I am okay with some speed while speaking, but you have to be able to enunciate and be clear when speaking.

When looking at the round I will be referencing the flow and looking for where you are carrying your arguments through while attacking the opponents case. In the debate it is important that you are clear in your argument and your attacks and explaining why it matters to the round, don't just say flow through that's not a reason for it to count on the flow.

Lincoln-Douglas is a moral based debate which differentiates it from other types of debate. As such, values and value criterions are incredibly important in your case. I am a traditional judge. I’d prefer not to have policy bleed into LD. No k’s, if your running a counter-plan you better do it very well or I will mark you down for it.

No spreading. I can keep up with speed but slow down on the tag lines and connect your cards. Annunciate your words carefully and clearly no matter the speed.

I am a flow based judge. Make sure to let me know what your opponent has dropped in your case and that will be weighed heavily in my decision as long as it was brought up in each round.

Sign posting is probably the most important thing you can do. It is not my job to figure out where to put your arguments and rebuttals. Tell me EXACTLY where you want me to put it on my flow. (Contention 1 on the aff said this __ which is incorrect because ___. Ect) That being said, no need to go over framework twice for each flow, just do it as a whole.

I don’t flow CX. If your opponent says something contradicting or important bring it up in your speech.

Self timing is okay. I’m terrible at giving time signals so i’d prefer if you self timed. I’d be happy to go over any part of the round with you after or answer any questions. I’m also not great at writing a ton of feedback so please ask any questions after round, respectfully. Good luck!

GENERAL PARADIGM and NOTES - or, "I really hate speed"

Exception: I do not vary from the paradigm stated below with one exception. If both teams desire to speak fast with the understanding that doing so will deprive me of the opportunity to flow the round, they may agree in ADVANCE of beginning the round to “speed” with the understanding that I will listen to the debate, but not flow a single word.

I do not like speed. I believe that the debater’s job is to communicate to the audience. This position is reinforced by the Washington State ELAR’s which require teachers and all persons working with high school students to teach students to communicate at a rate which facilitates communication. I do not interrupt students by yelling “clear” or “slow” during a round. I simply judge the debate.

I am a strict flow judge. If I do not get it in my flow, it doesn’t exist. I don’t care how much I think that the debater meant to make a particular argument or even if I am convinced that he or she did make the argument. If I didn’t get it in my flow, I will not vote on it. Debaters should not, therefore, speak faster than I can flow.

Finally, I will not decide any debate until after the round and after I have had an opportunity to thoroughly examine my flow. I will not reveal a decision unless directed by the tournament director to do so. I will provide an oral critique if allowed by the tournament director, but I keep my critiques short and to the point. Don't expect me to have a lot to say - I'll leave notes in the ballot but I value your time too much to go on and on about the round.