Hello debaters! I am a parent volunteer judge and I’m very excited to be here with you all. I have been trained on judging this specific style and have judged multiple debate styles & speech events. My son is a 3rd year debater. I’m eager to learn from you all and give you feedback from my perspective!

If you plan on spreading and/or are running a progressive case, please share your case with me to this email address: aihongwen@hotmail.com

True spreading will be difficult and very new for me. When possible, please slow down slightly so that I can take thorough notes and give you the best feedback & results.

HELLO!!!!
I am a fairly new judge to debate.

I expect RESPECTFUL debate...the minute you get an edge to you and become aggressive toward the other team...I shut off and will cast my vote for the other team. It is SO IMPORTANT that we have a respectful exchange of ideas and debate those accordingly. I do expect there to be a clash of ideas...just not a clash of personality. Questioning is important.

I enjoy strong connection to your material and expect you to provide strong reasoning and support for the points you are bringing to the table. If you have to spell it out for me, please do so. Be meticulous in how you explain things for me so that I can follow what you are saying. ORGANIZATION to your delivery is the key.

Speed: I am NOT a fan of spreading so do NOT do it.

I prefer a slower debate, I think it allows for a more involved, persuasive and all-around better style of speaking and debating. It is your burden to make sure that your speech is clear and understandable and the faster you want to speak, the more clearly you must speak. If I miss an argument, then you didn't make it.

I LOVE terrific cross-examination!!!

For all debate- I will pick a winner based on who best communicates the most logical arguments. When judging communication, I take into account speaking pace, clarity of delivery, and organization.

My name is Lori Buchanan. I participated in speech and debate in the '80's as a student, and I was a delegate to the Model UN in 1992 for the University of Memphis. While it has been awhile, I still know the winner when I hear it. If I am convinced, I simply have to vote for you.

Don't be afraid to make me laugh :) 

I have never judged using tabroom. Please speak slowly.

Thank you!

Hello debaters and fellow judges,

I approach this debate with a focus on several key elements:

1. **Having Fun:** I believe that debate should be an engaging and enjoyable experience for all participants. I value creativity, wit, and a positive atmosphere in the round.

2. **Value and Framework:** A clear and well-defined value and framework are essential for a meaningful debate. I expect debaters to establish a strong value criterion that guides their arguments and provides a clear lens through which to evaluate the round.

3. **Impact:** I am particularly interested in the real-world implications and consequences of the arguments presented. Debaters should demonstrate how their contentions directly affect individuals, communities, or society as a whole.

4. **Engagement:** I encourage active engagement with your opponent's arguments. This includes addressing key points, providing rebuttals, and offering compelling counter-arguments. Strong engagement demonstrates a deep understanding of the topic.

5. **Confidence:** Confidence is crucial in persuasion. I appreciate debaters who speak clearly, maintain good eye contact, and project their voices effectively. Confidence not only enhances your persuasive abilities but also demonstrates a strong command of the material.

6. **Persuading:** I value effective persuasion, which includes the ability to present arguments logically and coherently. Debaters should be able to build a persuasive case while also addressing potential weaknesses in their opponent's arguments.

Remember, I am here to objectively evaluate the round based on the merits of your arguments and presentation. Regardless of the side you're on, your ability to articulate and defend your position will be the key factor in my decision.

Good luck to all debaters, and let's have a constructive and enjoyable round!

As a judge, I am looking first and foremost at speaking skill. A well planned and spoken speech ranks high on my radar. I also place value on evidence based speeches. Your evidence should be current and relevant. Confidence, kindness, and professionalism are key, as well.

1. Be Professional
2. NO SPREADING. If I can't keep up, I will stop flowing the debate.
3. Clash is key. Go line-by-line and pick apart every bit of your opponents case while you build your own case back up.
4. Good debaters are good communicators.

I have been working with the debate team at our school for 4 year and judging for at least 3. I am a High School/College teacher in both US and World History. This means I am very well versed in history. I am well versed in research and bias of sources. In Debate rounds I want well researched cases with strong evidence. I also like connections, your evidence needs to connect to your points and support your claims, free floating evidence does not apply anywhere in the round. I expect a synopsis for voters as well, if you don't give me voters I will use my own observations to way the round, which may not be how you want me to vote. That being said, being too pushy may push me away from your position. Give voters that I can consider and persuade me why you should win on the logic and evidence of the case. I am not a fan of spreading. I would rather have you present a case with a few strong points than a lot of little ones. I do not like it when competitors are rude to one another. No matter how heated the battle or frustrated you get, politeness goes a long way with me.

Springdale High School Debate & Forensics Coach

Current Springdale High School Debate & Forensics Coach.

Debating should be fun! We should always seek to be respectful and friendly.

I do not love serious spreading. However, if you plan on spreading, I would love to have your case shared with me so I can follow- this is fine!

I am a reasonable person and will connect some dots myself, but I appreciate any mental load you take off of me as your judge.

Don't be afraid to make me laugh!

No matter what, enjoy yourself and be confident!

I am both a speech and debate coach, who primarily works with speech events and IPDA style debate.

Speech Events:

In interp, I focus on technical ability but also your understanding of the emotions in the piece. I want to see sincere displays of emotional depth that appropriately connect with the overall theme.

In public address and platform speaking events, I value organization and clarity in your speech. I am a fan of visual paragraphing provided it is done well--your movement should look natural and enhance the presentation not distract. INFO should be well rehearsed with their visual integration, but I understand that accidents may happen due to travel/stands.

ALL Debate Events:

Above all, I value good sportspersonship! I will not tolerate rude behavior towards opponents because we are here to clash ideas, not clash each other. I am opposed to the practice of spreading, as it does not give judges enough time to process information and flow. I typically evaluate rounds based on the following criteria (in order): validity and logic of argument, organization of points, round decorum, and speaking presence.

LD-

Speed- Medium to medium-fast (If speed gets in the way of speaking style, I'm not a fan. I don't like fast for the sake of fast). I will judge progressive style arguments if that's what's presented, but it's not my favorite.

Framework- May possibly be a voting factor depending on its use in the round, but not always. Voting issues- fine to use, but I'll only vote on them if I agree debater won the argument.

Speaking style/evidence/argumentation- all important!!

Policy- Speed- Medium to medium-fast. I will listen to spreading and it doesn't bother me as long as it's clear. I can handle K and Theory.

Policy Maker/ Stock Issues

Only vote on Topicality if Aff is highly off-topic or a squirrel case.

Hello! I have been judging debate for a couple years now and I did speech in high school.

I expect you to be respectful towards one another and to efficiently keep your own time to keep the debate moving forward.

I give speaker points based on who was the most natural speaker. I am okay with you spreading, however, please be aware that on this format the audio may lag and I may miss some of the things you say.

I love cross-examination. A big deciding factor will be who can effectively get their point across while debunking the other team's points through questioning and rebuttal arguments.

Bentonville High School Alum, class of '02. I am new to judging as well as Debate. 

Fan of conversation in general, but I do have a hard time being too serious for too long and inevitably feel the need to make a joke. 

I love to laugh

I judged many different forensic events over the last two years, both online and in person. My favorites are POI and storytelling. I appreciate a well written and performed piece, particularly light-hearted ones. My least favorite event is Extempt - if I could follow politics and current events I'd be a debate judge! I will still try my best. I always find something positive to say and I try to offer constructive suggestions. I want to watch you learn and get better. I think debate and forensics can offer skills well beyond school. I am looking forward to another year.

Bentonville West High School Speech & Debate Coach

I have been a coach and competitor in the forensics/speech/debate world for 20+ years. I specialize in speaking. Speaker points are important to me. Sloppy or disorganized speeches can cost you the round. Please don't just read to me. I want to see your speaking & delivery skills as much as I want to see your arguments. Make clear arguments and focus on line-by-line analysis. When it comes to splitting hairs for a win, I will go with the team with the best line-by-line argumentation.

Back your claims and counterclaims with solid cards. I'm an analytical thinker when it comes to debate rounds. I want to hear your claims back with more than your opinion.

I am a tab judge and willing to listen to any argument. However, don't kill a dead horse or bet your case on minuscule points. Support your claims with professional backing. Make your points clear and understandable. Make sure you link to the resolution.

I enjoy a clearly organized debate with strong signposting, road-maps, and line-by-line analysis. Organization is key to keeping the flow tidy as well as maintaining clash throughout the round.

PLEASE DON'T SPREAD. Adapt your case structure/speaking style, to adhere to this request. I'm a speaker. I expect solid speaking skills. I can deal with fast speaking as long as you are clear. However, I'm a traditional judge. Don't spread in styles outside of CX. If you do speak quickly, make sure you're clear. If I miss your argument because you're not clear, it could cost you the round.

Be sure to read arguments that have a clear link to the resolution/framework. If I don't understand the argument itself or don't understand how it links, there is no way I can evaluate it.

You're not going to win rounds with me in cross. Just because you bring a point up in cross does not mean I will flow it. If you want it considered, bring it up in your rebuttal. Keep it professional. A true debater can give their points without sounding demeaning or disrespectful. It will cost you the round with me. Learn to disagree respectfully.

I am by no means a lay judge, but I judge PF & WSD rounds as if I am. Don't use debate jargon in these rounds. Speak to me as if I had never heard the word debate before. That's the design of these styles.

If you have any questions, please ask me prior to the round.

Avoid arguments that are homophobic, sexist, racist, or offensive in any way. Be respectful to your opponent and judge. Use professional language at all times.

This is your debate so have fun with it! Best of luck to you!!

A long time ago in a galaxy far far away....

I was a Forensic and Debate participant from 1978 to 1980 at my high school in Kansas City.  In 1978 - 1979, I was the #1 ranked team debater in the Greater Kansas City conference and the Missouri West division.  In forensics, I participated in Humorous Interpretation, Impromptu, Duet Acting, Extemporaneous, and Oratory. During the start of the 1979-80 school year, my partner and I were the first to put all of our debate evidence on a PC and coded the database to print out in a brief during cross examination.  We were summarily kicked off of the circuit as (we were told) computers had no place in a debate and using them was just a form of intimidation.  How times have changed...

Following high school, I received a BA in Speech/Theatre with a minor in 2ndary education from Avila University in KC, where I starred in a number of plays and directed/performed in a community theater run of "The Music Man".  I was an instructor at Park University teaching theatre in the early 80's and have done some radio, TV, and professional acting in the KC and St. Louis areas. After working and teaching in the KC area for several years, I moved to Boston where I began work marketing and developing consumer packaged goods.  I completed my MBA in 2003.  

I am currently a senior director of consumer insights for Nestle's Walmart business for the global leader in CPG data, Information Resources, Inc.  I reside in Rogers with my wife and my ward.

I am a communications teacher (I was never a debater) therefore I focus more on the educational aspect of the debate. Please do not assume that I understand all debate terminology and techniques. I need you to educate and persuade me through organized speeches and clear explanations.