Alabama State
2023 — Tuscaloosa, AL/US
Lincoln Douglas Paradigm List
All Paradigms: Show HideJordan Berry - Loveless Academic Magnet Program High School
Hello!
I have been a coach and judge since 2015. Most debaters over the years categorize me as a traditional L/D judge. My chief weighing mechanism is usually framework (my undergraduate degree is in philosophy), but I can be persuaded to the contrary. I have no value hierarchy. I strive to keep personal views and ballot intervention away from my RFD. I will evaluate only those arguments brought up by the debaters.
Speed is an issue for me. This is primarily an education and communication activity. I highly doubt either Lincoln or Douglas themselves were spreading, and I've never seen spreading in any real-life situation aside from episodes of "Storage Wars." I do flow the round (though not cross), but "winning the flow" isn't the same as winning the round in some cases; this event is supposed to be persuasive and accessible, not a checklist of responses and replies. Thus, I always roll my eyes when one of my debaters complains about "lay" judges: in crafting a case/round, they should receive as much consideration as that ex-policy debater.
Other issues for me: do be respectful. Do engage meaningfully with the resolution. Do be honest. Do have fun.
Break a leg!
P.S. All this extinction stuff is just debaters trolling, right?
I prefer clarity to speed. Every. Time. Spreading will lose points with me.
I prefer a well-reasoned argument to number of cards. While evidence is of course a part of any argument, I particularly reward the team that can apply specific evidence to their argument clearly.
I prefer a team that listens to and responds to the other side's argument appropriately.
I do not pay much attention to crossfire; IMO, crossfire is your opportunity to see what you can do with your opponent's case. I want to hear you bring up blocks, refutation and/or counterpoints based on your crossfire in the subsequent parts of the round.
As a coach, I will usually be pretty familiar with both sides of the resolution. If a card sounds suspect, I will call for it.
SOOOOOOO TRAD.
PF:
-Do not spread. On a scale of 1-10 for speed I prefer somewhere around 6-7. I would prefer you to slow down or pause a tad for taglines for my flow. Also if you list 4-5 short points or stats in quick succession, I probably will miss one or two in the middle if you dont slow down.
-Arguments you go for should appear in all speeches. If your offense was not brought up in summary, I will ignore it in FF.
-I do not think cross is binding. It needs to come up in the speech. I do not flow cross, and as a flow judge that makes decisions based on my flow, it won't have much bearing on the round.
-At the least I think 2nd rebuttal needs to address all offense in round. Bonus points for collapsing case and completely frontlining the argument you do go for.
-Please time yourselves. My phone is constantly on low battery, so I'd rather not use it. If you want to keep up with your opponents' prep too to keep them honest then go ahead.
-In terms of some of the more progressive things- I haven't actually heard theory in a PF round but I hear it's a thing now. If your opponent is being abusive about something then sure, let me know, either in a formal shell or informal. Don't run theory just to run it though. Obviously, counterplans and plans are not allowed in PF so just don't.
-pet peeves:
1) Bad or misleading evidence. Unfortunately this is what I am seeing PF become. Paraphrasing has gotten out of control. Your "paraphrased" card better be accurate. If one piece of evidence gets called out for being miscut or misleading, then it will make me call in to question all of your evidence. If you are a debater that runs sketchy and loose evidence, I would pref me very high or strike me.
2) Evidence clash that goes nowhere. If pro has a card that says turtles can breathe through their butt and con has a card saying they cannot and that's all that happens, then I don't know who is right. In the instance of direct evidence clash (or even analytical argumentation clash) tell me why to prioritize your evidence over theirs or your line of thinking over theirs. Otherwise, I will consider the whole thing a wash and find something else to vote on.
3) Not condensing the round when it should be condensed. Most of the time it is not wise to go for every single argument on the flow. Sometimes you need to pick your battles and kick out of others, or risk undercovering everything.
LD:
So first, I primarily judge PF. This means my exposure to certain argument types is limited. I LOVE actually debating the resolution. Huge fan. I'm cool with DAs and CPs. Theory only if your opponent is being overly abusive (so no friv). If you are a K or tricks debater good luck. I know about the progressive things but since I primarily judge PF, my ability to evaluate it is very limited from experience. If you want to go for a K or something, I won't instantly drop you and I will try my best to flow and evaluate it in the round. But you will probably need to tweak it a little, slow down, and explain more how it is winning and why I should vote for it. I come from a traditional circuit, so the more progressive the round gets, the less capable I am of making a qualified decision.
I do not want you to flash your case to me. I want to flow it. If you read to point that it is unflowable then it is your loss. If I don't flow it, I cannot evaluate it and thus, cannot vote on it. Spreading in my opinion is noneducational and antithetical to skills you should be learning from this activity. Sorry, in the real world and your future career, spreading is not an acceptable practice to convince someone and get your point across.
Both:
Please signpost/roadmap- I hate when it is unclear where you are and I get bounced around the flow. Have fun and don't be overly aggressive.
email: faindebate@gmail.com
‘24 State Update:
Speed < Clarity - I’ve lost hearing in my left ear so make my life easier by sending clear speech docs for every speech (don’t just arbitrarily decide to not send A2 docs you’ve compiled mid round).
Read whatever you want. I prefer theory over most args. I am not as involved with debate as I used to be so changes in meta or wording are going to go over my head.
I prefer theory to most args andgood clash makes my life easier. I am a firm believer that it is the debater’s responsibility to be both clear from a speaking perspective but also clear in what their arguments mean. Done are the days where I do the work for you and sweat over if my scim reading important philosophical texts is enough to understand complex concepts. Any phil based argument should be explained so that someone new to debate understands what it means.
Specific questions about how I judge should be asked before the round.
My threshold for voting on hidden tricks is really high now. Almost to the point where you’d have to spend 50% > in a speech collapsing to it.
I don’t disclose. I’ll write individual feedback and my email is posted if you have questions.
My name is Braden (she/her/hers) and I am a rising junior at UA. I am a member of the Alabama Forensics Council and did speech and debate throughout high school. I currently compete in PERS, EXT, ADS, and CA. I have experience with every style of debate, but spent the majority of my time doing PF. Please don't go on your phone or social media during round. I am a little hard of hearing so please speak up! If I start pointing up during your speech that means increase your volume. Please share your pronouns at the beginning of the round/debate. Please issue a content warning if you will be speaking on sexual assault, violence, drug use, or any other potentially triggering content.
Congress: I have done congress about 4 times. I value engaging with other speeches the most. If you are PO, please keep time, follow all the rules, and be respectful in order to rank well. I do not tolerate rudeness and will dock you points if you are hostile in your speeches.
LD: Please, do not spread. I will not be able to flow your speech. Keep your own time. If you are going to use K's/theory arguments do not co-opt marginalized identities you are not connected with for the purpose of winning the round. I will not vote you up, and I will note it on my ballot. If you choose to go the more critical route, I will be critical of your argument. I do not tolerate rudeness and will dock you points if you are hostile in your speeches. For me, I judge based on impact statements, carrying your argument throughout the round, and overall speaking. If you are going to spread, or talk faster than you do in normal conversation, please share your case with me. My email is bradenleehopkins@gmail.com. Once again, I am not a judge who is going to love spreading, but I understand it is not explicitly against the rules.
If you are interested in doing speech and debate in college please talk to me after round! Joining AFC has been one of my best decisions coming into college and I would love for any of you talented people to join!
Also, please don’t apologize when you are presenting. Flubs, memory stumbles, “mistakes”, etc. happen and you have nothing to be sorry about! Everyone is proud of you and wants to hear all the amazing messages you have spent time crafting.
Good luck in today's debate! I am a veteran Lincoln-Douglas debater from Saint James School in Montgomery, where I debated locally and nationally in high school. I was excited about debate then and still am now! After I graduated college and law school I worked for a long time as an attorney and now serve as a federal judge. Free speech and advocacy are a big part of what makes our country special, and I am thrilled that you have chosen to invest your time and talents in civil discourse.
I'm a pretty traditional judge. You can trust that I'm completely unbiased (I maintain my impartiality as part of my everyday work life), and you should not expect to win my ballot if you're not a persuasive advocate. You'll have to speak clearly and make sure that I understand your argument before you can have any expectation that I'll accept it. Spread at your own risk. If your opponent spreads, think big thoughts about how you can slow the round down and still win. In this kind of debate, the gutsy debater with a few good arguments (or even only one) is often more effective than the fastest speaker with loads of weaker things to say. Proper decorum is a must - I'm completely confident that you can be effective without being rude. Stand up straight, make eye contact, and be your best self. Good luck!
UPDATE FOR ALABAMA STATE: I dont really have time to check my disclosure explanation that well. If youre confused, think it doesnt make sense, or are have any concerns, you can email me at jbmccleskey@crimson.ua.edu and I'll get back to you ASAP!
Debate Background
Debated Independently for Decatur Heritage, AL (2019)
- Args I used in high school: https://opencaselist.com/hsld18/DecaturHeritage/JuMc
- If the link does work, the 2018-2019 archive has my senior year args.
B.A. Political Science, UA (2021)
- Alabama Forensic Council and Alabama Debate Society Competitor
- Undergrad Thesis was on the role of Kritiks in the Debate Space
M.A. Public Administration, UA (2023)
- Occasionally coached and judged for Alabama Debate Society
Judging Habits
- Do whatever you want. I dont care if you stand, sit, lay across the desk or whatever in round. I should also be good with most speeds, but if I need you down I'll just keep saying slow until you're at a level I can flow.
- I've engaged well enough with most arguments to become familiar with them, but that doesn't mean you should avoid basic argument structures. I'm most versed on Ks, but that also means I have a decent threshold for them. I'll judge the round based on how you tell me I should :)
- If you're planning to spread, it would be significantly easier for me to flow if you could throw me on the email chain (jbmccleskey@crimson.ua.edu). I keep a decent flow but please don't assume I instantly know which card you're talking about unless you slightly explain it (or its a big factor in the round).
- I believe debate is a training field and an educational activity first-- it has a competitive nature as a game, but should remain ethical and truthful as an educational activity. Essentially, go for whatever route you're comfortable with, but be prepared to defend its utility. This activity can be really elitist and this a route to address it. Even paradigms that try to make this activity more accessible end up adding on jargon that benefits larger programs.
Looking to do Speech/Debate in college?
Let me know. UA has a team that competes in both speech and debate, and a separate organization focusing on providing debate resources and coaching to developing debate programs. Both of these have funding potential and are super accessible no matter your experience level. I can also connect you to some other programs (and just generally like talking about the different spheres of this activity on the collegiate level).
Shades Valley '20
SpeakFirst '20
University of Alabama debate '24
I finaled a few locals and had even records at the majority of circuit tourneys
I will probably ask for a piece of paper.
I ran Afropess/Antiblackness the large majority of my senior year so you can be as trad or progressive as you want.
With that being said nonblack people shouldn't run afropess or antiblackness.
Please make the activity accessible, if you know your opponent isn't as progressive as you and I can tell, I'm docking you by at least one point.
no tricks
Feel free to ask any questions.
Hello! I'm a veteran educator of world languages. I've taught at several schools throughout the East Coast and South at all levels (secondary and collegiate). I ask that you enunciate clearly and slow down. Please no spreading! Time yourself. Weigh your impact(s). Good luck today!
Jay Rye - Head Coach - Montgomery Academy
Experience- I have been involved with L/D debate since 1985 as a former L/D debater, judge, and coach. I have been involved with Policy debate since 1998. I have coached Public Forum debate since it began in 2002. While at many tournaments I serve in the role as tournament administrator running tournaments from coast to coast, every year I intentionally put myself into the judge pool to remain up to date on the topics as well as with the direction and evolving styles of debate. I have worked at summer camps since 2003 - I understand debate.
Philosophy
I would identify myself as what is commonly called a traditional L/D judge. Both sides have the burden to present and weigh the values and/or the central arguments as they emerge during the course of the round. I try to never allow my personal views on the topic to enter into my decision, and, because I won't intervene, the arguments that I evaluate are the ones brought into the round - I won't make assumptions as to what I "think" you mean. I am actually open to a lot of arguments - traditional and progressive - a good debater is a good debater and an average debater is just that - average.
While for the most part I am a "tabula rasa" judge, I do have a few things that I dislike and will bias me against you during the course of the round either as it relates to speaker points or an actual decision. Here they are:
1) I believe that proper decorum during the round is a must. Do not be rude or insulting to your opponent or to me and the other judges in the room. Not sure what you are trying to accomplish with that approach to debate.
2) Both sides must tell me why to vote "for" them as opposed to simply why I should vote "against" their opponent. In your final speech, tell me why I should vote for you - some call this "crystallization" while others call it "voting issues" and still others just say, "here is why I win" - whatever you call it, I call it letting your judge know why you did the better job in the round.
3) I am not a big fan of speed. You are more than welcome to go as fast as you want, but if it is not on my flow, then it was not stated, so speed at your own risk. Let me say that to the back of the room - SPEED AT YOUR OWN RISK! If you have a need for speed, at the very least slow down on the tag lines as well as when you first begin your speech so that my ears can adjust to your vocal quality and tone.
4) I am not a big fan of "debate speak: Don't just say, cross-apply, drop, non-unique, or other phrases without telling me why it is important. This activity is supposed to teach you how to make convincing arguments in the real world and the phrase "cross-apply my card to my opponents dropped argument which is non-unique" - this means nothing. In other words, avoid being busy saying nothing.
5) Realizing that many debaters have decided to rely on the Wiki, an email chain, and other platforms to exchange the written word, in a debate round you use your verbal and non-verbal skills to convince me as your judge why you win the round. I rarely call for evidence and I do not ask to be on any email chain.
My name is Isaac Sherman (he/him) and I formerly competed for the Prattville High School Speech and Debate team. I am now a member of the Alabama Forensics Council at the University of Alabama. I have won multiple state championships in Alabama (PF and Congressional). In college, I am a NNFA National champion in IPDA debate.
Concerning the round, I focus primarily on analysis and clash. I prefer clear line-by-line breakdowns of cases, but other methods, with good execution, can win my ballot. I do not have a value hierarchy, as it is the debaters obligation to convince me why I should buy their proposition.
While I expect, and encourage, clash, the easiest way to lose my ballot is by being disrespectful when it is unwarranted. It goes without saying that I should not witness attacks on character, religion, class, speaking style (as in accents), etc. etc. Likewise, do not make an accusation that the opponent has done such things without reasonable grounds. I want a healthy debate designed to cultivate a greater sense of understanding beyond typical secondary curriculum, and the only way to accomplish that is through mutual respect.
I have done debate, and read and think at a speed much like yours most likely. You can spread, but if I don't understand you, or if your opponent is clearly disadvantaged by a lack of understanding of your case specifically because of what appears to be speaking speed, that will impact my decision.
I do not flow cross, so be sure to extend those arguments in your speeches.
Other than that, the debate is fair game. I don't care what you run as long as you prove to me why I should prefer you on a ballot!
On a side note, thank you all for competing. The amount of time and effort that goes into producing the levels of research that you do goes far beyond the expectations place on high schoolers. It is also increasingly complex because of the covid-induced style we have to compete within.
Good luck, and happy debating!
I am knowledgeable about LD and PF debate styles. I debated in high school for four years and was a member of the Alabama Forensic Council now.
I know how to judge progressive debate, but I prefer not to. I think some progressive debate has leaned towards elitism and I believe all debate should be accessible to all peoples. For that reason, it is ok if you spread- but I prefer you not to. If you are bad at spreading, I will tell you you're bad at spreading. Always be sure to flash me and your opponent your cases if you choose to spread.
I judge off flow. Simple as that.
EMAIL CHAIN: jsydnor@altamontschool.org -- all rounds should set up email chains before scheduled start time. I would like to be included.
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Former policy debater in HS and College. I come into LD from that background, and I love seeing where LD and policy are in communication with one another. While I'm familiar with K's, CP's, PICs, plan-focus debates, planless K Affs, T, Theory... I'm less familiar with some of the other arguments like high phil, a prioris, NIBs, etc. that are more well known in LD.
I am am open to most arguments, but I am unwilling to vote on arguments I don't understand enough to give a coherent RFD. The burden remains with the debater to make a sufficiently clear argument I can grasp and understand as a path to the ballot. I don't feel bad saying "I didn't understand this, so I didn't vote on it."
I don't buy into the argument division between "circuit" and "local" debate and that I should inherently discount arguments or styles because it's Alabama not a "national" tournament. Any kind of exclusion needs to be theoretically justified.
Speed: 7.5/10. Speed is fine but debate is still a communication-based activity and I'm a poorly aging millennial. Sending speech docs is not a substitute for clarity.
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-CP: I default sufficiency framing and will judge kick unless told otherwise. Would rather hear args about solvency deficit, perm, and issues with NB than rely on theory to answer.
-K: I think all forms of debate are great, but K's and K Affs offer something unique to the activity that enhances its pedagogical value. However, that doesn't mean I know your specific literature or that I am going to immediately buy what you're selling. I like close readings of the 1AC to generate links as quality critical work.
-K Affs: Go for it. I believe the Aff has to advance some contestable methodology beyond "res is bad, reject the res." I usually believe offense on method is the most interesting site for clash. T-USFG/FW isn't off the table as a true guaranteed generic response and can be a really strong option given the way some K teams write their 1AC.
-Theory: Not my favorite debate but I know it can be important/strategic. Go a little slower on this if you want me to get follow the intricacies of the line-by-line. I have some hesitation with the direction disclosure and wiki theory arguments are going, but I still vote on it.
-T vs Plan Affs --I believe plans have the burden to be topical, and topicality is determined by interpreting words in the resolution. If you read a plan that is not whole res then you should always go into the round proving you definitionally are topical. I generally believe analytic counter-interps (like mainstream theory debates on norms) and reasonability alone are not winning options. Has the Neg read a definition that excludes your plan? If yes, you have a burden to counter-define in a way that is inclusive of your Aff. I am very persuaded that, absent a sufficient "we meet," if the Aff cannot counter-define a word in the resolution that is inclusive of the plan then I should A] not consider the plan reasonable, even if reasonability is good, and B] no sufficient competing interpretation of the topic, which is an auto-win for the Neg. (K Affs can be an exception to most of this because the offense to T and method of establishing limits is different.)
- T vs K Affs -- Willing to vote on it insofar as you win that you've presented a superior model for debate and that voting for you isn't violent/complicit. I generally believe fairness is not an impact. I like strong answers to meta-level questions, such as Aff descriptions of what debate and proceduralism vs debate as a game/site for unique type of education and iterative testing of advocacies.
-Phil: You should assume I know 0 of the things necessary for you to win this debate and that you have to do additional groundwork/translation to make this a viable option. I've only seen a few phil debates and my common issue as a judge is that I need a clear articulation of what the offensive reason for the ballot is or clear link to presumption and thus direction and meaning of presumption.
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