I'm Tyler Crivella, current senior and President of Seven Lakes High School's Speech and Debate Team. I have competed in every event TFA offers except POI and DUO. Slay all day.

Loud sounds, eating, chewing gum, sniffling, gaveling, and other sounds will down you. I have hearing disabilities and your articulation and reasonable (but not overbearing) projection are crucial to my participation. If I put headphones on, do not adjust to speak louder, it means you are too loud and you should likely adjust.

Extemp: I have a modern view on how extemp should be run but still a pretty basic rubric in most rounds. For higher level extemp, I prefer speeches to be both comedic and dramatic: doing both in a speech is a lot more skillful than just one. No layered analysis unless you really, really think it'll work. Priorities are as follows:
1. Answering the Question
2. Quality of the Points
3. Quality of Analysis (Including background)
4. Stucture and Fluency
5. Presentation
6. Number and Quality of Sources

Debate: Consider me as flay. I'm not here for spreading and will just stop flowing. Talk to me before round if you want me to say clear or something of that matter. That being said: I have competed in PF, LD, WSD, and UIL CX. I evaluate the round based on only arguments in the round. Your evidence means nothing to me without methodology or application.

Congress: If you PO, do not expect a free break. In a round of great speakers, you will be ranked under them even with perfect PO'ing. Do not gavel as PO or I will straight up kick you out of the room. POs should run the room: asking for splits if needed, moving things along rather than a representative. I prefer two point speeches but I can ride with one argument speeches too. Refutation is a must if you are not giving the first three speeches and even those one should have some. Questioning is not a screaming match. More speeches ≠ better speaker. The "PO" and "two speech" meta is bad. I would rather the round hit four bills with good, short, and dense debate than a prolonged, dead round after twelve speeches on each bill. AGDs, fluency, stance, and general speech skills do actually matter; it's not just the flow. Amendments are a dead medium that should make a resurgence.

Speech: Don't adapt your speech for me unless it's a concern of volume/sounds, in which case that is existential to your placement. I will do time signals and if I mess them up, you will not receive any retribution or penalty. I suggest you ask me about how time signals will be given and about how the structure of the round will go if you aren't sure. Be a good spectator; no phones and no leaving during speeches.

Hi! I am Ryan, a second-year student in college, currently coaching my high school's team (my second year as well). I did Speech in HS for 3 years and had success on the local level (qualled for States/NCFLS). If you have any questions or concerns, including email chains, you can contact me via- rcurran2022@stanner.org

TLDR; I can judge trad/prog rounds, but don't be too pushy with prog. I am fine with speed, but don't do so without checking w opponents. Tech over truth, but don't abuse that to the highest limits!

• Feel free to ask me stuff about continuing speech and debate outside of HS!! I've been involved in nonprofit work regarding this activity, in addition to judging, assisting with research, etc. I would rather assist you than to remain silent and not say anything about resources/materials!

DISCLAIMER- I am hard of hearing, so I will need you to speak loud and clear. This is just to let you know in advance if you wonder why I ask you to repeat something. I am fine with speed, just PLEASE send me your case in advance. Also, if I cannot hear/understand you, I will say a verbal/nonverbal clear (either comes down as to what you prefer).

Accommodation Note: PLEASE disclose to your opponents about anything, whether you are more of a prog/trad debater, if you spread, etc. It makes things easier, especially if you go against someone who has a disability. Debate is an educational activity, and should be accessible for everyone :)

For all events- Make me laugh!!! I love it when students crack jokes during speeches, even for debate. Don't do it too much obviously (unless it is a meme round).

• I notice that some students feel a bit limited in their creative aspects-- go wild. I love seeing students going beyond the limits of speech and debate.

PF and LD:

Consider me as a prog/lay judge. I love hearing debates that are more of so on the tech/prog side but note that I started coaching/learning debate, in general, less than 2 years ago. I still love traditional debate just as much, also because it's the most familiar I am with when I was on the team and now. However, I am fine with whatever you run (obviously not something that's just blatantly wrong or ignorant, as well as tricks).

I am fine with speed (as mentioned before), but let your opponents know before round. It makes me frown like this :( when varsity debaters spread/run progressive args without checking in with those beforehand or novices

Tech > Truth, but please for the love of god, don't abuse that. There are limits I will look at where there's absurd arguments (similar to what I said before about tricks)

Weigh weigh weigh. It helps me to see your arguments and to know WHY I should be voting for you.

Let me know where you are at during the round via signposting!!! This way I know where you are, and I don't have to worry about that. I want to at least hear your tags so I'm not lost where I am at.

Be concise with your refutations. I want you to focus on the points that you know your opponent will likely carry over/collapse towards the end of the round. I do not want to hear you say the same thing when your opponents contentions/turns/anything go unheard and now you’ve left it for them to bring those up

Same thing with off time roadmaps, that'll help me a lot, but don't go on and on, just summarize.

I do flow most of the debate, including cross-ex, just keep that in mind. I've been flowing either on computer or paper, which I’ve had a love/hate relationship with both.

Congress:

I have realized that my preference for Congressional Debate may be different than others, so I wanted to list down some stuff I like to see in a chamber/round:

• Be clear and precise in your speech. Quality will outweigh quantity in my eyes. Even if you have two points in your speech, you have enough time to state your data, analysis, and more within each of them.
• Parliamentary procedure is key! I want to know that your performance is on point not just through your speeches, but your delivery of motions before/during/after.
• I have seen more walking in speeches the last year or so. I like it, but don't be too excessive.
• Clash clash clash.

Presiding Officer- I commend students who have taken on this role. It is not an easy feat, and can be screwed over during rounds. I will always start my PO within the Top 5 rankings of the chamber.

• However, you are going to have to be consistent with your recency/overall charts. Take control of the round and stand your ground if needed.
• If you are doing an online tournament, I would highly recommend using index cards when giving time signals. There are references you can find on YouTube where previous PO's at nat circuit tournaments have used them.

Speech:

There's really nothing I have specific in terms of preferences for Speech, since it is typically obvious with the rules under each event.

• But, I will say that I am not a huge fan of excessive walking (as said before with Congress). I did Oratory, so I have seen and judged numerous speeches where this happens.

If there are any specific questions you have before or after a round, just lmk. Any form of discrimination during rounds will result in an automatic drop. Debate is supposed to be an enjoyable space where you are able to delve into the world of argumentation and research.

Hey y'all! I'm Valor (they/them), a varsity extemper who's participated in DI, Commentary, and Impromptu (though I've coached Oratory and Informative)! I know speech paradigms are rare, but here's my words of wisdom:

-PLEASE SPECIFY YOUR TIME SIGNALS! Even if you don't, I will most likely ask anyway.

-I'm more well versed in limited prep events, so I am biased towards natural speakers that don't sound rehearsed :) even if it's a memorized speech, make it your own!

-If you're in a limited prep event, make sure to utilize the space both with your movement and eye contact- we should be graduating past the 'stare at a spot in the back of the room'

-I care less about you messing up than how you choose to recover, don't let one little slip-up throw off your message. Trust me, it's not as noticeable as you think it is :)

-Delivery > content > organization, though all are important

-Short speeches will be ranked low (I don't enforce grace period super strictly unless it's like way over), though if you have a well-timed organization that doesn't feel rushed, I'll understand

-If you're in an interp event, take big risks! If I see you're playing it safe, I'll rank you lower than someone who's not afraid to throw themselves into the character (yes, yes, I'm a theatre kid)

-Don't feel like you have to appeal to me by picking a specific point of view; judges are meant to be subjective and I want to hear your genuine take on the issue.

-Be confident and own the stage!! You've got this :)

Hey, I'm Aidan! I competed in Public Forum and Extemp at Benilde-St. Margaret's School from 2019-2023, primarily on the MN local circuit. I am studying Philosophy, Politics and Economics at Davidson College in NC.

Paradigm for Spring Break Special: NA :)

Hi! My name is Ece and I used compete in Extemp at LHP

I've judged every speech event, but here is mainly what I look for.

For Extemp:

Structure Structure Structure. You should lay out a clear roadmap of your speech and I want to see warrants for every claim. Having a solid understanding of substructure is going to be ranked higher than snake charming. I like seeing credible sources, but adding in think tanks and varied authors will definitely strengthen your argument. Please do not use canned AGDs or On Tops.

Structure > Content > Delivery

I'd much rather see a well thought out nuanced speech that I can follow over a used car salesman.

For Prepared Events:

Strong organization and few memory slips are definitely critical. I always love seeing interesting takes, but a well road mapped speech is going to automatically stand out for me. Hand gestures and well utilized expressions are also really important to me in these events.

Overall, I don't mind a couple flubs in delivery if the passion, thought, and content of the speech was there. Be confident! You guys are all going to achieve great things.