I competed in Congress at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology (VA) for 4 years, from 2019-2023. I now coach Congress for Phillipsburg High School (NJ) and compete for Lafayette College (PA) in a litany of speech events, as well as IPDA debate.

For any questions or feedback after round, email me at gutierrw@lafayette.edu.

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If you're reading this just before round-

1. Good job
2. Adjust yourself and your voice to the room you're in
3. Skim what's in bold
4. Have fun and enjoy yourself!
5. Good luck!

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Congressional Debate

Remember that you are a legislator! Act accordingly.

Use debate principles but stray away from the debate jargon. This doesn't mean you shouldn't bring up those concepts; just explain them without using such terms. If Mitch McConnell wouldn't say it, neither should you.

Any speech, from the sponsor to a crystal, can get my 1. Know your role within the round and execute it well.

After the authorship, every speech should have ref. If you don't, I'll drop you. It's congressional debate, not congressional oratory.

If you're giving a crystal, the definition of crystallize is "make or become definite and clear." Remember that. A crystal is not just a summary of the round! Refute, weigh, and break the round down for me, and you'll definitely do well.

Don't read off your legal pad. Look up!

Warrants are everything. Make them good.

If you make things clear for me as a judge, I am much more likely to rank you.

I will judge you primarily on your argumentation and analysis, but don't skimp out on presentation.

Sourcing is very, very important! High-quality sources (think tanks, government institutions, NGOs, etc.) are preferable. Cite the author, source, and date!

If I find out you make up sources, I will drop you. Don't make up sources.

Questioning is very important! Make your opponent squirm.

Don't let your opponent filibuster. It is possible to be too aggressive, but my tolerance is pretty high.

Improvise, adapt, overcome!

POs:

Your rank will depend on how well everyone else did. If the round is better, then you'll be ranked lower, and vice versa. It's always a risk.

If there's no one willing to PO, I will rank you higher because you were willing to step up (as long as you still do well!)

Be fast, fair, and efficient, and you'll be fine.

Please don't interject every 5 seconds or bang your gavel loudly all the time.

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Extemporaneous Speaking

Extemp is, first and foremost, a teaching event. The best speeches always leave the judge feeling like they learned something. Remember that, and you'll go far.

Your goal is to seem like the most knowledgeable person in the room.

Assume I know nothing but I can handle what you throw at me. If it's an international question or a niche topic, give me context in your intro! Don't just assume I know what the topic is about.

Answer the question! Read it carefully and get to the heart of it. If you don't actually answer the question, I'll probably drop you.

The best statements of significance explain why this question is so newsworthy. Great use of your significance statement will always stand out.

I will judge you primarily on your analysis. Whether I agree or disagree with you, it does not matter as long as you explain things well!

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Impromptu Speaking

The best impromptu speeches always leave the judge taking away something to apply from it. Remember that, and you'll go far.

Your interpretation of the quotation is the crux of your speech! Give your interpretation the attention it deserves, and briefly explain to me why we should interpret the quotation this way.

Make sure your examples are fleshed out and pertinent to your interpretation. Tie everything back to your interpretation!

I graduated 2022. Debated four years in LD, two in congress, and did speech categories in forensics for all four years. Add me to the email chain ihoffm2003@gmail.com.

General notes: Run whatever you want as long as it's not offensive. If there is anything that might be considered triggering please give a warning. Be respectful, be passionate, and have fun. If you have any questions about anything, please don't hesitate to reach out.

LD (or PF or Policy) : This is by far the category I'm most comfortable with. I've competed in the circuit a bit so I'm good with speed and progressive arguments(NO TRICKS) but that doesn't mean I hate lay debate. Tech over truth. Framework comes first!!! Low key, I think value debates are dumb. I care a lot more about the value criterion. Make a story with clear impacts and voters. Tell me why I'm voting for you. I won't connect your dots. Love me a good power tag but please make sure that your card actually says something kinda relevant to the tag. It's not enough to say "the debater dropped x contention so flow my initial response through." Tell me what that initial response was again. Sign post like your life depends on it. It makes everyone's life easier.

Congress: I've competed in circuit so you can rest assured I'm not another parent judge. This is a DEBATE category. Get aggressive during cx! Please for the love of god interact with other representatives with your speech. Impacting good. Evidence good. If you want more specifics look at my speech paradigm.

Speech categories: Although this might not be interp, feel free to get a little theatrical. I weigh content like 1/2 of what I do your delivery(do what you want with this, obviously it doesn't apply to radio). Creative hooks/analogies will always make me happy but it has to make sense. If you're not super confident with your content, pretend like you are.

Professionalism and respect are what champions are made of; words of wisdom always win! Apply the principles of good sportsmanship-hold yourself to a higher standard.

Plan and stick to your position. Prep time is crucial.

Communicate clarity in your stance, topic, rebuttal, and explanations; add to the impact of your statements.

Countering arguments need to be expressive, factual, and worthy of a solution if needed. Think your ideas through.

Convince me. Why do YOU rank first? Persuasion is the big picture.

Talking fast? Lots of information? Can I justify all your points if you rush? Maybe not. Don't take that chance.

Adding fillers and hypotheticals to stretch time? Don’t. Be meaningful with our time.

Evidence? Yes, please! Explain how your evidence justifies your topic's stance. If you have my attention, give it your all!

In delivering a speech, I look for engagement, as the judge, that carries throughout your delivery. It's important that you provide the key elements of any oration: beginning, middle, end (intro, substantiated/supportive points, and closing) using transitions that are clearly defined. Voice shifts are also elements that are important and your voice should not be monotone-passion is delivered through your action. Be sure to summarize your supportive points in your closing, and say thank you, which is an indicator to me that your delivered speech has concluded.

In debate, strong claims supported by stronger evidence is paramount. If your delivery is too fast where I do not understand your words, and I don't understand your argument, I will ask you to slow down. What you say is much more prevalent than how you say it. However, it must be delivered with respect of all parties. I like crossfires where the competitors are strong with their convictions of positions, while challenging the opposition (respectfully). Remember, you weigh your points so that the impact is impactful and that your arguement is swayed towards your position for neg/affirm.

Above all else, remember that this is another tool of learning and enjoy it. We all have something to glean from each other and if used effectively and appropriately, we are all the better for it!

Have fun!

Hi! My name's Fiona (she/her), Westridge '25. I mainly have experience in congress.