I am a mom of 2 debaters. This is my 5th year of judging debate. I prefer to understand the plan and evidence. Speaking too fast or stumbling over words will decrease the likelihood of me being able to fully understand your position.

Hi! This is my 2nd year judging debate and while I've judged multiple debates in these 2 years, I am definitely a lay judge. Take the time to emphasize your key arguments with me and remember that you are more educated on the topic than I am, so it's important that I can follow along. Not looking for you to dumb it down necessarily, but take that into consideration if you've got a particularly complicated case. Also, I'm looking for quality over quantity. Be respectful of each other but I like a gutsy, interesting debate. So take some risks and have fun!

Tabula Rosa on the content of arguments but I do favor the persuasion aspect so I like performance over the content.

I like to think that I'm a tabula rasa judge. If you tell me how to vote and show me why you win, then you'll be in a good spot. If no one does that, I default policy maker with an exception of T/Theory.

Hello,

I am the Assistant Debate Coach at Leavenworth High School.

I'm a pretty relaxed judge when it comes to preferences over what you're going to run.

Give an off time road map so me and the other people in the room know the order of your speech.

I find CX one of the most important parts of the debate so try not to secede time. Ask pressing questions to poke holes and expose their arguments. As for the AFF, make sure you know the answers rather than contradict yourself and have the NEG reveal you don't know what you're talking about. Try not to ask basic questions, such as definitions, if they seem to understand their case as it wastes time.

I'm fine with spreading, just remember to share your speech with me so I am able to follow along efficiently. Speak with confidence and energy in your voice as it brings out the passion in your arguments.

Follow all the rules from the NSDA handbook and also KSHSAA Speech and Debate handbook. If your opponents are breaking the rules, address it.

Running T's and K's are good, just make sure they are effective and not just something of a last resort.

Make sure to address all arguments. A lot of times with novices I see them drop arguments and it is usually what loses them the round.

Have fun and be respectful to each other. This is an educational experience and nobody should be demoralized because of bullying during a round.

If you have any questions for me about my paradigm, just ask me before the round begins!

dustin.lopez@lvpioneers.org

In terms of how I judge rounds- communication skills and resolution of substantive issues are of roughly equal importance. I need to see the aff case proven or the neg disprove the aff's case using evidence/stock issues.

I'm generally looking for who proves their side the best using traditional stock issues, evidence and arguments, but also logical ties.

I like a deliberate, conversational pace- I need to be able to understand you. If I can't understand what you're saying/reading, I stop listening. Be clear, concise, and don't speed read. Explain your cards.

I'm generally not big on counterplans. Prove to me as the neg why the aff's case won't work, don't just change it to a different agency, etc. Argue against their plan.

Topicality is important, but it must be a fairly blatant violation to win my ballot.

Please don't argue over definitions or abuse the whole round. Argue the case.

Generic disadvantages are acceptable if specific links are clearly analyzed and do not argue extinction/nuclear war. That's probably not going to go well.

Kritiks are acceptable if specific links are analyzed although I prefer real world arguments.

When judging rounds, I primarily vote on stock issues — have you convinced me that the AFF plan meets all of the stock issues beyond a reasonable doubt? I value clarity in arguments over words-per-minute. If I cannot understand what you are saying, I am very unlikely to follow your argument.

Tabula Rosa

I've judged hundreds of rounds over 30+ years.