Hi everyone! I'm Emma (they/them)

I'm a senior debater at Klein HS and have competed in ld, cx, and pf.

yes, I would like to be on the email chain- emmajean1904@gmail.com

every type of argument is perfectly fine, just go in depth on the k and tell me why I should really care about this in terms of debate.

T- MAKE SURE YOUR T IS ACTUALLY APPLICABLE TO THE CASE AT HAND, a t that doesn't link is a t that I will never vote on, please make sure theres a violation. but other than that I love t!

cp- these are fine as long as they are competitive

therory- most of these are fine but ones like "professional dress" or "no tie on" will not recieve any recignition on the ballot from me.

da- please make sure these link, and you EXPLAIN why they link

Random Sliding Scales that I think are Fun (Stolen from Holden Bukowsky)

Voting for policy----X--Voting for the K

Researching policy----X------Researching the K

Tech---X-------Truth

Good evidence-X---------Bad evidence + spin

Will read ev without being told------X----Tell me what to read

Asking "did you read X card"-------X--- Learn to flow or run prep/CX for this

Condo--X--------No condo

Yes RVIs-------X---No RVIs

Overviews--------X--LBL

Fairness is definitely an impact-------X---Fairness is definitely not an impact

Alternatives/K affs should solve things or lose--X--------Alternatives/K affs can not solve things and not lose

"It's pre-fiat"--------X--Actual arguments that mean things

Debate good---X-------Debate bad (the activity)

Debate good--------X--Debate bad (the community)

Creative, alternative models of the topic + offense---X-------Impact turn everything vs framework

Feelings and jokes--X--------Debate robots

Mime-like expressiveness---X-------Statue-like poker face

ClashX----------Cowardice

Assume I understand the things--------X--Assume I do not understand the things

Speaker point fairy-----X-----Speaker point goblin

LD should be like policy-------X---(Some) LD stuff is cool

"Judge"-------X---"Emma"

Capitalism----------X( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

Hello!

I don't like spreading. Please speak with a clear voice so I can understand you, if not, I wont understand your speech.

Thank you:)

Guadalupe Blas 

email: guadalupeblas27@gmail.com

experience: varsity policy debate 2018-2021

2020-2021 HUDL CX Champion (with Angelina Martinez)

CX (Policy) Debate: For policy debate, I look for solid arguments on solvency, time frame, and magnitude. If a team can clearly diminish their opponent's case and extend their solvency, time frame, and magnitude, I will vote for them. Although I look for those three components to cast my vote, the majority of my vote goes on solvency and magnitude since there is no reason why we should favor one plan that starts effectively tomorrow but does absolutely nothing in regard to the resolution. I also vote on "dropped" arguments, for example, if a team mentions topicality or any Kritik at any moment but never mentions it again throughout the debate. If it was clearly diminished in the round, then I will not count it against them. I am okay with spreading, but if it's too fast, I will ask for you to slow down or add me to the email chain so I can keep up as well.

LD: For LD, I vote on their expansion and defense of their framework and morality. I believe that expanding why one's framework and morality should be valued over the other is an effective way for their contentions to hold more ground throughout the debate. Often debaters tend to be on the offensive, and throughout the debate, their case really loses touch. I also vote on the development of their arguments; since LD is shorter in time, the quality of the arguments must be exceptional. 

Hi! I have done policy for the majority of my highschool career and have dabbled in LD debate. If your'e here for IEs, I do extemp, prose, oo, and have participated in duo.

General-

-I'm ok with spreading as long as your'e coherent.

-I will dock speaks for rudeness.

-I don't flow cross but I do listen. I expect your questions to make sense with the round and future speeches.

-Just have fun! If you have questions feel free to ask. This is all about learning and I am all about making things as fun as possible!

Policy- I am a policymaker. For me, impacts make the round and that what my decision will often come down to.

T- I like a topicality IF IT'S DEBATABLE. Don't throw one in as a time waste. I would much rather see another DA or K that brings meaning to the debate that a time waste T.

K and Theory- These need full, in depth analysis and if there isn't any, I won't count it in my rank decision. (However if an aff doesn't fully answer and the K makes sense I will vote neg.) It's the same with theory. I expect you to fully understand what you're saying, not just a time waste.

CP and DA- Again, impacts make the round. If a CP is brought into the round, I expect analysis on what plan is best. If a DA is with it and the link takes out the CP, I won't see the CP as something to vote on.

LD- I prefer a more traditional style, however if you don't do trat it won't be held against you. For trat, though, it all comes down to impacts analysis for me. If your value and crit don't have contentions that align than there's no reason to vote for you.

Speech:

Intros are one of the most important parts of a speech. Make sure to explain your topic well and draw me into your piece and connect it with your story/piece. Be influential.

Movements and gestures need to appear natural, smooth, and flow naturally with speech.

When you are performing the emotions needs to genuine rather that it makes be believe and I'm in the story or it comes to life.  Draw me into your world. 

Debate (PF/LD/WSD):

Do not SPREAD, so what that means is if you are gasping for breaths you are going to fast or if it turns into one long run on sentences then that doesn't do it for me.  I do not need you to read all of your "cards" or evidence but rather snippets of it and the importance/impact of your evidence. 

Make it clear to me, essentially writing the ballot for me will get you the win.  Thus that means you are connecting the points for me rather than me having to guess what the purpose or point is.  

Congress:  Do not repeat the same points over, especially if we have been three rounds of speakers in.  Would prefer some clash and evidence to back up your points and reasons. 

Extemp: A roadmap would be good along with three points.  I like to have two pieces of evidence per each point with a variety of sources. I would like to have an intro and your conclusion to link back to your intro.  If you can weave your intro throughout your entire speech that would be better.   

2/22 Update: Don't pref me if you aren't going to slow down! I haven't judged circuit LD in a bit, I've been judging a lot of World Schools Debate. Please don't go your top speed and please slow down on tags & author names.

Background: I'm the Director of Debate at Northland Christian School in Houston, TX. In high school, I debated for three years on the national and local circuits (TOC, NSDA, TFA). I was a "traditional" debater whenever I competed (stock and policy arguments, etc). I teach at GDS in the summer.

Email Chain: Please add me to the email chain: court715@gmail.com.

Judging Philosophy: I prefer a comparative worlds debate. When making my decisions, I rely heavily on good extensions and weighing. If you aren't telling me how arguments interact with each other, I have to decide how they do. If an argument is really important to you, make sure you're making solid extensions that link back to some standard in the round. I love counterplans, disads, plans, etc. I believe there needs to be some sort of standard in the round. Kritiks are fine, but I am not well-versed in dense K literature; please make sure you are explaining the links so it is easy for me to follow. I will not vote on a position that I don't understand, and I will not spend 30 minutes after the round re-reading your cards if you aren't explaining the information in round.

Theory/T: I think running theory is fine (and encouraged) if there is clear abuse. I will not be persuaded by silly theory arguments. If you are wanting a line by line theory debate, I'm probably not the best judge for you :)

Speaker Points: I give out speaker points based on a couple of things: clarity (both in speed and pronunciation), word economy, strategy and attitude. In saying attitude, I simply mean don't be rude. I think there's a fine line between being perceptually dominating in the round and being rude for the sake of being rude; so please, be polite to each other because that will make me happy. Being perceptually dominant is okay, but be respectful. If you give an overview in a round that is really fast with a lot of layers, I will want to give you better speaks. I will gauge my points based on what kind of tournament I'm at...getting a 30 at a Houston local is pretty easy, getting a 30 at a circuit tournament is much more difficult. If I think you should break, you'll get good speaks. Cussing in round will result in dropping your speaks.

Speed: I'd prefer a more moderate/slower debate that talks about substance than a round that is crazy fast/not about the topic. I can keep up with a moderate speed; slow down on tag lines/author names. I'll put my pen down if you're going too fast. If I can't flow it, I won't vote on it. Also, if you are going fast, an overview/big picture discussion before you go line by line in rebuttals is appreciated. Based on current speed on the circuit, you can consider me a 6 out of 10 on the speed scale. I will say "clear" "slow" "louder", etc a few times throughout the round. If you don't change anything I will stop saying it.

Miscellaneous: I don't prefer to see permissibility and skep. arguments in a round. I default to comparative worlds.

Other things...
1. Don't try to win on tricks...I will severely dock speaker points and just be generally sad when making a decision. Also, don't mislabel arguments, give your opponent things out of order, or try to steal speech/prep time, etc. I am not going to vote on an extension of a one sentence "argument" that wasn't clear in the first speech that is extended to mean something very different.
2. Please don't run morally repugnant positions in front of me.
3. Have fun!

Coach in Texas.

Speech - Organized arguments, credible sources, practical solutions, relatability is probably the biggest thing for me. I love speeches where personalities show through and I can see how you are as a person.

Interp - Relatable pieces with big, distinguishable characters

Who is this guy?

Hi, I'm Anderson (he/him), this is my second year doing debate for Northland Christian School, and I do LD and dabble in extemp. Feel free to call me "Anderson" or "judge", but please don't call me "sir" or anything of that category. My email is anderson_hendrix@northlandchristian.org. Please use this for email chains and feel free to ask me questions before or after round.

Here's my LD paradigm:

General

I want you to do you. I want you to run what you want to run. While I enjoy certain parts of debate more than others, I will evaluate any argument with an open mind. I am very tech over truth, meaning that I don't put any personal opinions or biases into the round. If you say something, and it is dropped, I assume that it is true. I do keep time in rounds, but feel free to time yourself.

How to win my ballot

I use framework as a weighing mechanism for the round. I don't necessarily use it for you to win the round, unless if both debaters agree it is the highest layer. To win, you need to explain to me why you are winning your contentions and why it is the most important. You need to do impact weighing, and explain to me why your impacts come first. I don't want to have to decide that for myself, because then I am intervening in the round, and I will be very sad. You need to extend your arguments, and explain why your opponent not responding is bad, and you need to explain why that's important. You need to crystallize the most important argument, and win that argument. I also do enjoy concise voters that explain why you won the round in your last speech.

Speed

I'm totally fine with high amounts of speed if I can see the doc. On a scale of 1 (parent judge pace) to 10 (top seed circuit debaters), I would say Im around a 7.5. Keep in mind that I am pretty bad at flowing, so it would be much more beneficial for both of us if you slowed down on author names, tags, interps, plan texts, etc.

Non-Negotiables

• 4/5 minutes of prep (depending on tournament)
• Tech>Truth
• Speech times (6-3-7-3-4-6-3)

Speaks

I give speaks from 25-30, and I start from a 28 and you will move up and down based on how you do. I will give you a 25 or below if you are rude or problematic. I usually give speaks based on these categories.

• Clarity (how clear you are when speaking)
• Politeness (how polite you are to your opponent, there is a difference between being perceptually dominant and being rude)
• Word Economy (how efficient you are with your words such as filler words, stutters, etc.)
• Strategy (how smart your decisions are in the round)

I don't give speaks based on how "formal" or "professional" you look.

Ways to get good speaks:

• Highlighting your cards light blue
• Collapse to one contention and crystallizing the main issues in round
• Do weighing between contentions
• Extend arguments that are conceded
• Being kind to your opponent
• Taking control in CX
• Looking like you want to be debating

Ways to get bad speaks:

• Being really unclear, talking really quietly
• Being rude
• Not telling me where I should be directing my ballot
• Being racist, sexist, ableist, etc. (auto L)
• Clipping
• Stealing prep
• Lying in CX or shifting your position in later speeches

For PF if I end up judging it:

• Treat me as a pretty lay judge, I don't know the topic and I am probably looking at the speech times as you are debating.
• The evaluation of ballot doesn't change (look at the LD paradigm)
• Don't spread in PF
• Speaks in LD also apply to PF
• I'm great with sending evidence
• I'm probably not covering a lot of things, so please email me if you have other questions.

And extemp too:

I judge an extemp speech in multiple different categories:

• Presentation (how you are presenting yourself in the speech)
• Pacing (how well your pauses are placed)
• Clarity (how understandable you are)
• Content (how many sources you have and how the content of your speech is)
• Entertainment (how entertaining you are)
• Form (doing transition steps and your stance)

email chain/questions: samiah517@gmail.com

I did PF debate at the Woodlands High School for 4 years, and some LD. I am currently a college student who judges fairly frequently. Essentially I am a flow judge. Please follow TFA rules.

Some notes:

-generally, I am ok with some speed but prefer no spreading

-please don't be rude, I will dock speaks for rudeness

-I don't flow cross examination at all so keep that in mind

- I value well-warranted evidence

-impacts are important

- I value clear link chains

-weighing in the final speech is really important

-have fun! I'm chill so if you need to ask any questions or anything feel free to do so

I've been a part of the activity for a little over a decade now and have judged pretty much everywhere. I'll briefly summarize how my thought process breaks down when I'm judging debates so that you have a pretty straightforward route to the ballot.

Framework

I always start by asking what we use to frame the debate (aka Framework). I'm pretty liberal in terms of my views on Frameworks that are acceptable in debates and will typically allow debaters to tell me what framing matters in each debate. The only exception of intervention would be frameworks that I personally find morally reprehensible (basically if your framework would advocate the removal/elimination/discrimination/otherization of groups/subjects I'm not going to be for it). I think a framework can take many forms and I am open to whatever that form takes. It can be theory args, Phil framing, Role of the Ballots, Larping, etc. As long as you can explain why your framing is the one that should be used to evaluate/weigh offense then I will accept it as my primary determination of offense.

After Framework, I look at the case or your Offense when evaluating my decision. I try to keep my biases out of debate but, admittedly, there are some arguments I am fond of and others that I'm skeptical of (this doesn't mean I will automatically vote for you if you read what I like or vice versa, it just means you might have some degree of difficulty or ease in convincing me to buy your f/w and arguments). I'll just make a list of what I like and dislike here and my reasoning for each one so you can see what arguments you want to go for:

Phil Positions: I'm pretty neutral to these positions and will accept nearly all of these arguments. I read a little bit of some Phil positions and have had students read authors such as Kant so I'm not too unfamiliar with the positions. I will certainly judge and accept these arguments as long as they are well-defended and easily explained. I have a fairly moderate threshold to responses towards these arguments and expect debaters to clash with the analysis and foundations of the arguments rather than just reading blocks of evidence and not making a good comparative analysis.

Ks: Admittedly, my favorite position. I love any argument that challenges any underlying assumptions being made by either the debaters or the topic. And I enjoy these arguments b/c I believe that they provide a level of argumentative flexibility and uniqueness to the positions. That said, I am not a fan of lazy K debate and will be able to pretty easily sniff out if you are reading arguments that you have no underlying understanding of (aka reading policy backfiles) vs. actually knowing the literature base. You should always make sure you explain the arguments effectively and why your position would resolve whatever harm you are Kritiking. Do that and you should be in good shape.

I also am a fan of performative responses to other arguments made in the debate. For example, using the K to clash with theory and claiming K comes prior is an argument that I enjoy seeing and have voted on more times than not, if it has been well explained and defended. This will be a good way to get extra speaker points.

Larping: I have a policy background so I am fine with people reading policy args in debate. Plans, CPs, DAs. I'm familiar with and can understand them. I'm not a huge believer that PICs are legitimate arguments and do have a fairly low threshold to answer these arguments. Just make sure to explain your internal links and your impact analysis and you should be good.

Theory: I believe that education is the internal link to fairness. That doesn't mean that you can't win otherwise, but I am biased in believing that the educational output of the activity is more relevant than the fairness created in the activity. That being said, I will evaluate theory and weigh it under whatever voters you make. My threshold on the responses to shells will flip depending on the interp. If the interp is clearly a time suck and designed to simply throw off your opponent or abuse them then I have a fairly low threshold for answers towards it. If it is a legitimate concern (Pics bad, Condo) then I have a fairly middle ground towards responses to it.

I default on reasonability unless specified otherwise in the debate.

I default RVI's unless specified otherwise and not for T (unless you win it)

Some other random items that you might be looking for:

Extensions

I need impacts to extensions and need extensions throughout the debate. For the Aff, this is as simple as just giving an overview with some card names and impacts.

When you are extending on the line by line be sure to tell me why the extension matters in the debate so I know why it's relevant

Speed

I am fine with speed in debate. I would prefer that both debaters understand each other and would ask that you spread within reason and be compassionate towards your opponents. If you know that you are debating someone that cannot understand the spread and you continue to do it bc you are going to outspread your opponent then you will most likely win, but your speaks will be absolutely nuked.

Tricks

Tricky args like permissibility and the args that fall under these, I'm not a fan of. I think that these args are fairly lazy and don't believe that there is much educational value to them so I tend to have a low threshold to responses towards these args. And, if you win, you're not going to get great speaks from me.

Speaks

I give speaks based on strategic decisions and interactions with your opponents as opposed to presentation and oratory skills. I usually average a 28.5

Disclosure

If you're at a local tournament, I don't expect there to be disclosure from debaters and don't really care too much about disclosure theory. My threshold is really low to respond to it. If it's a national circuit or state tournament, then I would prefer you disclose but will always be open to a debate on it.

I do not disclose speaks but will disclose results at bid tournaments. I will not disclose for prelim locals, for the sake of time.

Email for chain is: jacob.koshak@cfisd.net

email: jake_mccathran@northlandchristian.org

hi i'm jake (he/him) and i'm a second year debater at northland christian school who does mainly ld. contact me before round if you have any questions

LD:

basically just debate how you want, i will evaluate any arguments with warrants. i'm more of a tech over truth judge, but please extend your arguments, even if your opponent drops them, or i will not flow them. weigh your offense, i don't care how many arguments you're winning in the round, it means nothing to me if you don't weigh. in terms of framework, explain why you winning framework matters, if it means the opponent has no offense, explain to me why. too many times i see debates over framework that have no impact on the round whatsoever. for progressive debate, i'm cool with most positions like theory, CPs, DAs, etc, but please make sure your opponent is ok with it, if you spread against someone who is inexperienced, your speaks will be tanked. also if you're gonna spread, add me to the email chain.

things i like:

• collapsing to one contention
• good weighing
• highlighting your cards in light blue
• being respectful to your opponent
• clear voters at the end of rebuttals

things i don't like:

• being unnecessarily rude
• stealing prep
• talking too quiet or just being unclear
• new responses in the 2nr or 2ar
• being racist, sexist, ableist, etc. (pls just use common sense)

for speaks, i'll usually give them based off good speaking, being polite, and having good strategy such as strategically collapsing, good extensions, and good weighing. another good way you can get speaks from me is making the round funny. seriously if you just take 5 seconds out of your speech to make a joke, i laugh at a lot of things and you can definitely get a boost by making the round entertaining. a few good ways to get your speaks tanked include clipping cards, stealing prep, being totally unclear, and being disrespectful to your opponent. 

other debate events

my ld paradigm cross applies for the most part, but for events such as pf, worlds, etc, please don't spread or run crazy progressive positions. i also don't know the topics, so treat me as a pretty lay judge.

IEs

i don't do IEs very much, but i judge based off how well you present yourself, your clarity, and the content of your speech, such as having good sources and analysis. also, make it entertaining. a lot of speeches just talk about politics and get boring fast, so throw in some jokes and i'll be more likely to rank you higher.

4/12/2022 addition: The strangest thing happened to me last weekend. I have been judging since I graduated from Lamar HS in 2006. I use similar language on my ballots in every round, and a problem has never been brought to my attention. However, two coaches at an NSDA recently complained about the language used on my ballots. I am including that language here:

Comments for *the debater*

"Do you have a strategy for reading the AC? Because you sent me 35 pages and only got through like 24. Is the strat just to literally spread as much as you can? Would it not be better to structure the case in a way where you make sure to get through what is important? For example, you read the stuff about warming, but you did not even get through the "warming causes extinction" stuff, so you do not have a terminal impact for the environmental journalism subpoint.

New cards in the 1AR?! As if you do not already have enough to deal with?! This strategy is still making no sense. And then, you sent this doc with all these cards AGAIN and did not read them all. This is so weird to do in the 1AR because the strat should be really coherent because you have so little time. This was SLOPPY work."

RFD: "I negate. This was a painful/sloppy round to judge. Both debaters have this weird strat where they just read as much stuff as they can and I guess, hope that something sticks. This round could have gone either way, and I am in the rare situation where I am not even comfortable submitting my ballot. To be clear, there was no winner in this round. I just had to choose someone. So, I voted neg on climate change because it was the clearest place to vote. I buy that we need advocacy in order to solve. I buy that objectivity decreases public interest in climate change. I buy that we need advocacy to influence climate change. I buy that "objectivity" creates right-winged echo chambers that further perpetuate climate change. These args were ineffectively handled by the Aff. The other compelling line of argumentation from the neg showed how lack of advocacy on issues like climate change harm minorities more. I think neg did a good job of turning Aff FW and showing how he linked into SV better. This round was a hot mess, but I vote neg... I guess."

If I am your judge, these are the types of ballots you will get if you give me a round that it messy and hard to adjudicate. I should not have to say this because my reputation precedes me, but ASK ANYONE. LITERALLY ANYONE. I AM NICE. I AM KIND. MY BLACK MAMA RAISED ME WELL. I show up at tournaments and hug people and smile (even people on the circuit who are known to be racially problematic and even coaches who are known to be sore losers). I am literally good to everyone because as a Black woman, I do not have the luxury of raising my voice, making demands, or throwing tantrums. Actions that coaches in other bodies with other body parts are allowed to get away with are prohibited and result in career suicide for me and humans who look like me. So, if these ballots offend you, STRIKE ME NOW. Request that I not judge you/your students NOW. Do not wait until you get the ballot back and paint me into a villain. It isn't that I will not try to make my ballots less harsh. It is that IN MY QUALIFIED OPINION and in the opinion of many other qualified coaches and judges, the ballots ARE NOT HARSH. Communication styles are largely CULTURAL. And as a Black woman, I do not think that I need to overly edit myself just to make white people comfortable or happy. I have done enough to make white people love me, and my entire life, I have adjusted to their passive and overt aggression, including the white coach who most recently told me in a call that he "better not see my ass again at a tournament." I responded with an apology text.

I love students and I love debate. I am never tired of debate. I come to tournaments happy and leave fulfilled because debate is all I have loved to do since I found it. It is (or maybe was) my safe space and my happy place. *Ask me the story of how I joined Lanier debate as a 6th grader :)* Please do a Black woman a favor, and don't treat me like the world treats me. Do not read a tenor or tone into my ballots just because they are not fluffy or favorable. Unlike a lot of judges, I am flowing (on paper -- not hiding behind my computer doing God knows what), and trying to write down every single helpful comment I can come up with (and still submitting my ballot expeditiously to keep the tournament on time). As a result, I do not always do a great job of editing my ballots to make sure they don't sting a little. But students and coaches, if I say something hurtful, find me after the round. I guarantee you that it was not intentionally hurtful. You can talk to me, and I always smile when people approach me :)

Notice the parallels between how I write in my paradigm, in the "controversial" ballot, and in the new stuff I added above. If anyone would have taken the time to read my paradigm, they would know that this is how I ALWAYS communicate.

Students, TBH, a lot of the stuff I am writing on the ballots is not even your fault. Sometimes, as coaches, we do not know things or forget to tell you things, and that is ON US, not on you.

MY ACTUAL PARADIGM IS BELOW:

I don’t know everything nor will I pretend to. Please don’t hold me to such an impossible standard. But I read; I try to keep up with you kiddos as much as I can; and I’ve made speech and debate a priority in my life since 1999. So even though I don’t know everything, I know a lot.

Before you read my paradigm, hear this: Good debate is good debate. Whatever you choose to do, do it well, starting at a foundational level. At the end of the day, just know that I’m doing my very best to choose the best debater(s)/the person/team who showed up and showed out :)

General debate paradigm:

*I do not keep time in debate rounds, and I am always ready. If you ask me if I am ready, I will ignore you*

1. ARGUMENTATION: Line-by-line and big picture are two sides of the same coin. It’s crucial not to drop arguments (but I won’t make the extension or fill in the impact for you. It is your job to tell me why the drop matters w/in the larger context of the debate). At the same time, the line-by-line is a lot less useful when you don’t paint the picture of what an Aff or Neg world looks like.

2. EXTENSIONS: When extending, I like for you to extend the claim, warrant, and the impact. I’m old school that way.

3. WEIGHING: Weighing is crucial to me. A bunch of args all over the flow with no one telling me how heavily they should be evaluated is a nightmare.

4. FRAMING: I understand that not all the debates have framework per se, but do tell me which impacts to prioritize. That’s helpful.

5. VOTERS: I like voters. I’m old school in that way too.

6. SPEED: I am generally fine with any level of speed and will indicate if this becomes an issue. I do appreciate that PF is designed to be a little slower, so I would like it if you respected that.

LD:

1. STYLE: I’m indifferent to/comfortable with the style of debate you choose (i.e, “traditional” v. “progressive”). This means that I’m fine with value/vc framing as well as pre-fiat “framing” args (or whatever you fancy kids are calling them these days) like ROB/ROJ args. I love a good critical argument when done well. I’m also fine with all policy-style arguments and appreciate them when properly and strategically employed.

2. FRAMING: framework isn’t a voter. It’s the mechanism I use to weigh offensive arguments. To win the round, win/establish framework first; then, tell me how you weigh under it.

3. IMPACT CALCULUS: Offense wins debate rounds. I vote on offense linked back to the standard. Weigh the impacts in both rebuttals.

Policy/CX:

1. POLICY-MAKING: generally, I vote for the team who makes the best policy.

2. TOPICALITY: While I default reasonability and rarely vote on topicality, I do appreciate a good competing interp. I will vote on topicality if your interpretation blows me away, but I do need coherent standards and voters. Don’t be lazy.

3. THEORY/KRITIKS: I’m a sucker for philosophy. Give me a well-contextualized alternative, and I’ll be eating it all up.

4. IMPACTS: I respect the nature of policy debate, and I realize that hyperbolic impacts like nuclear war and extinction are par for the course. With that said, I love being able to vote on impacts that are actually probable.

5. TOPICAL CPs: No, just no.

PUBLIC FORUM: your warrants should be explicit. Your terminal impacts should be stated in-case. You should extend terminal defense and offense in summary speech. Give voters in the final focus.

HOW TO WIN MY BALLOT: I am first and foremost a black woman. I don’t believe in speech and debate existing in an academic vacuum. If you want to win my ballot, tell me how your position affects me as a black woman existing in a colonial, white supremacist, patriarchal, capitalist, heteronormative society. Show me coherently that your advocacy is good for me, and you’ll win my ballot every time.

PUBLIC SPEAKING AND INTERP:

I judge based on the ballot criteria.

I like to see binder craft in POI.

I like a good teaser with lots of energy.

I do not like ACTING in the introductions. That should be the REAL YOU. Showcase your public speaking ability.

I like pieces to fall between 9:10-10:10 time range.

EXTEMP SPECIFICALLY:

I like a good AGD.

Restate topic verbatim.

Most important thing in extemp is directly answering the prompt.

Three main points preferred.

I like at least 2 sources per main point.

Do not get tangential.

Do not be stiff, but do not be too informal.

No colloquialisms.

STRONG ORGANIZATION (Intro, 3MPs, and a Conclusion that ties back to intro.)

I LIKE ALL THE STANDARD STUFF.

Experience: I have sat in and judged multiple debate rounds since graduating. I have also competed in Public Forum for 2 years prior to graduating High School.

Speaking:Speak as fast as you want but it might be better to speak coherently and clearly so both I and the opponents can understand the arguments.

MISC:

1)If evidence/arguments clash, you need to explain why I should value your evidence over the opponents. Properly weigh/impact evidence out.

2) Remember to extend in final focus and not just summary. If arguments are not stated in final focus, I will not count them.

3)Be respectful!

What must you do to win? :

In order for your arguments/side to win, you must properly extend and impact evidence. Follow these two rules and you will win my ballot. Good luck and remember to have fun!

Howdy,

I have countless years of experience as a judge/coach for HS debate, and I was a collegiate competitor back in the day ... Not to mention I have been judging on the local, state and national level around the country.

• PLZ treat your opponent the way you would want to be treated, there is no room for rudeness or hate in ANY debate
• now that I don't teach debate anymore ... I totally understand how much judges are needed in modern day debate - but if you treat us judges terrible I will spread your name among the community and encourage everyone to blacklist you
• tournaments that use .5 speaks are VERY bad, .1 all THE way
• remember when J.O.T was a thing? I'm from that era
  
  IE's: MS and HS level - you do you, be you and give it your all!!

Collegiate (AFA) - you know what to do

Congress:

if you treat this event like its a form of entertainment or reality TV I WILL DOWN you , you are wasting your time, your competitors time and my time

POs: I'm not gonna lie, I will be judging you the harshest - you run the chamber not me and I expect nothing but the best. Please be fair with everyone , but if I feel the PO is turning a blind eye or giving preferential treatment I will document it - ps I keep up with everything.

clash can GO a long way in this event

Competitors: Creativity, impacts, structure and fluency are a must for me.

don't just bounce off of a fellow representatives speech, be you and create your own speech - its ok to agree tho

For direct questioning please keep it civil and no steam rolling or anything harsh, much thanks.

witty banter is a plus

PF:

tech > truth

I better see clash

if the resolution has loose wording, take advantage of it!!

When did y'all forget that by using definitions you can set the boundaries for the round?? With that being said, I do love me some terms and definitions

I'm all about framework and sometimes turns ... occasionally links

I don't flow during cross x , but if you feel there's something important that the judge should know.. make it clear to the judge in your following speech

I LOVE evidence... but if your doc or chain is a mess I'M going no where near it!!!

Signposting - how do I feel about this? Do it, if not I will get lost and you won't like my flow/decision

Best of luck going for a Technical Knock Out ... these are as rare as unicorns

Extend and weigh your arguments, if not.. then you're gonna get a L with your name on it

I'm ok with flex prep/time but if your opponent isn't then its a no in round - if yes don't abuse it ... same goes for open cross

When it comes to PF ... I will evaluate anything (if there's proper warranting and relevance) but if its the epitome of progressive PLZZ give a little more analysis

^ Disclosure Theory: if you have a history of disclosure then do it, if not then you will get a L from me, why? Great question, if you don't have a history of promoting fairness and being active in the debate community you have no right to use this kind of T

I'll be honest I am not a fan of paraphrasing, to me it takes away the fundamentals from impacts/evidence/arguments/debate as a whole - it lowers the value of the round overall

Speaker points - I consider myself to be very generous unless you did something very off putting or disrespectful

Easiest way to get my ballot is by using the Michael Scott rule: K.I.S "Keep It Simple"

LD:

Am I tech or truth? - With the evolution of LD over the years it's hard to say.... Its best to say I am right in between Tech and Truth

CX:

^ if you're reading this ... the tournament you're at decided to make me your policy judge and I am sorry in advance

Worlds:

I expect to see clash

no speed, this needs to be conversational

don't paraphrase evidence/sources

STYLE - a simple Claim , Warrant , Impact will do just fine

its ok to have a model/c.m , but don't get policy debate crazy with them - you don't have enough time in round

not taking any POI's makes you look silly , at least take 1

^ don't take on too many - it kills time

don't forget to extend, if you don't it a'int being evaluated

the framework debate can be very abusive or very fair ... abuse it and you will get downed

as a judge I value decorum, take that into consideration

Overall:

Should any debate round be too difficult to evaluate as is.... I will vote off stock issues

I like to consider myself a calm, cool and collected judge. I'm here doing something I'm passionate about and so are y'all - my personal opinions will never affect my judgement in any round and I will always uphold that.
If anyone has any questions feel free to contact me or ask before round - whether online or in person.

May all competitors have a great 2022-2023 season!!

Hello, my name is Tommie Sanders, I debated (CX) at Columbia HS (TX). I currently teach Art at Klein HS.

CX/Policy

Please include me on the email chain - tjsanders1@kleinisd.net - just put KISD first in the subject line to get past spam filters.

Overview

I debated in HS back in the stone age before everyone had a laptop. I write fast, and I type fast, however I need to be able to understand what your saying in order to write it down. Your speech and argumentation needs to be 100% clear throughout the round. If you give a roadmap please follow it, arguments need evidence and must be impactful to win. I do not have a preference as to the type of arguments you run, as long as you can back them up with evidence. 

Kritiks

Kritiks are fine as long as they are not vague or inexplicit. 

Counterplans

Counterplans are fabulous when they are unique and provide a creative point of view compared to the AFF.  AFF is responsible for determining if/why a counterplan should not be allowed, and providing adequate information to this respect. 

Speed

Speed is fine, but I need to be able to understand what you are saying. You must be clear. 

Demeanor

This is an academic environment, respect is a must. If you feel your opponent is not abiding by this, explain your position adequately and why you believe it is a voting issue for the round. 

My main preference is no spreading.

IE: I believe that whatever you can bring to your speech or performance that is unique and authentic, while drawing an audience in to be fully present with you displays a certain kind of creativity and skill to be appreciated.

Speech: Structure and content are in focus with an appreciation for originality when possible.

Interpretation: Flow of storyline, depth of character, authenticity, as well as the minute details you’ve added throughout your piece displays how much effort and thought have gone into your performance.

I like clean, clear, concise, warranted arguments and responses. Speed is not an issue as long as you are organized and coherent. Slow down if speed interferes with the flow of ideas. I think conditional arguments are abusive and cause me to intervene. Theory can be a voter if arguments are developed and applied.  Generic theory arguments are a waste of time. I appreciate debaters making logical arguments that are specific to the round instead of reading prepared responses. A sense of humor is appreciated. Crystallize issues in rebuttals.  Tell me how you want me to weigh arguments in the round and which arguments are voters. Use CX time to clarify issues and to establish your strategy.  Flex prep is fine.