if you need my email: irenemjohn@gmail.com, any questions message me on instagram @iireniie

(yes, add me to the email chain, no speechdrop)

Hi, my name is Irene! I debate World Schools for Elkins. I'm a junior and have been in the speech and debate space for three years! My pronouns are she/her.

I will not tolerate racism, xenophobia, homophobia, sexism, ableism, etc. Please respect people's names, pronouns, and identities.

Background

WSD's been my main event ever since I was a freshman. I've competed in Extemp as well.

General Notes (scroll down if I'm your judge for PF or LD)

WSD:

Hey! I've been doing Worlds for a while, and I absolutely love this event. With that in mind, know that I will judge a little stricter because I actively compete in these events, but here's what I think:

Debate is a game. Especially in World Schools, where you get to build your own world, manipulate how things look for your stakeholders, solve key issues (or even make them.) It's all about being strategic and characterizing your side properly, as well as EXPLAINING why is is better than the other world, all while utilizing your speaking skills.

I believe that Worlds is all about persuasion, in three ways: style, content, and strategy. This means making eye contact, sounding animated, not spreading, taking and answering POIs, as well as creating interesting substantives and bringing offense/defense down the bench. ALL three speakers must be involved in argumentation- it should not be the first speaker carrying the case so the second and third can just do defense.

Style: I love good speakers, and interesting hooks. Feel free to include humor as long as it doesn't distract/isn't related or prevent rebounding. I like giving high speaks, make sure to sound persuasive and include organization, intonation, emphasis, etc. I’m good with speed, but make sure not to spread rapidly to where there are clear fluency issues.

Content: I value both the principle and practical, and I know what motions are which. This means if you're trying to be abusive with your models or not define the motion correctly, I will know. Characterize your case well. Create well-crafted arguments that include plenty of analysis. I always mention this when I judge/teach- you do not need a third substantive if you feel like it won't strengthen your case. I will not dock you, because I understand that the lack of a third sub helps for more substantial refutation.

I’m tech > truth unless it’s completely ludicrous (ex: hate crimes do not exist, believe me, I’ve heard that one before) and am clean slate- I will buy arguments based on what I hear in round and not prior knowledge, except if you are reading a homophobic, sexist or discriminatory argument (automatic L and docked speaks). Do not try to bring up things from other events (ex: ask for cards, evidence ethics, etc), and if you’re using fiat, please make sure you know what you’re doing.

Strategy wise- bring the best arguments down on the bench, call out inconsistencies in POIs and speeches, and explain why you win (write my ballot for me!). POIs are a very important part of strategy, however, if you decide to abuse the limits of POIs, or be abusive in any way, I will not hesitate to call you out in round and dock points. I also want to see strategic use of your time, and not just repetition- every speech should help solidify my vote for your team. What I mean by strategic clash is this: for example, if you're on Opp, your 3 and 4 should not be reiteration. Use the 16 minute block wisely and give me voters in your reply, rather than doing an overall summary of your case that is more suited for the 3 to do.

Personally, I think World Schools should stay World Schools- it's an interesting form of debate that does not rely on spreading or throwing out a dozen arguments so one will stick. Do not debate on technicality- WSD is about the big picture. This isn't PF, Policy, or LD- you must debate why your arguments win on an overall level and which world is better.

I'm a 2nd/4th speaker, so I pay special attention to your rebuttals, what arguments you carry down the bench, and how you break down the round. On the note of reply speeches- I don't think reply speeches should be filled with rebuttal to the opposing 3/4- rather, I think the main focus should be WHY you win the debate (aka voting issues). As a judge, I should be referred to. I should be asked what world I buy, what world I would rather live in/agree with, etc. If you choose to make new arguments in reply that are not on my flow, I will dock your points and you will be called out for this abusive mindset.

COMPARATIVE, so many people forget this, this should start in the Opp 1 and Prop/Opp 2, continuing through the round. Your reply should include comparative. Weigh the worlds. Again, please weigh, World Schoolers often forget that their arguments need impact weighing as well as comparative. If weighing does not at MOST start in the 3rd speeches, I will not consider it valid.

Comparative weighing = easiest way to win my ballot! You don't have to use explicit weighing mechanisms, but I should know on what grounds you're weighing on.

Finally- persuasion, as mentioned before, is very important to me. At the end of the day, I will likely vote for the person who convinced me the most, even if some of the opponent's arguments slipped through undefended. This is critical in Worlds as dropped arguments don't hurt you as much- whatever both sides clashed on is what matters most.

Public Forum and LD

I've judged PF and LD (usually novice) and what I'm finding is that too often speeches are all defense, with no offensive arguments made. While not much offense is necessary in the first rebuttal, I need to see it in second rebuttal and onwards. Speeches are NOT all rebuttals- there's been multiple times where teams say their first constructive and then everything else (rebuttal, summary, final focus) is just responding to the other's side arguments, not weighing, and no evidence clash.

Please include roadmaps for your speeches after the first constructive. A simple "First I will go over the opponent's case, refute their arguments, and expand upon our contentions" will suffice. Otherwise when I flow, I'm not aware of what exactly I should start off with. Again, please include evidence and real clash, or else I as the judge am forced to intervene and make my own conclusions.

I need, I repeat, NEED warranting. What a lot of debaters do (in any event) is jump from A to Z with no B and C. For example, if your argument is about universal healthcare, don’t try to jump from A to Z and say your impact is “nuclear war.” Fully flesh out your arguments and at least try to make your logic reasonable so I have a clear place to vote.

FOR PF: Weigh in third summary and extend in final focus: weighing should be impactful AND comparative. You need impact calculus, and this is not a simple “we outweigh on magnitude” rather you must explain WHY, or I will not consider it valid. I will not consider weighs in final focus, even if it's the only weighing in round.

FOR LD: Value/Value Criterion Clash - I expect you to have a clear value and value criterion, but I use them as a way to evaluate the round (framework), not as a voting issue (unless they're really, really bad, abusive, or maybe unexpectedly brilliant). Show why you meet your opponents' v/vc as well as your own, or why yours makes much more sense in context of the round, then move on. It's probably not going to be a big independent voter for me.

While PF and LD tend to be about technicality, using "we had more sources" isn't necessarily a valid argument. However, if you say "empirically, we prove that our arguments/impacts are valid because of "XYZ" evidence" I will buy that.

Style-wise, I don't like having to listen to monotone cases. Please, PLEASE, don't read off of the laptop entirely. Interact with me as a judge. I will give you an auto 30 if you read your cases off of paper.

Also, for PF: grand cross in my opinion is a waste of time and I'm fine with skipping it for a minute of prep. I will ask you before round begins, please don't say "I want the extra minute of prep" after 3rd summary because then it's completely focused on final focus, and that's like... a 2 minute speech.

If I'm judging you for speech events or interp!

Hello there! I love speech and interp and I'm super impressed by the amount of time and dedication it takes to perfect your pieces. I do Extemp sometimes; thus, the way I judge will be influenced by it. In extemp, I expect you to have AGD, intro, 3 main points, conclusion- but if your format is something totally different, as long as it has clear substance, I will evaluate it. Please at least give me 2-3 sources. Impromptu is fun- interpret your topic any way you like and make it a good, structured speech. For interp- do what you do best!

Extra Notes for Events

I will give higher speaks for interesting hooks, making me laugh, and overall making it an interesting debate. I’m a fan of intense debate rounds like any other judge but I don’t want to hear borderline screaming for hours.

Good luck and have fun! If you have any questions, please email me at irenemjohn@gmail.com!

About Me:

Elkins High School '25

I am a very chill judge. My experience with Public Forum and Lincoln Douglas is minimal, and my main event is World Schools Debate.

As for credentials: I have over 3 years of debate experience, and qualified for state twice in World Schools Debate.

General:

Theory is allowed (except for WSD and Congress) and is appreciated if entertaining enough.

Show respect to yourself, your partner (if applicable), and your opponents. Sportsmanship should be shown throughout the duration of the debate. I will give you a small interval of time to get to know your opponents and me before the round, so use that time wisely. After we get started with the debate, don't go off-topic unless it is complementing your case or adding humor to your speech.

If you have any specific questions about your speech, argumentation, or tips, feel free to ask me once the debate is over. I am also open to any questions regarding my paradigm prior to the debate, so make sure to be prepared. Try to go the restroom before the round starts, but if you really need to go wee wee mid-round, then wait until a speech is completed before you proceed.

Please make this debate as constructive as possible, and focus on the topic at hand. I don't appreciate arguments based on the legitimacy of evidence or cards, so save your energy and don't waste the little time you have. As a world schools debater, I appreciate ethical worldview arguments. Try to make a majority, if not all, of your argumentative substance appealing and worthwhile for you and me. I will consider giving you/your team extra points if your hook is fire.

Speaks:

WSD:

I usually start in the middle of the speaker's point range, (ex. Range: 60-80 Start: 70) and I will add or subtract points based on your performance. Sound confident and be loud, concise, and enunciate your words. Basically, just speak proper English with an "outside voice". Ensure everyone in the room can hear and understand what you are saying. If I cannot comprehend your words, they will not be taken into consideration.

Public Forum:

Make sure you are prepared and cards, links, etc. are ready. My knowledge in this event is diminishing with age, but I will know if you are trying to cheat. If I do not remember the procedures in this event, please correct me and give me or give me an overview prior to the round. However, I will have no problem following your arguments and evidence, so try to make your speech cohesive and easy to flow.

World Schools Debate:

If you goof up...

I will know :)

Have fun and good luck to all!

Wassup, I'm Charlize! I use the pronouns she/her.

I will not tolerate racism, xenophobia, homophobia, sexism, ableism, etc. please respect people's names, pronouns, and identities.

If you want to link me to an email chain, my email is: charlizelopez2024@gmail.com

Background

My primary event is World Schools & I have some background in PF, LD, Congress, Extemp, and CX (extremely minimal) but it is minimal. I understand the structure and most basics, as I have competed in these events before but they are not events that I actively compete with.

General Notes

I love jokes and modern/pop references, thus, if you make any jokes or references (that still correlate to your speech/argument) you'll likely get an increase in points. I love serious and intense debate rounds like every other judge but I'd rather have a laugh than be hearing monotone borderline screaming for hours.

I don't mind spreading but if you are incoherent when you spread and/or speak in the same tone (e.g, monotone or emphasizing each word) then it's best that you speak at a slower pace. My memory isn't the greatest & my brain lags sometimes, so it's best if you use lay terms on me but I know most/all of the terms in regard to weighing.

The easiest way to win my ballot is through comparative weighing. Explain why your links are clearer and stronger and how your impacts are more important than those of your opponents. I do not flow cross so if anything important was said mention it in a speech.

Sportsmanship is also very important to me. If I see that you disrespect or inappropriately disrupt your opponent or me during the round, you will get speaker points taken off. This includes before and after rounds as well. Make sure you show your respect to everyone in the round, not just me.

Finally, my biggest point. PERSUADE ME. you can argue all the technicalities you want but at the end of the day, I will likely vote for the person who convinced me the most, even if some of the opponent's arguments slipped through undefended.

I'm a pretty chill judge. You can either call me Judge, Jaydev, or whatever else gets my Attention. But a little about myself, I'm a senior varsity Debate Captain at Elkins High School, so I can pretty confidently say I know debate. I also have done interp so I know what I am doing when I am judging it. Just be nice to me and your competitors, don't be that guy who rubs the room the wrong way, because it also rubs me the wrong way as well. Also be confident, just do your best because that's all you can do, so don't worry about the result. I have been in your shoes before so just give it all you have and I'll judge you fairly.

Interp:

I like to be entertained but do your own thing. Just get into, if your piece is supposed to be funny, make me laugh (I laugh at anything), if your piece is deep and emotional, make me cry (I cry easily).

Debate:

I have done LD and Congress, but my primary debate event is World Schools. I am a national qualifier who broke to trips in 2023 so I know what I am doing in debate. I look for clash within a debate, as most argumentation is neutralized due to the fact that both sides bring in rebuttals. Explain why, head to head, your argument is better than theirs, and if you have to in your debate event, WEIGH! I LOVE WEIGHING ❤️ ???? ???? . It's literally my favorite so please give me weighing, it makes my decisions much easier to render. One last note, tell me why your side wins, its just good practice for any debate event, but telling your judge why you win makes it easier for your judge to render a winner and actually understand the debate.

BIG NOTES:

HAVE FUN - that's why we are here, rounds shouldn't get too serious or toxic, if I see toxic or bad debate ethics I'm docking points, it's that simple,

DON'T SPREAD (unless ur in CX) - I HATE SPREADING, mostly because I write slowly, so don't spread unless you have to.

Extemp and Speech Event:

I love extemp and other speech events. I did impromptu and fx throughout my debate career, and what I want to see out of your speech are two things. I want to see clear and coherent speech. If you have to slow down to be more fluent in your speech, do so, I'd rather hear a more fluent speech with terrible content than a messy speech that has good content (not really but you get the point). And secondly, have fun with it. In these speech events you're supposed to unleash your inner style of speech and I want to see that. So be funny, be charismatic in your speech, and just make the speech sound inviting rather than a PSA or public announcement.

if you need my email: Andreadsaji@gmail.com

Background:

I've been competing in WSD since freshman year and it is my main event. I have also done some interp events such as duo, duet, and poetry in the past.

Debate events:
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