Hey! Add me to the email chain at alexismchilds@gmail.com

Congress - updated for Last Chance :)

I believe that Congress focuses on speaking clearly and well more than any other type of debate. Because of this, the better you speak, the better I will rank you. In addition, we all know that Congress is long and, yes, sometimes boring. Don't be afraid to spice things up (in a polite, respectful, appropriate manner). Make a joke, be sassy, slip a Taylor Swift reference in there - have fun!!

Have sources in your speech! You saying something does not make it credible/true. Please be polite during questioning but that doesn't mean you have to be timid.

LD

I was traditional/mid-level progressive debater. That being said, I'm not the judge to run your super progressive case in front of.

1. Speed - I'm not a huge fan of spreading so please take your speed down a few levels in front of me. If you must spread, do so at your own risk and read the room before you do - if it's late at night, don't yell/spread at me. Send me the speech doc

2. Ks - I don't understand/I'm not a fan of most of these. I run cap K and that's about it. If you have a question about an argument, feel free to ask before the round!

3. Theory - I don't understand most theory and think the majority of the time people read unnecessary/frivolous theory. Unless there is clear abuse happening in the round, don't read theory. Topicality is good and if argued well and when necessary, I'll vote on it. I'll vote for disclosure but probably not disclosure by itself.

4. CPs/Disads - I enjoy these and think they're a good strategy. If you're going to run them, defend them.

5. Framework - this is what makes LD different from other types of debate and I expect you to use it. In your last speech, give me voters/weighing/framework and make it clear why I should vote for you.

6. CX - I really enjoy cross and definitely pay attention. That being said, I don't flow it so bring it up in your speeches if you want me to flow. I will hold you to what you said in cross. Please be courteous to your opponent but as long as you're not being offensive, I'm pretty lenient on cross. Don't be afraid to push them to explain their case/get the answer your looking for.

Read my facial expression - I'm a pretty expressive person. If I look confused, please clear up your point. Nodding/smiling means I like/am following your point.

PF

Evidence is important, don't make baseless claims. I appreciate organized, line by line rebuttals with signposting. If nothing else, this will get you good speaks. Weighing is super important, particularly in your last speeches. I should know exactly why I'm voting for you in order to get my ballot.

Final Focus should have impact weighing! Please be respectful of your opponents during cross. Cross is for asking questions, not personally attacking opponents or making statements.

Overall, I enjoy good clash, speaking, and cross. Please be kind to your opponents!

IPDA

I evaluate this like LD, have good offense and defense, speak well, and you'll be fine :)

i regularly compete in WSD, FX, OO, and DI

kinda familiar with judging PF and LD (i'm a lay judge though please speak at an understandable speed)

fake it till you win

I debated in WSD in high school for Greenhill ('22). I don't debate much anymore (Harvard '26)

Paradigm:

1. Assume I am reasonable but relatively uninformed. Explain what you want me to understand.
2. Comparative arguments are almost always the most compelling.
3. Both impacts and links should be weighed.
4. Extreme burdens and frameworks are generally uncompelling.
5. The prop 4 should not attempt to go for everything in the opp block, but they must respond. I have a high bar for what counts as new material.
6. I like principle arguments but they should be weighed and ideally be intuitive.
7. Regrets motions: prop must both define what the counterfactual is and defend why that is the likely case. Opp defends squo.
8. Speed: you can be quick but please do not spread.
9. Please be respectful to your opponents and to the topic you are debating. Also feel free to post-round me to your satisfaction.

PF specifics:

1. I do not consider an argument responded to because you said you responded. I consider the contents of your response, and consider an argument true until explained otherwise. However, I do NOT consider an argument important until explained why.

Hopefully you debate because you enjoy it. In that vain, have fun :)

I have been judging for 3 years now. I judge pretty traditionally, meaning I judge based off quality of evidence, ones ability to precisely analyze that evidence, as well as persuasion and overall speaker quality. At the end of debate, I like to take into consideration how both speakers responded to one another, as well as the quality of questions asked and how they used those answers to strengthen their own case. Similarly, I judge cross fire based on quality and relevance of questions, as well as ability to answer given questions. As a judge I take a decent amount of notes during debate, but most of my notes will come from after I have heard all of the debate.

• Don't be offensive and be respectful to people( respect their pronouns, names, etc).
• Make it a productive debate but also have fun!
• Feel free to ask any questions after round if we have time!