In general, good clash and relevance stick out to me as a judge. Do you have an understanding of what's being debated and how well can you debate your side? Well researched, strategic contentions are key to all debate formats.

LD/PF/Worlds: Framework is a must when setting up your Constructives. How does your framework *frame* the arguments you run in the round? How do your definitions set the scope for your case and how do they relate to your case and the resolution? Are your contentions not only supporting your side but showing why the other side should not be supported? Are the warrants in the case from a reputable source? Are the warrants topical to your contention? How well does the impact demonstrate the need to support your side? This is what I look for in a PF/LD/Worlds round.

Congress: How well you play your role as a congressperson is key to scoring high on the ballot. How well can you make your presence in a chamber? How well spoken are you in your speeches? These are things I look for when judging a congress round.

IEs: Presentation is key. How can you bring your piece to life? How do the little details make the big picture bigger?

Feel free to ask me any questions.

*my email is babbonnete@gmail.com*

LD- I'm fine with speed. run whatever you want.

PF- Steps to getting my vote: extend, line by line rebuttal, collapse in summary, if you're speaking second then I expect your summary to address attacks made in last rebuttal. Also: weigh in EVERY SPEECH.

Policy-

Here are some of my personal preferences: I like K's. Signpost. I don't expect the 1AR to respond to a 13 paged card dump, just do your best by grouping arguments and responding in a way that allows you enough time to save your 1AC from falling into LOTR fire pit.

Email: salikfaisal10@gmail.com

Experience/Background:

I primarily competed in Extemporaneous Speaking and Congressional Debate in High School. I've made it to TFA State twice and was an alternate to NSDA Nationals once in Domestic/US Extemporaneous Speaking from the Houston area.

Extemp/Speech:

I value analysis more heavily than the presentation, although there is a place for both. Don't try to force in a point or try to draw a connection that doesn't make sense just for the sake of adding another source or sounding more credible; I will notice this. Please don't fabricate sources; if I find out, this is a sure way to get you downed. I won't micro analyze every source you have, but I will look into it if I feel the need to do so. Quality of analysis always wins out in the end. Don't sound robotic in your speech and try to maintain a natural conversational style of speaking. It's fine if you're not the prettiest and most polished speaker, but make sure to communicate your analysis coherently and I can always appreciate a nice joke.

Congress:

Clever intros and pretty speaking are great, but your goal is to explain why to pass/fail legislation. I'm big on studies/analytics on the impact of legislation. I like clash and love great questioning; just make sure to be civil. POs should make the round flow smoothly and orderly, understand the process well, and show fairness and integrity in selecting speakers.

Debate:

I have some experience competing in Public Forum and have judged it plenty of times, so I know the event fairly well. I'm a fan of clash and questioning; just make sure to be civil. Good evidence and warrants are the gold standard for me. I like real-world examples and love statistics. In order to access your impacts, you must have a very good link. Wasting time and energy on hyperbolic impacts like extinction without solid links won't help you. In your final focus/ final speech, be very clear with your voters and weigh. If I have access to your case, I'm fine with spreading during constructive speeches. Slow down your pace in later speeches. If I can't understand what you're saying, I can't make a fair decision. I'm not a fan of K's, picks, theories, and other progressive techniques. If you're doing PF or WSD, stay as far as you can from this. If you decide to use these in LD or CX, you must be very good in your communication and position.

When it comes to debate, please consider the delivery of your speech. Speed is a natural thing in a timed setting. I understand if you have to say your arguments at a quick pace. I'm just not comfortable with someone speaking as fast as super humanely possible. There is a line that you should consider. Quality arguments and weighing them are always stronger than listing countless cards without much weighing or explanation. Signposting is always welcome in your speeches as it helps with the flow of the debate. Consider time limits...going over grace periods could cost points. Usually don't disclose unless elimns.And most importantly...please be respectful during all events which includes speech, in between rounds and different speakers.

Email: belahossain2002@gmail.com

To start with, I have about 4 years of experience in CX. I'm familiar with most of the stuff. I have also debated LD for a while. I try to keep myself updated with all of the terms and topics for both. However, I would like to be reminded or explained about a few terms or shorthand if I'm confused.

Speed and technical reasoning are more than welcome unless you exclude people. Relative Analysis, Clash, and Warranting shape the debate. I respect debaters who use verbal and nonverbal cues to mark crucial information as such, regardless of speech and skill. Slowing down, changing your tone, and repeating yourself are all effective ways to communicate that something is essential, and you should use it. To avoid me misinterpreting you or believing you're using jargon as a support, you should simplify whenever possible.

I flow most of my rounds electronically to be efficient. Make whatever use you choose of that.

I normally start at 28 speaker points and move up or down from there based on productivity, simplicity, clever strategic judgments, and overall essence. I don't mind if you're funny or serious. Simply do your job well.

Theory:

I appreciate the strategic application of theory, but you must slow down and allow me more time to write, construct comprehensive arguments with a claim, some justifications, and an impact, and participate in comparative analysis.

K-affs:

I'm not excessively specific with regards to how the aff connects with the topic; simply be certain that the relationship is clear. Knowing your portrayal and having consistency of clarification from 1AC to 2AR is significant. You would be all around served to have thoroughly considered a case list supported by your counter-interpretation against a structure so you can ventilate genuine discussions that would work out under your model.

Topicality:

The more specific the explanation, the better. I refrain from competing interpretations, as I think one of the burdens of those involved is to defend their choice of support. Rationality is an argument for the counter-interpretation, not the aff itself. Limits discussion usually determines how I feel about the adequacy of aff. Accuracy standards are underutilized, and access to all sorts of interesting educational impacts that can be applied as a lack of solvency on a case-by-case basis.

Kritiks:

K-frame is theoretical. You ought to deal with it as such. I'm inquisitive about resolving questions of ways this debate, the wider activity, myself, you, your opponents, and any target that might be there are implicated inside your arguments.

Counter Plans:

A response plan for a specific case is better than a universal one. It depends on the multi-actor propensity, counseling conditions and conditions.

Disadvantages:

I tend to think that beginning conditions decide the course of occasions, so uniqueness as a rule decides the course of a connection. Be that as it may, I acknowledge the contention that typically not the case in certain cases, as distant as the proof base exists.

Framework:

Debate is an activity wonderful from other speech oriented activities, and I care about keeping that distinction. Right here are a few inquiries to guide your thinking regardless of your vision of debate: What kinds of discussions are counted and why do they count greater numbers than others we could be having? Why debate in preference to a few other modes of opposition or scholarly/activist work? What is the function of the aff? What's the function of the negative? How does conflict work? What limits exist below your interpretation?

Judge Name: Laurence Howard

sechs.laurencehoward@gmail.com

No School Affiliation

Years Judging: 5

Specialty: LD

Specific Paradigm(s): Games Player & Speaking skills/communications

Importance of (Scale of 1-10):

- Evidence (Inclusion of "hard" empirical evidence): 8

- Analysis (Logical claims explain the inherent problems): 8

- Clash (Refutation of opposing positions): 10

- Questions (Answers to questions clarify with precision): 9

- Delivery (Speaks smoothly, clearly, controlled, and polished): 10

Other comments: For me, the most important things are the ability to follow the logic of your arguments and refutation of opposing points -- why are your points important? why do they outweigh the arguments from the opposing side? Delivery and speed are super important to me as well; I'm glad you are providing evidence to help your position, but if I, and even your opponent, are unable to follow you because of speed or the constant use of the word "like" that becomes a problem.

For Interp Events: I like to see relatable pieces. I enjoy seeing how your passion comes through as your give your speech. I also appreciate preparation; along with a topic that is close to you, I want to see that you have sufficiently practiced and are ready to give your speech. (besides impromptu and improv of course)

For Debate:

Looking for clear, well-organized, and concise argumentation. Looking for well reasoned and researched cases (within given time constraints). Not a fan of doomsday or slippery slope arguments. Not a fan of abusive tactics that take away the purpose of an educational debate (like just galloping or affirmative/proposition, setting the scope in their favor). I like voters in debate. Why should I vote for your side? Also, while I do expect each side to fulfill their burden and know debate fundamentals, if you are the affirmative or the negative, I still want the substance of the debate to be on the topic/resolution at hand. Only if there is an egregious lack of burden fulfillment, will I give the round based on debate technicalities.

Not a fan of spreading. It doesn’t happen in the real world, don’t do it here.

they/them

rylee.stgl@gmail.com for evidence sharing purposes.

I participated in policy debate at both the high school and collegiate level.

Spreading is okay. Open cross-examination and flex prep are okay as long as it is consensual between the competitors. All arguments are acceptable, K and Theory included. I default to policy-making. Defending the status quo is a valid negative position.

Disadvantages: Specific/non generic links are the most important thing.

Counterplans: Would honestly rather you read five good disadvantages than four good disadvantages and a medium counterplan that is going to have seven perms read on it. Counterplans are fine, obviously, but should be specific. Default position is that PICs are bad so just know you'll have to do more work to convince me.

Theory: There should be a very clear warrant for it. If there isn't a clear warrant for the argument, RVIs are hip and cool. I value clash, fairness, and education in that order so ideally I would rather you be having a conversation about the efficacy of the AFF's plan but there is an expectation to maintain competitive integrity.

Topicality: Most topicality arguments come off as time skews and I tend to value reasonability pretty highly so unless the AFF is clearly nontopical (effectually topical or extra topical included) there is a low chance I will vote on this. If the topicality argument is unfounded, RVIs are hip and cool.

Kritiks: Critique the AFF, not just the resolution. Prefer Ks with actionable alternatives.

Framework (CX): As mentioned above, I default to policy-making framework so I want to see the AFF's plan weighed against either the status quo, counterplan(s), or alternative(s). That said, probability > magnitude, provided the impacts are suitably large. Timeframe is tricky depending on impact, mass extinction tomorrow isn't necessarily as impactful as continued systemic violence, for instance, but there are reasonable arguments on both sides and I think that is a debate worth having.

Framework (LD): Most framework debates, in my experience, just dissolve to the frameworks being the same or similar enough that the winning side can solve using either. Your frameworks should have specific value criteria to help weigh the round.

If you have any questions not covered by the above or would like elaboration, please ask.

Debate experience: debated at the University of North Texas 2015-2017

My general philosophy and approach to debate is that education is A-priori. If your arguments are educational I'll buy them. Ask any clarifying questions before the round.

Rating scale - 1 being the lowest possible score with 10 representing the highest

(8 out of 10) Speed - Just be clear on the tags, don't clip cards

(6 out of 10) Topicality - I generally don't vote for T arguments unless it is under covered, dropped, but I will entertain it.

(10 out of 10) Disads and CPs - I will vote for any DA or CP. Multiple conditional counterplans are ok but don't go overboard and read more than 2 or 3.

(10 out of 10) Theory and F/W - I enjoy these arguments and will vote for just about any theory and framework argument.

(9 out of 10) Kritiks - Ill vote for any K, spend enough time covering the alternative.

(10 out of 10) Performance debate - I spent most of my career doing performance and K aff's, these are my favorite debate rounds to judge.

Pronouns: she/her | Email: alicetlnguyen@gmail.com

Currently a JV Policy debater for the University of Houston.

CX: Run the arguments you like and do it well. Tech > truth but if something is blatantly wrong, then the threshold to take it down is very low. I like voters and impact comparison. Case debate is underrated and people should do more of it.

LD: Framework sets the foundation for the entire round, and I'd like for it to be applied throughout the whole debate. If one debater persuades me that their framework is better, I'll use that to evaluate the round; if neither do, then I'll default to who was argumentatively more persuasive. It's important in this type of debate that you are mindful of the things you say and the implications they may have, both inside and outside the round.

Speech: Always welcome to new perspectives and fun takes on things. Though, it goes without saying that a controversial opinion should never supersede basic respect for others. Really love in-depth research and exploration of different perspectives, but make sure that counterarguments don't detract or distract from the position you take in the speech.

High speaks for all events if you're entertaining.

Try your best not to spread. Quality of argument > Quantity of arguments. Be civil and professional. Flow is very important. Tell me how you won the flow by walking me through it in your last speech. If any rules have been broken, please mention it during the round and not after. 

Paradigms: The main paradigm I have is pertaining to case debate is using "big picture" , meaning primarily main arguments along with supporting evidence without going too much into the technicalities of the subject at hand. In addition to this, spreading is fine, however if the competitor spreads to the point where what is being said is not understood by the judge and the competitors, it ultimately does not help the competitor in the debate. What helps me is slowing down once they are on the main arguments and as the competitor gets into the supporting evidence and arguments, they can speed up a bit. Other than this, there are no other specific paradigms.

I am a stock issues judge. I believe that the affirmative plan must fulfill all their burdens. If the negative proves that the affirmative is lacking in any one of the issues, it is grounds for the plan to be rejected. As a stock issue judge, I generally prefer a clear, eloquent presentation of issues in round, and dislike arguments that seem to not relate to the topic on the surface.

I'm a huge fan of competitive speech and debate with deep appreciation for the analytical and public speaking skills honed through participation.

I debated competitively in LD, CX, and Student Congress in high school (dinosaurs may have roamed the earth then) and also competed in CEDA policy debate in college. In addition, I enjoyed success in domestic extemp and original oratory. I competed at the NSDA (then it was NFL) national speech tournament 3 times and have a couple of state championships under my belt.

Paradigm: I’m open-mined and love good clash. I can reasonably hang with speed as long as an attempt is made to enunciate; however, my preference is for effective communication and analysis over spread. I want a clean flow and strong signposting. Please make voting issues clear. In CX, I love the stock issues, compelling advantages with solvency, and great, applicable (not generic) disads.

Regardless of the debate type, my favorite rounds are those that include more thinking and direct clash and less generic speed reading. Dropped issues won’t win a ballot, so pull arguments through that you want to be voting issues and point out opponent drops. It's totally okay to concede arguments you are losing -- you don't have to win 100% of the flow to win the round. I'm a fan of compelling persuasion, smart arguments, and a willingness to have some fun.