Updated Nov 2013 at the Hollywood Invitational
I generally disclose if you want me to. Same with speaks. The exception is if you just annihilated a strug in front of his family, then I might be a bit bashful about recounting the carnage in front of them. In any case, do not try and goad me into disclosing.
I've judged a non-trivial but non-staggering amount of bid tournaments (30?) and both college parliament nationals over the last few years. I have an MA in rhetoric and critical theory and was an engineer before that so if your argument makes sense I will understand it. That said, you still have to conduct the round as if you actually want me to "learn" your case/evidence - you've read it; I have not.
My default is to evaluate arguments impacted to whatever standard you've chosen to use. I don't flow cross-ex, so re-state anything useful that happened in that time.
Important: I have a background in public speaking and performance so I am more susceptible than most to a well-executed perceptual debate. Be generous yet fearless in cross-ex and really sell your rebuttal speeches. It matters. (Hint: leaning on phrases like "This is going to be damning" or "My opponent makes a HUGE MISTAKE" are not very compelling to me.)
Don't spread your opponent out of the round because not everyone went to camp and good debate schools are hard to come by. I don't care how fast you go if your opponent can spread too (ask your opponent) but assume I will hear less than you want me to if you go fast. Call it 20% less. BE VERY CLEAR AND SLIGHTLY SLOWER ON TAGLINES, AUTHORS AND WARRANTS. This makes them very likely to show up on the flow. I will not yell "Clear!" any more than I will yell "I don't quite understand this argument!"
Two of your speeches should end with a numbered list of reasons why you are winning. Negs, both speeches should end this way.
I always prefer creativity, originality and depth of argument over spreading and feverish flow-coverage. I am not afraid to give you speaks below 25, I just rarely see someone that unprepared or rude. The frequency with which 30s are given shocks me.
All that said, I have no agenda. It is YOUR debate. If you are hard-working and quick-thinking I want you to do well! Be polite and argue in a way and for a position that I want to vote for!
