Public Forum Debater for 4 years.

Rapid speaking is fine, but I'm not a fan of spreading.

I like funny speeches; try to have fun with it! :D

Hello, I am the parent of an LD debater and essentially should be viewed as a lay judge. I would like to hear clear, articulate speeches (clarity over speed is preferred, but ultimately your comfort level takes precedence). I expect you to avoid any hints of racism, sexism, homophobia or aggression in the enforcement of your argument. Determination and conviction are welcome, that is different. Please be respectful during CX, however rules of an honest command of topic and control over delivery of argument during CX apply. I do not flow CX but anything important that is said should be brought up in the following speech.

Please be respectful of your opponent.  Make eye contact, and please avoid filler words and spreading.

Please provide cards to me at mdurant@gmail.com

I am sure that each of you have put hard work and effort into your presentations. Since you have done so, when you stand in front of an audience, it is your opportunity to be heard...so make sure you are heard.

Speak clearly and concisely. Do not speak fast, but instead have good pace and emphasis where you choose. Most of all, have fun! I wish you all the best.

This is my second year judging at a Speech & Debate tournament. I am a second year coach of the Wheeler High School Speech and Debate team. 

Speak slowly enough that I can understand. You must use evidence to support your claims. Make sure to clearly emphasize impact. Be certain to listen to the opposing argument and respond directly to that argument. Don't forget to tell me which arguments you have refuted and why you have won the argument. 

Congressional Debate:

I have judged and/or been parliamentarian at local, regional and national tournaments, including Isidore Newman, Durham Academy, the Barkley Forum and and Harvard. My students have found success at both the national and state levels.

POs- I default to you. Remember, your tone as PO has a big influence on tone of the chamber. Be efficient, clear and consistent and have fun.

As far as the round and debate within the round, consistency is important to me. The way you speak and vote on one piece of legislation should most indeed influence your position on similar limitation unless you tell me otherwise. Debate and discourse does not exist in a vacuum.

Acting/characterization is fine as long as there is a reason and has a positive impact.

Finding a balance of logos, ethos and pathos is important. Difficult to accomplish in three minutes? Absolutely. The balance is what gets my attention.

I'll be honest. I don't like when debate jargon leaks into the chamber. SQUO, affirmative/negative, counterplan, link/turn, etc. This event is it's own unique event with norms.

Additionally, Student Congress is not Extemp-lite. If you are trying for three points in a speech, how do I know what to focus on? If everything is equally important then nothing is important. Take a stance, go for the impact and make the balance between logic and emotional to persuade. Include previous debate points, elucidate your point of view and have fun.

I am a judge for IE. My background is as faculty at various universities providing mentoring to Capstone and thesis graduate students who present their scholarly projects and research information.

I stay faithful to the judging criteria for content and relevance. Even if you are an animated and a well poised speaker, if you lack content or do not adequately develop and organize your information, my judging will reflect that you did not meet the criteria established. Conversely, a speaker who may not have the best presence but has great content will rank higher than a good verbal talker without good context. You will not get first if you go over the time limit and the established grace period.

Please let me know what type of hand signals you wish to have to help you with managing your time.

Thank you for the privilege of hearing you speak.