Hi, I'm Pepper Berry, and my pronouns are they/them.

My email if you need it: pberry@seattleu.edu

I've been a debater for five years and I am currently a debater at Seattle University doing British parliamentary.

I have done four years of Lincoln-Douglas debate, about a year of Policy debate, and a tiny bit of public forum. as well as Informative, Impromptu, and Poetry slam.

I am okay with speed within speeches, but you need to be clear. If you are not clear, I cannot flow it. I would much prefer the quality of arguments over quantity, especially for complex arguments.

I will vote on pretty much anything if you are persuasive enough. I am okay with K's, counter plans, framework, theory, etc. as long as they are explained well.

My name is Jeff Chapman and my two sons attend The Overlake School in Redmond, WA. I was recently introduced to speech and debate by volunteering to be a parent judge. So far, I only judged PF and I have no policy experience.

I am looking for students to succinctly explain their points, back these up with data and give context within the big picture. It helps if you prepare a clear and well-organized case. Talking somewhat fast is okay if there are pauses and you enunciate. I take notes so a reasonable pace allows for accurate reflection of your arguments. I do not place much weight on complicated flow arguments since I take the entire set of points and rebuttals into account. It helps when you extend arguments in your summary and final focus while avoiding new points or evidence. Good to summarize both sides of the debate and explain why you think you won the debate especially tying back to evidence originally presented.

I prefer speech pacing that is easily understood, as opposed to talking too fast, in an effort to get out as many arguments as possible. To that point, I value quality over quantity. Above all, I expect everyone to be respectful to each other.

I typically don't tell who won a debate during the qualification rounds, but happy to provide feedback upon request.

Will judge Saturday only. Must be done by 5.
I am a new judge, first time judging LD on 11/5/2022. Mild hearing loss, so speak clearly please. No spreading please. Thanks!

Hey! I'm Kristen East, I debated Policy in high school, judged on-and-off while in college, and have been working as an assistant coach for Gig Harbor High School for the past 5 years. My email is eastkristen@gmail.com

I often use quiet fidgets during speeches and may color during crossfire; these are strategies that I've found help me to pay attention and keep my mind from wandering during rounds. If I'm distracting you at any point, then please politely ask and I'll switch to a different strategy.

Public Forum: I technically did public forum in middle school, so I guess that's relevant? I've also watched a lot of public forum rounds and judged it on and off over the years. I tend to be less formal than some public forum judges. I care more about competitors being considerate of others and having fun than I do about pleasantries and formalities. Please don't be "fake nice" to each other. That being said, I mean don't be offensive (i.e. making arguments based on racial or cultural stereotypes, or making personal ad hominem attacks).

-The biggest thing to know is that I am a "flow judge." I will be flowing/taking notes for each speech, will be writing down rebuttals next to the argument they are addressing, and will draw arrows for argument extensions. What this means for you is that you should be clear about which contention you are talking about, and also that I will be looking for consistency between partners' speeches. There should be continuity of arguments throughout the round. That does NOT mean your last speech needs to have the same arguments as your first speech, but all arguments in your last speech should have been introduced in one of your team's 4-minute speeches. I also will not consider brand-new arguments in any of the 2-minute speeches.

-I like rounds with clash, where each team explains how their arguments interact with the other team's arguments. If you're citing evidence, make sure to mention the warrant (the author's reasoning or statistics that support your claim). Please make it clear during your speeches when you are about to directly quote a source (i.e. saying "in 2019 Santa Claus wrote for the North Pole Times that...") and when you stop quoting them. You don't need evidence to make an argument, and well-reasoned analytics (arguments without an external source) can be just as powerful.

- I will decide the round based on impacts. Please compare your impacts to your opponent's (timeframe, probability, magnitude, etc.). If no one tells me otherwise, I'll probably default util when evaluating impacts. Be specific about how your impact is connected to the resolution, and who/what the impact will affect. Tell me the story of the impact (i.e. If we stop sanctions on Venezuela, then their economy will recover and then xyz people's lives will be saved because they won't die of starvation).

Parli: I've never judged or watched a parli round before. I've heard it has some similarities to policy, which I do have a background in, so feel free to read my policy paradigm to see if that's relevant. I'm excited to judge parli! From what I've heard, it should be fun!

Policy and LD paradigms are below.

Debate Style: I'm good with speed, just start out slow so I can get used to your voice. If you aren't clear, I'll yell at you to be clear. Start out a little slower on tags, especially for Ks and theory. Please don't mumble the text. If the text is completely unintelligible, I'll yell clear, and if you don't clear it up, then I'll count it as an analytic rather than a card. It's a pet peeve of mine when people cut cards repeatedly (i.e. cut the card here, cut the card here). PLEASE, please put theory arguments as a new off (i.e. Framework on a K, Condo bad, etc.). A tag should be a complete idea with a warrant. One word ("extinction" "Solves") does not count as a tag or an argument. I don't care about tag-teaming in CX, but it might influence speaker points (i.e. if one partner is being rude, or one never answers a question). Be nice to each other. I will vote you down if you're a complete jerk (threaten physical violence, harass someone, etc.). I am somewhat sensitive to how mental health, suicide, rape and disabilities are discussed and expect such sensitive topics to be approached with appropriate respect and care to wording and research.

Arguments: There are a few arguments I just dislike (for rational and irrational reasons) so just don't run them in front of me. If you don't know what these args are, you're probably fine. Basically, don't run anything offensive. No racism good, no death good (including Spark DA or Malthus/overpopulation arguments). I also hate Nietzsche, or nihilism in general. Also, arguments that seem stupid like time cube, or the gregorian time K, or reptiles are running the earth or some crap like that is prolly not gonna fly. I'm not gonna take nitpicky plan flaw arguments like "USfg not USFG" seriously. I will not vote for disclosure theory unless someone flat out lies about disclosure. Like they tell you they will run a case and then don't run it. Arguments I'll evaluate but don't love/am probably biased against but will evaluate include: PICs, Delay CPs, ASPEC Topicality, kritical-based RVIs on T, Performance Affs.

Defaults: I'm a default policymaker but am open to other frameworks. I do consider Framework to be theory, which means 1) put it on it's own flow and 2) arguments about like, fairness and ground and other standards are legit responses. I have a strong preference for frameworks that have a clear weighing mechanism for both sides. I default competing interpretations on T. I was a little bit of a T/theory hack as a debater, so I have a lower threshold on theory than a lot of judges. What that means is that I'll vote on potential abuse, or small/wanky theory (like severance perm theory) IF it's argued well. Theory needs real voters, standards and analysis and warrants just like any other argument. If you're going for theory, go all out in your last speech. It should be 4 minutes of your 2NR, or all of your 2AR.

Note on Performance Ks: I have a high threshold on performance arguments. If you're doing a performance, you have to actually be good at performing, keep up the performance throughout the round, and have a way for the other team to compete/participate in the performance. I prefer for performance Ks to be specific to the current resolution, or in some cases, based on language or something that happened in this round.

Constructive speeches: Clash is awesome. Signposting will help me flow better. Label args by topic not by author because I'm prolly not gonna catch every author.

Rebuttals: In my opinion, the point of rebuttals is to narrow the debate down to fewer arguments and add analysis to those arguments. This applies to aff and neg. Both sides should be choosing strategic arguments and focusing on "live" arguments (Don't waste your time on args the other team dropped in their last speech, unless it's like an RVI or something). Both sides should watch being "spread out" in the 2nr and 2ar.

Note about LD: Being a policy judge doesn’t mean I love policy arguments in debate. In LD, you don’t really have the time to develop a “plan” properly and I probably lean towards the “no plans” mindset. I expect a DA to have all the requisite parts (uniqueness, link, impact). I’m okay with Ks, and theory. To help me flow, please number and/or label arguments and contentions, and signal when you are done reading a piece of evidence (either with a change of voice tone or by saying “next” or a brief pause. That being said, speed is not a problem for me. If you follow the above suggestions, and maybe slow a little on theory and framework, you can go as fast as you’re comfortable with. If I’m having trouble flowing you I’ll say “clear.” No flex prep. Sitting during CX is fine. I love a good framework debate, but make sure you explain why framework wins you the round, or else, what's the point? If framework isn't going to win you the round or change how I evaluate impacts in the round, then don't put it in rebuttals.

I like judging. This is what I do for fun. You know, do a good job. Learn, live, laugh, love.

I am a highschool senior and have debated for 3 years. 1 in public forum and 2 in Lincoln Douglas. Generally, I would wish for you to clearly signpost and tell me when you are moving to your opponents flow. Be respectful to your opponent, serious enough violations will be enough to drop the debater. For Lincoln Douglas, Utilitarianism is not my favorite, and I really enjoy link-chain debate and framework debate. Please share your cases with me and your opponent. If you create a email chain to share cases, my email is 2201690@edtools.psd401.net. Most importantly, have fun! Simpsons references in your speeches are always welcome.

Greetings, esteemed babies, I'm Sam.

First and foremost, I use the pronouns He/Him, and if you call me anything more mainstream like Microphone/Microsoft just because I look the part, I will be very sad.

Now onto debate specifics.

samganyx@gmail.com

Send case pls makes flowing easier.

LD:

Pref shortcut: Trix(not the cereal) >>>>>>>>>> Theory > stock = policy > framework > K

1. "Anything worth doing is worth doing slowly." Please do not spread. I lived the majority of my life in China so I find speed hard to flow. If you are going to spread do it in Chinese. I do not give warnings. <- JUST KIDDING!!! Spreading is fine. zoooooom.

2. "Reality is merely an illusion, albeit a very persistent one." I am ranked 5th in the state in LD so feel free to run whatever you want. If you want to run meme cases, this is the round to do it. While I attempt to be unbiased, I still think we should keep things in the realm of plausibility. Remember LD debate is all about supporting your value around the topic and refuting your opponent's arguments. If I can tell you are using highly biased or made-up evidence, I will take it into consideration when I cast the RFD.

3. "While traveling our separated roads through life, we are also either road signs or potholes on the roads of others." Road mapping is very important. I am not confident in my ability to concentrate on flowing the arguments in the right place so make it clear to me which argument goes where.

4. "Brevity is the soul of wit" Clash is critical to a debate. If you spend the entire time orating on the beauty of your case but not saying why your opponent is wrong, that is a speech, not a debate.

5. [I'm lazy no more quotes] Please time yourselves. I will keep time and if you go over time that will affect your speakers. I will not give warnings and it is up to you to stop.

6. Do whatever you want that makes you comfortable during the round as long as it doesn’t make me annoyed. Don't break the rules though. If you want to win I recommend watching my reactions to seeing which arguments I buy.

7. Theory: I will flow it, and I have a very very very low threshold. I love frivolous theory and it would be very easy for you to win off of it. If the AC is super stock and you are considering running theory just because you can, please don’t, you’ll probably lose.

If you are a noob don't worry too much, I've probably debated someone who uses the same style as debate as you so I can probably flow your arguments fine.

Other stuff:

+1 speaker point if you are over 100 stars in bedwars. (IF YOU SAY ROBLOX BEDWARS I WILL GIVE YOU MINIMUM SPEAKS)

+0.5 points if you are over 10 stars in skywars.

+0.5 points if you quote the art of war

+0.5 points if you quote Yi Jian Mei

+0.5 points if you make star wars reference

+2 points if you read trix (not the cereal). (maybe auto win)

+1 point if you can make me visibly show emotion

If my paradigm is insufficient, here is a 10-minute video explaining my stance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tt7bzxurJ1I

Hello,

My name is Bren Hamaguchi (he/him) and I am the assistant Speech and Debate coach at Overlake HS.

I want to be clear: I have no prior experience participating in or judging Speech or Debate (this is my second season). But, as a history teacher, I am familiar with how to construct an argument, thesis, use of evidence, some philosophy, and persuasive speaking techniques.

I have no overt biases that will affect the decisions that I render.

Warnings:

Speed - I have a difficult time following along when people talk fast, I'll do my best, but if I don't write it down there is a good chance I'll forget and I can't judge you on information I don't have. You can send me your case if you think you speak too fast. No spreading, even with a case.

LD - Philosophy, Theory, and K's - if you're going to run theory or use a philosophical argument make it clear. If you reference something you think a Lay judge might not understand, either thoroughly explain it during your time or don't bother. Try at your own risk.

Be careful with the amount of technical LD jargon. My knowledge of technical, especially progressive debate terms, is limited.

LD/PF - ESPECIALLY PF - Be courteous! I really dislike when competitors are rude to each other.

Congress - I have my B.A. in Political Science so I am very aware of congressional procedure and how to construct arguments for and against bills. It is still up to you to follow proper procedure and structure your speeches in accordance with the rules and regulations.

Speech - Speak clearly, have a thesis, stay on time, and have fun!

Good luck everyone!

I’m a parent judge and mainly focus on LD. To win my vote, please keep in mind:

1. I value clarity more than quantity. Try to make your points clear and concise. Do not rush. If you usually speak low, please try to raise your voice a little.
2. Make yourself comfortable. As long as I can hear you clearly, I don't care whether you stand or sit.
3. Try to find your opponent's weak spots and use every chance to attack it. This will lead to good arguments.
4. Have data (numbers), and evidence ready.
5. Be polite in debate. I like solid arguments but do it in a respectful way.

LD is a hard debate, you might lose today but you will learn something and will come back later. Good Luck!

Hello! I'm Peri (she/her) and I debated for Mount Vernon HS in Washington doing LD for 3 years in high school. I am also a part-time, de-facto assistant coach for the Mount Vernon team, and I'm starting my own at the school I currently teach at-- I've never really left the debate community, so I know a bit of the norms and I know what's going on. I have my Bachelor's in International Studies focused on Peace and Conflict Resolution in the Middle East and North Africa, and my Master's in International Relations (meaning I know more about the Middle East than the average person) Here is my email if you need it... periannakb@gmail.com

Congress:

A huge pet peeve of mine is 3...2..1 and my time starts on my first word. I wont start your timer until you start speaking. I promise.

Substance > Style

Don't rehash, bring up new points prevalent to the debate. I love to see refutation particularly after the first two speeches. Please, lets move on if we are just going to say the same thing over and over.

Every time you speak in a session, it gives me more reasons to rank you at the end of the round. Fight to give those speeches and use questions! Don't let any of that direct questioning time go to waste!!!

LD:

A huge pet peeve of mine is 3...2..1 and my time starts on my first word. I wont start your timer until you start speaking. I promise.

I did traditional LD in high school. I am a traditional LD judge. You can run some arguments but disguise them as more traditional and focus on that style to keep me a happy judge. Take that into account. Don't spread I won't understand. Explain your arguments clearly and you'll be fine. No Meta-Ethics or trix.

Side note: Please make sure you are educated on the 2024 Jan/Feb LD topic... I don't want to hear arguments that are factually untrue, and I'm excited for well-informed debates that get into the depths of this subject! I've written articles on this topic that you could use as a card-- I know it well.

PF:

A huge pet peeve of mine is 3...2..1 and my time starts on my first word. I wont start your timer until you start speaking. I promise.

I'm judging more and more pufo these days. I like clear, well organized constructives. Don't just read everything one note. I appreciate that public forum is supposed to be different than LD and Policy. Keep it that way.

Random framework arguments about the intent of the topic aren't going to work for me. If things change in the status quo, you need to be prepared to discuss them.

Hi, y'all!

I'm currently a junior at Mount Vernon High School in Washington state! I've competed very frequently in speech & debate since middle school, and my mom is the coach of our team. My pronouns are he/they and my email is taitekirkpatrick@gmail.com ! Feel free to reach out if you need help or have any questions at all, debate is my favorite thing to do, my favorite thing to talk about, and probably my favorite thing ever! (Therefore, debaters are my favorite people!!)

Debate-wise, I've been competitive in policy, lincoln douglas, and congressional debate. I also do Worlds Schools debate and am a member of the 2023/2024 USA Debate team. I'm also a member of the NSDA's Student Leadership Council! For IEs, I typically compete in impromptu and extemp-- this year, I also did oratory! I was State Champion in Washington in LD and Impromptu in 2024, and I'll be in Des Moines for Nationals in World Schools representing the Puget Sound!

If I'm judging you, you're definitely a younger debater (because I am 17) so here are just 3 things I hope to see in any round (of speech or debate!) --

1. Creativity! I love it when debaters do their own research, go with arguments they believe in, and take risks! If you're passionate about something, you'll probably be infinitely more persuasive and I'll love that! Don't run things just because somebody else handed you a file... try to write your own cases and develop your own understanding! It's harder, but worth it, I promise.
2. Refutation! Nothing makes a debate round less debate-y than when the debaters are 'two ships passing in the night'- try to engage with what your opponents are saying! Believe me, saying something, even if it's not the best argument or going to win you the debate, is almost always better than saying nothing! You have to start somewhere, and I'll give you higher speaker points when I can tell you heard/understood an opponents argument (even if you struggle on answering it).
3. Have fun! I've talked to SO many younger debaters (from my team and others!) who always feel so bad after rounds and are SO harsh on themselves. I promise- everybody's had a bad round before and no single round is reflective of you as a competitor, and no single round will influence your future as a welcomed member of the community! So many of you are smarter than you think, and I've never watched a single speech where I haven't been astonished by the potential I've seen! Frankly... the worst rounds are those were people are so nervous they slip up. We have a motto on my team for this: "Fake it 'til you make it!"

* I have also learned I love organization <3 ! Numbering your arguments, signposting (saying when you're moving from one point to another), etc. ! I like having neat and clean flows at the end of the day! *

Hello debaters!

My name is Garrett Lee and if you are reading this, I am probably going to be judging your round. Here is some information about me: senior @ Mercer Island High School; competed at the State Speech & Debate Tournament in LD; likes bears.

General Notes:

As far as judging goes, I tend to favor interesting and intellectually engaging arguments, even if they are objectively untrue. If you can argue it clearly, go for it. Last year, I spent a significant amount of time arguing for a Marxism framework whose main text was a Squid Game review. Just have fun!

With the exception of climate change and very specific nuclear war arguments (China-Taiwan or Russia-Ukraine/escalation), I tend to really dislike extinction arguments. I think extinction is a lazy impact and would encourage debaters to do more impact calculus than "1% chance of extinction outweighs."

I strongly recommend weighing arguments in your last speeches. Use your framework. Explain magnitude, probability, scope, timeframe, etc. Even if you are losing, a strong 2AR or NR can win you the round versus a weak one from the opponent.

Notes on Progressive Debate:

For novice rounds, I will evaluate progressive debate first based on the qualifications of your opponent. For example, if you run a PIC and utterly annihilate your opponent who clearly has no idea how to respond, I will likely vote for your opponent because you are abusing the point of having a novice level. However, if your opponent has clearly debated before and knows what they are doing, I will evaluate the round as I would an open round. For those reasons, progressive debate in novice will be a risk, especially Ks on aff.

Bonus: if you spend part of your speech relating an impact to bears, I will give you 30 speaks.

As always, be kind, be respectful, don't be a bigot, and have fun!

I have been increasingly judging LD and occasionally judging Policy, but the comments below apply equally to both forms of debate. Please include me on Email chains. My Email is livill@hotmail.com

As I frequently tell LD debaters, "My paradigm as an LD judge is that I'm a Policy judge." Ha, ha! I am a Policy judge in the sense that I enjoy debating policy issues, but I have become increasingly more enamored with how LD deals with them as opposed to Policy. I enjoy a good framework debate, especially in LD.

A creative, thoughtful V/C really gets my attention. By that, I mean things other than morality/util. If you’re using FW, it’s especially important to relate your case and your opponent's case back to your V/C to show me the best way to frame the argument. A really great debater can demonstrate that their case better meets both their V/C and their opponent’s VC and does so more effectively than their opponent. I am fine with plans and counterplans, but if you're going to run a CP, make sure you understand how to do so. I am fine with theory debates as long as you relate them back to some actual argument. But, beware: I am more interested in arguments dealing with the topic than arguments dealing with the theory of debate.

Whether we’re debating a prospective policy in LD or in Policy, I believe that if we recognize something is a problem, we need to resolve it, which requires a solution. For me, that means stock issues and some kind of resolution of the harms the Aff delineates. You can rarely, if ever, go wrong, by arguing appropriate stock issues. For me, the two primary stock issues are solvency, which is key to evaluating the effectiveness of a policy and inherency, which few teams understand or argue effectively, but, which real, live, adult policy makers use every day to determine responses to problems. I vote for presumption the way any good policy maker would in the public sector – if it hasn’t been proven to be broken, don’t fix it.

I like a good T debate, but, not on cases when virtually any rational person would agree that a case is topical. I am far more likely to buy that a case is “reasonably” topical than I am to agreeing that it must meet some arcane Neg definition of a term like “it” or “is.” Also, this absurd argument that everyone should disclose their case before the round begins will gain no traction with me. One of the benefits of debate is learning how to respond quickly and effectively to new ideas and information on your feet. If you’re not prepared to debate the topic, stay home. There are other reasons to reject most Affs that involve arguments on actual issues, so use those issues instead of whining that you’ve never heard this case before.

I’m generally not a fan of K affs but sadly (for me) I will listen to anything and judge it as neutrally as possible. If you’re going to run a K aff, please be sure it has some dim unique link to the topic. Ditto for Ks run on the Neg. Also, and this is particularly for K Affs, please don’t take the tack that because you got up and read a speech or performed in front of me that I am legally, morally and ethically required to vote for you.

I am also a “policy” judge; after over 25 years as a Foreign Service Officer in the United States Department of State, I know what a coherent policy looks like and how, in the real world, policies are developed and implemented. Cases that don't offer a real policy with at least some nebulous solution to the problem, i.e. cases that offer some ephemeral philosophy that a judge is supposed to implement through "in-round solvency ballot-signing" are relatively unattractive to me. That doesn't mean I won't vote for them, but only when the Neg won't make the most minimal effort to argue the case in context of stock issues or policy-making.

I also look at who won which issues: who won the most important stock issues and which policy solved the problem more effectively with the fewest disadvantages and made the better sense, so, ultimately, it's about persuasion as well. I will vote for cases I don't like and don't think are topical or inherent, for example, if the Neg either fails to respond effectively or simply can't win the argument. I will not make your arguments for you or infer what you meant to say.

THINGS THAT LESSEN YOUR CHANCES OF EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION AND WINNING MY BALLOT: Really long, long, long taglines, especially ones that contain large amounts of philo/psychobabble gobbledegook. If your tag line is longer than the piece of evidence you cite, that’s a problem. Debaters who don't pause between taglines and the evidence will lose me. Stock DAs with no unique link to the current Aff being debated will bore me and it’s hard to take them seriously. Poor refutation organization is a killer - if you don't tell me where you're going, it's hard to follow you and you significantly decrease your chances of me putting the argument where YOU want it. Please understand that I flow arguments, not authors. When you extend an author whose name I have not flowed, I don’t know where to put the extension. Anyway, you’re not extending evidence as much as you’re extending an ARGUMENT. When you extend your argument, tell me which specific contention, advantage, argument or subpoint you’re refuting. Line by line is good! I really, really HATE debates that become primarily about the theory of how we're debating the issue than about the issue itself. In terms of speed, less is more. I like to be persuaded and if I can't understand what you're saying, then, you're not very persuasive. Please speak up and speak clearly, especially if it’s an online tournament.

My name is Robin Monteith and I am the coach for The Overlake School in Remond, Wa. I am a parent coach and was introduced to speech and debate through being a parent judge. This is my 7th year judging at speech and debate competitions. All years, I judged PF, LD, Congress, and many speech categories. I have no policy experience. I became a coach in the 2019-2020 school, and coach students in many speech categories, PF, LD, and Congress. My educational background is in psychology and social work.

I am looking for students to convince me that the side they are arguing on is right. I like statistics, but am also looking for the big picture, but with enough specifics to understand the big picture. It will help if you give a clear and highly organized case. Make sure that you don't talk so fast that you lose your enunciation. Also, remember that I am trying to write and process what you are saying so if you are talking really fast some of your arguments may be missed. While the point of debate is to take apart your opponents case, I do not like it when teams get too aggressive or cross the line into being rude. I value both argument and style in that I think your style can help get your argument across or not get it across well. Don't do theory or Kritiks. I am not a flow judge, but do take extensive notes. You need to extend arguments in your summary and final focus and I will disregard any new arguments presented in final focus and second summary as this is unfair to your opponents. In summary I like for you to summarize the important parts of the debate for me. Both your side and your opponents. In final focus I want to hear voters. Why do you think you won the debate. What evidence did you present that outweighs your opponents evidence, etc.

Preferred email: rmonteith@overlake.org

Congressional Debate-- I'll keep it simple. . .

1) I'm looking for an actual debate (not reading statements written weeks in advanced). The authorship speech and the first speech in opposition do not need to directly address what has already been said. The rest of the speeches do need to respond to what has been said. Please directly reference what you are addressing (e.g. Senator Smith said, ". . ." I respectfully disagree because. . .). Your argumentation should have a direct link to either voting "yes" or "no" on the bill or resolution. I'm looking for good warrants for your claim. Don't just read a quote from someone (even an expert) and assume I agree with the quote. Give evidence that your opinions are the correct ones (i.e. statistics (cite the actual study), arguments from history, detailed explanations, etc.). If you are citing a major news organization, tell me if you are citing an actual news article or an editorial (e.g. Don't just say, "The New York Times argued that. . . "). Your arguments should demonstrate that you have a basic understanding of the social sciences (especially economics). I tire of arguments that assume the legislative body has a magic wand that can do anything (e.g. raising minimum wage to $50 an hour while making inflation illegal). There are no solutions, only tradeoffs. Explain to me why your tradeoffs are better than the alternatives.

2) I'm looking for uniqueness. I'm a social studies teacher. If I learned something from your speech, you are more likely to get a higher score. If I'm thinking, "I knew all of this already," you are more likely to get a lower score. If you are piggybacking on an argument already made, I am expecting you to add to that point (not just repeat it).

3) I'm looking for a demonstration of good public speaking skills. The reason I favor congressional debate over policy debate is that this form of debate makes you learn useful communication skills. Watch members of Congress speak. Listen to real lawyers argue before the Supreme Court. They do not spread. They do not just read cards. I want to see the entire public speaking skills set. . . fluent delivery, excellent nonverbal communication, appeals to ethos, pathos, logos.

LD--

I would be considered a "traditional" LD judge.
You are debating values. I want to know the paramount value and the criteria used to assess the value. There needs to be clash on the value and criteria unless you mutually agree on the same value/criteria. Your arguments should flow from your value and criteria.

Things to avoid. . .
1) Kritics-- No Kritics in LD
2) Spreading-- You should speak no quicker than a moderately quick speaking rate
3) Ignoring the value/criteria debate-- you need to win this first before you do anything else
4) Presenting a plan-- I want to hear about the morality of this situation. I don't need to know how your going to actually have a policy to achieve that value. "Nuclear weapons are immoral" and "the United States should practice unilateral disarmament" are two totally different types of debate

I am a traditional flow judge. That being said, if your opponent drops an argument and you don’t mention it, I may not flow you through.

My experience is in the Western Washington, Washington State, and national circuits. I have collaborated with the NYU and Hofstra University debate teams as part of Gig Harbor High School and Hofstra University speech and debate.

I have debated NSDA Lincoln-Douglas and IPDA parliament.

Framework

I will want to see some good framework clash. Do not disappoint me with a 1v1 public forum debate.

A strong framework win could win you the round if you’re careful.

If you are running a K or ROTB make sure it’s at least vaguely topical/applicable.

I don’t care about the subjective morality bias that’s tangible to the judge. If you won, you won. If you somehow manage to win by saying we should all die then good on you. You probably won’t and I wouldn’t try that. But it’s theoretically not impossible.

(I know some judges will just write you off if you make a ‘death good’ argument. You would need a really, REALLY strong framework debate to make this happen and really, really dumb opponent; but I won’t write you off for trying.)

Debate

If you are going to try and spread please make sure you are good at. If I can’t understand you, I can’t flow. If you think this will be an issue, consider sharing documents.

Humor and witty remarks will not win you this round. Weigh your impacts, watch out for non-unique and off topic arguments, watch your semantics. etc.

It’s not that I don’t love theory, let’s just not spend the entire round on it. That would be lame and not what theory is for.

Speaker Points And Timing
If you do not say something like “does the judge stand ready/does the opponent stand ready” then start speaking while I’m still writing your name on the flow I will not only snatch your speaker points but dislike you as well. You should at the very, very, very least say “my time start now.” If your opponent isn’t ready, that’s their problem. If your judge isn’t ready, that’s your problem.

I will be timing you on first word and if you need me to give time signals I’ll accommodate. You should have a timer but it’s ok, my phone has died too.

If you start shouting I will take off 1-2 speaker points. You don’t need to get angry in here, save that for outside the round.

Back in my day, it was against NSDA rules to directly address your opponent (exc. cross) or refer to them in any gendered manner. Their name was ‘the opponent’ and their pronouns were either aff or neg.

Times have changed so I will not take off speaker points but if you adhere to Ye Olde LD Procedure I will consider 30 points for professionalism’s sake.

If you run something other than the basic util/deont/structural violence/etc I might give you one (1) extra speaker point for creativity.

Basic Obvious Rules
If you want to accuse your opponent of some heinous crime against NSDA rules I will make both of you share cases. I have the jurisdiction to that.

Theory is not the same thing as NSDA rules. Why would you look me in the eye and say ‘drop the debater, they didn’t share in the case wiki’.

No one is getting dropped unless it’s proven they broke an actual hard written rule.

That being said, I think it’s a little funny when you say stuff like that. ‘Drop the debater, they used a google doc!!’ That’s insane but I appreciate your bravado.

Hi!

A few quick things about my judging style:

• I dislike extinction arguments, unless they are about climate change or certain nuclear war arguments (China-Taiwan, etc.). No matter what, it must fit into the resolution and your argument over all- it can't just be tacked on to the end as a way of winning impacts.
• In novice rounds, I will evaluate based on your opponent's level. For example, if you begin to spread or use very progressive arguments and your opponent is lost, I will most likely vote for your opponent since you are abusing the whole idea of a novice level. If your opponent is of a similar level as you, I will evaluate the round as an open round.
• If you can, try to weigh arguments in your last speech. Even if you feel that you are losing the round, simply going over your framework and impacts can sometimes win the round if your opponent doesn't do the same.
• Lastly, have fun and be kind!

New Judge.

TLDR: Substance first. Depth over Breadth. Speed mostly fine (Yes Clarity still matters -_-). K's n stuff fine. Not the biggest fan of T. Be organized.

I don't usually count flashing as prep unless it becomes a problem. Only ever had a problem in Policy and (funnily enough) Pufo rounds.

Email: graythesun@gmail.com

Pronouns: He/Him

Prep:

All Prep is running prep. I'm not setting a timer, I'm using a stopwatch for all prep. Watch your own time.

Flex-Prep is valid. As in, asking questions during Prep time. I prefer if Flex-prep is more used for clarifying arguments rather then finding tricky questions... you had your chance in CX.

Framework:

As a judge I really like framework, it tends to make for an easier decision. I.E. some arguments that are argued don't really fit within frameworks in round, and I can just drop them. If there are competing frameworks I expect you to debate them, and end up with one superseding the other. That being said... if you have the same or similar frameworks, unless you're gonna describe what the nuanced difference is and how that changes the valuation in round, it's almost better to just agree that the Fw's are the same.

Contention level:

I definitely prefer depth of argumentation over breadth, knowing your evidence is key to educating yourself on the topic. I will always buy a warrant from your evidence that's well explained and utilized over one that isn't. A lot of responses to arguments made against a card can be found within the card itself. This doesn't mean you should just re-read the card. This does not mean that you can reread your card or tagline and be good.

Hi Speech / Debaters,

I'm Joe from Bellevue; joepham206@gmail.com

Every speaker is at the same level when I evaluate, I have no clue what your social-economic status is, nor do I care, I just want clear, concise points of influencing topics in your persuasion.

Individual Speeches:

I'm looking for a clear Opening, make your opening catchy, tie in your personal experience with topic, then tie that into the topic. I like hearing 3 to 5 clear points about the topic, saying "my first point is".....my "second point is".....and "my last point is" and the conclusion should tie everything back in all main points, then tie back to the opening/introduction to close out the speech.

Dramatic Interp: The presenter that can use the largest spectrum of different voice, body, facial, best use of presenting space, singing (different pitch) will get high marks.
I encourage singing, expressing grief, happiness, laughter, using arms up and down, eye contact presenting a person standing next to you; looking down to their shoes, to their waist, up to their hair - as examples; use full body motions; fist your arm to show Power; being the most dramatic will win high points. If you are able to make me feel the emotional feelings that you are dramatically portraying, that's a win in my book!

Competed Open Forum, Impromptu, Extempt for 2 years in High School. Judged Senior year in High School. Now involved judging now my child is involved in speech / debate.

Speed is fine, but clarity and good arguments/refute is what I'm looking for. Ideally you have hard copies of the Aff/Neg policy flow, but send me your policy to joepham206@gmail.com

LD / Open Forum: I'll focus on your last speech more closely, you need to tell me what the other team left out or did not refute, tell me why I should consider you to win and be specific with clear Point #1, Point #2, Point #3, etc... All parts of round will be evaluated but last speech is heavily weighted to the winning speaker / team.

I appreciate Pre-Flow of Aff and Neg Policies, just write the main contentions, sub contentions, it will help me in my flow for both Aff and Neg policies that will be deliberated. All I'm looking for is a blank sheet of paper with the main arguments you will propose.

Ask any questions in the round, I'm flexible and looking forward to your speech!

Joe-

Parent, communications degree, professional - Operations manager. My daughter calls me a Flay judge, in between a Lay judge and Flow judge. Will understand the arguments but you will need to speak more slowly, clearly, communicate and persuade me. Be polite, be smart, sign-post. In rounds I like more straight forward debates, alternative plans need to clearly relate to the resolution.

I am a former high school and college CEDA debater (UofO) and college NDT coach (graduate assistant coach at USC) and former Director of Forensics at SDSU. I am also a former professor of Communication at UW, with an emphasis on argument, persuasion, rhetorical theory and criticism. As such, I will be a critic of argument. I have not been in the field for years. I prefer sound reasoning and analysis to "blippy" superficial tags and points. A quick rate of speech is fine, if it has substance. The quality of your research and sources will be of value; the consistency of your use of a source with their overall position is important; The internal reasoning in the evidence has weight. Have a tag, qualify your source, read the quote. I am unlikely to be persuaded by a tag line, a last name and a date, and something that follows that it not clearly the quote. Make it very clear where the evidence/quote starts and where it ends, and where your analysis/impact statement about the evidence starts. Depth of insight is preferable to breadth of expression. Focus on sound, smart and thoughtful questions in cross periods. Although not necessarily on the flow, it will reflect command of issues, reasoning and demonstrate civility. Enjoy, employ your strategy, show respect for the subject and your opponents. I have noticed what I see to be a pattern. Consistent with the need to understand implicit bias, I will attend carefully to my impressions. However, I see aggressiveness and rudeness/dismissiveness directed at female competitors by males more than I see it directed at male competitors by male competitors. I ask that all opponents be treated with respect and to be aware of your own potential implicit bias in the communication toward and attitude about your opponents, regardless of who they are.

If you wish to have one, please set up the email chain before round so you can hit send at start time.

ellelaurenreed@gmail.com

Conflicts: Sehome HS, Bellingham HS, Squalicum HS (WA)

* are new/significant

*UPS 2023- I will vote on anything yall are likely to read and am somewhat in the literature for coaching. I've noticed a lot of good LARRP debaters on our circuit, but haven't judged a very high level LARRP v LARRP round in a while, so if you plan on doing any kinda crazy stuff like plan tricks or plan repair maybe explain it in a tiny bit more depth.

*online debate note* from my limited experience judging online, I/my wifi seem to generally be able to follow a pretty good speed, though if you are very fast your mic will probably clip words. Know your mic quality, it changes how fast you can go and be clear. I will 'clear' 2-3 times, watch chat messages. I flow speeches not docs. Also, somehow, some of ya'll steal prep more than in-person with less stuff to do, don't do that.

Overview-
-Do good and win arguments. The more rounds i judge, the less i feel like the type of argument/style of debate you do matters as much in my evaluation of a round as i expected it would when i first started judging.
-Read what you want, if it has a warrant and some kind of framing mechanism to impact into.
-Also, don't intentionally be a bigot if you don't want to lose w/bad speaks. *This includes the cards you read and strategies you go for*
-Feel free to go fast, but signpost, differentiate tags, be clear, and SLOW DOWN AT INTERPS and PLANS! I flow speeches, not docs, and it is just good debate/spreading to differentiate tags and cards this way. also somewhat applies to important analytics
-*dont be sus: don't clip. dont message/talk to your friend or coach about the debate round in progress. dont have teammate in the room whispering tips to you. It really isn't complicated. I've disqualified teams over all of these. Most of the time, the team doing this stuff would win straight up if they would just think and debate normally. I may give you a warning, especially in JV, but I don't have to.

I try to base speaks on how well you debate, with some focus on technical performance but more on strategic choice, with 28.5 being average. Not too stingy, but i think point inflation is bad and rarely give 29.5 and above. I appreciate really good debates and try to reward good/ outstanding performances, technically or in 'the vibe'. Creativity gets rewarded pretty heavily

if you think my paradigm is odd and want to ask questions about it, feel free to.

specifics-

I debated LD in HS and got a few bids. I also did policy debate for NYU in college. I am probably more familiar with LD still, but I've judged and debated a lot of good CX rounds. I mostly read critical or performative arguments (especially in policy), and thats the style of debate I understand the best generally, but in HS i was very flex and fundamentally I will vote on whatever.

*note here for Washingtondebaters *- i mostly debated on the east coast and Texas, so i am way more familiar with tricks, phil, and pomo than the average judge on our circuit, despite my somewhat policy background. Feel free to read any of this stuff (well please) and i will appreciate it.

I also think disclosure is in general good and the best responses to disclosure theory are kritical rather than about small schools or fairness. about disclosure- i do not like deployment of disclosure theory outside of norms. If the aff has not been broken, or the debater has not competed at a tournament yet (or even worse, at all this year), I will likely reduce speaks for reading disclosure, even if i will vote on it. I really really don't like contact info theory as a way to establish a violation for a debater who is otherwise disclosing and following norms. I will absolutely reduce speaks for this in all instances. Other stuff (full text vs cites, must disclose to black/other group of debaters/ other reasonable deployments) is totally fine.

i wont vote on- the resolved a-priori (other a-priories are fine), arguments cut from the SCUM manifesto, *trans-exclusionary feminism/gender args*, oppression of any kind good, evaluate theory after the 2nr (some debate about what to evaluate when is fine, but this being shelled out is a really tough buy for me).

I strongly dislike how the DSRB 'must talk about personal experience/positionally' framework shell is deployed in some (both LD and CX) rounds. If you read this arg, at minimum, your performance should meet the interp. Reading it, for example, with a ton of tricks, nibs, skep, and fairness first without any discussion of your own identity is anti-black and insulting to the context these arguments originated in (and, often, very violent in round). I have not intervened against this argument, but I have and will reduced speaks. I am also very very open to voting on prefcon and other offensive arguments when this shell is deployed in an anti-black way.

Don't be violent, and pay attention to social position. I dock speaks for microggressions, sometimes subconsciously, so try to not. (for example; there is nothing less impressive to watch in a debate round where a dude condescends a woman on something she understands better than he does)

defaults- presume neg (i think me writing aff here previously was a typo), flips if neg reads an advocacy. other ones are probably not important: ****Im more likely to discard a flow/impact as irresolvable and look for other offense in other places, rather than default on a million paradigm issues to make a ballot story make sense****

I'm cool with more weird/innovative arguments and i tend to like them a lot, as well as impact turns like extinction good that some judges don't like. make sure your justifications are good (and no fascist stuff please)

PF

*this section was written several years ago. I don't know how it holds up to the current meta, assume my ideas are still similar, if maybe somewhat more mellowed out*

I do NOT evaluate rounds based on persuasion. I evaluate the flow. If i should evaluate the round different, that's possible, but you have to win a warrant for your role of the judge. Any progressive stuff yall want to do is cool, but don't do it really badly. None of yall can spread too quickly so go whatever speed. Also uuuh 'rules of pf' isnt an argument in 99% of cases

I really do not like paraphrased evidence. PF already has huge issues with evidence integrity, and paraphrased evidence can say whatever you want it to say. Analytic arguments are almost always better because they normally actually have a warrant and don't teach bad academic practices. I also call for cards after the round and will go through the effort to check cites- do not fabricate evidence in front of me *this also applies to any other debate event when allowed by tournament*

ALL basic debate things actually do still apply to yall. For example- no new in the 2 (your arguments other than weighing/comparison in the final focus u want me to vote off of must be in a previous speech, and ideally before the summery. To clarify further, you also do not have to extend all arguments from earlier speeches, rather you should collapse down to your best arguments), dropped arguments are conceded arguments (including the first speech for whoever is speaking second!), you need offense to win a round, ect.

Another issue i often have in pf rounds is that teams expect me to take something bad-sounding for granted as an impact. You should not to this- 1. you de facto have to warrant all of the pieces; a) that your impact exists, and (b) that its bad, and (c) that its worse than your opponents impacts. 2. Things you think are intuitively bad may not be the same as what i think is intuitively bad

I'm a parent judge. Professionally, I'm a former patent litigator who now manages a number of litigations around the world.

I have no hard and fast rules and wish to let each participant present their arguments how they see fit. That said, I do have a few pointers:

• Slow down. If you are speaking so fast that I can't understand you, I can't understand you. That's not persuasive and also suggests you can't prioritize good arguments from just any argument that comes into your head.
• It will not kill you to acknowledge when your opponents have a good argument. It is much better to point out why their argument shouldn't prevail even though it has some initial appeal than to pretend it is a weak argument. Preserve your credibility at all times.
• Always be respectful to your opponents, even if you think their arguments are insane or utter nonsense.
• There's a well-known saying among litigators: "If the law is on your side, argue the law. If the facts are on your side, argue the facts. If you have neither...pound the table." There's a lot of truth to it. So if I see you pounding the table, it's not a sign of how passionate you are, it's an implicit admission you know your arguments are weak.

Policy

I'm okay with anything as long as you know what youre talking about

Run an untopical aff, run a plan, advocacy or no advocacy, run a k do whatever you want as long as you know what youre running and are prepared to win on theory/t. Make sure you can explain it to me bc im not gonna vote on something i dont understand and also dont assume I know your authors.

If you go for T or Theory you have to explain how it actually hurts you in the world of debate- don't just read a shell/shadow extend it. I want you to do a line by line on your standards and voters or I won't vote for it. Also if you read disclosure theory that's an isntant loss and no speaks. Sorry you're rich boohoo.

If you're gonna run a BS CP like a PIC or a consult you best have a DA and not just an INB.

Dont go for multiple world advocacies in the 2nr. pick one- you can run multiple advocacies throughout the round- but only go for one

If u go for theory, that better be the only thing u go for or i wont vote on it

LD/Pufo

more impacts based and please do weighing the last speech- i will defer to FW

Hey I'm Kathy!

junior at mercer island hs, 5x TOC bid, currently ranked #11 nationally for LD

email: shao.kathy.2@gmail.com

novice LD:

I mainly debate LD and know janfeb and march/april topic lit

General things that are cool to do:

- Signpost where you're refuting

- make sure to extend your voters!!!!!! ie if you want to go for and win on an argument, briefly mention and explain what it is in your speeches

- if you're reading different fws, engage them or collapse

- Weigh! your! voters!! especially explain why they matter more than your opp's

- time yourselves and if it goes off try to speedy it up bc we can hear when your timer goes

overall I'm pretty much good to evaluate anything so debate what you want!

*note for novice- if you wanna run progressive args or spread or whatever, feel free to go for it but please research the position first make sure your opponent is fine with it!

pf

generally the same as the LD paradigm minus stuff about fw, etc

also engage your warrants w your opponents, especially if you're running the same arguments!

READ THIS VERY THROUGHLY PLEASE AND READ THE END IF U WANT TO WIN.

tldr: tab judge

NOTE: PLEASE TIME YOURSELF AND UR OPPONENT I WILL NOT BE TIMING

i used to have a long paradigm but now that I’ll mostly be judging high school novice rounds for a bit, here’s an update.

bio - did LD in high school for 2 years. loved it & hated it. i know technical debate but feel free to use lay debate if that’s what you are good at. I used to hate on lay debate a lot but I’ve come to realize the beauty in its austerity

debate how you want to.

general notes:

big fan of email chains, even in lay rounds -> mailid4manu@gmail.com

enunciate when you can it helps me out.

skip the value debate, just debate VC. If you spend 5 min debating justice v. morality, both me and your speaks will be crying.

i doodle a lot. dw im paying attention

I’m kinda harsh on legit speaks but will give u plenty of chances to boost your speaks

if ur a novice and want to run advanced stuff thats fine by me just ask ur opponent if they are okay.

take notes during oral rfd if u actually are interested in learning.

debate related things:

-i hate rounds where i have to intervene and there is no clear winner.

-voters fix this issue

-tell me why i should vote for you. what is the deciding issue in the round.

things that will boost ur speaks:

IF YOU MAKE THE DEBATE FUNNY AND ARE CASUALLY SNARKY i will love you and raise speaks a lot.

ill start ur speaks at 30 if say something some variance of this joke:

“judge, my opponent’s case is just a box of donuts: a ton of holes in it” or some creative variance w/o using donuts.

+0.5 any drake song reference (tell me after u make by saying ‘that’s a drake reference’)

+0.5 any drake lyric reference (tell me after u make by saying ‘that’s a drake reference’)

+0.5 for calling me 'ur honor' like im a judge the entire round

+0.5 for sportsmanship

auto 20 if u post round me.

auto 20 if u say some out of pocket stuff (racism, homophobia, etc.)

final thoughts:

debate is a game so make it fun. i spent many nights stressing about debate but rarely took the time to just enjoy the activity for what it is. enjoy.

Note for novices: I would advise you to "stay in your lane" as it were, I know debating using progressive techniques can sound fun or like a great way to easily beat your opponent, but frankly I think that is a little unfair. Furthermore, while I cant stop you from running anything you want, recognize that conforming to your judges preferences is an art and a skill that will help you a great deal. I am of the opinion that all debate should be an educational space, but novice especially, it is important to get down the fundamentals of debate before you move on to trickier things, walk before you can run. The rule stands for all debaters I judge that if you can't run it properly don't run it, also I would advise you to advocate for yourself, if you know you won't be able to flow properly if your opponent spreads, say something, you are both have equal rights to learning and enjoyment in this space so your opponent should take your preferences as well as mine into account. Your opponent may have a right to spread, but if they should chose to do so, you are also well within your rights to ask for a copy of their case. I know debate can be scary, especially if you are new to it, but it is truly a place where you can build skills you will use for the rest of your life if you let it, I am not here to work against you, and we've all been scared before going into round, so take a deep breath and know that it will all be okay.

Debate should be a fun and educational space, a little feistiness in round is cool but know the limits. I debated Lincoln Douglas for three years, and have been judging for two more, so I am familiar with most arguments, but make sure to sign post during rebuttal speeches. I am okay with speed but make sure your opponent is also okay. There is a time and place for spreading and if you should feel the need make sure you enunciate clearly, I have yet to find a speed that is too fast for me to flow as long as your words aren't a jumbled mess...content matters here so preference quality over quantity. Furthermore if you should feel the need to spread please send me your case, my email is jaquelinejuniper@outlook.com and I will let you know in round if you are going too fast by either saying "speed" or more likely "clear". I truly believe that a debate should speak for itself and will not make arguments for you so make sure to give me a clear road to the ballot (explain what points you've won and why it should win you the round). That being said while I will evaluate anything you put in front of me frankly, if you can't run a progressive case well, it will work against rather than for you. I believe theory needs to be weighed first in a round, but if you give me half assed theory, I will buy a half assed argument from your opponent to take it out. I don't love DA's, counterplans, K's, but that comes from a place where I RARELY see them run properly. I will evaluate all points you make fairly as long as they are fair points, so make good points and impact them out. WEIGH ARGUMENTS AGAINST ONE ANOTHER, it is not enough to just make good points in debate argue against your opponents points and tell me why yours are better. I will not tolerate outright violations of the safety of debate, name calling, intentional misuse of pronouns, derogatory comments of ANY kind toward your opponent; this is about your cases not each other and know that even if your opponent doesn't call you on it, I will via a loss of speaker points. As I said if you both want to be more spirited or plucky in your argumentation I think it can make the round more fun, but don't be rude and recognize how your opponent is feeling, if there is any doubt don't do it, you can usually tell who is up for a round with more banter, and who just needs a straightforward round so while I will always give the benefit of the doubt, don't push it :) (Bonus, ill give extra speaker points if you can work in a LOTR reference)

I'm a traditional LD judge - I prefer a traditional V/VC framework, and like a philosophical debate that substantively engages the resolution.

I have very limited tolerance for speed / lack of clarity.

I like debate and have been coaching and judging debate for 40 years. I competed in high school policy debate and college NDT and CEDA debate. For most of my career, I coached all events at Okoboji High School in Iowa. I worked for Summit Debate at NDF Boston in Public Forum for 15 years and judged numerous PF LD practice and tournament rounds. I have been the LD coach for Puyallup High School for the past five years. I'm working with the LD, Congress and PF at Puyallup.

The past six years, I've judge LD rounds from novice through circuit tournaments. I judge policy rarely, but I do enjoy it. Paradigms for each follow.

PF This is a debate that should be interesting for all Americans. It should not be overly fast or technical. I will take a detailed flow, and I don't mind terms like link and impact. Evidence should be read, and I expect refutation of important issues, especially the offense presented in the round. Follow the debate rules, and I should be good. The final focus should spend at least some time going over weighing. Be nice to each other, and Grand Cross should not be a yelling match. The summary speaker must extend any arguments to be used in Final Focus. I expect the second speaking team to engage in the arguments presented in the rebuttal. I do not like disclosure theory, and it would be difficult for me to vote for it.

LD - I have judged a lot of circuit rounds over the years but not as many over the past four years. Washington state has a slower speed preference than the national circuit, so I'm not as practiced at that type of speed. My age means I don't flow or hear as well as I use to, so make sure I'm flowing. I like speed, but at rare times I have difficult time keeping up. If this happens, I will let you know. I expect a standard/criterion debate in the round. If you do something else, you must explain to me why it is legitimate. If you run kritiks, DA's, or plans, you must develop them enough for me to understand them. I do not like micropol positions. I will not drop them on face. I don't mind theory, but again, it must be developed. Bad advocacy is bad debating. Lying in the round or during cx will be dealt with severely. CX is binding. I expect clean extensions of arguments, and will give weight to arguments dropped by debaters. I want to be a blank slate in the back of the room. Please tell me why I should vote for you. Deontology frameworks are fine, but they must be justified. Any tricks must be clear, and obtuseness in CX will not be allowed. Finally, I will not vote for disclosure theory unless something weird happens.

Policy died in our circuit, and we were the only team still trying to do it. I haven't coached a policy team for a season since 2010; however, I've had teams go to tournaments in policy for fun and to try it. I've also judged policy debate at district tournaments to fulfill the clean judge rule. I have judged a couple of policy rounds this year, and they were not difficult to judge. Just expect me to like traditional positions.

Watch me for speed. I will try to keep up, but I'm old. It's a lack of hearing that may cause me to fall behind. I will yell "clear," and that probably means slow down. I'll do my best. I like all kinds of policy arguments, and I'm ok with kritiks. You may want to explain them to me a bit better because it may have been awhile since I heard the argument. Besides that, I'm a policy maker unless you tell me to be something else. Theory is ok, but it should be developed. Abuse must be proven in the round. Rebuttals should kick unimportant arguments and settle on a few to delineate. The final speeches should weigh the arguments.

hey yall im linh (she/her) and im a senior, ive done (washington) ld since freshman yr.

just as a heads up, i understand that most debaters see debate as a game which is totally fine but that doesnt mean that you get the right to be misogynistic/racist/homophobic/or even plain mean towards your opponent/others. i will 100% drop you if those things happen. and on the flip side, if you ever feel unsafe during a round, email me (plinhtea@gmail.com) and i'll stop the round.

substance:

• weighing is so so so important and if you don't weigh, i will have to intervene to make a decision and no one wants that (if you don't know what weighing is, please ask!)
• progressive arguments are fine (i love kritiks)
• please don't debate about the values. vc debates are fun, amazing, wonderful! value debates not so much.
• dw abt speed, i can flow it -> but if ur opponent is clearly struggling, maybe give them a hand and slow down?
• give me clear voters/reasons to vote for you and explain why those reasons are better than your opponents
• otherwise do whatever you want. if you want to read a sick-ass performance, go for it. if you want to read util and two contentions, go for it.

i give default 29 speaks. if you want that illustrious 30 speaks, you can do one of a couple of things:

• incorporate three good taylor swift or mitski references in your speeches
• show everyone in the round a goofy picture/video of your pet
• give me an album rec and a song off of that album that i can listen to while you prep

really do try to have fun and take care of yourself. i know its stressful out there <3

Put me on the email chain: awang32707@gmail.com

I'm a current junior at Mercer Island High School that mainly debates LD and has experience with both trad and progressive argumentation. Signpost clearly, give me warrants, do weighing in final speeches (pls pls pls), don't be mean (esp to novices), and we should be good to go! You are free to ask me questions after the round - if I can't defend my decision, it probably wasn't a good one.

Progressive Pref Shortcuts (ignore if lay debate)

LARP - 1

K - 1/2 (depends on type)

Theory/T - 2/3

Phil - 4

Tricks - don't

I have been a debater that is going on my 2nd year. As a judge, I ask for you to be respectful and don't talk beyond fast so I can keep up, if I can't flow I can't judge. I am very into value and criterion (framework) debates and in fact that debate will mostly sway my choice in a winner as value and criterion are the basis of your entire argument. Regardless of that, I always go with what is the more logical argument, and/or whichever argument has more points that have no rebuttal.

Zavia (ZAY-vee-ah) (She/Her)

Categorically refusing to be identified as diversity enhancing

Put me in the email chain: waka.wow64@gmail.com

I did 3 years of LD in highschool and now I'm assistant coaching LD. I did some circuit debate, mostly reading Ks, but not a ton and I've only been back involved in debate for a year, I think my speed tolerance is probably around 80% top circuit speed and I'm unfamiliar with any recent debate norms (especially ones related to online debate).

My first concern is always that debate is a safe and accessible space for everyone, if you ever feel that something made you round unsafe or uncomfortable for you feel free to talk to or email me about it. I will fight TAB/Judges/whoever on your behalf.

I will vote on pretty much anything and am generally pretty tech > truth. The only exceptions to this is if you say some racist/transphobic/ableist or whatever I will absolutely vote you down and may stop the round. Also I'm not a fan of bullying newer debaters, if you're a circuit debater you should not need to read disclosure or spread out some 1st year open debater at their first big tournament, just win your arguments, that shouldn't be hard. It would have to be especially egregious to lose you the round but will definitely hurt your speaks.

Spreading is fine and I will clear/slow you as needed, your opponent can also clear/slow you, debate should be accessible.

Flex prep is fine but your opponent doesn't have to answer, if you ask me if flex prep is okay I will know you didn't read my paradigm and while this will have no effect on my decision or your speaks I may glower at you.

My judge philosophy is that debate is a space for debaters to have the rounds they want to have and the judge should interfere with that as little as possible. So run your cool cases you really like and have a round you enjoy. If you and your opponent both want to do something that isn't even debate, good for you, no idea how I would evaluate it but I certainly won't stop you.

Argument specific:
Tricks: I will vote on tricks but have a high threshold and expect them to have actual warrants, I wont vote just because your 6 word blip got dropped.

Theory: I'm totally fine with theory, really friv theory might lower your speaks and I tend to have a higher threshold but I'll vote on it if you win sufficiently warranted reasons why I should. RVIs are fine. Please don't read paragraph theory in front of me, just read a shell.

Kritiks: I love a good K, if I think your K was interesting I will probably raise your speaks. I am familiar with a lot of the common K lit but always appreciate good explanation of the way your K works. Feel free to ask me before the round how well I know the lit you're reading. Aff Ks are fine be as nontopical as you want. In responding to a K I tend to be much more convinced by specific line by line analysis than reading a bunch of generic blocks.

Plans/Counterplans: make sure your plan text is specific and does what you want, feel free to run planks, condo, whatever but I will also happily vote on the inevitable theory shell if your opponent wins it.

DAs: sure. I generally think neg cases that format their topical offense into DAs and not contentions make more sense and are better

Trad LD: pain and suffering. Okay but actually debate how you want its my place to evaluate the debate you guys want to have and I will do that to the best of my ability, it will make me happy if you make it interesting with a cool framework or something. Please tell me very clearly what you want me to vote on.

ROTB/J: I try not to assume any particular role of the ballot but give that's impossible I probably err towards being an impartial mediator who votes for the team that won an argument that they warranted gives them (better) access to the ballot. But I am more than happy to change that if you win an argument that I ought to be a critical educator or whatever.

Speaks:

I generally base speaks off how well you presented your arguments, meaning: clarity, sign posting, how easy it was to follow the argument you made and to some degree speech strategy. So tell me a good impact story (I don't care how much weighing you do in your last speech you should do more), tell me exactly which card you're putting offense on and what specific warrant in the card you're attacking, be easy for me to flow.

Other factors that could hurt your speaks are: saying something minorly messed up but not enough for me to vote on it independently, bullying less experienced debaters, running really friv theory, misgendering me (bad) or your opponent (worse)

I am happy to clarify my paradigm and answer any questions before the round, though I will be a little annoyed if you ask me questions and have clearly not read my paradigm

Have a good round, try to win and don't be a coward, cowardice is always a voting issue.

Hi, I'm David Zeng, a high school senior. I mainly do speech and I'll be judging novice LD.

Spreading is fine. No theory plz.

Be mature, be good to people.