Hi!

- Leander HS ‘22, UT Speech ‘26

-Mostly extemp, with some experience in CX, LD, congress, persuasive, informative, and impromptu

Some basic stuff:

• Racism/sexism/homophobia/etc. is an automatic drop (last place in speech, loss with minimum speaks in debate)

• Send speech docs (or questions after the round or whatever) to ibhsdocs@gmail.com

• Use a tw/cw if needed

Extemp

This is the event I have the most experience with (it’s also my favorite :)

I want to learn! Tell me something interesting! Most importantly: have fun! If you seem excited about the topic, I'll get excited about the topic and about your speech!

Debate

Spreading is fine if I have the doc. If I don't then slow down on anything you want me to flow.

I don't know any specific K literature very well so please explain your advocacy.

Tech > truth except for the obvious like bigotry.

I listen to cross but I don't evaluate it unless you tell me to in a speech.

Unless the tournament says no, open cross/flex prep is fine with me as long as it's fine with both debaters/teams.

Specific arg types:

• Theory: my favorite off case. Make sure you extend your interp, violation, standard, and impact all the way through if you want me to vote on your theory. I default to granting RVIs but my threshold for a successful no RVI argument is low.

• Kritiks: explain them well. Make sure your links are specific and clear.

• Counterplans and disads: nothing specific. They're fine.

I like meme cases and I'll vote them up if they technically win the flow.

Speaks are awarded on strategy, word economy, and demeanor (ex: use of humor, not being overly aggressive during cross, etc.).

Congress

Follow parliamentary procedure. PO starts in the last rank that breaks (ex: in a chamber where the top 3 break to the next round, the PO will start at 3rd place) and moves up or down from there. Please clash.

Obligatory bottom of the paradigm thing

Before the round starts, tell me your favorite type of tea and I'll give you +0.5 speaks.

I am the Speech/Debate teacher and coach at The Colony High School in Texas and although I've judged quite a few tournaments over the past two years, I consider myself still new to coaching and judging debate and interp events. I appreciate articulate and easy to understand speakers and do not like spreading. I may ask you to slow down if you are speaking too fast so that I may adequately judge your speech. I like for competitors to take responsibility for timing their speeches and prep time. It's not been my custom yet to disclose the winner of the round verbally, yet, so look for your results here on Tabroom. I consider myself a coach first and judge second - so if you ask how you did after a round/performance, you may hear some words of encouragement or gentle critique. I would want a judge to do the same for my students.

Know that I am listening intently to your performance or for the case you present in your argument and wish everyone the best of luck!

I am blank slate. tabula rasa. What I hear is how I judge.

I want to understand you while speaking (I’m in sales) and I want you to debate each other for the topics presented in the round. I will not read any files unless there is a clear distinction of misunderstanding.

CX:

I am a tab when it comes to CX. I only have a few set ideas on a couple of arguments. First, if you do no tell me otherwise, I consider theory to be procedural. Second, I am cool with framework debate in any capacity. Third, I will vote on anything; you just need to me what lens I need to view the round through.

LD:

I am a Tab judge and ok with any style of LD, whether it is progressive or traditional. With that being said, please tell me where I need to vote and spend time telling me the impacts of said voters. I like to see strong substance when it comes to showing how your opponent links into a particular argument. Thus, if you cannot put in the work on a particular link, it would benefit you to go on to another argument. When it comes to theory or any sort of topicality or observational argument, I consider this to be procedural, and I put it at the top of the flow; of course, you do have the opportunity to tell me why the argument is not procedural, you will just need to put in the work. When it comes to K's or any Kritik based arguments, I am good with those; again, just make sure you have a strong link. I would rather opponents not read Kritik based position when competing against someone unfamiliar with these arguments; while it might be an easy win on the flow, you are most likely not going to walk out of the round with good speaks. I am cool with C.P's and D.A's and really have no stipulations, but would remind you to garner the impacts you want from them and let me know what I need to vote on by the NR.

When it comes to a more traditional debate style, I am cool with anything you choose to run as framing. I view impacts through the lens of what your framework says is good; however, if you want to tell me why I need to view impacts through something else, I will vote there. Besides that, you are free to do what you would like, I just need to see voters so I know what to vote on.

PF:

I view PF through the lens of mechanics over substance, I like it when competitors can show me how arguments are interacting with one another in an offense v. defense manner. From this, I like to see competitors extend the offense they have and give me voters. If the mechanic's side of the debate is not handled well I will default to substance, this is going to be specifically what is happening on the warrant level of the debate and how it interacts with the impact level of the debate, basically, at this point, the debate has become one of persuasion rather than line-by-line.

I am a high school science teacher and speech and debate coach. I've coached speech and debate for 9 years. I competed in speech and congressional debate in high school, then some speech in college. I am very passionate about the power of communication. Above all, it is extremely important to me that you articulate and enunciate well. This can still be accomplished with reasonable speed. Take care to explain your arguments well. I strongly prefer constructive speeches with resolutional analysis, framework, key definitions, and a standard that I can use to weigh arguments. I should have a solid understanding of what you think are the most important issues in the round. Please use voters! If you want me to vote on it, please make sure it is in your final speech and explain it thoroughly so I can understand it.

Arguments

Argue on logic, not emotions. Construct well-impacted, well-supported arguments. Quotations have no meaning without explanations. Therefore, always explain the significance of your evidence. The debater that most clearly presents a logical argument AND effectively refutes the opponent will be the victor.

Evidence

I may ask you to post your case or cards, if a virtual tournament. I may call for cards if your opponents ask me to, if the card is widely disputed during the round, or if it sounds exceptionally sketchy. According to NSDA rules, you can also access the Internet during round if you need to show your opponent the full citation.

Speed and Flowing

Anything below spread speed is fine. If you go fast, you should: SLOW DOWN when using tag lines and signposting. Give clear citations. Make sure you tell me where you are on the flow (off time roadmaps). Please look out for physical cues if you are speed-talking. If I look visibly confused or if my hand isn’t moving, that’s probably because I can’t understand you. While I don’t flow crossfire/cross-ex, I’ll remember anything exceptionally witty or smart you say. Make sure you repeat anything significant from crossfire/cross-ex in your next speeches. Rebuttal speeches should be well organized. Please go straight down the flow.

Behavior

Don’t be mean. If you’re mean, my brain will naturally find a way to vote against you. Being assertive is valued. Being aggressive is unnecessary. There is a difference between a passionate debater and an abrasive or condescending debater. Crossfires/cross-ex needs to be conducted with civility. You can be civil and still have clash in the round. I enjoy good clash.

Specific to LD

My judging paradigm for Lincoln Douglas (LD) Debate is a clash of values. The value represents a means to an idealistic, just world. The criterion is the standard by which to measure the opposing value and to ultimately define the value that should be upheld. The contentions are used to uphold the value. Impact all your contentions back to your value. Value, criterion, and contentions must be clearly stated by both sides. Therefore, the debater that upholds their value and criteria with the strongest contentions and strongest cross examination will receive the higher points, thus (generally) the win.

Speaker Points

30: Excellent job, you demonstrate stand-out organizational skills and speaking abilities. Ability to use creative analytical skills and humor to simplify and clarify the round.

29: Very strong ability. Good eloquence, analysis, and organization. A couple minor stumbles or drops.

28: Above average. Good speaking ability. May have made a larger drop or flaw in argumentation but speaking skills compensate. Or, very strong analysis but weaker speaking skills.

27: About average. Ability to function well in the round, however analysis may be lacking. Some errors made.

26: Is struggling to function efficiently within the round. Either lacking speaking skills or analytical skills. May have made a more important error.

25: Having difficulties following the round. May have a hard time filling the time for speeches. Large error.

Below: Extreme difficulty functioning. Very large difficulty filling time or offensive or rude behavior.