As a parent judge with two years of experience evaluating Congress, I recommend that speakers avoid speaking too quickly and strive for clear and emotionally expressive communication.

During the presentation, make sure to incorporate effective hand gestures, maintain consistent eye contact, project your voice with a commanding presence, convey passion rather than aggression, vary your vocal tones, speeds, and volumes, ensure fluency in your speech, walk purposefully on key points, maintain a conversational pace, and most importantly, conclude on time, adhering to the schedule.

Being a PO carries significant responsibilities, and I usually provide good ratings. Minor errors are acceptable, but if repeated mistakes persist, there's a possibility that your rank might be affected.

I am the Debate Coach at Piper High School. This is my second year teaching debate. My first time judging will be during Titan Invitational @ Nova High School. I have experience preparing for Student Congress, Dramatic Interpretation, and Impromptu Speaking.

Heyoo and Howdy, Its Jomi,

I have been Competing, Coaching, and Judging for going on 8 years now and I'm 21 so that says a lot about my wild amount of commitment I have towards this activity.

Mainly competed and coached extemp and congress so that is where my best critiques would come from since those are the events that I know the most about, however, I am proficient in knowing PF and LD since I have judged tons of elimination rounds for those events and have friends in the events so they teach me the game.

I would say no matter the event it always comes down to three solid principles for me

Logic without evidence

Quality of evidence

Speaking and execution of rhetoric

Logic without evidence meaning how solid on a logic understands deductive or inductive reasoning is the argument, to the point that at the least from a basic philosophical level can I consider that argument valid but not being true because that would require evidence.

Quality of evidence is what sets an argument to being a good argument because if your evidence is timely, relevant, and flows within the speech or case then that sets you apart from the round. Good evidence balances arguments, Bad Evidence breaks arguments

Speaking and execution of Rhetoric meaning simply how well are you conveying your speech and case in your delivery, even in Policy debate, if you want the judge to hear something import and round defining then you slow down and say it with conviction. How well do your voice and your inflections convey your narrative especially on the impact analysis which to me is the most important parts of arguments especially;y on a human level is to be important

Most of all, be respectful and courteous to your judges and especially to your opponents because if you are rude, condescending, sexist, racist, you know the deal if it's bad and I catch it, expect the worst result from me and expect for me to back it up. So just be a respectful person and we will be all good.

I am a former high school debater, UF graduate, and current Assistant Coach for West Broward High. In high school, I competed mostly in PF, but also did Info and Congress. Experienced in judging local, national, and state tournaments. For any questions, feel free to ask before the round starts or email me at nataliefernandez1@yahoo.com

General:

• Not a fan of spreading, theory, K’s, etcetera. I judge a round based on strong evidence and the way you can execute the argument and oppose your opponent's case.

• Do not assume I am up to date with a topic, define any important terms or information that you believe will be important in a round that your judge and opponent need to know.

• Debate is a place for learning to foster and grow, no racism, misogyny, or ethnocentric views will award you any points towards winning the debate and will cost you the round.

Framework:

• I like clear-cut debate with an easy to understand framework that tells me how to analyze the round.

Speaks:

• There is no clear formula for how this happens. I evaluate based off of how you make arguments, your speaking style, and your effort in round.

• Belittling your opponent or trying to criticize anything aside from the information being debated in a round will not award you speaker points. I will stop listening to you. Professionalism and respect are two qualities that will take you further in life than arrogance and harshness. Choose kindness

In Congressional Debate, I look for speeches that are passionate, persuasive and that are well supported with evidence. I expect strong analysis and clash after the first two speeches. I notice who asks good questions and value competitors that ask questions to move the debate along.

Introduction: My name is David Lehrman and I'll be serving as the judge for this debate. I come to this round as a parent/judge in my third season. I am here to facilitate a fair and productive discussion. My role is to evaluate the arguments presented by both sides based on their clarity, credibility, and persuasiveness. In this paradigm, I will outline my preferences, expectations, and guidelines for this debate.

Speed and Clarity: I prefer debates that are clear, concise, and accessible to all participants, regardless of their experience level. Avoid spreading or speaking too quickly, as it may hinder comprehension and fairness. If I cannot understand your arguments due to speed, it will be challenging for me to evaluate them effectively.

Structure and Organization: A well-organized debate is more persuasive and easier to follow. Please ensure that your arguments have clear introductions, credible supporting evidence, and conclusions. Signpost your contentions and respond directly to your opponent's points to maintain a logical flow throughout the debate.

Evidence and Sources: I value evidence-based arguments. Please provide credible sources to support your claims. The quality and relevance of your evidence will significantly influence my decision. If you challenge your opponent's sources, be prepared to explain why they are unreliable. Don't just ask for supporting evidence solely because want to use it for yourself.

Relevance and Staying on Topic: Stay focused on the resolution or topic at hand. Stray arguments that are not directly related to the debate may not be given much weight in my evaluation.

Counterarguments and Refutation: Effective refutation is key to winning a debate. Engage with your opponent's arguments and provide strong counterarguments. Address the most significant points raised by your opponent, and explain why your position is stronger.

Non-Philosophical Arguments: I prefer arguments based on real-world examples, statistics, and practical applications rather than purely philosophical or theoretical arguments. While some level of theory is acceptable, prioritize concrete evidence and real-world relevance.

Cross-Examination: I encourage debaters to use cross-examination as a tool for clarification and to expose weaknesses in their opponent's arguments. Keep cross-examinations respectful and productive.

Timekeeping: I expect debaters to adhere to the time limits set for speeches and to respect the allocated time for cross-examination. Going significantly over time may result in a penalty.

Decision Criteria: I will base my decision on the strength of the arguments presented, the quality of evidence, and the persuasiveness of the debaters. I will not introduce my personal beliefs or outside information into the decision-making process.

Final Thoughts: Remember that debate is not only about winning but also about learning and improving your skills. Approach this round with a commitment to fair and respectful discourse, and I will do my best to provide constructive feedback after the debate. Good luck to both sides, and let's have a productive discussion!

For congressional debate judging, I would pay attention to the contents, the logics of evidence and how it supports the argument. In later rounds of delivery, I am emphasized on rebuttal to previous representatives, which is critical as we are in a congress debate. Most importantly, please enjoy your debate!

Important:

Evidence: 8

Analysis:8

Clash:7

Question:7

Extempore:9

Delivery:9

Persona:1

Atiitute:5

Even though debate is different from speech competition. But making a good speech always makes your opinion stronger.

About Me

I used to be a high school English teacher and helped with congress debate, but I have since changed to the healthcare field. I still judge for events because I love speech and debate.

Lincoln-Douglas Debate

When it comes to LD, I prefer trad debates. Imagine that you are trying to convince an educated public, not another LD debater. I don’t flow completely, but I keep track of arguments/counters and evidence as best as I can. I give my vote to whoever persuades me best with their overall case and I only judge based on what is presented to me. For example, if your opponent has a really strong counterargument with clear evidence and real-world impact that you don't address whatsoever, then that will lower your standing in the debate.

You can add me to the email chain: Colin.Nohr@gmail.com

Some things to incorporate in LD for me :

✅ Strong evidence/arguments that are relevant, clear, and show real-world impact

✅ CLASH whenever possible. Collegially, of course.

✅ Voting issues down the flow and during final speech

✅ Strong value criterion framework that connects well to your points is a bonus (especially if there is a clash)

Some things that do not convince me in LD:

⏺ Unrelated extinction or highly improbable impacts (e.g., how student debt will/won’t lead to nuclear winter)

⏺ Theory shells that put unreasonable strain on the competitor and the spirit of debate (e.g., we should only consider a priori arguments in round)

⏺ Kritiks (In spirit, I appreciate them, but in practice it does not really influence my final decision much at all)

Congress:

I care a lot about proper decorum, especially with respect to interaction among members in the chamber. For example, if you're asking questions to the congressperson with the floor, please do not preface your question for an inordinate amount of the questioning block. Use questions to get your prefacing in. Prefacing is fine, but excessive or unnecessary prefacing is not.

Question and rebuttals are the heart of what makes this event something more than just people going up to the front of the room to read a static speech then sit down 15-20 times in a row.

For speeches, make your arguments and supporting evidence clear with sign posts. Don't read so heavily from your speech that you rarely (if ever) look up.

If there is a one-sided debate going on (two or three affs/negs in a row) please know that I will be expecting a better than normal speech with arguments that have not already been made along with clear rebuttals OR strong crystallizing.

I love congress and I'm excited to hear your speeches and give you feedback in comments.

Speech (interp, info, oratory, extemp, impromptu, etc.):

Pacing, passion, novelty, and and complexity score highly with me.

CONGRESS PARADIGM

I am a parent judge who has been judging congress at a local, state, and national level for over 3 years. I hope this paradigm tells you a bit more about what I'm looking for.

If you deliver a speech I already heard a different competitor give before, I will give you a lower rank. There is no good reason to copy your teammate's speeches, especially at prestigious bid tournaments. This goes for authorships/sponsorships, too.

PRESENTATION Congress is partially a speech event. Your presentation and delivery will factor into my judging. I love when people take more interesting, performative approaches that break up the monotony of a congress round. Please don't speak too quickly. I will hold it against you if you are reading too much from your pad and have poor eye contact. You should be familiar enough with the content of your speech to not be completely dependent on your pad. I have nothing against electronics. An iPad instead of a legal pad is perfectly fine as long as you don't let it hamper your performance.

CONTENT If you are making claims, make sure they are substantiated with evidence, especially if they are provocative or important new claims in the round. Round adaptation is extremely important. If you're just saying the same things as the previous five speakers before you, I have no reason to give you a good rank. Debaters have an obligation to engage with, build on, and refute what has been said by others in the round.

Always 1. link to the bill and 2. terminalize your impacts. Every speech needs to explain how passing this bill specifically causes a distinct harm or benefit. I don't have strict requirements for how you structure your speeches because I think that stifles innovation in this event, as long as it's a clear, understandable, effective speech.

RHETORIC I love an interesting rhetorical narrative. I think cookie cutter intros are boring. In the best case, each speech has an introduction relevant to the bill or even what has been previously said in the round. Rhetoric is not a substitute for substance. I've heard many brilliant rhetorical performances with very little content, and as much as I enjoy them, I can't rank them very high in the context of a congress round.

PRESIDING OFFICERS
I always rank competent POs well. A congress round can't run without a PO, and I will never punish someone who knows what they're doing for stepping up to perform this vital function. Please don't PO if you don't know what you're doing. Yes, everyone has to PO for the first time at some point, but you should still be coming prepared and as someone who is already familiar with how congress works. POing should not be a cop-out for being underprepared.

Some notes for novices/people who are new to congress:

• Memorize parts of your speech
• If you're speaking later in the round, don't just deliver the speech you came prepared with - adapt!
• Be prepared to switch sides on a one-sided bill: you're doing the chamber and your judges a favor
• Be courteous: don't use parliamentary procedure as a tool to exclude or disadvantage others
• Enjoy yourself! Winning 1st place doesn't mean much if you didn't have fun

I've judged rounds of: Public Forum, Congress, Lincoln-Douglas, Extemporaneous Speaking, Original Oratory, Informative Speaking, Interpretation of Literature, and Impromptu Speaking.

Strong debaters have a balance of facts, statistics, engaging rhetoric and clear delivery. Help me flow! I like lots of taglines and signposting, even during cross ex. If you're speaking fast, make sure you're not sacrificing clarity. Although I don't prefer when competitors spread, I can understand what they are saying (during the cross examination sessions). If you're interrupting your opponent habitually, it may count against you.

The winning team / debater is able to deliver and extend strong, well-supported, and prepared arguments while pointing out and breaking down flaws in the opponent's arguments.

Hi. I am a parent judge with limited judging experience. Please speak clearly and at a reasonable speed so that I can follow and take notes. I appreciate passion and a direct approach but please be respectful at all times. I look forward to hearing your cases and will vote based on the strength of your arguments.

Thank you and good luck!

My name is Angela Rinehart. I teach AP Psychology at Apopka High School and became the assistant debate coach in November 2022.

As a Congress judge, I am very aware of the importance of the P.O. in the chamber. I look for mutual respect of everyone in the room, confidence both while speaking and how you carry yourself, eye contact, speaking clearly with an even tone and pace of speech, original and valid argument points, and asking good follow up questions. My pet peeves are showing lack of respect because you can disagree as much as you want with others but it shouldn't be personal. I don't like to feel like you are yelling at us either. Please watch talking too fast and spreading.

I make notes as each person speaks and I do try to give both positive and negative feedback to everyone.

Do not lie about or manipulate evidence. All arguments and rebuttals must be across my flow throughout the round. Do not make a point in rebuttal and drop it in summary and final. You must weight and you must link to impacts. I appreciate good speakers but will award low point wins in any round where the better speakers fail to cover the flow, weigh, link to impacts or address framework (when applicable).

A debate is a search for the truth. That's why, along with voting, debating is at the heart of America's democratic process.

So please call out people who just make things up.

Also important:

* Intros that are directly about the topic always beat generic intros that could apply to any topic.

* Quotations always beat paraphrase.

* Fully-cited evidence I can hunt down always beats "The New York Times tells us that . . ." (Remember: NSDA-minimum is name or publication and year. That's an absurdly low standard that makes zero sense for the new-resolution-every-hour world of Congress. Many Congress debaters still fail to meet it.) The challenge posed by AI will make attention to sources even more important.

* An authorship without an expert solvency advocate--a credentialed source who advocates what's in Section 1 of the bill or the Resolved clause--is cursed. An authorship which has an expert solvency advocate is blessed. I hold cursed bills against their authors/sponsors and reward blessed authors/sponsors. It's considered rude to point out that the only people in the whole world who think the bill is a good idea happen to be the handful of AFF speakers, but that argument is an automatic winner for NEG. A great nation doesn't make policy based on a random hunch. If you can't quote an expert who says "We should spend X billion on Y program" (for instance) then your bill is cursed. I won't, of course, hold cursed first-AFFs against speakers, because someone has to kick off. TL;DR: Find your Section 1 in your research. Don't just wing it.

* Giving the right kind of speech (constructive, rebuttal, summative/"crystallization") at the right time always beats giving the kind of speech you're best at without thinking about what the debate needs. I think I can tell an "oops, thought I'd PO" crystal from one that groups and clinches the best arguments in the round.

* Rehash is a venial, not a mortal, sin. And if you're a novice, always give the speech. That said, giving a third- or fourth-in-a-row is an admission of under-preparation.

* The assumption that everyone is going to give two speeches in a round seems fair, but it has pernicious effects. It discourages folks from speaking early. That in turn results in several "please, someone give a speech" moments in the round. It also discourages people from prepping the full agenda. I have mixed feelings about people ruthlessly taking speeches whenever they can. It's not friendly, but neither is stonewalling until some novice buckles and agrees to kick off the debate, and it's hard to blame someone who grabs a speech opportunity that's just sitting there.

* POs start at 1 on my ballot and lose ranks from errors. They can also be displaced by truly excellent speakers. The PO starts at 1 because the PO is the only indispensable contestant in the round. Can't have a round without the PO. The more people there are who run for PO, the faster the winning PO loses ranks from errors, because you're claiming you're better than everyone else who wanted it.

* Congress is speech *and* debate, so be sure you're listening and responding (debate) and keeping me focused on what you're saying (speech). Congress is getting too fast and burdened with jargon. The ideal Congress speaker is perfectly intelligible to someone who wandered into the room. A conversational pace is a supreme sign of confidence, and if your arguments are also the ones the round needs, you get the one.

* Respect the role-play, which is the only thing that has kept Congress from joining the long list of last decade's big new debate event that will solve everything but which is now moribund because the college kids got hold of it.

* My feedback more often plays the doubting game than the believing game. For instance, I often suggest arguments I think would be better. I do this to help debaters, which helps Congress, which is something I love. Anyone who spends a perfectly good weekend trying to honestly hash out trade policy etc. is a hero, and I encourage everyone to be their best, which is why my feedback is more full of "grows" than "glows." But you're glowing just by playing.

I am NOT a present or former debater, coach, or professional judge. I have two daughters who debate and I judge a few times a year. I don't flow but I will take notes and listen to everything you say.

Some pointers that will help you to get my ballot:

- Don't be rude in any way and don’t yell; keep the debate civil

- Speak slowly and clearly; If I don’t understand what you are saying, I can’t judge it

- Don't "card dump," I'd rather be persuaded with logic than with a piece of evidence

You will get my vote if you give me a consistent argument the whole round and persuade me with good speeches.

TIMING- For speeches and cross: Please state something like "my time starts now" or "time starts on my first word." For prep time: Say "starting prep now," "time starts when I get my partner's call," or hold your timer so that everyone can see it when you start prep. Also say "stopping prep, we used X" or "x remaining." This helps me and everyone in the round keep track.

When time runs out, please stop speaking. If time runs and you are in mid sentence, you may complete the sentence but only if you can do so in no more than a few seconds. Arguments made or responses given after time is up are NOT "in the round."

Add me to the email chain. If you are sharing speeches with each other, please share them with me - miritsteiger@yahoo.com

I am a lay judge.

Do not spread, if I can't understand you can't win.

I will vote off whoever persuades me the most.

I am a parent judge and Sunvite 2020 is my first-time judging LD. I am interested in politics, philosophy, and economics, and as such I appreciate substantive debate about the topic. Please debate at a reasonable speed. I will do my best to flow, but if you spread, I cannot guarantee I will get all your arguments down. Please avoid Ks, Theory Shells, CPs, and confusing NCs & Tricks.

I am a parent judge. I am looking for clear speeches with refutations, strong argumentation and good use of evidence.

David Yastremski
Director - Ridge High School
30+ years experience coaching and judging

LD/PF/PARLI
I'm considered a very traditional flow judge within the various competitive debate arenas. I appreciate slightly-higher than conversational rates as a maximum. I will afford you a 'clear' if necessary.

I do expect and reward debate with a clear framework of understanding. I also like direct application of your argument to clear and defined system(s). I don’t believe we exist in a vacuum – there must be context for me to consider and weigh an argument, and I recognize the resolution is created and should be interpreted within a particular context. Therefore, hypothetical worlds must be warranted as reasonable within a pragmatic context developed within the resolution. I appreciate creative, though plausible and non-abusive, House interpretations in Parliamentary rounds.

In LD and PF, all evidence must be clearly tagged and clearly linked to the grounds within your claims. In Parliamentary, examples should be true, contextually-defined, when appropriate, and directly linked to your claims. You can create hypothetical examples or indicate your personal beliefs on an issue; however, if you are unsure what a particular constitutional amendment or Supreme Court decision states, please avoid introducing it. Also, where tag-teaming is permitted, proceed with caution. One or two interjections is fine. More than that diminishes your partner's voice/skill and will be considered in speaker points and, if excessive, the RFD.

Crystallization is key to winning the round. Be sure you allow yourself ample time to establish clear grounds and warrants on all voters. I don’t consider arguments just because they are uttered; you must explain the ‘why’ and the ‘so what’ in order for me to weigh them in my decision, in other words, directly impact them to the framework/standards. I do appreciate clear signposting throughout the round in order to make the necessary links and applications to other arguments, and I will give you more speaker points if you do this effectively. Speaker points are also rewarded for competence, clarity, and camaraderie during the round. In LD and PF, I will not give below a 26 unless you're rude and/or abusive.

Overall, please remember, I may not be as well-read on the resolution as you are. I do not teach at camps; I don’t teach debate in any structured class, nor do I judge as regularly or frequently as others. I will work hard to reach the fairest decision in my capacity. I really enjoy judging rounds where the contestants make a concerted effort to connect with me and my paradigm. I don't enjoy rounds where I or my paradigm is ignored. Thanks for reading this far!! Best of luck in your round.

CONGRESSIONAL DEBATE:

I have 25+ years experience in Congressional 'Debate' and REALLY enjoy judging/parli'ing great rounds! I evaluate 'student congress' as a debate event; hence, if you are early in the cycle, I am looking for clear affirmative and negative grounds to establish clash and foundation for the remainder of the debate. If you speak later in the cycle, I expect extensions and refutations of what has already been established as significant issues in the debate (beyond just name dropping). I see each contribution on the affirmative and negative sides as extensions of the previous speeches presented; consequently, if there is a significant argument that has not been addressed to by opponents, I expect later speakers to build and expand on it to strengthen it. Likewise, if speakers on the other side do not respond to a significant issue, I will consider it a 'dropped argument' which will only increase the ranking of the student who initially made it, and lower the rankings of students who failed to recognize, respond or refute it; however, it is the duty of questioners to challenge opposing speakers thus reminding the room (including the judges) on significant arguments or issues that have gone unrefuted. In other words, students should flow the entire round and incorporate that information into their speeches and questions. I also highly encourage using the amendment process to make legislation better. Competitors who attempt it, with germane and purposeful language, will be rewarded on my ballot.

Most importantly, enjoy the unique experience of Congressional Debate. There are so many nuances in this event that the speech and debate other events cannot provide. Own and appreciate your opportunity by demonstrating your best effort in respectful dialogue and debate and be your best 'self' in the round. If you do, the rewards will far outweigh the effort.

EVIDENCE: All claims should be sufficiently warranted via credible evidence which ideally include both theoretical and empirical sources. I reward those who consider constitutional, democratic, economic, diplomatic frameworks, including a range of conservative to liberal ideologies, to justify their position which are further substantiated with empirical examples and data. All evidence should be verbally-cited with appropriate source and date. Students should always consider biases and special interests when choosing sources to cite in their speeches. I also encourage students to challenge evidence during refutations or questioning, as time and warrant allows.

PARTICIPATION: I reward participation in all forms: presiding, amending, questioning, flipping, and other forms of engagement that serve a clear purpose to the debate and fluent engagement within the round. One-sided debate indicates we should most likely move on to the next piece of legislation since we are ready to vote; therefore, I encourage students to stand for additional speeches if your competitors are not willing to flip, yet do not wish to move to previous question (as a matter of fact I will highly reward you for 'debating' provided that you are contributing to a meaningful debate of the issues). I expect congressional debaters to remain engaged in the round, no matter what your speaking order, therefore leaving the chamber for extended periods of time is highly discouraged and will be reflected in my final ranking. Arriving late or ending early is disrespectful to the chamber and event. Competitors who appear to bulldoze or disenfranchise others regarding matters of agenda-setting, agenda-amendments, speaking position/sides can also be penalized in ranking. I am not fond of splits before the round as I've seen many students, typically younger folks, coerced into flipping; hence, students should just be ready to debate with what they've prepared. If you are concerned with being dropped, I recommend exploring arguments on both sides of the bill/resolution.

PRESIDING OFFICER: Thank you for being willing to serve the chamber. I look highly upon students who run for PO. If elected, be sure you demonstrate equity and fairness in providing the optimum opportunity for every competitor to demonstrate their skills as a debater and participant in the chamber. I value POs who assert a respectful command and control of the room. Do not allow other competitors to take over without your guidance and appropriate permissions (even during breaks while others may be out of the room). Your procedures of recognizing speakers (including questioning) should be clearly communicated at the top of the round to promote transparency and a respect for all members of the chamber. Mistakes in recency or counting votes happen -- no big deal (just don't make it repetitive). Public spreadsheets are appreciated.

DELIVERY, STYLE and RHETORIC: Good delivery takes the form of an argument and audience-focused presentation style. Authorship/ Sponsorship/ first-negative speeches can be primarily read provided the competitor communicates a well-developed, constructed, and composed foundation of argument. These speeches should be framework and data rich -- and written with a rhetorical prowess that conveys a strong concern and commitment for their advocacy.

After the first speeches, I expect students to extend or refute what has been previously stated - even if offering new arguments. These speeches should be delivered extemporaneously with a nice balance of preparation and spontaneity, demonstrating an ability to adapt your advocacy and reasoning to what has been previously presented. Trivial or generic introductions/closings typically do not get rewarded in my rankings. I would much prefer a short, direct statement of position in the opening and a short, direct final appeal in the closing. Good rhetorical technique and composition in any speech is rewarded.

DECORUM & SUSPENSION OF THE RULES: I highly respect all forms of decorum within the round. I value your demonstration of respect for your colleagues referring to competitors by their titles (senator, representative) and indicated gender identifiers. Avoid deliberate gender-specific language "you guys, ladies and gentlemen" etc. I encourage any suspension of the rules, that are permitted by the tournament, which contribute to more meaningful dialogue, debate, and participation. Motions for a suspension of the rules which reflect a lack of decorum or limit opportunity are discouraged. I also find "I'm sure you can tell me" quite evasive and flippant as an answer.