UW'23

If I am your judge, please put me on your email chain: prabhat@interlakedebate.org

LD Paradigm

I prefer Aff to be topical. I prefer a traditional Value/Criterion debate. I like clear signposting, that opponents refer to when refuting each other. I also require evidence to uphold your warrants and link to your personal analysis. All affirmatives should have some kind of standard that they try to win, value/criterion. The negative is not necessarily tied to the same obligation. The affirmative generally has the obligation to state a case construction that generally affirms the truth of the resolution, and the negative can take whatever route they want to show how the affirmative is not doing that sufficiently.

When I see a traditional debate that clashes on fundamental issues involving framework, impacts, and what either side thinks, really matters in my weighing of the round, it makes deciding on who was the better debater during the round an easier process. I like debate that gets to the substantive heart of whatever the issue is. There are very few arguments I would actually consider a priori. My favorite debates are the kind where one side clearly wins standards, whichever one they decide to go for, and has a compelling round story. Voters are crucial in rebuttals, and a clear link story, with warrants and weighted impacts, are the best route for my ballot.

I will listen to a Kritik but you must link it to the debate in the room, related to the resolution in some way, for me to more likely to vote for it. I am biased toward topicality.

I hold theory to higher bar. I will most likely vote reasonability instead of competing interpretations. However, if I am given a clearly phrased justification for why I should accept a competing interpretation and it is insufficiently contested, there is a better chance that I will vote for a competing interpretation. You will need to emphasize this by slowing down, if you are spreading, slow down, speak a little louder, or tell me “this is paramount, flow this”.

Reasonability. I believe that theory is intervention and my threshold for voting on theory is high. I prefer engagement and clash with your opponent. If I feel like negative has spoken too quickly for an Affirmative to adequately respond during the round, or a Neg runs 2+ independent disadvantages that are likely impossible for a "think tank" to answer in a 4 minute 1AR, and the Affirmative runs abuse theory, and gives direct examples from Neg, I'll probably vote Affirmative. Common sense counts. You do not need a card to tell me that the Enola Gay was the plane that dropped the nuclear bomb on Hiroshima.

I default Affirmative framework for establishing ground, I default Kritiks if there are clear pre-fiat/post-fiat justifications for a K debate instead of on-case debate. I do not flow cross examination. If there are any concessions in CX, you need to point them out in your next speech, for me to weigh them.

Cross Examination

Sitting or standing, whatever you are comfortable with. I'm fine with flex prep. I think debaters should be respectful and polite. Cross examination concessions are binding, if your opponent calls them out in their next speech.

Speaker Points

If I do not understand what you are saying, don’t expect to receive anything higher than a 28. You will lose speaker points if your actions are disrespectful to either myself or to your opponent. I believe in decorum and will vote you down if you are rude or condescending toward your opponent. I do not flow “super spreading”. I need to understand what you are saying, so that I can flow it. I will say “slow” and “clear” once. If there is no discernable change, I will not bother to repeat myself. If you respond, slow down, then speed up again, I will say “slow” and/or “clear” again. For my ballot, clarity over quantity. Word economy over quantity. I reward debaters who try to focus on persuasive styles of speaking over debaters who speak at the same tone, pitch, cadence, the entire debate.

If something is factually untrue, and your opponent points it out, do not expect to win it as an argument.

Please give me articulate voters at the end of the NR and 2AR.

I disclose if it is the tournament norm.

If you are unclear about my paradigm, please ask before the round begins.

Public Forum Paradigm

RESPECT and DECORUM

1. Show respect to your opponent. No shouting down. Just a "thank you" to stop their answer. When finished with answer, ask your opponent "Do you have a question?" Please ask direct questions. Also, advocate for yourself, do not let your opponent "walk all over you in Crossfire".

2. Do not be sexist/racist/transphobic/homophobic/etc.... in round. Respect all humans.

I expect PF to be a contention level debate. There may be a weighing mechanism like "cost-benefit analysis" that will help show why your side has won the debate on magnitude. (Some call this a framework)

I really like signposting of all of your contentions. I really like short taglines for your contentions. If you have long contentions, I really like them broken down into segments, A, B, C, etc. I really appreciate you signposting your direct refutations of your opponents contentions.

I like direct clash.

All evidence used in your constructed cases should be readily available to your opponent, upon request. If you slow down the debate looking for evidence that is in your constructed case, that will weigh against you when I am deciding my ballot.

I do not give automatic losses for dropped contentions or not extending every argument. I let the debaters decide the important contentions by what they decide to debate.

In your summary speech, please let me know specifically why your opponents are loosing the debate.

In your final focus speech, please let me know specifically why you are winning the debate.

San Diego State University Comm major

Current Trojan Debate Squad member (Policy Debate) 23/ '24

NDT / CEDA qual

Your work towards making your speeches clear for my flow will be reflected in my ballot.

Please include me in the email chain joaquinresell@gmail.com

I have been coaching speech and debate for 7 years. I have judged Public Forum debate, Lincoln-Douglas debate, and various speech events in that time.

-Make sure you state your taglines for your contentions clearly. It should be easy for me to flow your cases and keep track of your arguments, so the clearer you can be, the better.

-Provide clear impacts, and focus on impact calculus. Stress these (especially in your final focus or your final rebuttal).

-Weighing your arguments against your opponent's is the key to winning the debate. Clearly state how your arguments outweigh theirs, and again, stress your impacts.

-Please do not spread. If I didn't hear it, then it never happened. If I can't keep track of what you are saying, then it is possible that your opponent cannot either. Speaking clearly is imperative to a fair debate. It will also result in more speaker points.

-If you have a framework, stick with it. If you drop it, there is no purpose for it, and that hurts your arguments more in the long run (especially if your opponent realizes the framework was dropped).

-I do not flow CX. It is your job to bring up what happened in CX in your next speech. That is the only way it will make it onto the flow.

-For LD, make sure your value/criterion is clearly explained at the start of your constructive speech. If you and your opponent have the same value/criterion, or they are similar, it is best to acknowledge this and focus on arguments rather than getting into a framework debate.

-For LD, keep arguments traditional. I'll listen to counter plans and kritiks, but I prefer traditional arguments.

-Please practice good sportsmanship. Being snarky or belittling an opponent, especially if it is clear they are new to debate will not be tolerated.

-To prove you have read my paradigm, simply say "Bear Down" or "Go Wildcats" prior to starting the round.

I have a PuFo background, but I have spent the year judging policy rounds so I’m familiar with the topic and many of the arguments. A few things to know about me:

1. Critiques are fine with me.

2. Spreading is fine, but slow down on your tags. If your are going too fast I will raise my hand to let you know to slow down.

3. I like clash during CX, but don’t be rude. If you are rude, it will count against you.

Thats it!

Cheers!

Todd

(she/her) I'm a senior at the University of Washington and debated public forum for three years. You can run pretty much whatever and I'll vote off the flow. As always, be respectful towards your opponents otherwise I will dock speaker points.

Feel free to talk as fast as you prefer, but the speed needs to be purposeful. Nothing is worse than listening to a fast speech filled with useless info.

As a judge, I will not weigh your arguments for you. When there is clash, I want you to clearly lay out why I need to prefer your side. Any we said/they said arguments with no analysis are going to be a wash. Use impact calc and the specific terms.

Make the debate fun!! Its always better to judge fun rounds, and you should be enjoying yourselves as well.

I'm the debate coach for University Prep in Seattle, WA, where I teach middle school English. This is my first year being involved with debate in any way-- I did not participate as a student. I appreciate when debaters give a roadmap of what they will do before beginning their argument, so that I can better track what's being said. I value clarity in arguments, strong examples based upon evidence, confidence in public speaking, and politeness toward the other team.

i dropped out of harvard to save the debate game

former PF debater for bellevue, 2x national and elims, state elims too

I flow, expect to see good clash etc. expect respect for your opponent and will dock speaks if you are rude in cross.

as andrew lee said put thought and effort into the words that you say!

Hi, I'm Allison (she/her) and I competed in Public Forum for 4 years in high school and in Worlds debate at the National Tournament for 3 years. I am also the daughter of two debate coaches and have grown up in the activity.

Public Forum:

I am a traditional Public Forum judge. The biggest thing I ask of any debaters I judge is that you persuade me to vote for you. Your FF should be spent spent weighing the round for me, I will not do it for you. I will only vote on points that are carried through from summary to final focus. I do not prefer off time roadmaps. Respect and be kind for your opponents.

I'll be flowing the debate but don't expect me to weigh the debate on an issue if you don't touch on that issue during your final speeches. Use the first three speeches to win the debate, use the last speech to tell me WHY you won the debate.

Lincoln Douglas:

I'm not a fan of progressive argumentation so use only when necessary, I would much rather see a traditional Value-Criterion debate. I can handle some speed. Depth > breadth. Make sure you have clear signposting and use voters! If you do not weigh your impacts, I will not weigh them for you and you will drop my ballot.

All debate styles: The best debaters are the ones who know the most, prove to me you're the debater who knows the most.

Also feel free to ask any questions before the round if you need clarifications. Good Luck!

Hi Everyone!

I'm a not a new judge. I have done debate throughout my entire high school career and know of the process. My paradigms are as follows:

-I am flowing everything but the CX, so any arguments brought up in CX that you want to respond to need to mentioned in the next speech.

-Debating is good time so no negativity or bad vibes. Keep it respectful and courteous!

-No spreading please! Talk slow for me enough to understand.

-Impacts are important to me so please bring them up

-Off time roadmaps are totally valid, just don't abuse this privilege

-Self timing is encouraged, however I will also time so no worries if this isn't your style

Can't wait to see you all debate. Please don't forget to have a good time! :)

Please speak clearly and at reasonable pace.

Please stand while speaking if the setting allows and have eye contact with the other contestants and the judge.

Please don't debate whose value is better. Weighing your arguments against your opponent's is the key to winning the debate. Clearly state how your arguments outweigh theirs, and again, stress your impacts.

Do summarize why the judge should vote for your case.

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.

hello all :)

I am a third year debater all of which has been pufo. I have been to one tourney on this topic but I will try to be objective. I would consider myself a flay judge so I will be taking notes but feedback will be limited. I will be flowing cross (especially for speaker points). Every judge says keep cross civil but I know sometimes the opponents can be straight up wrong (but try to be civil or at least passive-aggressive) I will give out 30's on speaker points if there is a joke in the last speech. I will be timing but not enforcing if you go over time (it will look bad on your speaker points tho) so if your opponents are 20 sec over I want to see you taking the initiative. Prep is on you because I will most likely be scrolling on instagram during it (@hogan6112).

Have fun and see you in the room

Hello friends,

I'm Hannah; I used to do PF for Interlake and am now a 26 at Dartmouth. Please set up an email chain for round documents, my email is hwhuang04@gmail.com.

LD

I have never ever competed in LD. I'll try my best to evaluate everything, but I also haven't debated in a while and am a normal college student at this point... I <3 topical arguments and will probably evaluate them in a way that everyone will be happier about

PF

I evaluate debates as tab as I can, but deep down I do like truthy arguments that make sense. If I dont understand something, I feel cosmically compelled to evaluate other things before it

I liked debating and I like watching people debate. Whether I like judging is another question contingent on some of the things below

Things I like:

• Decelerating rounds: faster case and rebuttal, slower summary and final focus (PLEASE COLLAPSE EFFICIENTLY)
• Clash: collapsing on a common issue on both sides makes the debate more interesting, easier to evaluate, and easier for me to make a decision that everyone is happy with (this can also be done thru comparative weighing)
• Frontlining in the next speech: this should be going on as soon as 2nd rebuttal
• Complete extensions: this goes for offense and defense - no sticky defense
• Warrants/analysis that go beyond "author said so"
• Implicated turns: please weigh turns that aren't direct link turns
• Content warnings with opt outs
• ROB analysis: I like progressive arguments which tell me WHY i should deviate from more traditional judging and what role the judge should take in the round
• Cool, intuitive arguments

Things i dislike:

• New in the 2: I WILL NOT evaluate anything not in summary
• New implicative weighing in ff: it's basically a new argument
• Frivolous theory, please don't waste my time
• Bad spreading
• Bad evidence
• Debaters that don't look at their timers
• Racists/sexists/etc

I'll disclose whenever I can. Feel free to ask questions about my decision if the tournament isn't running behind

i’m a college student who did public forum in high school

try not to run Ks/theory but all frameworks are allowed

i’m okay with speed but be clear - i won’t weigh an argument if i can’t understand it

i will weigh anything if it's on the flow at the end

if you face an abusive argument, just a quick "this is abusive" and a short reason should be enough to knock it off the flow

no new arguments in second summary or later, and no new evidence in either final focus

to me, links matter more than impacts, though if you have both and the other team is missing one, you will almost always win

i may ask to see your evidence after the debate to ensure everything is fair - please don’t cite Quora or Reddit as factual evidence

Hello! I'm Peri (she/her) and I debated for Mount Vernon HS in Washington doing LD for 3 years in high school. I am also a part-time, de-facto assistant coach for the Mount Vernon team, and I'm starting my own at the school I currently teach at-- I've never really left the debate community, so I know a bit of the norms and I know what's going on. I have my Bachelor's in International Studies focused on Peace and Conflict Resolution in the Middle East and North Africa, and my Master's in International Relations (meaning I know more about the Middle East than the average person) Here is my email if you need it... periannakb@gmail.com

Congress:

A huge pet peeve of mine is 3...2..1 and my time starts on my first word. I wont start your timer until you start speaking. I promise.

Substance > Style

Don't rehash, bring up new points prevalent to the debate. I love to see refutation particularly after the first two speeches. Please, lets move on if we are just going to say the same thing over and over.

Every time you speak in a session, it gives me more reasons to rank you at the end of the round. Fight to give those speeches and use questions! Don't let any of that direct questioning time go to waste!!!

LD:

A huge pet peeve of mine is 3...2..1 and my time starts on my first word. I wont start your timer until you start speaking. I promise.

I did traditional LD in high school. I am a traditional LD judge. You can run some arguments but disguise them as more traditional and focus on that style to keep me a happy judge. Take that into account. Don't spread I won't understand. Explain your arguments clearly and you'll be fine. No Meta-Ethics or trix.

Side note: Please make sure you are educated on the 2024 Jan/Feb LD topic... I don't want to hear arguments that are factually untrue, and I'm excited for well-informed debates that get into the depths of this subject! I've written articles on this topic that you could use as a card-- I know it well.

PF:

A huge pet peeve of mine is 3...2..1 and my time starts on my first word. I wont start your timer until you start speaking. I promise.

I'm judging more and more pufo these days. I like clear, well organized constructives. Don't just read everything one note. I appreciate that public forum is supposed to be different than LD and Policy. Keep it that way.

Random framework arguments about the intent of the topic aren't going to work for me. If things change in the status quo, you need to be prepared to discuss them.

About me: (He/Him Pronouns) second-year law student at UW. I debated PF for 3 years on local and national circuits. I coached for 4 years after I graduated

If you have questions about the round or my RFD, just email me at: rjl2000@uw.edu Or, text me at 253-683-1929

About round: SHOW UP TO THE ROUND ASAP AND I WILL BE HAPPY AND MORE LIKELY TO GIVE GOOD SPEAKS

speed is fine as long as I can understand you. Please do not full on spread though it's annoying.

I won't vote on anything that's not brought up in final focus. If you want to bring something up in final focus, it should be extended in summary as well.

If your opponents drop something, tell me. Don't just not mention something from your case until your last speech. Its more important to me that you weigh the most important things in the round as opposed to just summarizing everything that happened. Tell me why you're winning in final focus. voters, impact calculus, and weighing are super helpful. If you want to run framework tell me why I should use it. I'll look at any evidence if you want me to, I might call for something if I feel its necessary but I generally try to avoid evidence debates.

Throughout the round, confidence, humor, and aggression are good, while rudeness, bigotry, and general meanness are not. If you think that your attempt at the first category will be interpreted as the second category, error on the side of caution.

SIGN POST PLEASE!!!!- this is like the biggest thing. signposting will help me help you on my flow.

I would prefer no theory/progressive argumentation. If you do decide to run something like that, it better be very important and not just an attempt to get an easy W over people that don't know what's going on.

Specific speech stuff: This is what I would LIKE to see in a high-quality round. Do your best to do these things, but I obviously don't expect all of this from novice debaters.

For 1st rebuttal just solely respond to the opponent's case- please don't go back to your case because I just heard it and there are no responses on it yet. This goes for both rebuttals, but numbering your responses if there are multiple will help me stay organized on the flow

For 2nd rebuttal: Frontline!!!! if you don't mention the main arguments against your case, it'll probably be considered dropped.

Summary: Same thing as second rebuttal in the sense you should be bringing up the main arguments from the previous speech and refuting them. Anything that you don't want your opponent to be able to say "They dropped our __ in summary" should be mentioned

if you want to bring up something in FF, it must be brought up in summary

Collapsing is a good way to ensure you are able to extend all the defense you need and still get offense.

FF: Voters! tell me where to vote! extend some defense if you want, but this speech should mostly be about the places you are winning on the flow and why

weighing is also good

Things that are bad and you should not do:

CALL FOR EVIDENCE/TAKE PREP BEFORE BOTH TEAMS HAVE READ THEIR CASES1! (ex: taking prep as second speaking team before you read your case) super abusive, try-hard, and annoying. If you do this, the max speaker points you can earn is 26. (yes that is arbitrary, too bad.)

Do that really annoying thing that happens in debate where you just keep restating your argument and then saying that refutes your opponents' argument. In rebuttal, your arguments should have warrents. In later speeches, you should explain to me WHY your argument is better than theirs.

Not signpost

overall, i'm experienced so do whatever you want, just do it well.

if you have any further questions please ask.

update for bellevue: I will be a lay, won’t flow, be slow and put thought into how you phrase and present your arguments!

ask questions before round if you have any

Info:

• I use she/her pronouns, and I'm tech>truth.
• I'm a freshman at Wesleyan, add me clei@wesleyan.edu to any email chains pls!
• I've debated for 6 years in PF at both the local and state level

More info: If you're going to read anything sensitive, give consent warnings otherwise change what you're running.

- Extend your links and impacts through all speeches, unless dropped by their summary

- New args in ff/2nd summary are unnecessary and unfair, don't do it/i wont evaluate them

-I'm good with speed, but don't speak fast if it won't be eloquent. It's much better to be slow and understandable (if you're 300WPM+ send a speech doc if you can

- Pls pls collapse

- When you weigh, tell me why. Don't just say "we outweigh" Metaweigh if you can!

Evidence:

- If you tell me to call for a card, I will.

- If the card is misconstrued I will dock speaks, and drop u if it’s a key card

Preferably, don't make it an evidence debate those are not fun :(

Other:

-I'll put your speaks as low as I can if you make any sexist/racist/homophobic/xenophobic comments and drop you

-Let your opponents finish speaking in cross. I don't evaluate cross but if you're being REALLY rude i'll deduct speaks

-tell me ur zodiac sign, and if we're compatible, ill start ur speaks from 29, otherwise they start from 28

Start judging PF debate since 2020. I focus on these parts to help me make decision

1)Key points clear and well supported

2)Systematic and logical argument

3)confident

4)ask right questions during cross fire

5)speech

Finally, be respectful and enjoy

I am a lay parent judge who has only previously judged in two tournaments. I like clearly organized, simply worded arguments and no jargon/acronyms. Please enunciate and speak plainly. Avoid speaking quickly, using unnecessary verbiage and sounding like you are speed reading to me, as I probably won't understand the point you are trying to get across. If you can organize your arguments by saying "My first point is...," "My second point is...," etc. and speaking slowly that will be very helpful. Also, please signpost in rebuttal.

In the final focus and summary speech, try to summarize and pick out the most important points that you think will win you the round, and make comparisons between your arguments and your opponents to make it easier for me to evaluate and to convince me. Thank you and good luck!

I'm currently in college, but I have done Congress for two years and Pufo for another two. Both of these events value both presentation as well as persuasiveness. While how well you speak isn't necessarily something I'm explicitly judging (I'm not going to mark you down because you said um a few times), it does impact how persuasive you are. Be clear, be concise, and clearly address all the points you need to address.

In regards to argumentation, I have a background both in debate and in politics, so don't be afraid to get into the weeds if the issue merits it. Do deep dives, but don't lose track of the main argument. I want to be convinced to vote aff, not that con's third point only applies on Tuesdays and Sundays. If you find a problem, call it out, but relate it back to why you are right and your opponent(s) are wrong.

My one pet peeve, both in PuFo and Congress, is when both arguments are like two ships passing in the night. Conflict is important, and how you win a round. If nobody engages in the other's argument, that's just judging an I.E. round. Clash is good, conflict is good, and if nothing else, its more entertaining.

Good luck, and may the best argument win.

Just have really solid arguments in a well organized fashion

Hello,

I am a 2nd year parent judge and am looking forward to meeting you. I would say that I tend to lean towards the argument that has the most impact.

Best wishes!

Tristan

Hi, my name is Christine Pyle

I am a coach and participated in debate in school many years ago.

Fast talking(spreading) is fine, however clarity is key.

Signposting is preferred - organization helps not only me but you

If you are utilizing impacts to enhance your case, follow through with those impacts in your case to the end of the debate.

I'm looking for good case structure, compelling arguments, good use of crossfire, and that arguments with weight are flowing through to the end.

freetheoryfiles@gmail.com

email chain = 30 speaks

util trutil, extinction first, debate is a game, no rvis on T, paragraph theory > shells, defend the topic, warming > nuke war, limits is probably true for plans and pics on locals

20 minute video fully explaining my paradigm if the above is insufficient: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tt7bzxurJ1I

I competed PF for 4 years and currently compete on the TCU Debate team in IPDA & Parli. Please signpost and always be respectful. Speed is okay as long as you speak clearly.

Being a first time judge for debate, I would appreciate speech and argument which is clear. Go at a decent space which makes it easy to understand. Please specify your points and sub points clearly.

And finally be respectful to each other.

Hello, my name is Joey Ribera (he/him) and I'm a former PF/LD debater (3 years pf/1 year LD).

My Paradigm:

- Speed is fine

- Whatever contentions/argumentation you view relevant to bring up in the round, I will flow + consider in my decision. The only thing I encourage is making the impacts and the weighing factors you'd want me to evaluate them from really clear within the round.

- Feel free to ask me any clarifying questions before round!

Debate is as much about learning as it is about winning.

•Speed: I’m comfortable with faster than conversational speed and if you’re too fast, I’ll hold up my pen high to indicate that I’ve stopped flowing.

•Organization: Clarity and structure are important and it helps me to flow your arguments. Tags are helpful. I’m good with off-time roadmaps.

•Extend your arguments: Please no surprises late in the debate. .

•Policy style arguments: I’m not a Policy judge. Make sure you explain your terms if you choose to go this route. I will not vote for arguments I don’t understand.

•Common decency:

Respect your judge. Respect your partner. Respect your opponent.

Avoid name-calling (EX: saying your opponent or an argument is stupid). That’s rude and also lazy debating.

Avoid yelling matches in crossfire.

tl;dr: I am okay with any and all arguments. That said, if you spread unclearly, and I am forced to say clear more than two times, I will drop you. To spread clearly, you must talk at conversational speed while reading tag lines, key pieces of analysis, and internal link elements of warrants. That said, I prefer rounds where everyone has the ability to absorb and evaluate the content of all present arguments, so I would prefer if you dont spread.

Hello there,

My name is Alex Sapadin. I am currently acting as the assistant coach for Mercer Island High School. And previously I acted as the assistant coach for Interlake High School. I have competed in speech and debate at both collegiate and high school levels. For the entirety of my debate career, which has now spanned roughly 13 years, I have specialized in Lincoln-Douglas debate, NPTE parliamentary debate, Extemporaneous speaking, and Impromptu speaking. I have both competed on and coached for national circuit competition. I have won the state title for various events including LD six times, and have gotten deep into out rounds at a series of national competitions.

I say all of the preceding to give you an idea of my experience and general knowledge level with all things regarding speech and debate. There are few argumentative positions that I haven't interacted with or taught at one point or another. So with that said, I invite you to run any position that you wish and have the debate you find most interesting.

I have one very strict caveat to the above; if you spread unclearly, and I don't understand your argument as a result of a failing in your communication style, I will not flow your argument or extend it throughout the round. I will also likely drop you for failing to communicate your case legibly.

There is an unfortunate "emperors new clothes" situation transpiring in speech and debate as of this present moment. The situation and problem is most prominent in Lincoln Douglas debate. Many debaters try and spread to emulate what they consider the most effective "national circuit" format of debate. Unfortunately, they spread without slowing down to a conversational speed to read significant points of analysis, significant components of a warrant, or most importantly, tag lines. More to the point, many debaters haven't been instructed on how to spread clearly using a series of drills that emphasize enunciation. As a result, most debate rounds involve a serious lack of clarity during the AC and NC. After, both competitors and judge are scrambling to retroactively understand a case throughout the CX and the subsequent rebuttal speeches. This results in poor rounds that are usually decided by what arguments go unaddressed, not which arguments have the best substantive clash.

More unfortunate still the practice of unclear spreading is so regular that most judges take it at face. Afraid that they're the "stupid" one in the room, they don't openly discuss how they could barely understand what was going on in the round. This silence surrounding the act of spreading has allowed practice to perpetuate. Judges are now becoming more confident, and coaches are taking proactive steps to instruct their judges to drop competitors if they dont present their case clearly. I stand amongst the coaches encouraging this practice.

If you feel any resistance to what I'm saying, and if you feel the state of spread in debate is fine, think of it this way; how long does it take you to read, understand, and apply your evidence at the time of constructing your case? For the more academic information in your case I'm sure it took a good chunk of time. The majority of warranted evidence in case is written at an academic level. Even college and professional level audiences need time to sit with academic level information to absorb its significance. Usually one paragraph takes a few minutes, and this is for a practiced and educated audience. So, that said, what is the likelihood that your judge will be able to understand a truncated version of the same academic information, read at two to three times the speed of normal internalization, in roughly 10-25 seconds?

If you spread and are unclear, it stops a judge from being able to sit with and absorb your arguments. We have no way of figuring out if your evidence supports the claims youre making. To fairly judge an argument, to be persuaded by it, I have to have the ability to clearly hear your claim, the support for your claim, and its significance. Without those three components of the argument, I cant tell if the argument is well built and persuasive. And if I cant evaluate an argument, I wont consider it in round.

All of the above said, I will say clear twice to help you gauge my ability to absorb speed. I am also very experienced in all things competitive speech and debate, so I will be quicker on the uptake than most. You will get a fair round with me, granted that you also work to set the precedent for a fair round.

The devils in the details as they say. Without the details present and at play, the devil has its way. Be clear and we will have a fantastic round!

All the best,

Alex

Hi - Please slow down for your main contentions. Ensure you're well structured - sign posts are welcome. Don't forget to clarify impact.

My name is Evan Sun, I was raised in the glorious country of China where i participated in Forum Public, it was there i learned everything in America was a worse copy of China for example Public Forum(USA) vs Forum Public(China).

tech over truth, tabula rasa(if u don't know what this means, go ahead and ask)

i would appreciate signposting and weighing.

fine with speed but i might be lazy and not flow stuff if u go too fast lol.

I flow theory but would prefer not to.

if you got a rlly good meme case you should send to evan.sun.ca@gmail.com

also if you an ilake team tell hannah to judge more fairly >:(

debate is VIBING TIME

I am a lay judge. I would really like to see the second speaker to give me voters and explain to me why they should win the round. I would also links being supported by evidence. I would like debaters to be respectful towards eachother or I will be docking speaker points. Carry your relevant cards and arguements throughout the whole debate. I would also like to see impacts clearly being stated so that I can flow effiecently. Because I am a lay judge I would prefer arguments to be read slowly so that I can efficenetly flow arguments.

Thanks

Lokesh Vasisht

First and foremost, speak properly, I need to understand what you are talking.

i like it when you are expressive.

As it’s online. You take care of your time.

I take notes during your debating/arguments. I give points the way you start, end, type of questions asked and how it is answered. I normally depend on the way your speech is given. If I feel you are confident point will be on top.

Try to stay on the topic.

I will try to give you feedback immediately so that you can improve yourself for the next round.

and above all be confident and all the best.

I'm a parent judge that has been judging debate for two years. I try to be tabula rasa to the best of my ability.

Guidelines:

Respect your opponents and be polite to each other.

Speak slowly and clearly. Signpost your speeches.

I will dock speaker points if you cut anyone who's giving a speech off. I will cut them off if they keep talking for way too long.

I stop listening when you go over time.

I prefer impacts with a clear link chain over world war three/extinction/nuclear war impacts. Don't sacrifice logic for magnitude. PLEASE.

Have fun!

I am a lay judge with virtually no experience. Please talk at a moderate pace- stuff I don't hear is stuff I don't know or consider.

I'm a parent judge that has been judging debate for two years. I strive to be impartial.

Respect your opponents and be polite to each other.

Speak slowly and clearly.

I will dock speaker points if you cut anyone off, or condescending.

I stop listening when you go over time.

Have fun!

Student judge from STEM here:

I've been debating PuFo for about 3 years, you can speak a little faster but be clear.

I don't flow crossfire but I do evaluate it, if you need something particular bring it up in a speech. This isn't a reason to drop it though, if you get overtaken in crossfire it will impact my decision (please don't dodge questions)

I like numbers that give me concrete impacts, not a requirement but nice to have.

Don't dodge opponent contentions, if you don't hit them head-on I'll count it as dropped.

Signpost if possible, I like knowing where I am in your case.

Recent = relevant. If you and your opponent present similar impacts I will always favor the more recent one.

Lack of evidence isn't a counterpoint, if your sole counter for an opponent point is "lack of evidence" or "too much speculation" I will drop it. Present your own points and your own evidence and tell me why your impacts weigh out.

I'll drop speaks if you consistently misquote your opponents, but that doesn't hold a candle to what I'll do to them if you're blatantly rude. Be nice please...

The most important out of all of this: Tell me why. Whenever and whatever you're weighing, countering, presenting points, etc. there should be a reason. I don't particularly care what kind of evidence you present, if it's there I'll look into it. Don't make bold claims with no backing.

Keep a fun and lively debate if possible, always nicer to judge the more memorable rounds. Humor is fine (I love meme arguments), but try your best to bring it back to a professional argument.

Email me at s-eyu@lwsd.org if you have any questions, you can send me your cases, speeches, etc. there too. Let me know at the end of the round if you want me to give you some feedback about it!