HELLO!!!!
I am a fairly new judge to debate.

I expect RESPECTFUL debate...the minute you get an edge to you and become aggressive toward the other team...I shut off and will cast my vote for the other team. It is SO IMPORTANT that we have a respectful exchange of ideas and debate those accordingly. I do expect there to be a clash of ideas...just not a clash of personality. Questioning is important.

I enjoy strong connection to your material and expect you to provide strong reasoning and support for the points you are bringing to the table. If you have to spell it out for me, please do so. Be meticulous in how you explain things for me so that I can follow what you are saying. ORGANIZATION to your delivery is the key.

Speed: I am NOT a fan of spreading so do NOT do it.

I prefer a slower debate, I think it allows for a more involved, persuasive and all-around better style of speaking and debating. It is your burden to make sure that your speech is clear and understandable and the faster you want to speak, the more clearly you must speak. If I miss an argument, then you didn't make it.

I LOVE terrific cross-examination!!!

For all debate- I will pick a winner based on who best communicates the most logical arguments. When judging communication, I take into account speaking pace, clarity of delivery, and organization.

My name is Lori Buchanan. I participated in speech and debate in the '80's as a student, and I was a delegate to the Model UN in 1992 for the University of Memphis. While it has been awhile, I still know the winner when I hear it. If I am convinced, I simply have to vote for you.

Don't be afraid to make me laugh :) 

I have never judged using tabroom. Please speak slowly.

Thank you!

Hello,

This will be my first time to judge a speech and debate contest. I have judged regional and state science and agricultural competitions on multiple occasions. A bit about myself... I am a retired Senior Research Scientist from Tyson Foods, Inc. with Bachelor of Science degrees in both Biology and Chemistry. I also have a Master's degree in Business Administration and a Master of Science degree in Agriculture and Extension Education completed in 2021.

Enough about my background, you are likely more interested in what I will be looking for as I am judging in this competition. Allow me to provide a short list of what I would like to see:

1) Well formulated thoughts supporting your position and why you believe those thoughts support that position.

2) Cited reliable sources that agree with your position.

3) I want to see and hear by your delivery that you believe the position you are supporting. If you are not sure, you cannot convince someone else to support that position.

4) I am looking to understand the benefits of your position and the disadvantages or results if it is not adopted.

5) This is not a speed talking/reading competition. Speak clearly, at a reasonable pace and make your points.

6) Relax, have fun and Good Luck!

Don Casteel

I am new to judging debate. This is my first time.

Please speak slow and clear.

Please be respectful to your opponent, and no slander.

Good luck and have fun!

Hi! I am a college student graduating in May 2023 from the University of Arkansas! I am majoring in Theatre with an emphasis in Performance, however, I have was in Speech and Debate for 4 years throughout High School. I have experience in all of the speech events, but I hope to explore debate as well! I qualified for Nationals in the summer of 2019 and made it to the octo-finals. Needless to say, when it comes to judging, you are in great hands!!

I believe that high school debate and forensics should be a learning and growing activity for students. Winning is fun but competitor growth is more important.

I appreciate that there are different styles of debate and that many competitors try several different debate styles. We have different forms a debate for a reason. As competitors, it is your responsibility to know what makes those different forms similar and what makes them different. Make sure you are debating in a manner that respects and highlights the unique aspects of your debate form. Don't try to mash styles together by using techniques associated with one debate style into one where it isn't practiced.

With that being said here are some items that will give you more insight into how I judge:

*I am a flow judge.

*Signpost PLEASE - if you don't tell me where to apply your argument I will NOT be inferring.

*I would like a quick off the clock roadmap prior to your speech (not necessary for first speakers). This should be a brief overview of what you plan to cover. Example: I will be covering my opponents case and then my case. This is all the detail I need so I can be on the right flow.

**Theory debate - I don't like it. We are here to debate a topic not a theory - many of you are preparing for careers that will demand you provide argumentation and rebuttal and that can't happen if we aren't dealing with the topic.

*DO NOT SPREAD - it is not in your best interest for me not to be able to flow you - if I can't flow you can't win. You will know I can't flow your speech because I will put my writing utensil down.

*Be Courteous - the round needs to be about the clash of claims not the clash of attitudes.

*If you provide a weighing mechanism/framework/value and value criterion PLEASE use it during the debate. Don't bring it up in your first speech and not talk about it again until your last speech.

*If you are using a prepared speech PLEASE make sure you have practiced it before the round to ensure it is as fluid as possible. Also make sure you are pronouncing all names and words correctly.

*I am not a fan of Ks although I am learning more about them and why they can help a debate round. My preference is topic debate. If you can link your K to why your opponent can't access their impacts then I am all ears.

*I am a traditional judge/coach.

*In Public Forum:

**If your case is one or two lengthy contentions with no subpoints and lots of evidence PLEASE make sure that you are tying these to the resolution. I prefer clearly labeled contentions and subpoints. It is just easier to flow.

**Please make sure you are using the summary and final focus speeches for what they are intended. I place a lot more weight on what happens in these four speeches than the first four. You are the one debating. You tell me what the major arguments are. Don't make me figure this out. Listen to each other during this time. I LOVE when Final Focus has clash!!!

**Crossfire is an important part of the debate. I don't flow it but I do listen. If you want something that occured during crossfire to be weighed in the round you MUST bring it up during the next speech.

*In Congressional Debate

**Please remember this is a speaking and debate activity. I want to see rebuttal arguments as well as new arguments for the side you are supporting. Prepared speeches are nice but if you are any speaker after the first aff/neg, please provide some argumentation with sound evidence. Make sure you have a good balance between old and new arguments.

*In Big Question

**Make sure that you are debating the topic!!

*In Lincoln/Douglas

**Please see note above about value/value criterion. This is 100% how I am going to evaluate the round. If each sides presents different V/VC our round centers on these and not your contentions unless you are also tying your V/VC to your contentions which would be AWESOME!! I would prefer to hear a debate on the topic but if the round goes here let's make sure we are really showing the importance of the V/VC.