I am a tab judge. I am willing to listen to anything as long as it’s not offensive. No spreading. I expect both teams to give a road map before speeches and signpost along the way. You should weigh the round and tell me why I should vote for you. No rudeness, there is no place for it.

Background-

I did basically all events in high school and am comfortable and experienced judging everything. In college I debated parli for 4 years at Texas Tech University and was very nationally competitive by the end of my career. I have been coaching for 15ish years and judging for even longer than that.

1)DEBATE (LD, CX)

2)PLATFORMS (I include Congress here)

3)INTERP/ACTING

DEBATE:

What I vote on-

I default Netben unless told otherwise. Impacts and solvency are the best things to convince me to give you my ballot. Be civil or be tanked on speaks.

LD-

I don't mind hearing policy style or critical arguments, but you still need to engage with opponents that use Value and Criterion. You can't just format your opponents out of the round. For me, it is all about the line by line and how you structure your framework. The easiest thing for me to vote on are solvency and impacts. I will listen to theory, but there needs to be clear abuse. I am probably not the guy to run super experimental or out there arguments with. I don't mind hear critical stuff, but it is very easy for me to attach myself to arguments that simply say your K has no impact, perm do both, or just reading theory. I would say K's are not my strong suit, but I'll listen to them.

CX-

I used to say I was good with everything, but in my old age, some of the performative arguments lost me. Run whatever you want in front of me, I don't want to restrict your arguments, but know that if I can't see a practical application for your performance or I just see it as a way to subvert the topic and avoid links, I will probably vote against you. I have a super low tolerance for saying "theory is oppressive" or "topicality is elitist." I just think that it is a little lazy and an attempt to be nonexclusive in your movements/philosophies. That being said, I won't interfere with the round, the other team has to run the T or prove the abuse, but I will definitely be listening for those arguments and would welcome them.

Speed-

I'm ok with decent speed. Especially if I have a doc share before the speech starts. Don't blow my doors off with speed though, I am getting older and really need the pen time. I will not let a team spread a non-speed team out. I am only ok with speed if both sides are cool with it. I will say, non-speed readers, that there is a difference between spreading and speaking quickly. Don't rely on saying "they are going too fast for me."

K-

Don't name drop and assume I know what your talking about. I expect links, solvency and impacts just like any other argument. Also read my opening paragraph under "CX" about performances and non-topical/critical affs.

T-

Need to prove abuse, don't just say it is unfair.

CP/DA-

Absolutely my favorite thing to listen to in debate.

PLATFORM EVENTS:

Information and argumentation are so much more important to me than speaking ability. Extempers should answer the question with evidence and be specific. Oratory and Info kids should have loads of evidence/research and they should be able to have a good and clear position or thesis. If everyone's info is good in the round or your speaking is just so disorganized, then yes, my tie breaker is typically who spoke the best. However, know that a few "ums" and "uhs" don't write you off of my ballot. A lack of info or argumentation will.

INTERP/ACTING EVENTS:

In these events, I am looking for a few things. Purposeful movements and voices is first. I don't like ad-libbing movements or voices (you don't have to make one of the characters British just because it's an accent you can do). Second, energy and consistent characterization throughout the entire piece. Third, dynamic emotions and voices. Give me range on what I am supposed to feel and don't just scream the whole time. Sometimes the quiet moments are more powerful than the loud ones. Lastly, it needs to entertain me! If you aren't into your piece, I won't be either.