trad circuit debate is preferred :) please use all of your prep time! i really like cross-ex and crossfires. be nice and civil, ignorant behavior = instant loss. if you're neg please actually have impacts, don't just attack aff. feel free to ask questions (aanderson4560@gmail.com)

I love to see honest acting in interpretation events. If you have blocking, l'd like it to be clearly purposeful and clean. Most importantly, have fun.

In platform events I like you have unique analyses of your topics with clear implications. Again, above all else, just have fun.

Hey y’all! My name is Fikir Beyene (she/her) and this is my fourth year in speech and debate. I’ve competed in various events including PF, Congress, and Extemp. As a judge, my final decisions on every round come down to unique issues or moments of excellence, but here are some general things I take into consideration:

• I try my best to enter each round with an open mind, so even if one team’s argument may not be true or “correct,” if the other team doesn’t rebut it properly, I will weigh it as part of my decision
• Do not spread. A slightly quicker pace than your normal speaking speed is okay, but I value well-articulated arguments almost as much as I value strong argumentation.
• If you are blatantly disrespectful or discriminatory to your opponents, I will drop you.
• Please make sure to signpost to make your speech easy to follow.
• I will flow until you go more than 10 seconds over time (in debate). If I hold my fist up and you keep talking (beyond finishing your statement), I will not take any of the extra evidence/arguments presented during that time into account.
• In interp events and declamation, I will most highly rank those who display a mastery of the piece (very little to no pauses to recall information), include well-incorporated transitions and movements, and perform with unforced emotion.
• In impromptu, I’m looking for logical argumentation, cohesive speeches, and an engaging, effective delivery.  
• In extemp, I will most highly rank those who cite multiple, strong pieces of evidence, present well-developed arguments, and effectively infuse humor and anecdotes into their speeches.

If you have any questions about your ballots or any of the events, feel free to email me at bfikir2005@gmail.com. Good luck! 

Spread only if the speed you use also allows for enough enunciation that I can understand. I can keep up, but only if I can comprehend.

I believe in traditional debate. In LD, everything is about the V/VC construct and should apply to it. I don't really care about definition debate unless it is absolutely vital. Observations don't really matter to me unless both sides agree to them.

In, PF I try to take the position of a typical citizen judge and base "my knowledge" only on what you tell me in the round and not what I already know. Civility is still important in cross-examination so it is important to remember that with me.

In Policy, I am least familiar, so I base everything on my flow and which side has the most arguments standing by the end of the debate. Also, and I know it may be unusual, but I do care if the plan actually makes sense because I can't vote for it if it doesn't.

I don't listen to parenthetical documentation as a source. What does that mean anyway???

Hey y'all! My name is Ria and I'm a college student with 3 years of speech & debate experience. I've competed in LD, PF, Congress, Big Questions, Impromptu, Extemporaneous Speaking, and Poetry.

In general, please make sure that you are speaking clearly and not spreading. If I can't understand you, you will fail to win my ballot. Additionally, please make sure that you are being respectful to your opponent!

For debate:

Please make sure that you have arguments that can be logically followed by me. It should be able to link to something sensible. For LD, whoever wins the value-criterion debate will determine how I vote. Contentions must be well-linked to your framework. For PF, I will vote based on argumentation of framework and impacts. Typically, I do not flow cross. Also, please do not bring up new arguments during your final speech. For Congress, I will rank you based on your participation in the session.

For speech:

Your overall goal as a speaker is to keep me engaged. I won't rank you well if I felt bored or easily distracted during your speech. Your speech should be memorized; don't rely on your binder. As long as you have a cohesive, well-delivered speech, you'll be ranked high.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact me at riacontractor359@gmail.com. Have fun!

I have done policy debate for 3 years at St. Andrew's Episcopal Schools.

Just have fun and be respectful to your opponent.

Hey everyone! I am a senior who has been competing in Speech and Debate for the past three years. LD is my main event, but I also have experience with Congress, World Schools, PF, Original Oratory, Impromptu, Extemp, and Poetry. I will give you detailed feedback on what I think of your performance, and if you have any questions you can reach out to me at sneha.maju27@gmail.com!

Speech:

I prioritize clear and persuasive communication in speeches. I value organized content, relevant evidence, and structured delivery. This includes clear articulation, appropriate volume, and engaging body language. Eye contact, vocal variety, and passion for the topic are key to audience engagement. Adherence to time limits is crucial. I provide constructive feedback to help speakers improve their skills.

Debate:

Argument Quality: I prioritize the strength and quality of arguments. Focus on logical reasoning and solid evidence to support your case.

Clash and Refutation: Effective debating includes engagement with your opponents' arguments. Address key points from the opposing side and provide clear rebuttals.

Framework and Resolution: Show how your arguments uphold the debate's resolution or framework. Clearly establish the relevance of your case.

Delivery and Clarity: While content is crucial, effective communication is equally important. Maintain a clear and concise speaking style, making it easy for both judges and opponents to follow your points.

Cross-Examination: Use cross-examination to challenge your opponents' arguments and clarify your own. Effective questioning and answering can strengthen your case.

Fair Play: Respect your opponents and adhere to the rules and etiquette of the debate format. Maintain professionalism throughout the round.

Stennis can be stressful. It's easy to get in your head, so breathe and remember that your opponent is just as nervous as you are. Good luck to you all and I'll see you in round!

Hello competitors!

My name is Kara and this is my second year with speech and debate. I've competed in mostly interpretation events, as well as some speech events. `I have also competed in Public Forum. I am so excited to see your pieces and debates! If you have any questions about anything, do not hesitate to come up to me at any future tournaments!

I am looking for the following:

Speech/Interp

Preparation- Is your piece memorized? Can I tell that you have worked hard on this piece instead of throwing it together at the last minute? I want to be able to know that you worked on and put your blood sweat and tears into the piece you are presenting. :)

Volume vs. Acting- (This is mostly for interpretation events + Declamation) Obviously I need to be able to hear you, but is that all you are putting into your piece? Volume is essential, however, there needs to be more to your piece than that. Emotions do not always have to be portrayed as screaming and I need to be able to see you developing your characters and making them believable. The most basic way I can say this is do not focus on loud acting. I would rather have someone quieter act well than someone yelling and not acting.

Storyline/creativity- Does the story you're telling make sense? Can I follow what you are saying? Basically I just want to be able to follow along with the story you're telling. Put me into the world you are creating with your piece! Did you add some personal spice to the story? Originality is always entertaining. Draw me in. Show me something I wouldn't expect.

Debate

Understanding- This sort of goes two ways. The first one being can I tell that you understand the topic? Is it clear to me that you know what you're talking about? You must first understand the topic to debate on it. The next one is can I understand what you are talking about. Make your arguments and attacks clear to me.

Attacking and Defending- This is kind of obvious lol. Are you defending your own case well? Are you attacking your opponent well? Make it clear to me that your case is the one that stands.

Attitude/General Rule following (this goes for both debate and IEs)- If you are breaking a rule in an event then I will have to take off points for that (ex. moving below the waist in prose or poetry, touching in duo, etc.) I put attitude in this category because even though it is not an explicit rule, disrespect (unkind words, uncivil treatment towards competitors in a debate, booing, laughing at competitors (unless the piece calls for that), leaving for performances, etc.) will not be tolerated.

Check your ballots for personal feedback. Remember to have fun, and good luck!

Not everyone has the time or ability to read paradigms before rounds so for the sake of equity I won't include the complete cheat code towards getting my ballot, however I will tell you a few tips and show you what to avoid.

PF- Give me voters as early as possible. The longer I have to think and weigh evidence the better the decision I make. DO NOT give me a voter with a weak warrant as I will not except bad warrants for huge voters like Nuclear war since you guys seem to bring it up in EVERY round on EVERY topic. I would rather have a few small impacts that are rock solid than both sides claiming nukes will start flying if the other side gets their way.

LD- Some people are LD nerds, I am not one of them. Structure your arguments and more importantly your rebuttals in a way that maintains the topic. A large number of LD debaters stray very far from the topic in my experience and it can make it very hard to flow and declare a victor.

BQ- Sadly We don't do a lot of Big Questions around these parts. Enough said

Policy- Case heavy arguments (as policy usually is) are fine I get it you have an intricate 400 page essay on how to collect rainwater from roof awnings to solve the freshwater crisis in the southwest. Understanding that however I do want to see as much interaction with the opposing side as possible. Try to be as direct as possible when responding to critiques.

Interp Speech events- Your piece selection needs to resonate with you, own your work.

Informational Speech events- A mix of easy to follow logic and evidence will go a long way. Make sure your logic is clear and your evidence is well thought out.

do good and you win

Courtesy, clarity, and connection. Please be polite, speak to make your points or performance clear to the audience (the judges), and (in debate) explicitly articulate the connection of your evidence to your point(s).

Speech & Debate is as much an educational activity as it is a competitive activity, so my comments will be focused on what seemed to work or not work within the context of what it appeared you were trying to accomplish.

I give only a brief paradigm here because I do NOT want you to attempt to tailor your presentation to a bunch of imagined traits and preferences I may or may not possess. Run YOUR case; give YOUR performance - I will judge and comment upon the presentation's face value to the best of my ability.