Hello Fellow Speech Artists!

My name is Wade Bergstrom and I am the Speech and Debate teacher/coach for Middleton High School. Besides being actively involved in my own program, I was also a speech, debate, and drama competitor throughout my own high school days at Minico High in the 1990's. I debated mostly policy (which was vastly different than today) and LD. These are my preferences in a debate round:

Rule #1 RESPECT! any competitor that I feel is being rude, mocking, or talking down to another person will notice in their speaker points.

I dislike spreading.... Okay, I HATE spreading! I pride on my ability to flow, but if you sound like an auctioneer (or Eminem on "Rap God/Godzilla") I am going to put down my pen and stare off into space wishing for the moment your "speech" ends. Needless to say, but if I can't flow it then it never happened. Interpret that how you may.

For Policy I am obviously a traditionalist. Kritiks are wasted on me. Stick to stock issues and you will do well.

For LD. I am a sucker for persuasion. Give me your best value and criterion argument and compel me to vote for your position.

Public Forum, be well prepared by having good cards and clearly lay out your case. Convince me.

I hope this helps and I wish you all success. Remember to HAVE FUN!

Clear, concise, and logical arguments. Please be respectful while still being competitive. I do not like spreading.

Hi! My name is Logun Boyer. I am a college student with a semester's worth of speech classes. I have arranged my paradigm by events that I am most passionate about.
In General:
Be respectful and nice to one another. Make sure that your evidence is presented in a way that anyone can understand it. Have a good understanding of the topic you are presenting. Make sure from start to finish that you are organized and on top of it. Not a minute without me being interested in what you have to say. Have fun! FILL UP YOUR TIME!!! NO DULL MOMENTS! I hate it when people use the words um, well, uh.
Policy:
Make sure when you are presenting that you have everything that you need for the topic you are presenting. When you are presenting make sure that you have a clear very of what you are talking about and what is the goal for the policy you are presenting.
Public Forum:
When the debate gets a bit more into what you are trying to present. Try and get on topic of it gets off course. Make sure that you are still being respectful. Have a good argument that is more based on facts but still has so much flow and emotion in there.
Lincoln Douglas Debate:
When debating about morality make sure that your argument is not based on facts and try to people to sympathize with you are why you are morally right. I love the emotion that is involved with these types of speeches. Don't attack the other person thou.
Congress:
Make sure that in Congress you do not attack the opposing party based on who they are as a person. Make sure that during your speeches you have my attention while also not attacking them as a person. Watch your language and the way that you speak. What you say and do from the moment you enter the room should be professional.
Interruption Events:
Duo interpretation:
Don’t glance at each other. Stay focused on what book you are trying to present.
Humorous/Dramatic interpretation:
No props. Try to have fun and do your interpretations. Make sure what you are displaying is a clear picture. Lots of emotions and passion behind it. To make the scene more surreal.
Program of Oral Interpretation:
Make sure you sure what you are doing is very CLEAR!!! Please remember to bring your manuscript with you. I wave heavily on making sure that things are balanced.

Platform:
After dinner speaking:
Be funny and show the passion behind the art. Put yourself in the scene and it should all be natural and flowing. Try your best to make me laugh. I want to be out of air at the end of it.
Communication Analysis:
Make sure what you are explaining to me can be explained to children.
Original Oratory:
Show the emotion and the fire you possess in your soul. I judge on how you can put your side in the best light possible.
Sales Speaking:
When you are speaking be interactive with it. And act like it's the best thing ever.
Information Speaking:
I do like accurate information and double-check on it so be aware of that.
Draw:
Impromptu Speaking:
Just act like it was like it was all part of the plan. Have passion and have fun with it.
Radio/Broadcast Journalism:
This is the ONLY EVENT WHERE THEY CAN HAVE THEIR PHONES!!! The round goes a lot of better when in you are in the character of the one you are assigned.
Retold Story:
Act like you are with five olds. Change your tone and body to where it would suit kids. Having different voice changes goes really well. And having different emotions as well.
Extemporaneous Speaking: Act like a professional.
Panel Discussion:
How well the flow of conversation goes and how you are talking to one another.

I debated 3 years in high school, and have 5 years coaching experience. I am the current head coach at Mountain View High School in Idaho. Most of my focus is on policy debate. When it comes to evaluating the round of any style of debate, I am a tabs judge. If you tell me how to vote, that's the way I will vote. I want you all to debate the best way you do and not try and adapt to what I like. If you can explain to me why you should win the debate, you will win the debate.

With that being said, I have a harder time seeing why running a Kritik should win you my ballot. I do default more to a policy framework. If you can take the time to tell me why you win, then run a K. However, I do tend to see more of a reason to vote for a policy argument. I also love to vote on Theory and Topicality. If you can show abuse in this round, then you have my ballot. Please feel free to ask me any specific questions at the beginning of the round.

I am a 'tab' judge. Teams/speakers must show me why their arguments should be voted on as opposed to assuming I will vote on them based on my own beliefs. I am a former TOC circuit policy debater and current head coach of a high school debate program. I am fine with all types of arguments, and very familiar with debate jargon and procedures.

I am typically fine with speed as well.

Please give clear voting issues a the end of the round.

Please signpost clearly.

Please give a brief off time road map prior to all speeches with the acceptation of the first affirmative.

GENERAL :

1. Speak clearly, do not speed. If you are used to speeding, learn Judge adaptation. If I can't understand your arguments, you have lost the round.

2. I like empirical evidence

3. I like a well-thought-out/planned case that makes sense logically—I like to be able to connect the dots.

SPEECH:

• Be clear: Ensure your arguments are clear and organized so the judge can follow.
• Be confident: Be confident in every speech and make it seem like you are invested in the round.
• Be respectful: Be respectful of your opponents.
• Be strategic: Consider what will be most compelling to your specific audience.

I reward speakers - w/ higher points - who make a presentation effort - (eye contact, slowing down on impact work, grouping & weighing in final speeches vs. a line-by-line, some humor helps) but will give high speaks to other kinds of debaters too

For both LD and PF:

I am a very traditional judge. Extreme speed, overuse of jargon, and trickery are not appreciated and could cost you the round. Win the round on the strength of your argument, the veracity of your evidence, and the clarity of your presentation.

Looking for students who speak clearly and address all of opponents contentions.

I do not have a background in speech and debate, other than judging over the last three years. However, I have always been a good listener and am willing to hear people out on any given subject without getting too riled up. I have always been able to see from many points of view on many subjects, and appreciate well thought out, factual, and calm responses to any argument. I don't mind some speed when talking, as long as words still come out clear. I do enjoy judging and look forward to learning even more as I go.

I have been a coach in Idaho since 2013 with students competing in Public Forum, Lincoln Douglas and Policy style debate. In general I prefer clear articulation, solid logic, and in depth analysis. I will add style specific details below.

Public Forum

I believe that public forum should remain the most accessible format of debate and should strive to avoid over reliance on Debate Theory or jargon. I prefer a few in depth and detailed arguments over a larger quantity of superficial arguments. Final Focus should include key voters on both sides.

Lincoln Douglas

I am on the progressive side of traditional for LD debate. I believe the value debate is the key to Lincoln Douglas debate and expect clash on the value level as well as the argument level. I like the inclusion of philosophical arguments and may vote only on philosophy if it is warranted. I enjoy definition and theory debate but you'll have to work very hard to get me to vote on a K.

Policy

I am a traditionalist in Policy debate. I vote almost exclusively on the stock issues, I believe that the Affirmative must sufficiently address each of the major stock issues and have never voted on a kritical Aff. I believe T is a voter, but that the default assumption is that the Aff is topical. I don't like topical CP's and you will have to work pretty hard to get me to vote on a K. I default to Condo Bad so the neg will need to justify any conditional positions. I am not a fan of high speed "spreading" or any rate of speed which inhibits clarity of arguments or speech. I want to be able to flow the warrants and links as well as taglines and impacts.

Hi! I'm Lexi. I did Speech and Debate in highschool for three years. I went to nationals in LD my senior year and placed top 45 in the nation. I love great flow work and respectful banter. For speech, I mainly did DUO, HI, and ADS. Regardless of what I'm judging though, I expect everyone to be kind and caring. Speech and Debate is fun.

It's important that participants speak loud enough to be heard and that they don't speak so quickly that I can't understand what they're saying.

It's also important that participants are professional and courteous in regard to the process and to others.

Lastly, I look for roadmaps, framework, and well supported contentions/arguments. Poorly structured or supported contentions and arguments are not as strong or as easy to follow.

I expect everyone to debate honorably and with respect to your opponent. Debate the topic- not the person.

LD/PF/Extemp Debate:

What I love to see is a case that goes beyond the obvious; straight-to-the-point questions; a well-organized rebuttal that can attack every aspect of your opponent's case; and voters that clearly point out why and how you won. If I notice issues in your opponent's argumentation that you do not bring up during voters, I will view that as a point against you.

Congress:

If you stand up to speak, you should have new points and evidence to back up what you are saying. Speeches based on feelings or repeating what has already been said are not effective.

Policy:

I’m 100% a lay judge for policy. My team does not do this event, and I do not teach this event. If you want to talk super fast, make sure you’re enunciating clearly enough so I know what you’re saying.

Speech Events: (My Favorite!)

I am pretty simple.

As a judge and avid public speaker, I am looking for articulation, annunciation, good projection, and an engaging presentation.

Be presentable and prepared.

Debate: (Also fun!)

Convince me that your argument is the best prepared argument being presented. I am impartial to "sides". As a judge it is my responsibility to judge fairly and equitably. Facts matter in the debate. Ensure that the material you are using/presenting is accurate, and you have vetted your information. The way you present your information is just as important as your accuracy and use of sources. I want to be able to comprehend what you are conveying, so please, be articulate, project so the room can hear you. Presentation is just as important as the material, be engaging, I want to be interested in what you are speaking about. Time is of the essence, but so is being able to understand you.

Spectators are always welcome unless otherwise stated by NSD event rules or the participants choose collectively to not have spectators. Spectators, please be respectful of the competitors, no phones, no sideline chatter please. Please hold applauses until the end of the competitor's presentation.

I am a judge who has formerly competed in debate in high school and college, and I am a coach.

I will flow the round and make decisions based on the ability of a debater to tie arguments back to frameworks and properly defend their position using line by line argumentation. I attempt to be a tabula rassa judge, but no person is entirely a blank slate. So, if you can directly attack and refute the arguments of your opponent by using evidence that is convincing and do so in a rhetorically effective manner then you will do well. I will not connect arguments for you, so you have to be able to make clear linkages between impacts and your case's ability to solve them. Please sign post along the way so I know where you are at in the debate, and make the debate as comprehensive as you possibly can. Use overviews and voters in rebuttals to summarize and connect your speeches effectively. Use your time wisely and be courteous of your opponents and their time as well.

I will hear out most arguments as long as they are clear and sufficiently backed up with evidence.

I was never a competitor.

This is my 7th year judging HS speech and debate and 2nd year as a Coach.

I do not like spreading.

LD Debate:

I take framework into consideration, but not as much as arguments.

Policy Debate:

I prefer quality and content over speed. I can usually follow , but I want to understand your argument, not just hear it.

Kritiks are not welcome.

The main thing I look for is impacts, I like to know how I am affected and why I should care.

The next thing I look at is the framework, if you give me a framework use it, and don't drop it.

I don't mind conflict during the round (I think it is fun to watch) but when you leave please be kind and friendly to your opponent.

No Spreading, if you talk fast, I can't understand and follow your case.

I am an assistant coach with ten years of experience judging debate.

I will judge on the flow and am open to most kinds of arguments. Make sure you connect the dots (tell me how it connects to your case). I am fine with speed, although sometimes speakers are not as clear as they think they are.

Although I like lots of clash, please clash politely with your opponents. I want to hear you address your opponent’s arguments meaningfully. Tell me why winning dropped arguments wins the debate for you. Give me the impact of those dropped arguments.

For LD, know and understand your arguments. Then explain and link them to your value and criterion for me.

I want you to give me clear, impactful voters. Why did you win?

Have fun!

Be respectful of each other. You can argue your point and refute or even attack an opponents point without attacking your opponent or using hurtful language.

Please do not talk excessively fast. Your rate of speaking should be the same as in a normal or spirited conversation. If you talk so fast that I cannot follow what you are saying it will be very difficult for me to give you a score. If you talk like it is a race it will negatively affect your score.

I cannot process speed talk. Please face me as much as possible while speaking. I utilize lip reading to help my comprehension of spoken language. If you talk quickly or unclearly while turned away I will NOT understand you.

Try to utilize the majority of your available time.

I am interested in hearing logical and well thought out claims with plenty of information to back you up. Structure your thoughts and make clear transitions. This way I will be able to catch all of your main points and reduce confusion.