Lakeland Westchester Classic
2023 — NY/US
Policy Novice/JV Paradigm List
All Paradigms: Show HideBaylor '25
Email: shahinadebates@gmail.com
I did policy at Colleyville Heritage in high school and am currently debating at Baylor
Try to make the subject of the email chain: "Tournament - Round # - School 1 (AFF) v School 2 (NEG)" or something similar
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TLDR
I'm not going to do work for you. That being said, you should write my ballot in the 2NR/2AR and tell me what I’m voting on -- this means these speeches need to be heavy on judge instruction.
Evidence quality matters a lot more than evidence quantity -- a more technical and organized debate is easier to vote on than a card-heavy debate.
Clash is good. Line by line is good. You should interact with the debate you're actively in.
I will not judge kick unless told to do so.
DAs:
I start the round with a 100% presumption of a risk of the DA. This means I need impact calc... Do the risks matter? Do they outweigh the aff's impacts? I don’t know, you tell me.
The same 5 affs and disads on every topic gets boring -- a good impact turn debate is much more interesting to evaluate than people just reading ev at each other.
Tech>Truth is probably the most applicable here.
Counterplans:
You need to explain why it solves better than the plan. Don't just say "counterplan solves" and expect me to vote on it.
Well thought out PICs/PIKs (especially out of k affs) are fun and strategic when debated correctly
Kritiks:
I was a K debater throughout high school and now more flex at Baylor, so I'm probably still a good judge for you if you want to go for the K
I've debated/researched a lot of Asian Identity, Psychoanalysis, Pessimism, Logistics/Racial Capitalism and some Settler Colonialism if that is important to you.
Try not to go for things you're not familiar with -- you're missing out on critical substantive debate when you're reading something just for the sake of it
K debates get muddy if there aren't specific links to the aff, so you should probably find some sort of link that is specific enough to the AFF (or at least attempt to contextualize it). That being said, I’ll vote on a generic link if it's insufficiently answered or dropped.
Tell me what the world of the alt looks like; I'm not going to vote for an alt that I can't conceptualize.
I think the aff gets to weigh the plan, but the neg should also get residual links of reps to the plan -- I can be convinced otherwise, though.
K Affs:
I don't care what kind of Aff you read.
I think your Aff needs a topic link at the very least (unless you have a cohesive answer as to why you don't have one).
Topicality/Theory:
T debates are my favorite when done well. I love good T debates and hate bad T debates. Don't make this a bad one.
Case lists + examples of ground loss + a good interp = a good T debate.
I really like nuanced T debates against policy affs. I think a lot of these affs get away with WAY too much than they should (like fiating away literally everything) which is why I really appreciate fun arguments like extra T and effects T being impacted out in the 2NR.
Topicality is a question of models of debate, not THIS debate. I would rather you go for an education or portable skills/testing impact as opposed to procedural fairness.
I think that condo is probably the only theoretical reason to reject the team, even then, please come prepared with robust explanations of your theory arguments. For all other theory arguments, you should err on the side of over explanation and more judge instruction.
FW v K AFFs:
I've been on both sides of this debate, so I'm comfortable with evaluating either side.
I think a lot of teams have trouble with TVAs and SSD, both on the aff and the neg. Your TVAs should have clear plan texts and SSD arguments should be able to solve the content of the aff as well as the 2AC's answers to framework.
I tend to err neg on the fairness question absent specific aff answers as to why FW can resolve aff offense via the TVA/SSD debate.
I think presumption is SUPER underutilized in these debates. K affs are usually very vague in terms of explaining the advocacy/solvency and I think that presumption is probably a winning strategy against K Affs 9/10 times.
PF
Set up an email chain before the round.
My thoughts about PF are basically Judy and Katelynne's paradigms combined -- look there if you have any lingering questions. Email me if you're still confused.
I think Dave Huston's thoughts on progressive PF are probably a good answer to a lot "Ks" that PFers try to read. I'm not against progressive PF BUT you have to make a strong case for why you're reading what you are. Don't tell Dave that I agree with him (he doesn't need to know that I think he's right)
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Notes:
I appreciate sass/assertiveness, but be somewhat respectful. Use your critical thinking skills to decide what you want to read in front of me.
If you're interested in debating at Baylor, please reach out! You can send me an email or find me in person if you have any questions.
14 years of experience in the policy debate space H.S. College & Coaching
I did traditional policy debate and performance so I'm cool with the entire spectrum of arguments
I'm familiar with most K literature but don't assume I'm in love with your scholar. Explanations and clarity will help me help you. I ended up spending most my time in race/gender scholarship
Idk if its helpful but I also work in the public policy space now (Campaigns, Political Management etc.)
Impacts are GOD'S GIFT
I'm down to answer any question about my Reason For Decision at anytime.
deon.davidson1995@gmail.com
Have Fun
Kritiks/Performance
- The World of the alt matters if the alt doesn't solve you must prove why presuming neg is better than the AFF
- Ballot Framing arguments are ones that should be extended throughout the entire debate
- Impact Calculus and Link analysis is mandatory
- I feel like I seen/heard most things under the sun. You give me a kritik or analysis I find profound and your speaker points will reflect
- Rhetoric Kritiks - I love these so watch ya mouths when debating. The one thing we're accountable for in debate is what we say.
Non-Topical AFFs I just have two questions before I judge the contents of the 1AC
- Why is the topic inherently bad?
- Impact of topic debate vs AFF?
Topicality
T is a voting issue and I enjoy an in-depth nuanced T debate.
Disadvantage
I can't believe I'm saying this but a DA has four components labeling every turn as a DA is wild
email: kdeodatt25@gmail.com
Hi debaters!
I do not have a preference in arguments, I'm fine with DAs, Ks, Topicality etc; But if you are going to run an argument, I expect you to know it well. Don't just read an argument and expect me to do the work for you. Part of being a great debater is critically thinking and proving why your point matters.
I weigh framework heavily in a round; tell me who should get the ballot and why.
Clarity>speed... If it is not on my flow, it will not be evaluated in the debate round.
I love a clean-cut debate, be respectful to one another. Have fun and simply believe in yourself!
Hi! Please put me on the email chain: zahrak031905@gmail.com
I use she/her pronouns and I am a second year at Georgia Tech. I debated policy for 4 years at Lexington high school.
I’m open to all arguments, and if you are a novice it might be better to run something that you understand well so that it is easier to explain and support. The most important thing is to learn, try your best, and have fun!!
DO:
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Line by Line - make sure you are responding to all of your opponents’ arguments and extending your own, and keep track to see if your opponents’ didn’t answer one or more of your arguments, so that you can use that to explain why that makes your argument stronger
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Explain the warrants of your arguments
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Impact calc, explain why your argument is more significant by comparing your magnitude, timeframe, and probability to your opponents’
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Prioritize your arguments in your rebuttal speech
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Tell me the lens that I should vote through, and why I should vote for you
DON'T
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Be sexist/racist/homophobic/etc.
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Be rude
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Interrupt your partner or your opponents
Also
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Let me know if you have tech issues!
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With online debating, clarity > speed
Remember, try your best, learn some new things, and have fun!!
Put me on the email chain please: ishan.kinikar@gmail.com
Open CX is fine
I judge novice rounds a lot and I am up to date on the novice topic.
Some quick thoughts:
Tech > Truth (as long as what you are saying isn't racist/misogynistic/homophobic/transphobic/ableist/etc)
I find myself evaluating debates using an offense-defense paradigm many times - I tend to categorize arguments as being one or the other and consider the implications on the debate from there.
Unless your CP is extremely abusive, I have a reasonably high bar for voting solely on theory - just because it's not a voter doesn’t mean it's a competitive CP (with exceptions of private actor fiat, consultations, and other similar constructs where I generally think that proving abuse is not too difficult). I enjoy creative CPs that generate competition in interesting ways and K-related CPs as well.
I’m biased towards anything under 4 condo being quite reasonable and I’m unlikely to vote on it unless it’s absolutely mishandled in that situation.
T 2NRs vs Policy Affs - These have been some of my favorite rounds while debating - I like clear execution of a strategy with one terminal impact and well fleshed out internal links down the flow. Quality > Quantity when it comes to T for me so collapsing down the flow as the debate goes on is key with me in the back.
As long as you properly explain the theory of the K, I can follow along. I am familiar with a number of K-literature bases - most familiar with identity K literature bases, but I am also comfortable with capitalism, cybernetics, academia Ks, and opacity-related ideas. The ideal 2NR in front of me against policy affs will likely be a FW heavy strategy with well-explained links but if going for the alt solves the links/aff’s impacts is your thing then don’t let me stop you. Against K affs, make sure that if you are reading a non-identity K against an identity K aff that you have solid answers to positionality and give high importance to the alt/competing strategies portion of the debate.
T vs K Aff rounds - I enjoy unorthodox K aff strategies against T (but I still won’t vote on them if they aren’t good strategies) - please do it in front of me (whether it is that your aff functions in a separate world or you have found a new framing question/theory of how debate functions in relation to the outside world). I tend to think that while fairness has an impact, I am more likely to vote on education impacts with well done internal link debating. Please engage with case as well - if you don’t go for case in the 2NR that is fine but know that as long as the K-aff’s theory of power is a major internal link to their impacts, basically unmitigated aff impacts outweighs a chance of fairness.
Things that will add speaker points: Good line-by-line, smart use of CX, top-level framing in rebuttals, 1ARs that recover after a really good block, and good strategic choices throughout the round. I also tend to reward neg blocks that make good use of analytics as opposed to reading a million nonsense cards.
Stuy 2023
Please add me to the email chain: alei30@stuy.edu
If I forgot to put something on here just ask me before the round
Open Cross is cool (i will pay attention, also I like when debaters bring up stuff from cx in their speeches)
Tech > Truth + I default to Util good
Fine with speed but slow down on tags and don't sacrifice clarity, I will say "clear" if I can't understand you (max of 3 times).
Time your own speeches, prep and cx (i might forget to do it)
Do roadmaps and signpost (it helps a lot), stuff like judge instructions and warrants make my life a lot easier (makes it easier to vote for you)
Args: I have run a large variety of stuff so I'm cool with anything, basically run what you want to run and if you do it well I'll vote for it.
Policy: who doesn't like policy, I was raised on that stuff. I also really like creative das and cps,
K: ks are nice, I should note that I usually have a higher burden of proof for solvency, alts and such but if you explain it well then you'll be fine
Theory: If you debate it well I'll vote for it
Finally be nice and have fun, I will definitely doc points if you are rude and might add points if you are funny
Specifically for online debate:
tech pauses are a thing so don't panic
try to slow down and be more clear cause online debate is silly
simdebates@gmail.com for the email chain and any other inquiries
the asian debate collective is a community of debaters across all platforms and skill levels. we offer active programming during the summer that includes academic guest speakers, debate lectures, and drill/practice round opportunities. outside of that, we also offer pre professional/college application assistance and as always, emotional support! if you are interested in joining, email me.
i’m a johns hopkins graduate where i studied public health and Black studies. my academic research focuses on transnational (anti)Asian/American studies.
i was most recently the head policy coach at georgetown day school until 2024. since then, i have taken a million steps back from the activity. i am now a grumpy old person, assume i know nothing about the topic! unlike tim, who is very friendly and a great judge :3
i mostly coached k debate and i am mostly preferred for k and clash rounds. i think i am capable of judging other arguments, but not as well. meaning, the bar for explanations is higher. i am argument-agnostic and will always prefer technical and clear debating. warrants, comprehensive extensions, and explicit argument interaction is key to winning in front of me. i am very comfortable voting on presumption or pretending an argument doesn’t exist if you do not extend it because i will not do it for you.
quirks:
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inserting highlighting is not a thing, read it out loud.
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you need to extend your interpretation. i cannot believe i have to say this. if you are slaying and winning the line-by-line on that flow it doesn’t matter if there isn’t an interpretation to hinge on.
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dropped arguments need to be explicitly flagged and implicated. going “they dropped it” and moving on does not mean anything.
the round starts at start time. 1ac is sent out by then and you start speaking on the dot. the team that delays the start time will be punished through speaker points. rounds take far too long because of dilly dallying and i shall not have it.
tim is my league of legends partner :^)
My Pronouns are She / Her
Put me on the email chain: Mmesoma.nwosu8@gmail.com
If there is no road map, why would I flow.
Hi, I am Mmesoma. I was a JV Policy Debater on the Regional and National level but I am now a regular judge for regional tournaments. I would consider myself a traditional judge with small exceptions of how you should debate.
Just a Disclaimer, my face moves a lot without my intention. Please do not think I am bored, not paying attention, confused or upset. Just know that I am very much paying attention. If you see me giggle, you said something funny.
Speed:
Spreading is NOT appreciated but I will still carefully listen to spreading cases and judge based on my flow. I believe that speaking CLEARLY is always the pre-requisite for speaking FAST! You do not need to impress me.
Cross Examination:
I appreciate respectful and peaceful cross examination. I do not flow cross unless it clarifies an argument I am confused about but flowing cross is unusual for me. Yelling and abusive behavior will lead to speaker points deduction (you would probably see it on my face) but rudeness/attitude would not be a major RFD on my ballot.
Tricks
Tricks are NOT appreciated at all. Tricks make me uncomfortable as it is an unfair advantage. Instead of tricking your opponent, I feel as though you are tricking me as the judge.
End of Round
I will most likely give a critique once the round is done as well as the vote, if it is okay with both teams. I determine my vote based solely on what is on my flow and full understanding of both arguments. I am not a super super experienced debater, I may miss things, that it is why its so important to articulate and extent your argument as clearly as possible.
If I deem an argument racist, I am not voting for it.
Thank you so much! See y'all in the round.
Background
I have experience in just about all types of debate. While some distinctions between formats I see similarities rooted in intentional relationships, education and rhetoric. I do not see the judge as a blank slate. So I have some things that I think, based on my experiences as a debater, social science teacher, coach, parent and program director effect my role as a judge. We all have filters.
Personally, I debated NDT for the University of Houston in the early 80's. Achieving out rounds at major national tournaments and debating at both the NDT and CEDA Nationals. I have coached all debate events and many speech events. My policy teams won St. Marks and Memorial TOC tournaments and enjoyed success nationally. My students were also successful on Texas UIL and local circuits. I have had debate teams, LD debaters, extemp speakers and congress entries placed 1st or 2nd in Texas and have also coached a state oratory champion.
Currently, I consult and do debate on the side from home. I'm 62 years old. Concerns or questions about a judge that age are addressed below. The two biggest concerns are usually handling "speed" and "progressive" arguments. Speed with style and good technique is one thing speed that seems like a stream of consciousness is another. As for what progress is or progressive is, well that depends on your experiences.
I am open to alternative approaches to resolutions but also enjoy frameworks employed in the past. Debating and coaching in Houston and teaching at the UTNIF for a decade definitely shaped my my ability to listen to different types of frameworks - or what the debate is supposed to mean or accomplish. I have coached at so many levels, for many years on different topics - instead of seeing differences I see many similarities in the way arguments are framed evolve. I debated when it was highly questionable to do anything beyond policy debate - even counterplans, much less conditional frameworks, but being from a small squad (in a different info environment - when access to research and evidence was definiteley privileged) we pursued the edge strategies - such as hypothesis testing to level the field. Coaching in policy we ran all range of arguments. Over time shifting to a more critical approach. Once again in response, in part, to the changing information space. On an education topic we went deep all year on Critical Pedagogy and on a criminal justice - Constitutive Criminology. There are very few rules in debate. What policy debate means and what my vote means are for grabs by both teams. I'm not into labels at way to define myself. If I had to pick a term it would be: Critic of Argument
A couple of notes
Speed, unless evolution is really off track, speed can't be any faster, even from when we debated in college. Speed is rarely what set the best debaters apart. However, these are my first NDT rounds this year. (I'm contemplating grad schools in the mountain west for next year) Make sure acronyms, initialisms etc. are clear first before ripping through what will be new information for me. I suggest making sure each of you arguments (CP/K/DA - plan objection if you're old -) have a quick efficient thesis that makes sure I understand your position and its potential in the round before you take off speaking more quickly.
Evidence
I evaluate your proofs. Proof is a broad term - much more than published material.
I consider evidence to be expert testimony. A type of proof. The debater who presents experts to support their claims should lay the predicate - explain why that source is relevant and qualified to be an expert - when they present the evidence. Quotations submitted as evidence with just a publication title or name and date often fall short of this standard. Generally I don't want to call for a card after the round whose author was not qualified when presented in constructives. I will call for evidence on contested points. However, that evidence has been well qualified by the team presenting it and the debaters are usually talking about lines and warrants from the card. It is highly unlikely that I will call for card not qualified and/or not talked about in rebuttals. If a piece of evidence is not qualified in a meaningful way during a debaters speech - it is unlikely I would call for it after the round. I've seen traveling graduate students from England just dismantle top flight policy teams - they had proofs that all knew and accepted often with out some of the "debate tech" norms found in academic policy debate (NDT/CEDA). See the comments below on what matters in rebuttals!
Notes on Education
Spurious "quick claims" claims of a specific educational standard thrown out with out all elements of an argument are problematic. I am a life long educator who has witnessed and evolved with debate. Often teams quick claim Education as a voting issue. As an educator, I often see performance methodology (like only reading names and dates to qualify evidence or "card stacking" reading only the parts of a card that favor you - even if full context sheds a different light OR speed reading through post-modern literature as probably much more important than a debate tech argument) as serious education issues that could be discussed - and much more primary to education - than debate tech one offs.
I find "debate tech" like spreading and some uses of technology in round serve to privilege or tilt the playing field. This doesn't mean to slow to a crawl - fast and efficient - but also accessible to both the other team and the judge. So winning because the affirmative can't respond in depth to 8 off case arguments is not persuasive to me. Be bold - go deep on issues that you think are yours. "Debate Terms of Art" often fall in this category. Language choice should be accessible - even if it means adapting to your opponent as well as your judge.
Evidence often is not enough
Most debates aren't won early - the changing information space has created a lot of equity. But there two things debaters do in my experience in rebuttals that make a difference. After they have strategically collapsed or decided which issue to go for they:
1. They talk authors and specific warrants contained in the evidence - usually contrasting opposing authors and warrants. These warrants are prima facia - they are best when clearly identified - even in the opening speeches.
2. They can tell a narrative - or give examples of the mechanics, warrants, internal links in the card. They can also explain sequences of events - what would happen if I voted for your argument/position or team.
From an educators view - this is the goal of debate.
Counterplans and debate tech
Counterplan "micro theory" has really evolved. That is my term for many variations of counterplans that drive focus away from clash on the topic. Superficial, procedural and timing exceptions or additions counterplans. I actually spent time reviewing two articles on the history of PICs and their evolution prior to writing this. The excessive use of academic debate "Terms of Art" is problematic, sometimes exclusionary. I prefer head on collision in debate - and debaters who figure out how to position themselves for that debate. I prefer the debate come down to clash on field contextual issue as opposed to "side swiping" the topic. Just my preference.
I also find that this type of debate tech functions as a tool of exclusion. The debate should be accesable to your opponents without an overreliance of theory or tech debates. If they are used as time sucks that rubs me the wrong way going to your Ethos as a debater.
I do not and will not vote on or enforce a preround disclosure issue. Settle that before the round starts. Take it over my head if you object. If you ask me to adjudicate that - you might not like the answer.
How we treat each other
This is something that might trigger my voting in way you don't expect. Let's work on accomodating each other and creating safe spaces for academic discourse and the development of positive intentional relationships.
Email: simonpark101@gmail.com
Conflicts: Centennial, McDonogh, Atholton, River Hill, Reservoir, Capitol Debate, Georgetown Day
2024 Update (Random thoughts from recently judging, read this if time is limited)
- Everyone, it is now 2024. You ALL have the responsibility of making paperless debate run EFFICIENTLY. PLEASE learn/know how to reply to an email chain with an attachment.
- PLEASE FLOW. I'll say again: PLEASE FLOW. And I mean flow the SPEECHES, NOT the SPEECH DOCS. There is definitely a difference. My biggest pet peeve is when I see a debater get up and yell "we win because they dropped XYZ," when I saw you the past 3 speeches staring off into space and/or barely paying attention. I PAY ATTENTION TO EVERYTHING. As unfair as it is, from my time talking to judges from all backgrounds and ranges of debate knowledge, how you come across and are perceived IN THE ROUND play an enormous psychological component to judges when they give their decision and speaker points.
- Depth > Breadth. I love debate. However, I am a little disappointed that the popular negative strategy now is to read 8+ contradictory off-case positions with 3+ conditional advocacies. It is NOT the shear NUMBER of arguments that gets me disappointed, but rather the strategy of reading 1-3 positions that you know you can/will go for and reading 5-7 positions you know you will NEVER go for and reading them SOLEY for the purpose of SKEWING the 2A. So this goes without saying, but I highly encourage affirmative teams to go for conditionality/performative contradictions and/or to straight-turn half of the 1NC and I highly encourage negative teams to focus more on the DEPTH of GOOD arguments that are VIABLE 2NR options rather than ways to contrive the 1NC to "trick" the 2A. Do not get me wrong: I have seen very impressive speeches and voted for very good debaters that employ this strategy. I am writing this point more for affirmative teams that can use the lack of depth of the negative's arguments to their advantage.
- An extension of an argument requires a claim, warrant, and reference to author/date (if applicable). I am not reading any evidence post-round if final rebuttals do not reach this threshold of explanation.
- The best speeches I have seen are where the debater 1) uses their flow to guide their line by line , 2) has ethos/pathos, 3) connects and communicates to the judge in the speeches AND CX, 4) articulate the warrants of their main arguments embedded within the opponent's arguments/warrants, and 5) give smart framing and meta-level explanation (impact calculus, CP solvency framing, how FW on the K implicates the rest of the debate etc.)
- Please have fun and be competitive!
Top-Level
- Don’t clip/cross-read/cheat in any way
- Tech > Truth. However, the worse your argument is, the more explanation is needed even though it may be dropped.
- Presumption goes towards less change
- Debate is a communication activity. If you aren't communicating with me in your speeches, you're not doing your job. In other words, be clear and confident. Gabe Koo said it best "...If I hear you muttering how awful your 2AR is right as it ends, why do you think I would want to vote for you? If you don't think you won, why should I convince myself you won?"
"Clash" Debate
- I have read an affirmative without a traditional plan text and also have been negative reading only Framework
- To me, these debates are won by the side that best argues their interpretation creates the best model for debate while solving for all, if not most, of the opposing side's offense.
- The case debate MUST be relevant to the debate, unless the negative team is WAYYYYY ahead on the Framework proper debate (I have yet to see this).
- There are typically two routes for the negative. 1. Liberal 2. Hard-core Right. I personally think the hard core right is better because if you go the Liberal route, the Aff is able to either include themselves in your interpretation and your internal link thresholds are a lot weaker, or the Aff can solve for your terminal impacts a lot easier. I think the most persuasive way to go for Framework is to go for limits/clash as an internal link to fairness and advocacy skills/decision making. Make a bunch of turns case/solves case arguments as well. I do think the Liberal version of Framework can be persuasive when there is a good link argument to the aff that proves a trade-off. However, given the way people read no-plan affs now-a-days, that is hard to win. When the Liberal version of Framework is executed correctly, it is devastating.
Theory and where I lean
- 3+ Conditional Advocacies/Conditions CPs/Word PICs/Process CPs/Object Fiat/Contradictions Bad – Aff
- 1 Conditional Advocacy/Topical CPs/Unconditionality/Intrinsic & Severance Perms – Neg
- 2 Conditional Advocacies/International Fiat/50 State Fiat/Agent CPs/Floating PIKs – Middle
Counterplans
- the 2NR has to explicitly say the judge has to kick the CP
- Solvency advocates are necessary
- Well-researched process-based CPs/PICs are my favorite
Disadvantages/Impact Turns
- Top-level disad impact calculus and straight impact turns I feel like almost became a lost art
- Smart and analytical "turns case" arguments are underrated
- Politics is cool
Topicality
- Mostly aff leaning on reasonability vs. competing interpretation questions but can be persuaded otherwise
- Generic fairness/education impact calc is boring. That should all be contextualized to the aff/what the aff justifies
- I give the 1AR leeway when T is extended for like 1:30 or 2 minutes in the block. Because if it is only1:30~2:00of the block, it was probably super blippy and in most cases, awful
The K
- Link/impact contextualization to the aff’s plan mechanism/internal link triumphs contextualization to the aff saying "USfg" in the plan/the impact card the aff reads
- Role of the ballot/judge arguments getting thrown around a lot but never being implicated is my biggest pet peeve. Given that, I think it is kinda ridiculous how some K debates go down vs. policy affs. Obviously debate isn't ONLY be about the plan vs. squo/competitive policy option and obviously debate isn't ONLY about whether the aff's reps/epistemology/ontology/other are ok. Each side needs to win why their framework is a better model for debate that can also solve the opposing side's offense.
- 2ACs impact turning the K is an underrated strategy. I don't know why people don't go for imperialism/capitalism/biopolitics good as much as people used to. If you’re going to defend the hard right, might as well stick to it.
Left on Left
- This is where anything goes. Do you and do what you do well.
- Most of these debates I have judged primarily came down to whether the affirmative gets a permutation. I am right down the middle and can be persuaded either way.
PARADIGM UPDATE FOR OCT 2024:
DAWG WHY AM I ALWAYS JUDGING THEORY AND TOPICALITY SO MUCH, READ MY CHEAT SHEET PLEASE MAN!
Things are largely the same, but I needed to note one thing. I notice a lot of debaters will just spread through the tags and evidence at the same speed and have poor signposting.
You should go
[Tag] - 50% Speed,
[Evidence] - 100% Speed,
Then after your done, say "AND" or "NEXT" very distinctly before continuing. Otherwise a lot of what yall say just end up sounding like a word slurry, which is especially dangerous for someone like me. Debate is a speech activity.
SPARKLING ZERO IS OUT; if you give me a good Majin Buu reference during your speech, i'll give you +0.1 speaks.
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2023 - TOC UPDATE:
pretty much the same to be honest.
Despite being a very, very, very average debater (just a few late elims here and there) during my time [loooooong ago, im like an old man at this point bro], I can empathize with TOC-goers and how it's often their last [big] tournament. I'll try my best to make an accurate decision but do listen to my other parts of my paradigm. I am rusty and have a big emphasis on ~clarity~ of speech.
krispy kreme donuts and pickle speech bonuses are not in application for the TOC.
sorry folks
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PARADIGM UPDATE FOR December 2022
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I have not judged debate in the past three years beyond a few middle school tournaments in the past month. I will be unfamiliar with this new topic besides a basic understanding, and you should start slow in general. I'm not the best with hearing spreading in general and being over a laptop likely makes that worst.
Your better off treating me like a smart parent judge (talk fast but preferably less spreading) who has some basic knowledge of debate rather than an old debater out of high school, since it's been 5-6 years and I didn’t end up doing college debate at all.
A lot of basic, intuitive debate theory is no longer intuitive to me since it's been like five years. I'm basically 50 in young people years at this point. If you think you don't have to dumb things down because of my past, you are WRONG. You will set yourself up for an L.
COACHES PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE PREFFING ME MAN. EVEN IF YALL KNEW ME FROM BEFORE OR SOMETHING.
My cheat sheet should still be pretty accurate, but treat #1 as even higher than before.
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yo whats up? I’m Osmane and I debated at Newark Science for 4 years. I was pretty average for a debater, never really too high level and barely won anything so take that in to account when preffing me... yeah heh.
Bring me Krispy Creme Donuts and i'll boost your speaker points by 0.2
Buy me a packaged pickle (Like Van Holten's) and ill bost them by 0.3
[inflation update, KCDonuts now only grant a 0.1 boost, and pickles by 0.2]
GO SLOWER THAN NORMAL! I haven't judged in a solid minute and know only surface layer knowledge about this topic. I also have trouble hearing in general sometimes, so clarity is really important in front of me. I'll say clear twice before i start deducting speaks instead of saying clear.
Osmane's Cheat Sheet:
1 - Traditional Debate (Morals, not phil, like old school LD debate)
2 - Identity-related kritiks (fair warning: I'm not too good with highly abstract interpretations of identity),
3 - Counterplans, Disadvantages, Topicality
4 - Theory
Wildcard: Untopical Affirmatives - The more feasible/material it is to me, the more receptive it'll be to me. An untopical aff to use rhetoric in debate rounds to spread positivism is probably more receptive than an aff about throwing trash around as a symbolic way of fighting back against capitalism through ecological BURST!
I'm a first year, so DON'T assume that my judging will reflect the way I debated. I'm a wild card and you should pref me as such.
My email for speech docs is osmaneprince1@gmail.com
My influences in debate have been Chris Randall, Jonathan Alston, Elijah Smith, and Devane Murphy. Also Osmane, that guy is sexy, phew. [2022 revisiting and man, he really is.] [2024 and bro is now Super Saiyan Sexy, it's insane how much his AURA has grown.]
Note: Most of those influences are HIGHLY material people who take abstract things to their logical ends (i said most of them.). This means a material K that I can see logically working is better than some convoluted junk I can't understand. Use more common talk with me than debate jargon, I barely ever understood it.
Conflicts:
-Newark Science
Basic things:
don't say racist, sexist, or messed up things like Death is good.
I enjoy a slower delivery to spread where I hear emphasis and a more persuasive approach to vocalizing your arguments. I'll award higher speaks if you speak as if you were an impassioned speaker.
Kritiks
I read these most of my junior and senior year. Please DO NOT just read these because you see me in the back of the room. I do not want to see K’s messed up so I have a pretty high threshold for K’s. Please make sure you explain your link story and what your alt does. I feel like these are the areas where K debates often get stuck. I like K weighing which is heavily dependent on framing. I feel like people throw out buzzwords such as anti blackness and expecting me to check off my ballot right there. I'm very material in alternative explanations, so if you don't explain the alternatives . . let's just say winning your K will be harder. If your going to be running some sort of post-modernism, I HAVE ALMOST NEVER understood the abstract way people run it, so run it 'materially' if possible. I might not be the best for it but I'd rather you go for POMO that your good at then messing up hard on some identity-based K
CPs
wasn't ever really my thing, but go for it. I'm not too versed on CP theory.
Tricks
ha. HA. HA! HA! no.
Theory
Just like people think that I love K’s because I debated for Newark, people think I hate theory which is pretty damn right. I hate frivolous theory and the rigid technicality based formatting of theory. If it's legitimate and I'm like "yeah naw that opponent did some abusive junk" i'll consider it though. I rather you make it an in-round disad as opposed to a separate theoretical argument. I default Education > Fairness, Reasonability and drop the argument.
DA’s
Their fine. I feel like people love to read these crazy scenarios in order to magnify the impact. More power to you. If you feel like you have to read 10 internal links to reach your nuke war scenario and you can win all of them, more power to you. Just make the story make sense. I vote for things that matter and make sense.
Plans
eh. neutral bout them. I rather a plan than a super abstract aff.
Presumption.
I don't like voting on this because everyone has their own idea of how it works. This is mine:
Neg has presumption until they read some sort of alternative (via k, cp, or whatever.) then it shifts to aff.
Perms:
you drop it you lose.
Speaker points
Like I said, I really like passionate speakers. That'll boost up your points for sure.
Please put me on the email chain: sammywinchesterwalsh@gmail.com.
I debated for Northside for four years and graduated in 2022. I am not debating in college.
I lean policy, but I will vote on anything if you are winning it.
Clash is especially important, go a level further than the tag, tell me why you are right and they are wrong.
Please do not forget about Case.
T and Theory - If you lose any T or theory arguments that are ran against you, I will usually vote against you. Though the standards of the argument need to be impacted out to be considered. For example "They lost T." is not enough for me to vote on, you need to go a level.
DAs and CPs - Very comfortable with them, go for it.
Policy Aff v. K - As I lean policy, if you are running a K, turns case arguments work best with me. On framework for both sides, make sure it is consistent. Please try not to change your interpretation or standards throughout the round. Unless it is an integral part of the K to ignore Case, don't concede or forget about case in the 2NR. I am decently comfortable with the standard Ks, but anything super specific or academic, you will need to make it make sense to me. I will not vote on something I do not understand by the end of the round. If you are going for it, you should be able to explain it adequately.
K Aff - I will not vote on something I do not understand by the end of the round. If you are going for it, you should be able to explain it adequately. Especially since academic K's are about learning. However, if you're framing is based on being confused, you're going to need to do some explanation there, but if you win it, I will vote accordingly. Arguments against K Affs that I like are other Ks and Cede the Political, though anything can work.
I'm a Public Forum debater at Lakeland High School in Yorktown Heights, NY.
If you still have any questions after reading this, please feel free to ask.
Email if you need an email chain or questions after the round: izabella.wid@gmail.com
And if you don't have time to read this - TLDR; I flow, explain arguments, have evidence, keep time, and have fun!
Flowing
I will be flowing everything except crossfire. Use crossfire as a way to clear confusion or build upon what will be in an actual speech. Emphasize what you really want to have flowed.
Signposting, and telling me what you are addressing, does help.
Speed
In terms of speed, I do not care anymore. Keep in mind, it becomes difficult to understand what you're saying for not only me but for your opponents. I will struggle flowing it. Make sure to emphasize and enunciate appropriately.
Types of Arguments
I generally prefer well-warranted impacts.
As long as you explain well I can handle obscure arguments, but nothing major. I am not all-knowing, sometimes things do not make sense.
Dates
I prefer you read the year for your cards.
Evidence
Evidence is not everything but I find it important.
If you misinterpret evidence, read from authors or sources that are clearly unreliable, or make an argument that isn’t backed up by evidence at all, that lowers the traction of the argument, especially if the other team calls you out on it.
Please explain your arguments in a sensible way that I can vote on.
Summary and Final Focus
You don't have to extend your defense from the rebuttal into your Summary but if your opponent has made massive turns, you should put up some defense. In Final Focus, please weigh. You should be the ones telling me throughout and prominently in final, my reason for decision.
No new arguments in Final Focus.
Decorum
Funny jokes and witty puns are welcomed, but be chill about it. Getting heated is fine but keep things civil, intelligent, and respectful.
If you say "judge" I will look at you with anticipation for something you want on the flow above all.
Prep
I can keep your prep time or speech time if necessary but I would prefer you do that yourselves.
Further, if you go overtime I am fine with finishing a sentence or two but I won't flow evidence over time.
Miscellaneous
I couldn't care less about what you do before the round. You could throw a chair out the window and I won't take off speaks (but I will testify against you in court).
How you debate means more to me than what you wear.
It is your debate, not mine. Do you. Just stay organized and tell me where and why to vote.
Feel free to ask me anything about your individual performance, or for any debate-related advice. At the end of the round, I would not mind if you showed me your own perspective of the round, I would want to help you guys improve as debaters but I also want to improve as your judge. If you think I did something unfair feel free to let me know.
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Finally, have fun. You guys are doing something that takes a lot of effort and willpower, so just enjoy yourselves and hopefully, you'll remember these times fondly.