Traditional LD judge. This is not policy. I look for a solid clash of values throughout and would prefer that you avoid jargon as much as possible. A thoughtful and well-supported value structure is more important to me than individual cards.

I prefer that when you are speaking you speak clearly. If you are talking too fast and I miss some of your information I consider that to be your fault.

I do not mind if you sit or stand.

I am a returning parent judge. I will provide constructive notes for students.

Here are a few notes for students:

1. Speak as clearly as possible.

2. Please signpost and frame your arguments in a logical flow.

3. Be courteous, polite and respectful to your opponents.

Hello! This is my second time at Nationals and I'm really looking forward to it. I have been judging for the past 3 years and have judged both Debate and Speech events.

Please know that I am always listening, but I do look at my computer a lot or writing on my notepad during the round. I want to make sure I am giving fresh feedback, and I want to be sure that I am following the rules of your individual event if I haven’t judged your event before.

Please Do not spread. If I can’t keep up with what you are saying, I will drop you.

Additionally, please speak so that I can hear you. Enunciate and show your passion for your topic and event.

Finally, be respectful and try to have fun!

I look forward to you sharing your speech and talents with me. While mechanics, diction, and fluency are important, so are emotion, connection and presence. I am excited to hear what you have been working hard all year on!

I am looking for ref and clashes if giving a late round speech, sharp CX involving both, staying alert (asking questions) and staying confident when being questioned. I would also be looking for speeches with good inflections (a speech I would want to hear twice) rather than speeches that don't show emotion, and as always show respect to all other participants.

Thank You!

After the first aff, It's important to refute speakers that have spoken before, contextualize the debate, and weigh in. All speakers should question as much as possible and questioning is almost as important as speeches for me.

Call out bad arguments, if an argument does not have strong logical reasoning behind it or you don’t explain the argument or an argument that doesn't make sense will get dropped. Substance trumps style flourish for me.

However I rhetoric which I believe is the underpinning of a good debater. Supporting arguments with good examples goes a long way in persuading me.

I believe debate is about reasoning and convincing others and therefore constructing your case logically and then articulating it well is what I expect to see.

Background info: Former Policy Debater (Ohio), History, Government and Econ Teacher (NC), American History Professor (NC) BA in History and Poli sci, MA in American History (emphasis on Women's history). I now coach LD, PF, Congress and Speech events and have had the pleasure of jumping into World Schools.

I'm pretty easy going and do not mind spreading in LD so long as you are clearly speaking when doing it. Not such a fan of PF speaking super quickly as that's not really the point of that event. Make good use of time but don't rush it. Outside of that in these events feel free to ask for any other concerns you may have. Happy to answer before a round starts.

Update on WSD: I do value the flow but also want to see WS norms happening in the round. Take POIs and engage with each other when time allows. I'm not a huge fan of first speech getting into refutation as two other speeches do that I would rather 1st speech take some POIs and develop your sides case. Please remember this is WSD US centric arguments happen based on the motion but I really value some international attention happening regardless of motion as I think it shows broader understanding of the World as a whole .Not to mention a countries decisions do not occur in a bubble and international events do impact other countries decisions, US included.

I’m a parent judge for speech and LD. I have judged a couple of times last year and this is my third year judging.

IN LD I am looking for clear but not too fast speeches, sharp questions and responses in cross examinations, and strong rebuttals. I prefer well reasoned and supported arguments. While I don't mind a brisk speed when it is necessary to incorporate a variety of legitimate arguments in case or rebuttal, I will focus on the strength of individual arguments more than the accusation of dropped cards. You also don't have to win every bit of the flow (or pretend to) to win a round for me. You may even honestly concede minor points and cards/warrants. The important thing is to win the main arguments, wherever they happen to occur in the flow. Therefore, your job is to help me weigh what the most essential arguments are towards the end of the round.

For Speech I appreciate varieties in pace and tone of speech, commitment to goal and respect for your fellow participants.

Hi!
I am a parent judge who has been a speech judge for several years so make sure to speak clearly.

For me debate is about convincing me that your winning, not just winning individual arguments or just saying that your opponent concede one tiny detail.

I would prefer you win the debate as an overall narrative, rather than simply hoping your opponent drops one subpoint and saying you should win off of that.

You can do this by:

1. Speaking clearly and getting your main argument across clearly.
2. Weighing and explaining why your arguments matter more.