For email chains: danbagwell@gmail.com

I was a Policy debater at Samford / GTA at Wake Forest, now an assistant coach at Mountain Brook. I’ve increasingly moved into judging PF and LD, which I enjoy the most when they don’t imitate Policy.

I’m open to most arguments in each event - feel free to read your theory, critiques, counterplans, etc., as long as they’re clearly developed and impacted. Debate is up to the debaters; I'm not here to impose my preferences on the round.

All events

• Speed is fine as long as you’re clear. Pay attention to nonverbals; you’ll know if I can’t understand you.

• Bad arguments still need answers, but dropped args are not auto-winners – you still need to extend warrants and explain why they matter.

• If prep time isn’t running, all activity by all debaters should stop.

• Debate should be fun - be nice to each other. Don’t be rude or talk over your partner.

Public Forum

• I’m pretty strongly opposed to paraphrasing evidence - I’d prefer that debaters directly read their cards, which should be readily available for opponents to see. That said, I won’t just go rogue and vote on it - it’s still up to debaters to give convincing reasons why that’s either a voting issue or a reason to reject the paraphrased evidence. Like everything else, it’s up for debate.

• Please exchange your speech docs, either through an email chain or flash drive. Efficiency matters, and I’d rather not sit through endless prep timeouts for viewing cards.

• Extend warrants, not just taglines. It’s better to collapse down to 1-2 well-developed arguments than to breeze through 10 blippy ones.

• Anything in the Final Focus should be in the Summary – stay focused on your key args.

• Too few teams debate about evidence/qualifications – that’s a good way to boost speaks and set your sources apart.

Lincoln-Douglas

• I think LD is too often a rush to imitate Policy, which results in some messy debates. Don’t change your style because of my background – if you’re not comfortable (or well-practiced) spreading 5 off-case args, then that’s not advisable.

• If your value criterion takes 2+ minutes to read, please link the substance of your case back to it. This seems to be the most under-developed part of most LD rounds.

• Theory is fine when clearly explained and consistently extended, but I’m not a fan of debaters throwing out a ton of quick voters in search of a cheap shot. Things like RVIs are tough enough to win in the first place, so you should be prepared to commit sufficient time if you want theory to be an option.

Policy

[Quick note: I've been out of practice in judging Policy for a bit, so don't take for granted my knowledge of topic jargon or ability to catch every arg at top-speed - I've definitely become a curmudgeon about clarity.]

Counterplans/theory:

• I generally think limited condo (2 positions) is okay, but I've become a bit wary on multiple contradictory positions.

• Theory means reject the arg most of the time (besides condo).

• I often find “Perm- do the CP” persuasive against consult, process, or certainty-based CPs. I don’t love CPs that result in the entire aff, but I’ll vote on them if I have to.

• Neg- tell me how I should evaluate the CP and disad. Think judge kick is true? Say it. It’s probably much better for you if I’m not left to decide this on my own.

Kritiks:

• K affs that are at least somewhat linked to the resolutional controversy will fare the best in front of me. That doesn't mean that you always need a plan text, but it does mean that I most enjoy affirmatives that defend something in the direction of the topic.

• For Ks in general: the more specific, the better - nuanced link debates will go much farther than 100 different ways to say "state bad".

• Framework args on the aff are usually just reasons to let the aff weigh their impacts.

Topicality:

• Caselists, plz.

• No preference toward reasonability or competing interps - just go in depth instead of repeating phrases like "race to the bottom" and moving on.

General Info: I am a student at Auburn University studying theatre management. I have competed in PF debate and Congress throughout my high school debate career. Trad>Prog. I flow; however, if you are a clear win on the flow and do not convince me during your speeches, I will not vote for you.

PF: My background is in PF. Novices, I have more grace with; however, please try to stay on the flow. Varsity, you know how Debate works. Space your time well and be persuasive. I will be sad if your cross is dull, but it does not affect if you win or not, aka I do not flow it (because we do not do that).

Speaks: Speed is fine if you are clear; however, if I make faces at you of confusion or your opponents feel like you are spreading, do not be rude. Slow down. Again, I have a background in theatre, so the flow of speech (vocal variety and enunciation) and persuasiveness are vital to me. Speaks will be ranked based on that.

Do not make any drastic comparisons to genocide, slavery, rape, etc., in your case or weighing. Automatic loss, I will stop flowing and will not vote for you. The same goes for homophobic, sexist, racist, etc., comments. I will not vote for you if I hear it, even if you out-debated. There is no room for bigotry in Debate.

Good Luck!

INCLUDE ME ON EMAIL CHAIN

abbybowling58@gmail.com

*if you have any questions about your debate/my decision, please feel free to email me!

I am a new judge, I have read a little bit about the topic in which you are debating today. As a new judge, please no spreading, weigh your impacts, and time yourself. 

Hello all!

I am a previous IE competitor of 4 years. I competed in and understand all Interp events (DI, HI, DUO, POI) and have experience judging Exempt, OO, and Info.

I do not have much experience in judging any of the debate events (LD, PF, Congress). If I am judging your debate round, please read the following:

Do not spread or speak too quickly. I cannot flow your speeches if I cannot understand you. If I cannot understand you, I cannot judge you.

Please be understanding with any questions I might ask before the round starts - I will seek clarification if I do not understand.

RESPECT YOUR OPPONENTS - if you speak over/interrupt your opponents during crossfire, I will dock points. Sportsmanship is a critical part of competing, so be respectful when others are speaking.

Hello! My name is Mason Edwards. I went to Saint James School and was a former student of Dr. Ian Turnipseed. I did Public Form, extemporaneous speaking, impromptu, informative speaking, and congress in high school.

I’m gonna take notes from the debate. I like convincing arguments, clear rebuttals, and engaged delivery. The debater that does the best job of connecting with me, the judge, will probably win.

Have a good attitude, be respectful, and have fun!

Hey y'all! My name is Eigen (eye-⟨g⟩en), and I debated PF for three years and Big Questions for one year at Vestavia Hills High School. If you have an email chain, feel free to add my email (eigen.nathan.h.escario@vanderbilt.edu). I will not ask for evidence unless it becomes a main point of contention in the debate.

—

The most important thing is that you don't spread. I won't flow anything that I don't catch or understand, so focus more on the quality of what you're saying rather than the quantity and prioritize what responses are most unique to the debate at hand rather than trying to win by confusing everyone in the room.

—

Some things I want to see:

1. Weigh. You have to write my ballot for me, so tell me why your arguments are more valid than your opponents'.
2. Signpost. Be clear about what you're responding/referring to, how many unique responses you have, and why it's relevant to the points you are addressing.
3. Extend in summary. If you're collapsing on something, I want to see it straight through the flow.
4. No theory.If it’s PF, not LD.

—

I won't flow anything from cross unless you bring it up in your speeches; I will only use this time to evaluate speaker points.

I'm a current freshman student at Auburn University. I've competed and have experience in both Speech and Debate (PF) tournaments. If I am your judge, please take note of the following:

(Debate only) Email for chains: felicityg2017@gmail.com (I suggest doing this for online tournaments so everyone can clearly view cases)

• I will not flow your cross, but please be respectful to other teams. I will take off speaker points if you appear to be completely dominant and refuse to let the other team speak. If you wish to bring something up in cross in future speeches, make sure you do so clearly.
• I won't be able to remember card author names, so saying "Smith '19" is not going to earn you credit. Please elaborate on this card if you want me to flow it.
• I will time you, but I strongly encourage you to also time yourselves. (You may ask me to time you at any point!)
• Remain respectful throughout the entire debate. Any mentions of racism/homophobia/sexism will be an automatic drop.
• Tech over truth so always provide me with evidence.
• I love bizarre arguments ONLY IF you're able to argue them well and in a way that makes sense. Uniqueness is key.
• We will flip a coin (siri) to decide sides.
• Weigh clearly! Tell me your road map before starting your speech.

If you are concerned with gaining speaker points:

• I have a speech background so clarify + speed is a great combo (but not spreading please)
• Utilizing your voice (not speaking too softly) and presenting confidence matters
• League of Legends/Valorant reference

Try not to spread. Steer away from personal judgments. Do your best to lay out your argument clearly and with due inflection. Using body language to support your argument helps me follow along.

I am a lay judge and have been judging speech and debate for about 6 years. I believe that debate should include a clear presentation of your arguments and evidence. I also believe your speeches should be well organized. In the end, I will value argument over style, but the way you present your arguments is important to my understanding of those arguments. If you call for evidence, please have a legitimate reason for it. I don't like spending a lot of prep time on it. I expect you to time yourselves, but I will be timing too. I like clear, organized flows with clear voters at the end. I weigh heavily on impacts so compare your impacts and convince me that yours are stronger. Please be civil and respectful to your partner and competitors.

My background is in theatre and speech. I love judging speech events and will typically vote for the presenter who has the strongest emotional connection to their piece and the audience. There must be an effective balance of design, style, and presentation. The pieces that showcase who you are as a performer as well as communicating something new and fresh are welcome.

hellooo from 2023- this hasnt been updated since 2020 but I am sure everything still applies:

I debated LD for two years in high school. However, I’ve watched and judged many pf and LD rounds and have very good friends who are amazing at debate--they usually inform me of new techniques/strategies and such. You ~could~ call me a flow judge or a progressive judge.

LD:

if your framework is the same as your opponent’s, please don’t try to weigh it. Just drop the framework and weigh your impacts.

I love love disads and CPs. I’m eh on K’s and theory so I wouldn’t recommend using a k or theory—just because but I don’t like it ~that~ much but if you would still like to do it, go for it. I won’t hold it against you.

I'm pretty good with speed but if you’re going to spread spread, like actually spread, please share a speech doc to my gmail: safak3313@gmail.com

Make sure you weigh, extend, and signpost!!! I’m a tech over truth judge. Make sure you signpost during the debate too so I can clearly follow along. My flows can get kind of messy sometimes so this just helps me. If I’m lost, then you’re not probs not gonna win the round.

I don’t flow cross so if anything important comes up, make sure you address it to me, the judge, in your next speech.

Speaker points for PF and LD:

if I cannot understand you because you lack clarity while you are attempting to speak fast, I will dock points off.

I will also dock points if I’m just completely lost in the debate.

Don’t be rude please.

PF:

Same thing as above basically. I usually only count disclosure theory if you wanna use it but nothing should be more progressive than that.

If you are going to speak fast, speak clearly and articulate well. Signpost before AND in the round so I’m not lost— I will dock speaker points if I am lost.

weigh weigh weigh!!

tech>truth

I will vote off of anything so please extend!! In the case either side has no offense, I will consider that extension and its value for example. You have to extend it all the way through though.

if you have crappy evidence, meaning, your card is miscut or you can’t find the card the other team called for within a minute, I’ll drop it and probably drop you. So be organized and truthful.

I don’t flow cross. If something important comes up, acknowledge it to me, the judge, in your next speech.

1st speaker should always frontline in summary.

Don’t spend too much time on framework debates bc it’s not really a thing here but if you run it, I’ll be happy to consider it. :)

COIN TOSS BEFORE THE ROUND. It saves me time and lets me know you’ve seen my paradigm.

happy debating!

First time lay judge. I prefer clear, well-structured speeches. Don't assume I am well-versed in your topic. Arguments should be accessible.

No speed -- if I can't understand you, then it doesn't count as an argument.

Please be respectful of your competitors at all times.

Please time and keep track of your own speeches and prep.

Hey everyone! Keep in mind that debate is kind of like a performance, focusing on things like eye contact, body language, and inflection can really help boost your overall score and persuasiveness.

I am the debate sponsor at JCIB in Birmingham, AL. I do not have personal experience as a debater and have learned what I know about debate from my students. My main request is that you do not speak at such a quick speed that it is impossible to understand what you are saying. If I can't understand you or follow your speeches, I can't vote on it! I will keep track of time on tabroom but I also encourage you to keep time yourself.

Conflicts: Bentonville West High School

Experience:

I did debate for 3 years in high schools, primarily Congressional Debate, but I also did a little bit of Public Forum. Debate is supposed to be fun, so be courteous and kind to your fellow competitors. Show them the same respect you would want them to show you.

Speed:

I am not a huge fan of speed. It makes it harder for me to follow what you are saying. I would prefer a speaker who speaks slower, but has more substance and depth to their arguments over a speaker who just tries to get as much information out as they can.

Argumentation:

Please have a clear claim, warrant, and impact for your arguments. I want to know exactly what your argument is and why it matters. If that means telling me exactly what the claim and impact of the argument is, please do that. If I don't know what your argument is about or there is any confusion on my end about an argument, I won’t be able to accurately consider it in my decision.

Questioning:

Be respectful to your opponent(s). Please don't be rude to anyone in the debate space. It makes this activity less fun for others. There is a fine line between being overly aggressive and assertive. Stand your ground during questioning, but don't take over. Additionally, don't admit defeat during questioning. If you can find a response to a question, do that.

Congressional Debate:

In Congressional Debate, I like to hear some form of a rebuttal immediately following the authorship for a piece of legislation. Do not re-hash arguments or just repeat the same thing 5 times. It will make the debate stale. Additionally, I will take into account how well you respond to questioning; if you are unable to stand up to questions and you allow your arguments to fall, you will be marked down. Furthermore, I really appreciate sign posting; TELL ME WHAT YOUR MAIN POINTS ARE. Evidence must be recent or at least relevant to your argument, meaning that if you choose to use a foundational document (constitution, bill of rights, federalist papers, etc.) you must be able to accurately explain how it relates to the legislation and your arguments.

Presiding Officers

In regards to the presiding officer, I will be especially vigilant about how well you are able to maintain control of the chamber as well as the way you interact with individual competitors and other judges. If you are presiding, it is imperative that you know Robert's Rules of Order as well as Parliamentary Procedure. Failure to show that you have a good understanding of these two things will be frowned upon. If you are unsure about something during a round, PLEASE ask for help. I would much rather you ask for help than do things that would jeopardize your standing in the round.

Important!!

I will not tolerate any form of discriminatory comments or offensive remarks. If you do either of those things, you will lose the round and I will be speaking to someone in a position of authority in the tournament.

If you have any other or more specific questions about my preferences, feel free to email me at moyesn34@gmail.com however be mindful that I am a college student, so my responses may not be the fastest. Have fun debating and Roll Tide.

hey! this is the first time I've judged a debate tournament, and I never competed before. I had a friend who's familiar with debate write the following:

I am a the definition of a lay judge

truth>tech

DO NOT GO FAST

I will not understand jargon so you will have to explain it to me

Keep your own time

Explain to me why you won in the second half of the round

Hi! I have been debating at Vestavia Hills High School for four years now.

Evidence - If the evidence is sketch... I will call for it

Rebuttal - Signpost!!! Tell me exactly what you are doing/responding to

Summary/Final Focus - Weigh!! Signpost PLEASE! Say where you are on the flow

Crossfire - I don't flow crossfire, but if you want to tell me something that happened in crossfire, then say it in the next speech. Be respectful! Do not interrupt others when they are speaking. Yelling and screaming at each other will NOT help you win the round

Keep your own time (prep, speeches)

Have fun! :)

General Things:

- I don't care how fast you talk as long as I can understand what you're saying, but I do ask that you slow down for things like large numbers or contention titles.

- If your team does not bring up an argument in summary, you cannot bring it up in final focus.

- If you concede something in cross but the other team doesn't bring that up in a speech, I won't flow it.

- Do not use an abusive overview.

- I will not time you in the round, so please time yourselves.

- I'm not a lay Judge. I don't care if you use emotion or make eye contact with me, I care about the substance of your speech.

- Theory is ok, maybe?? but no guarantee I'll understand it due to the fact that I've never run theory or had it run against me.

Rules:

1. If you misconstrue evidence, I will almost definitely vote up the other team. Just misconstruing one card is enough for me to doubt your entire case.

2. Do not be rude in round. You're not attacking each other, you're attacking the cases.

3. No profanity or cruel terms.

4. If you go over time significantly and it's obvious, I will cut you off.

Speaker Points:

You start with 28 speaker points.

Here's how you can gain points:

1. Good Speaking

2. Good Cross Questions

3. Good Weighing

Here's how you lose points:

1. Bad Speaking

2. Being Rude

3. Using Profanity

I would prefer that the participants start an email chain and include me @ teacherpack@gmail.com

I am the Director of Analytics at McLeod Software. Previously, I was a high school mathematics teacher (retired after 25 years) and began the debate team at several of the schools I taught at. My daughter is a senior currently debating in Varsity PF and she asked me to become a judge. I am well-informed about the structure and rules of PF. Make sure you speak at a speed where I can follow your contentions. If I don't understand what you are saying, I will not flow your contentions which could lead to deducted speaker points. As such, spreading will not be tolerated as per the NSDA guidelines for PF. If you are a spreader, I encourage you to debate in either Policy or Lincoln Douglas. I have prior knowledge about the current topic, and I value truth>tech - I call cards. All debaters should be respectful and courteous with opposing teams. Please don't consider it prep time while your opponent is delivering their speeches. I flow the Cross-ex. and it is used in voting and in awarding speaker points.

Judging experience:

Samford University debate series
Hoover Bucs Tournament 2021
Jesuit Dallas Debate Invitational
Skyhawk Smackdown

• I don't flow cross, please bring it up after if you want it to count.
• Try not to spread - make sure you're clear.
• No need to be rude or cut anyone off, speaker points will reflect this.
• Please signpost and weigh, makes it far easier to comprehend your arguments.
• Please time yourselves.

tech>truth: debate is a game

the best way to my ballot is to weigh. weighing is inherently comparative, warrant your weighing and compare impacts/links to each other

run whatever you want; but the more progressive your debate becomes, the more you will have to explain it to me

any speed is good, just be clear

don't give me a soliloquy for your off-time roadmap

for the love of god, give me warrants

please signpost; if I look lost, I probably am

i don’t pay attention to cross; if something important happens, then bring it up in your following speech

do not extend the entire flow

frontline responses

defense is sticky

i vote neg on presumption

if you want it in the final focus, it needs to be in the summary

if we are on a virtual platform, please don’t spread. some speed is okay, but i really value clarity when online

add me to the email chain: crhoades2002@gmail.com

• I am a parent judge and don't have previous knowledge of judge
• I prefer you not speak very fast, make good eye contact and make sure you emphasize your impacts
• Please signpost
• Kindly don't aggressive in cross and personal attacks are an automatic 25 for speaks
• I will not flow cross-x so if you want to argue something said in cross-x, bring it up in a late speech

Hello!

I’m a student at UAB studying economics, but in high school I was the vice president of debate and a varsity PF debater. The most important thing to me is clarity during the round. If you are speaking too fast and I can’t understand what you are saying, I will not be able to flow it and it may cost you the round. Also, make sure to be respectful to your opponents. I will not tolerate any racist, sexist, homophobic, etc. comments. It will cause you to automatically lose. I don’t flow cross so if your opponents bring up something you want to use, you must bring it up in a speech. Make sure to weigh the round and that you flow across your cards throughout the round. Please do not bring up new evidence in your last speech since that is unfair to your opponents.

Concerning speaker points- speak clearly and annunciate well. Don’t let your words run together when you are trying to talk fast. I also value when a person uses their whole time.

Good luck + I look forward to watching y’all debate!

Hello!

I’m a student at UAB studying nursing, but in high school I was a varsity PF debater! The most important thing to me is clarity during the round. If you are speaking too fast and I can’t understand what you are saying, I will not be able to flow it and it may cost you the round. Also, make sure to be respectful to your opponents. I will not tolerate any racist, sexist, homophobic, etc. comments. It will cause you to automatically lose. I don’t flow cross so if your opponents bring up something you want to use, you must bring it up in a speech. Make sure to weigh the round and that you flow across your cards throughout the round. Please do not bring up new evidence in your last speech since that is unfair to your opponents.

Concerning speaker points- speak clearly and annunciate well. Don’t let your words run together when you are trying to talk fast. I also value when a person uses their whole time.

Good luck + I look forward to watching y’all debate! :)

Background: I debated PF for two years at New Century Technology High School. I'm currently at UAB studying Criminal Justice and Legal Affairs and also competed on the Mock Trial team.

Round: I'm a huge proponent of evidence but I also respect a good logical argument- as long as there's something to back it up. This should go without saying, but I digress- please don't spread, if I can't understand your case then that's ultimately a detriment to your own team, not your opponent. I am largely a flow judge, so make sure to carry your arguments through final focus, if you drop a contention that will greatly affect your case.

Crossfire: I generally don't flow here, so any points that are made in crossfire NEED to be brought up in round. I respect clarity and good follow-through. In other words, don't leave things hanging or up for interpretation by the judge (aka me).

Weighing: This is huge in debate, especially in cases that have directly conflicting evidence so make sure to clearly state why yours would carry greater weight than the other side’s.

Speaking: I was a second speaker my entire time on the team in HS, so make sure you're speaking loudly and clearly. Your case is only as good as your advocation.

P.S- If you've read this far, good job, can't wait to judge ya'll :)

Experience:I did not compete in Debate in high school or college, but I have been assisting with a debate program and judging for the past four years. I usually judge Public Forum, but I have also judged speech events and Big Question Debate. I am currently in my ninth year of teaching social studies. I teach United States History and International Baccalaureate History of the Americas.

Preferences: I can follow relatively fast speaking but please don't spread.

debated PF in high school local and nationally

if LD treat me like a lay judge