, don't spread, and you'll be fine.

Framework: Please make your Value and Value Criterion clear at the beginning, weave them into your case, and tell me explicitly why your input is better than your opponent's.

I prefer some scholarly philosophies in there with supportive arguments.

Finish strong and on time. Be specific.

I have judged speech and debate events for the past 13 years. My son was in Congress.

General thoughts

Regardless of the event, I expect professionalism and preparation from all competitors. Showing up unprepared or engaging in unprofessional behavior wastes your time, my time, as well as that of the other competitors and your coaches.

Public Forum Debate & LD

Although I’ve judged PFD more than LD, I feel comfortable with both events. I appreciate assertiveness but actively dislike aggression. Clarity is extremely important. Don’t be cocky: instead, try to convey how deeply you’ve researched the topic. I always leave my personal opinions on the topic aside in order to be fair to all debaters.

Interp/speech

I started off my judging career judging interp, even though lately I’ve been judging debate more. Regardless of the piece, you have to give your best when performing. Delivery must always be clear and interesting. Tech should be smooth and reflect the norms of the event itself (tech in DI is very different than tech in HI).

This is my third year of judging. Use good communication skills, be clear and concise, and be professional and respectful to each other. I want to hear factual evidence that is logical and well-researched to prove to me why you should win over your opponent. Some other highlights...

Speaker Points:

I generally stick to a range of 25-29, with 25 being average or slightly below, 26 being decent, 27 being good, 28 being very good, and 29 being exceptional. I'll reserve 30 for a speaker who knocks it out of the park. If you are being unnecessarily rude, condescending to your opponent, or use racist/sexist/homophobic/etc. language, then I will rank you lower than this range.

Speed:

For me, this is related to speaker points. I'm okay with you speaking somewhat quickly, but be clear and concise. Be aware that the faster you speak means I may miss important arguments that could win the round for you or your team, so take that into consideration when it comes to speaking and clarity. I also am not a fan of spreading. If you spread, I will not select you as the winner and will lower your points.

Feel free to ask me questions at the beginning of the round if you want to know anything else. Most of all, have fun!