Content warnings are appreciated when appropriate.

Teasers should set the mood for the piece and not be too lengthy.

Intros need to continue to prepare the audience for the piece by setting the appropriate tone as well as to give important exposition. A sharp or clever intro that is well constructed can be the determining factor in scoring among two equally done pieces.

Blocking and movement should be clear, well defined, and motivated. Clever or creative staging is appreciated. Unclear or unspecific pantomime, upstaging, or weird angles that prevent seeing the actor's faces should be avoided.

Characterization should be consistent and easy to follow if performing multiple characters. Pops should be clean. Vocal characterization should be suggestive of the character and not an opportunity to showcase cartoon voices/cliche characters (the surfer, the New Yorker, the Brit, the Aussie, etc.) unless warranted by the script/story.

The binder is NOT a prop other than in POI. Movement below the waist (steps) should be clear and motivated as well as minimal.

Author's Intent and/or Appropriateness of Literature- How do I feel about an HI of Miracle Worker (author's intent) or a student performing mature material (appropriateness)? That's a big NO for me if it's offensive more than it is creative. (Miracle Worker as an HI, or The Lovely Bones, or anything like that is offensive to me. The topics in those pieces aren't meant to be funny and do go against the author's intent.) Mature content if it's handled well and suits the piece doesn't bother me- if it's excessive or for shock value, then I may not like it. It really depends on the piece and the performer; I'm not really conservative but I've seen some material that I definitely wouldn't coach or have ranked down because I felt like it was too much.

For Speech Events OO/INFO– I love that Orator’s Triangle! It helps me follow the structure of your speech. I weigh the written speech (construction/logic/novelty/grammar/humor) equally with the presentation of the speech. I personally don’t like laminated stuff on Info boards (because of the glare.) I loooove creative/inventive Info props!

As a judge, I approach CX debate with a commitment to fairness, rigor, and intellectual engagement. I believe in evaluating rounds based on the quality of argumentation, evidence, and logical reasoning presented by both teams. My philosophy revolves around the following key principles:

• Clarity and Organization: I value clear and organized presentation of arguments. Debaters should structure their speeches logically, signpost effectively, and articulate their points with clarity. A well-organized case enables better understanding and evaluation of arguments.

• Argumentation: I prioritize substantive arguments supported by credible evidence. Debaters should develop coherent arguments, anticipate and respond to opponent's arguments, and use evidence effectively to support their claims. I assess the strength of arguments based on their relevance, logic, and soundness.

• Critical Thinking: I encourage critical thinking and analysis in CX debate. Debaters should not only present arguments but also critically evaluate them, identify logical fallacies, and engage with the underlying assumptions and implications of arguments. Critical thinking skills are essential for effective persuasion and engagement in debate.

• Clash and Engagement: I value substantive clash between teams. Debaters should engage with each other's arguments, refute opposing claims, and defend their own positions effectively. I look for depth of engagement, including direct refutation, rebuttal, and extension of arguments throughout the round.

• Fairness and Respect: I expect debaters to uphold principles of fairness and respect in their interactions. Debates should be conducted in a civil manner, with mutual respect for opponents and adherence to rules and norms of debate. Any breaches of fairness or respectful conduct will impact my evaluation of the round.

Overall, my philosophy centers on the principles of clarity, argumentation, critical thinking, clash, and fairness. I approach each round with an open mind, carefully evaluating the merits of arguments presented by both teams and rendering a decision based on the strength of those arguments and adherence to debate norms.

And no spreading.

Hello! I am Christy Cruz from Travis Bryan High School.

I am a parent/Lay judge and I usually judge in the novice divisions, but in case I have to judge varsity I prefer a traditional format and no spreading. Please make your arguments digestible as if you were explaining them to your own parents.

Pronouns: He/Him

Email: nlombardo2004@gmail.com add me to the chain, feel free to shoot any questions my way

About me: I debated from 2017-2022 at Tuloso Midway and competed in LD, Policy and Congress and have qualified to Nationals aswell as TFA and UIL State

Note: I have Aspergers, as a result my handwriting and fine motor skills are poor, keep this in mind when spreading, if you are clear on tags and authors I should be fine but if you see me with my pen down slow down please, If I'm on the email chain this isnt as big of a problem but I really don't want resort to looking at the speech doc

TLDR: Have fun and dont be a jerk, debate how you want to debate chances are I'll be fine with it aslong as it's not problematic and hurts the debate space

LD:

Quick Prefs

LARP:1

Trad:1

Theory: 3

Tricks:4

K: 3

Specifics

LARP: These debates are always really fun, I'm a sucker for really creative Adv CPs and DAs are always welcome always like a up to date politics DA.

Trad: It's fine, I can judge it I feel like these rounds are typically the most boring but it's how I debated for half of my career so your fine. Make sure to extend your FW and tell me why it matters winning FW does not win you the round, using FW to filter offense in and out in a strategic way wins you the round. Please have your value be terminal. Contentions are cool ig just extend stuff properly.

T/Theory: I hate T and Theory debates I think it's generally a waste of time especially in LD please use this sparingly. That being said I prefer competing interps I think bc of time restrictions RVIs only in are a thing (only in LD) but can be convinced otherwised either send the shell or dont spread through it I'll probably miss it. I don't vote on stupid theory like dresscode/30 speaks. Disclosure and Condo are good

K: If your running cap go for it anything else explain to me the lit like I'm a 5 year old. I generally don't like K Affs so take that as you will

Tricks: Run at your own risk, don't expect me to catch your 5th spike on your subpoint Q, seriously though if your running tricks don't spread you're just asking me to miss something

Policy:

Quick Prefs:

LARP: 1

T: 2

Theory: 2

K: 3

K aff: 4

Specifics:

DAs: always good, the more specific the link the better, have good uniqueness and its 2022 I wanna see midterms

CPs: I like, make sure you have both an external and internal N/B, open to CP theory please don't run a plan text and call it a CP, honestly 1 card CPs are kinda cringe too.

T: T is cool I prefer competing interps but can be convinced to vote on reasonability either send the shell or dont spread through it I'll probably miss it. I much prefer case specific Ts but generic ones are fine if they are debated well

Ks: If your running cap go for it anything else explain to me the lit like I'm a 5 year old, I am more open to Ks in policy bc you have ample time to explain lit and actually engage in dialogue.

K Affs: Feel free to run but I'll be honest my experience here is lacking take that as you will

Theory: I thin you should run theory on CPs and Ks pretty much always if you have time its a fun debate, I don't vote on stupid theory like dresscode/30 speaks. I think Disclosure and Condo are good

Misc: if you can fit a Code Geass, Evangelion, or Star Wars reference that makes since in your rebuttals or tags I'll give .2 speaks and if you email me a drawing of your pets i'll give .3 speaks

I prefer a blend of slow and rapid conversation speed. The rate of delivery does not weigh heavily on my decision. I will not vote against a student solely for exceeding my preferred speed. Considerations in determining a winner are structure of the argument, framework level argumentation, and offense back to the standard. I feel that a value and criterion are required elements of a case. The use or jargon or technical language during rebuttal should be kept to a minimum. I keep detailed notes throughout the round. I encourage open and professional interaction while discouraging emotional outbursts and rude behavior. Who persuades me more of their position will be most successful.

As a judge, my main objective is for you to deliver your best performance and enjoy the process. If you're not finding joy in it, then something's amiss. Remember to engage in respectful and effective communication with your peers.

In Speech/Interpretation:

1. I generally look for effective use of voice, tone, diction, eye contact, suitable gestures, and intentional movement.

2. I value believability and your ability to embody the characters.

3. I appreciate captivating teasers or attention grabbers – make me sit up and pay attention!

4. Your delivery should be clean and clear.

In Debate:

1. I expect a clear understanding of the resolutions being debated.

2. I discourage the practice of spreading.

3. Good use of credible evidence and sources is crucial.

4. Effective diction, tone, and appropriate gestures are important.

5. Always maintain a kind and respectful demeanor.

email: jackiez220681@gmail.com

pronouns: she/her/hers

About Me:

Hello there!!! My name is Jackie Zapata, and I competed for six years at Tuloso-Midway, with my main events being Congress, DX, FX, Oratory, and CX. I also dabbled here and there in LD, Impromptu, and WSD. I have competed on the local, state, UIL, and national circuit, qualifying to the national tournament each year of high school.

As always, if you have any questions regarding my paradigm or any information that I might have left out, PLEASE do not be afraid to ask before the round starts. I was in your shoes once... I understand how it is!

Regardless of whatever event I'm judging you for, these are the main qualities I value.

• I have always been a firm believer that, if you are not having fun doing what you love, you're not doing it right. With that being said, passion is super incredibly important on my end. I'm not going to be the first nor last person to be the one to say that speech and debate is such a powerful and rewarding activity, and it is because of this that it is so important to truly care about what you're talking about while also enjoying yourself in the process. <3
• Discrimination in any form will NOT be tolerated!! I do not care if you are clearly winning a round, I will immediately drop you if you are racist, sexist, homophobic, ableist, or display any form of hostility towards someone's identity.
• Please be kind! It seems like such an obvious thing to say, but you would be surprised. Treat others the way you want to be treated. That's how this activity should be. :)

Extemp:

• Good AGD's are important to me! This is how you are able to separate yourself from other speakers while being able to display your own sense of humor and personality.
• For me, it's super helpful when extempers provide solid background information on the topic itself. This way, I am able to efficiently follow with the rest of the speech.
• Statements of significance are a MUST!! I as a judge am listening to five-six other extempers give speeches on other topics for seven-ish minutes. Tell me why I should value YOUR speech and YOUR topic above everyone else to give you that distinction.
• Analysis of the topic is the most important part!! Don't expect the sources to tell me the whole story. Give me the significance behind the sources you chose. Why is it important to the topic as a whole? What is the impact?
• Speaking of sources, those are also really cool! I would prefer you use some topic specific sources instead of the same old CNN or NBC News, but that's just my preference.
• In terms of speaking style, please speak loudly and clearly. Make sure you are confident in what you are saying and speak with passion!! Also, enjoy yourself!! It sounds really unnecessary to put in an extemp paradigm but have fun with this event. It will reflect in your speech!!

Oratory/Info

• Organization is SUPER important! Make sure I am able to understand where you're going with your speech and make it simple to follow.
• Make your topic something that is able to connect with me as a judge as well as the rest of the audience. It is so important for the topic that you choose to resonate with everyone. This is the kind of event where I want to leave learning something new.
• Make sure to incorporate some of your own personality in your speeches. Effective personal stories in OO's and INFO's have always stood out to me because it shows me that you have a deep connection to your topic.
• Speak clearly and efficiently, use pauses when necessary, and once again, be passionate about what you're talking about. It really makes a difference.

*Will do other events at a later time*