FOR CX:

Hi! My name is Emily Abrego and I am a student at UT. I did CX throughout highschool until my graduation in 2021, so I've been in yalls shoes. I have provided a few paradigms below, but if yall have any additional questions, dont hesitate to ask! P.S. Remember to have fun :)

Overall: Speed is fine, just please slow down on taglines and authors/dates out of courtesy for your judge and opponents. Please stand and face the judge when CXing. Framing and impact calc I like a lot, especially in last two rebuttals. If you call out power-tagging or do a line-by-line, that is also nice. K affs are fine. I personally prefer soft impacts over big stick, but I will vote based on how they are run rather than my preferences. Open or closed CX is up to your opponents, but I will notice if one person is clearly answering/asking all of the questions, so try to not use your partner unless necessary. Flashing between your partner during one of yall's speeches is also up to your opponents, but no verbally prompting your partner while speaking. New in the 2 is fine

Topicality: I dont vote on T unless it's run properly with all its planks AND the plan is clearly abusive or the other team fails to properly answer T. If youre running it as a time suck, please do so properly; Ive seen teams waste half their 1NR on their own time suck.

K: Same as T, I do not vote on unless run properly. I also think that a good alternative should be provided; if you cant answer the K, why should they.

CX/Policy- I prefer communicative speaking as opposed to spreading as a lay judge because it makes it easier to flow you. I like topicality arguments if applicable, but don't use it as a time suck. I like CP's. If you have a better solution; use it, you don't have to just attack the aff team's case, you can build your own. I'm not a fan of kritiks, if you use them. They better have backing. For questioning, be polite. You can be passionate without being disrespectful. 

Congress- I don't mind you reading your speech out as long as it's a good speech. Content over eye contact. I don't expect you to have thirty speeches memorized. Speak clearly. I don't mind if you speak fast, as long as I can understand what you're saying. I like arguments about the format of the legislation. If there is something wrong with the way the bill is written, then bring it up. The writing is just as important as the purpose. In questioning, try to get to the point. We don't have a lot of time in questioning. Call it like it is. Don't try to lead up to the point with a bunch of clarifying questions. 

Public Forum Debate - Purist when it comes to style and argumentation. No spreading please. Arguments should be simplistic and accessible for any person to understand. In the end the biggest impacts will win the debate.

I have been a volunteer judge for 18 years for East High School. In those 18 years I have judged all levels including TFA state and Nationals. In 2022 I had the pleasure of judging P.O.I finals at Nationals. Over the years I have judge everything from debate to i.e events. I am a firm believer that speech and debate gives the competitors a voice. It teaches them to see all sides of an argument so they can make an informed decision.

Debate: When it comes to debate (CX,LD,PF). Linking evidence is important. When it comes to LD and PF, there is no need to spread. In Policy debate, if you spread, make sure everyone can understand you. If I can not understand you I cannot flow. In all debates I like to see clash. When making my decision I take the entire debate into consideration. I always leave my personal opinions at the door, there is no place for them in speech and debate. I strongly believe that debate should be a safe place for kids and that they should be treated with respect.

Congress: I vote on actively within the chamber. I look at speeches, questions, and how you answer those questions. I also look to see if you have paid attention to what other representatives have said. I like to see engagement within the chamber. Please do not just read your speech! I also like a P.O to run a smooth organized chamber and know the rules. If a P.O is new and is trying I do take that into consideration. I know it can be hard and stressful doing something you normally do not do. It is import and that kids are able to give their speeches without being criticized or distracted.

Extemp: I want to hear evidence from good sources. I look for original takes on the topics. I do not like kids reading their speech’s. I want to hear their opinions and take on it. Remember, tell me what you are going to tell me, tell me, and then wrap it up in a conclusion.

I.E: In POI and OO I look for pieces that are important to the competitors. This is a great platform to allow competitors to express their views on different subjects. I want to see that passion to speak out and get that message across.