FOR CX:

Hi! My name is Emily Abrego, and I am a student at TAMUCC. I am a state-finalist CX debater who competed up until my graduation in 2021. 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/spreading is fine, just please slow down on taglines and authors/dates out of courtesy for your judge and opponents. Unless specified, I weigh all args equally and it is up to the teams to provide voters in rebuttals for how I should weigh the round and why, coupled with an impact calc if applicable. Open or closed CX is up to both teams to agree upon, but I will notice if one person is clearly answering/asking all of the questions, so try to not use your partner's time unless necessary. Flashing between your partner during one of yall's speeches is also up to your opponents, but no verbal prompting. New in the 2 is fine unless it's excessive.

Topicality: I don't vote on T unless it's run properly with all its planks and the plan is clearly abusive. If you're running it as a time suck, please do so properly; I've seen teams waste time on their own time suck.

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

Theory: I think theory is an "I don't have anything on their case" argument and doesn't reflect well, but I am open to hearing it out if ran properly. The only thing that is a hard no is "FIAT bad" theory as I believe that it ruins the educational aspect of debate.

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.