Ringneck Novice After School Tournament
2021 — Online, SD/US
Novice Public Forum Paradigm List
All Paradigms: Show HideMy achievements include eating an entire tub of Ben and Jerry’s in one sitting and being able to quote every episode of Criminal Minds
Slay the day, be gay :)
HISTORY:
4-year Public Forum Debater and 2-time National Qualifier. 4-year Original Orator and 3-time National Qualifier.
PF:
Flow judge who will be very sad if you don’t signpost :,(
I take prep for cards. I have final say for time!
If you tell me to look at a card, I will look at the card.
I value kindness and respect in every debate round. Zero tolerance for racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, etc. of any kind.
Have fun! Debate should be a friendly competition. I encourage making appropriate jokes and pop culture references that will make me laugh.
I debated in the mid 1980's, almost exclusively inside South Dakota and coached some HS debate while I was attending college in Minnesota. I continued to judge some throughout the 90's. In the mid 2010's, I re-engaged with the activity. In the 2021-22 season, I added a part-time gig, becoming the assistant coach at SF Jefferson.
Policy: I'm a 1980's policymaker, weighing advantages vs disadvantages, but I will certainly vote on stock issues in the real absence of inherency, solvency or topicality.
Debate started changing dramatically in the late 70's and I was in the first wave of spread 1.0, almost laughable when compared to today's spread on the circuit and collegiate level. I believe spread and K's pushed policy debate to an extreme that required the creation of PF. The speed of today's South Dakota PF feels a lot like 1980's policy debate, quick, but nothing close to crazy. I am making it somewhat of a personal mission to keep PF from tipping over the edge.
I outlined my thought on judging policy above.
Public Forum: I am looking for clash -- real clash and sound logical reasoning and quality extension evidence that makes your case. Don't paraphrase. I consider K's and counterplans out of hand. I also place a premium on signposting (anything that can help me keep as organized a flow as possible). Teams that fail to do this leave themselves at a real competitive disadvantage. Weigh impacts and construct a narrative around why I should vote for your side of the resolution. Finally: If your team is 2nd speaker, your rebuttal absolutely has to get back to your Case and counter the attacks made against it!
I value exceptional speaking and rhetorical excellence. I love speakers that can change my perception on issues, speakers who possess a passion for the topic and the activity. If you find a way to be unique and memorable, you will have a significant competitive advantage over 90% of your competition. While speaking skills are not as important as research and argumentation in helping me decide a round, they are often the difference maker in a close round. They are also somewhat of a lost art as PF begins to look and sound more like policy -- which is a shame.
I occasionally judge LD -- it also has been impacted by the spread/K revolution. I am looking for many of the same skills I'm looking for in PF. I appreciate debaters who help me weigh the competing value/criterions and what should take precedent within a particular resolution. Connect your V/C to your contentions. Tell me why we should frame the resolution through your V/C instead of your opponents. I need help connecting philosophy to your contentions -- take the time to explain it to me in a clear and persuasive manner. Don't assume I have a working knowledge of these scholars, because I probably don't or, the few I may have heard or read about, have likely been forgotten.
On a scale of 1/10 for speed, I would consider myself about a 5 In policy debate and a 6-7 in PF/LD. On a scale of 1/10 for openness to alternative argumentation, I would be fairly low on a 1-10 scale. For policy -- quite open to topicality, less to counterplans, and a big hurdle to get my ballot if your case hinges on a series of Kritik arguments. For PF -- I consider myself a local/regional kind of guy. I am open to speed, not spread. I think disclosure theory is bogus (debate is a speech activity -- an argument hasn't been made until a speech is delivered). Don't run K's.
- Debate background:
- Judged High school debate for (9 years);
- Assistant debate coach for 2 years.
2. Judging:
- I love flow and base my judgment on logical arguments, facts, science, etc.
- I deliberate on overall presentation of debaters-- i.e.-- argumentation + delivery
Background:
I debated in public forum for four years in the SD circuit. I qualified for nationals three times (twice in public forum and once in IX). I now am a first year studying international politics at Georgetown University.
PF:
I am a flow judge, please sign-post! If neither team has a framework I default to a CBA. I appreciate clash throughout a debate round. I consider myself a tabula rasa judge.
I won't take prep for looking at cards, but please try to be fast and efficient when sharing evidence.
I am a pretty laid-back judge, but I do not tolerate any kind of discrimination in a debate round. I do not have a problem dropping people for excessive rudeness.
Debated policy in high school and and at UK. I'm open to anything as long as you are comfortable with it, just be confident. If you have any specific questions feel free to ask!
I have very little knowledge on this years topic so do your thing with that in mind.
Email---sulaiman.asif.jamal@gmail.com
LD -
I am a senior in college this year and did LD for three years in high school. I am more traditional for framework and arguments, but if you decide to run something more applicable to circuit style, I don't care as long as you explain it. Please explain to me why your framework is the way that I should judge the round - I don't just want to hear that your framework is better than your opponent's, I want to hear why your framework is the best way to reach morality as shown specifically through your contentions. I will vote on framework first. I will also vote on the flow, so be careful in dropping arguments. I can handle speed on the flow as long as you are coherent; if I can't understand you, I won't flow it. I sincerely appreciate sign posting, please don't make me guess where I'm supposed to flow an argument. Finally, please weigh things. Tell me why your impact is bigger or why your impact is more pertinent on the timeline.
PF -
I didn't do PF in high school and have only watched a few rounds, so please be conscious that I am less familiar with the structure and the style of arguments in PF. Same thing goes for sign posting, speed, and weighing. If a framework is presented, I will also vote on the contention level through the weighing mechanism I decide to vote on. I will lean towards impact calc in voting in PF, so please explain to me what the impacts are, why they are the most immediate threat, and how your plan actually resolves those issues/reduces the horrendous scary numbers you're presenting. Please be polite, I don't like the fact that both of you get to ask questions in CX but I will be less inclined to listen to you if you are rude to an opponent in CX.
Emerson Keeley
she/they
University of South Dakota
General
Hey there! My name is Emerson Keeley but, I also go by Emma. I graduated from Aberdeen Central in 2021. I only did debate for 1 year so I don't know much so please correct me if I do anything wrong. I am open to learning from my mistakes. I did show choir throughout high school, so I am WAY out of my zone. I currently attend USD, studying Psychology with a minor in Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies.
DO NOT say anything out of pocket, homophobic, transphobic, sexist, racist, xenophobic, or anything of the sort. I grew up in South Dakota, it is not fun what some people have to go through, and if you are like that to your opponent or partner, you will be downvoted instantly. I will absolutely not tolerate it!
Go YOTES!
Public Forum
I am most confident in this type of debate. I know most terms but bare with me. I am still fairly new. I know how to keep a decent flow. I am open to learning! I am slowly getting more confident in PuFo.
I will not disclose rounds. If you ask me to disclose, that's .5 of your speaker points.
Make the debate traditional
IE's
I LOVE HUMOR!!! IT IS MY KILLER!!
LD
I am least confident in this type of debate, therefore, I am open to learning!! I will try my best!!
Information
Feel free to email me if there is anything you'd like to discuss regarding your round! I would be more than happy to give my input! Just make sure to put what round it and what the topic was since I have the memory of a goldfish :)
hihi i’m good with speed i’m probably like a 7/9 i did pf and ld 2 years each so i’m kinda familiar with formats
BUT i have terrible organization for rounds and i focus super hard on rebuttal. if you smoke someone in rebuttal you basically win unless u really clearly summarize points at end of round i am super lazy. mostly i prefer line by line but i’m ok with voters.
i’m more familiar with traditional debate so please explain kritiks, counterplan, theory args (i get the gist of them but please clarify)
random things:
tech > truth because i think truth judges kinda do the work for debaters sorry, but if your opponent says something blatantly wrong just give me 2 words on it like "this is untrue call for card" i will call for card and flow that through.
i said i’m good with speed BUT only do speed if u need to (not the drug lol). what i mean is dont talk fast for the sake of talking fast like “ooh i’m so good at reading args quickly oooh” like i don’t care about that, i want u to show me that you know the argument you’re running not just reading off cards. if you use speed to just try to disorient your opponent i think that’s smelly.
Sioux Falls Jefferson LD and IE Coach
"Sauce Boss"
Debate Rounds Judged: A lot (130+ish i think?)
General -
Aberdeen Central ‘21
Tech>truth
Tabula Rasa Judge overall
For the love of god please make evidence sharing short and sweet, It does not need to take 5 mins of time to share it, please do not have it take that long.
I used to disclose but after arguments with debaters as to why I am wrong has turned me off to wanting to do it. More likely than not I am not going to. showing up to the debate round last minute on purpose is pretty annoying, if you are near the room, go in so we can start the round.
New in the 2 = Dumb. Do not make new args in non constructive speeches. I am a 5-6 on Speed as well. I have a very high threshold when it comes to the argument of In Round Abuse happening, to me it is an all or nothing argument, not a time suck. I have a high bar when it comes to me voting on RVIs, Condo/Dispo. If you bring 17 arguments to the flow I expect them to be answered by your opponent but you also need to extend and properly handle them. Running Disclosuse Theory with me as a judge = 0 Speaks, A Loss, and me being annoyed for however long the debate is. Stop being a baby and debate, you do not need all of your coaches to do the work for you and prep out a case.
Word usage to avoid with me as your judge -
Racial Slurs, Excessive swearing (a well placed curse is okay once and while), “queen” and “king”, slay, poggers, he/she “ate it up”. All of these are cringe and will result in speaker points being docked. (For context someone said poggers, slay, and ate it up in a round so I felt necessary to add this)
Circuit Stuff (1-5, 1 meaning i like the arg)
Tech>
1 -
Trad LD
T vs K Affs (hard for me to not vote of it when it is ran, i really do not buy the whole in round education matters more than the round itself)
2 -
Speed (SIGNPOST TAGS, SLOW DOWN ON TAGS PLEASE)
Theory
Res Based Ks
3 -
Phil Debate, In round abuse args
4 -
K Affs (will vote if the Alt is the good)
5 -
High Theory
Non Res Based Ks
LARP
CP, PICs
Strike me -
RVIs good, Death Good Ks, Kant, Queer/Trans Violence against ones self (mentions of self harm = not good for me as your judge)
Strike me AND seek help -
Disclosure Theory / Open Source Theory, Tricks (Cringe)
How I give Speaker Points
I think speaker points are possibly the worst thing about debate since there is not a universal system on what makes a "good speaker". You should not get 25 speaks because you talk fast to a lay judge or get 30 because you spread to a circuit judge. So here is how I give out my speaks and what each means.
23 and Below- Did something in the round that was out of pocket and probably not ethical (IE: -isms, ists)
24-26 - Below Average speaker, you get up in the round and make some arguments but not ones that sound good. Needs serious improvement in more than one area
27 - Average. This is what each speaker starts out in the round for me, you go into the round with 27 speaker points by default
28-29 - Above Average to Elite Speaker - you make some great arguments and have a great flow along with signposting, doing good line by line, and being clear while also formulaic when you speak
30 - The Best Speaker I have seen all year - I do not think I have given out one 30 in all of my judging maybe ever, so this is a high bar. You will need to be perfect to get this. You need to not stumble once, be razor efficient with words and just dice your opponent up.
Ways to get more Speaks in .1s in the Round
Being Funny, Smart, and being a bit sassy in CX is ways to get you some points with me
Making an argument I was thinking of and then saying, shows a high level of talent.
Ways to lose Speaks with me as the Judge.
Running Disclosure Theory, Speed Ks, or just paraphrasing things in general.
Being not nice
IEs
I think that IEs should be based how well you can give me whatever information you have. Oratory, Inform, Interp etc are not my thing even though I have competed in all of those events. If you have me in non extemp, just talk good, and if you have me in Extemp, just know I could really care less about how good you talk and if you give me fluff, I will be to tell if you are actually saying really anything substantive. Content and analysis is way to get the one with me in the back.
Public Fourm
I want offense offense offense, that's how you win with me as a judge in the back, I want to see offense or you will not get my ballot. Do good weighing, Warrant analysis, and clobber your opponent into the ground, and you will get my ballot at the end of the round. While I do not coach PuFo directly, I will most likely have some what of an understanding of the topic but go easy on lingo based in the topic unless I state otherwise. I do not like paraphrased when I am your judge, I think it allows bad debaters to get an advantage. I will not vote you down simply for the fact that you have a case like that but I will be very inclined to listen to Paraphrase theory and that you should vote down the other team for it. But once again, you will have to read that theory argument for me to vote the other team down on it. I think public forum debate can be very lizard brained in the fact that everyone runs the same argument and it gets very boring. I will love to see you run arguments that have sick warrents and great links, I will be much more likely to vote on that compared to a not well thought out case. I am a 6 for speed and prefer tech debate to anything.I default to a CBA FW unless told otherwise. Generally speaking your 2AR/NR should just be voters and why you win the round by framing in the context of the debate (IE: Impact Calc, Solvency)
Do not ask if you can have first question, if you spoke first just start CX. Do not say, "off the clock roadmap", just give me an order. Just say, "Everyone Ready" instead of asking each person in the round, asking everyone wastes my time and yours.
LD
I think i am about as big of a mix of Trad and Circuit judge that you can have. I Coach this activity and I have come to believe that this should not become policy. While I was a policy debater, I think LD should remain mostly sperate from policy. That being said I will be fine with Ks with link to the res. Reading plan text in LD should be in the context of the res itself. I am going to have a very high bar for the evidence that you send me or that you read, if you say that there is a warrant in there that isnt, I am probably not going to eval it as a valid argument. Keep speed to like 5-6, I am fine with speed but PLEASE slow down on your tags, if cant hear or understand you, i am not going to flow. Tech>Truth. Reading the 50 States CP is probably not a good idea with me as your judge. Reading DAs is fine but your links better be good and not just generic Ev. Same with PTX Cases, specifics or i have a high bar for any argument that you make. Overall, keep a good flow, make a good arguments, and youll get my ballot. FW should not always be the most important voter in the round but you should not just drop it after your first speech. AFF has FIAT but I think the neg is going to have a hard time convincing me post res that any of their arguments based X Action happens so that means x actor will do this, you will need to do a lot of convincing me in the link debate to do this.
Policy -
I am a 8 on speed, signpost and you will be just fine, if you do not sign post. I will be slightly annoyed and make faces to show as a such. As someone who practiced their speed and mastered it, I like seeing those who mastered it aswell, that being said, if you cannot clearly spread, don't, I will not dock you if you do not talk fast enough, but I will dock you for talking too fast. I will vote not anything that is - Condo/Dispo, some inround discourse Ks(aka Speed Bad etc), Meme arguments, and Actor CPs. I flow CX and think it is important for argument developing and using it as a tool in your arsenal to clown your opponents.I am not a fan of PICs at all, think they are abusive and leech off aff ground. I tend to lean on a good CP with a mutual exclusivity NB with a sick DA, T, GOOD discourse Ks (IE - Security), Stock issues, politics DAs. I want offense, offense, offense.
Notions I carry with me into the round -
Presumption = Neg. Trying to change of this idea is an uphill battle and you will have an easier time trying to convince me that JR Smith is the greatest basketball player of all time. Do not waste your time on trying to dispute this.
Death is (probably) bad
BQ
Refer to LD and Pufo for framework and weighing arguments. Be the better debater and I will vote for you. I have minimal experience and do not care about this event nearly as much as I do the others.
TL:DR - Tech>Truth. I will vote on Paraphrase theory. Offense wins my ballot. Please signpost and do proper line by line. Disclosure Theory, or Bad Ks = dumb. There is no 3NR/AR
Hello debaters,
I approach debate with a focus on substance and argumentation, emphasizing the importance of clear communication and effective case development. Here are key aspects of my judging philosophy:
-
Flow-Centric Evaluation:
- I prioritize the flow as the primary tool for decision-making.
- Debaters should clearly articulate and extend arguments throughout the round.
- I appreciate organization and signposting to enhance the flow.
-
Impacts Matter:
- I give weight to well-developed impacts that are linked to the resolution.
- Impact calculus is crucial. Clearly explain why your impacts outweigh those presented by your opponent.
-
Technical Proficiency:
- I value technical proficiency in debate. Solid understanding of debate theory and effective cross-examination will be rewarded.
- However, I do not automatically vote on theory. Make sure to connect theoretical arguments to tangible impacts on the round.
-
Clarity and Signposting:
- Clear, concise, and organized speeches are key. Clarity in communication helps me understand your arguments better.
- Signpost consistently to help me follow your line of argumentation.
-
Adaptability:
- I appreciate debaters who can adapt their strategy based on the flow of the round.
- Flexibility in argumentation and the ability to adjust to your opponent's arguments will be recognized.
-
Framework and Weighing:
- Framework is essential for framing the round, but it should be applied in a way that enhances substantive clash.
- Effective weighing of impacts is crucial. Explain why your impacts are more significant in the context of the round.
-
Disinclination towards Theory Arguments:
- I am not a fan of theory arguments. While I expect debaters to engage in substantive clash, relying heavily on theory arguments may not be as persuasive to me.
-
Respect and Sportsmanship:
- Maintain a respectful and professional demeanor throughout the round.
- I don't tolerate any form of discrimination or offensive language. Such behavior will have a negative impact on your speaker points.
-
Evidence Quality:
- Quality over quantity. Well-analyzed and relevant evidence will carry more weight than a flood of less meaningful sources.
- Reference your evidence appropriately and be prepared to defend its relevance.
Remember, this paradigm is a guide, and I am open to various debating styles and arguments. Adapt your approach to these guidelines, and feel free to ask for clarification on any specific preferences before the round begins.
I debated Lincoln Douglas for all four years of high school. One of the biggest things a debater should do in order to win is adapt to judge preferences... Here are mine,
1) I’m a big framework guy, does that mean if all you win is framework will you win the round? Absolutely not. If you don’t have a framework at the end of the round though it’s going to be difficult to win my vote. I’m a big fan of framework because it makes every contention level argument easier to weigh. FW turns are one of my favorite arguments and if done right will do a lot towards gaining my ballot
2) On the contention level I need sign posting and you need to directly address sub points not just contention headings.... Also, like framework I love a good turn on the contention level and I also love direct clash of arguments from both cases. My biggest advice is to be articulate and concise on the contention level.
3) I’m a fan of faster paced debates. Does this mean spread your opponent out of the water..... nope. I can handle most speeds but don’t get out of hand, slow down on tags, explanations, and transitions.
4) If you’re debating in South Dakota with me in the back of the room... Avoid policy arguments plz :)
5) Finally, I need to see respectfulness during the debate. Yes you can still be savage in cross-x but that doesn’t mean be rude.... There’s a difference. If you ever call your opponent dumb or stupid you will lose the round.
6) Finally, if you ever see me make facial expressions during a round don’t get nervous. After debating for so many years you learn it’s hard to control them sometimes. Odds are you’re doing just fine :)
Hopefully this helps y’all out, rock on ballers!
I am a public forum judge...not policy. Organization and presentation are the keys to a winning round. Fast speaking will get you nowhere; and may cost you a round if the round is close.
Fancy jargon will not gain you any points, nor will nasty crossfires. I appreciate common sense, professionalism, and good grammar!
Just debate the resolution; be organized; have a good time; good luck.
LD--I value organization, common sense, and good speaking skills. Please don't try to baffle me with lots of jargon. Super-fast speaking may cost you the round. You will be judged on your case, attitude, and clarity of thought. Please don't spend the entire round debating value/criterion/framework or philosophy; your contentions count too!
Speed
Rapid conversational
I prefer quality arguments over quantity of arguments. Debate is educational; if your strategy is to spread the other team in the Rebuttal, that doesn't seem like you are trying to promote education. Being able to talk faster does not equate to being a better debater. That being said, I am not unreasonable; if you have to speak faster in the summaries to cover everything the other team put out, that is acceptable.
Theory/Kritik
I more than welcome you to use your speech time to advocate for any issues you believe in and to educate the people in the round; I am just not likely to give you the ballot for that.
Tips
I like to flow as much as I possibly can. So, if I am not writing anything down during your speeches, you are either not being clear in your argumentation or you have spent too much time covering the point; it is best to move on. Because I like to keep a detailed flow, I also appreciate a debater who is well organized in their signposting.
When I am thinking, I often make a very grumpy looking face. Don’t think I am in disagreement with what you are saying because of this.
In public forum, I believe that most summary speeches drop excessive amounts of arguments against their own case. If you are able to actually defend your case and respond to what the other team said in the previous speeches, you are much more likely to win. If time allows and you are able to do so, I wouldn’t mind a line-by-line of both cases in the summary speech. On the same note, if the other team does drop key arguments on case, these are easy wins in my book; please bring them up.
For the final focus, you should select two or three main voting issues. The last 15-20 seconds of the speech should be spent giving me impact calc and telling me what the Pro world vs. the Con world looks like. I also don't mind an overview at the top if that works better for you.
Roadmaps are off the clock for me
If you ask me to call for evidence for it to be evaluated, I will.
Please don't try and avoid giving the other team evidence by saying your partner will do it after the cross. I believe evidence transparency is a huge part of the debate, try to be as upfront as possible.
I can tell the difference between someone who is confident and standing their ground, and someone who is using rudeness as a way to make it look like they know more than they do. If being rude is part of your pathos as a debater, I don't think you're doing it right.
Policy-I have debated it before. I do not judge it often. I do not coach it. Most likely, I am not familiar with the topic. Policy maker.
LD- I have not debated it before. I do not judge it often. I do not coach it. Most likely, I am not familiar with the topic. Good luck.