My name is Patrick Cook (he/him). I primarily judge congressional debate, although I have judged PF and LD and even Extemp once when they were desperate.

As a judge, I look for the three Rs: research, rationality, and respect. Great debaters do their research, have a clear and rational argument, and show respect for their presiding officer, and for their judges and fellow debaters. Those are the most important things.

My background is in academia, so I appreciate a precise citation.

With those basics covered, I appreciate creativity and humor, but I would advise debaters to make sure those never come at the expense of the three Rs. In particular, please take a second to think about whether any attempts at creativity and/or humor are going to detract from how seriously people view your argument or how seriously you seem to be taking the debate. If it doesn't detract and you can be witty -- go ahead!

PF: I did a lot of PF in high school at every level. That being said, don't spread in PF, that's not how the debate is supposed to be. Progressive argumentation also shouldn't be used in PF in my opinion, and I won't vote for it. Evidence does not always mean your argument is better, but a good argument with evidence to back it up will always beat a good argument without evidence to back it. Tell me what to vote on in the final focus, and don't bring up new evidence in the summary UNLESS you are the team that spoke first in the round, and you are using new evidence that can extend or defend an argument. Overall, just debate the way PF is supposed to be debated, be courteous to your opponents, and everything should be good.

CX: I did a substantial amount of policy debate in high school as well. I consider myself traditional, I hate spreading, (easiest way to lose my ballot, spreading just isn't debate to me) and I normally won't vote for a K. That being said, if you can EXPLAIN the argument to me, and it's logical and reasonable, I will always weigh it. I love a creative CP, and I'm huge on T. Theory is good with me, but disclosure theory is lame and will almost never get my ballot (we came here to debate and come up with args on the fly, not to debate about whether cases should be shared before the round). Solvency, solvency, solvency. Be courteous of your opponents, tell me what to vote on in the final rebuttals, and everything should be good.

LD: Not much LD experience, but I want to hear value criterion debate. Just because I did a lot of PF and CX doesn't mean I want to hear that type of debate in an LD round. Give me value criterion debate, with a solid amount of debate at the contention level. I really don't like spreading, If I can't understand you I won't flow it.

LD-I am a very traditional judge. I like VALUE/VC debate. Your contentions should support and link to your value. If you are not the 1AC, you should be attacking/countering things said from the previous speech(es). Otherwise, what's the point of debate?

I AM NOT A PROGRESSIVE LD JUDGE. No K's, CP's, or anything that belongs in CX.

I am ok with speed. I believe debate should be understandable and not an opportunity to cram so much information into 6 minutes that is not understandable and too much for an opponent to attack. With that said, I do like some speed, I just don't feel most people have been taught how to spread well. If I can't understand you, it doesn't get weighed into the round.

I tend to vote on who upheld their value the best and who dropped arguments. I also tend to vote on clash and providing counter evidence. Evidence can be read quickly, slow on taglines. WIN THE FLOW!

PF- I am a traditional PF judge. I should be able to have NO debate experience and walk in and judge a PF round. Treat your round as such despite my experience. This is not LD or CX, don't treat it as such. Persuade me. (Read more below)

For ALL-

I am flowing your debates, so I am aware of what has been said or not said in a round.

Jargon does not impress me.

Speaker points:

Being kind is also a thing for me. I always tell me debaters to "win kindly". You will be docked speaker points if you are using foul language and/or obviously treating your opponent poorly.

Speaker points are important! I should be able to clearly understand you when you speak. Again, I am fine with speed, but most people do not spread well. This is where you will get docket. Practice recording yourself and see if your cousin can understand you word for word.

I do not weigh CX time into who wins the round, but it can/does affect speaker points. CX time is your time to clarify and gather info. Anything you want weighed into the round from CX must be brought up in your next speech.

About me:

I have coached debate since 2004 and run two successful programs qualifying students for state and nationals yearly. Multiple teams have placed in finals at the state level in various events: LD, CX, WSD, Extemp, PF.... My degree is in Speech Comm.

If you have specific questions before the round, ask me! (Just don't ask what my qualifications are, that's offensive.)

• Be respectful to one another
• No outlandish arguments
• Style of speaking plays a role in how persuasive your arguments are

I am a traditional judge and listen for structure in argumentation.

I highly value clear communication. Debaters should articulate their arguments logically, with well-structured speeches. Signposting and clear transitions are crucial for guiding me through the flow of the round. Avoid rapid speech that sacrifices clarity for speed. Analytical depth, backed by evidence and examples, is essential for winning. Show me how your arguments interact with those of your opponents. I prefer well-researched and credible sources. Maintaining a respectful demeanor towards opponents, partners, and the judge is crucial. Avoid personal attacks, derogatory language, or any behavior that undermines the respectful atmosphere of the round. Politeness and courtesy are highly valued.

The primary role of my ballot is to determine which team presented the more compelling case and debating skills. My decision is based on the arguments presented in the round and not influenced by personal biases. I am open to various debate styles and appreciate creative and effective strategies.

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 am a coach and teach my kids the traditional formats of speech and debate for all events.

Congress: I am looking for an AGD and proper sign posting in the introduction. I want to see evidence for each point and clash unless you are the first speaker. I don't want to see you bring up a laptop. You should use a paper tablet. Make sure you leave time for a short conclusion. Make sure your pacing and verbiage are in a conversational manner. Answering questions are just as important, make sure you know the topic thoroughly. Activity in the chamber is also important, especially when I'm trying to break ties in my mind. Make sure your questions are well thought out before asking.

Lincoln-Douglas: As stated above, I teach the traditional format for LD Debate. I expect value, value criterion, contentions, warrants, and impacts. If you were taught policy jargon, make sure and convert it to LD Debate format. I do not want spreading. Make good sound arguments. The person who upholds their framework will win the round.

Speaking Events: I am much better at judging Extemp, Original Oratory, and Informative speaking events over the interp events. However, I have judged all interp events at local, state, and national levels.

I am an experienced coach and judge. I have competed, coached and judged in all areas of speech & debate.

I am a 'tabula rasa' judge, which for me means that I will listen to any reasonable argument. I am always interested in hearing creative approaches to any resolution. However, I fully support the format, style and philosophy of each debate and speech event.

I am not adverse to rapid speaking, because debate time is limited. BUT I will not condone 'spreading' as a tactic. If you insist you win because the opponent did not address all of your issues, I may or may not accept your premise.

Evidence is primary to any good argument. You should be able to coherently present your evidence with citation in every instance. Referencing 'cards' in a case is ambiguous, since I will not have your case in front of me.

In all Cross Ex portions, LISTEN to your opponent. Address their concerns and their rationale for opposing you. Be civil and understand they have as much a right to be here as you do.

I will not make your case for you. I may be very familiar with the resolution, strategy and line of reasoning you are using, but I will not assume you even know what you are talking about. You have to know your case and be able to defend it.

In Congress, competitors must listen to the line of argument and offer unique and relevant arguments. Repeating points or delivering a prepared speech that does not advance the debate is poor practice and means you do not know the bill. Logic and analysis are fine, but a warrantless argument will not have a very big impact.

I do not rank POs particularly high. A competent PO will score near the middle of a typical Congress round.

In Extemp, I want to learn new things, hear unique ideas and understand my world better.

In LD, I am neither a traditionalist or progressive; I want to hear a values-based argument founded on a good philosophical framework. Values are precursors to behaviors, so there is no solving of problems or plans of action.