Ridge Debates
2023 — Basking Ridge, NJ/US
Public Forum Paradigm List
All Paradigms: Show HideI'm pretty open minded to any technique/approach with respect to cases and debating (spreading, Critiques, Theories etc).
I expect both debaters to exhibit sportsmanship and decorum when engaging with each other.
Be sure to provide adequate evidence and to link back to your Contention/Value Criterion. Try to provide distinctive arguments in a claim-warrant-impact format.
Also, be sure to crystallize your arguments in your last speech. This is important on the flow and I will weigh the round based on this.
Email: Akridgea989@gmail.com
Treat me like an four-year-old, please.
I competed in PF from 2012-2016 at Bronx Science.
Please use the summary and final focus to clearly weigh arguments and recap the debate, organized into specific voting issues -- do not just go down the flow, meaning: do not try to go for every single issue in summary.
Although the flow is important, big-picture analysis, framework/overview, and superior argument-level warranting can win my ballot.
A little bit about me: I coach for Millburn High School in New Jersey. I competed on the circuit in high school and college.
I do my very best to be as non-interventionist as possible, but I know some students like reading judge's paradigms to get a better sense of what they're thinking. I hope that the below is helpful :).
Overall: You can be nice and a good debater. :)
Here are some things to consider if I'm your Parliamentarian/ Judge in Congressional Debate:
- I am a sucker for a well-executed authorship/ sponsorship, so please don't be afraid to give the first speech! Just because you don't have refutation doesn't mean it isn't a good speech. I will be more inclined to give you a better speech score if you stand up and give the speech when no one is willing to do so because it shows preparedness.
- Bouncing off of the above bullet point, two things I really dislike while at national circuit tournaments are having no one stand up to give the earlier speeches (particularly in out rounds) and one-sided debate. You should be prepared to speak on either side of the legislation. You're there to debate, so debate. I'm much more inclined to rank you higher if you flip and have fluency breaks than if you're the fourth aff in a row.
- Asking the same question over and over to different speakers isn't particularly impressive to me (only in extreme circumstances should this ever be done). Make sure that you are catering the questions to the actual arguments from the speech and not asking generic questions that could be asked of anyone.
- Make my job easy as the judge. I will not make any links for you; you need to make the links yourself.
- Warrants are so important! Don't forget them!
- If you are giving one of the final speeches on a piece of legislation, I expect you to weigh the arguments and impacts that we have heard throughout the debate. Unless there has been a gross negligence in not bringing up a particular argument that you think is revolutionary and changes the debate entirely, you shouldn't really be bringing up new arguments at this point. There are, of course, situations where this may be necessary, but this is the general rule of thumb. Use your best judgment :).
- Please do your best to not read off of your pad. Engage with the audience/ judges, and don't feel as though you have to have something written down verbatim. I'm not expecting a speech to be completely flawless when you are delivering it extemporaneously. I historically score speeches higher if delivered extemporaneously and have a couple of minor fluency lapses than a speech read off of a sheet of paper with perfect fluency.
- Be active in the chamber! Remember, the judges are not ranking students based upon who is giving the best speeches, but who are the best legislators overall. This combines a myriad of factors, including speeches, questioning, overall activity, leadership in the chamber, decorum, and active listening (i.e. not practicing your speech while others are speaking, paying attention, etc.) Keep this in mind before going into a session.
- Please please please don't speak over the top of one another. This being said, that doesn't mean you have a right to monopolize the questioning time, but there is a nice way to cut someone off if they're going too long. Use your best judgment. Don't cut someone off two seconds after they start answering your question.
- I rank based on who I think are the overall best legislators in the chamber. This is a combination of the quality of speeches, questioning, command of parliamentary procedure, preparedness, and overall leadership and decorum in the chamber.
Let me know if you have any questions! :)
Here are some things to consider if I'm your judge in Public Forum:
- Please add me to the email chain if you have one: jordybarry@gmail.com
- I am really open to hearing almost any type of argument (except K's, please don't run K's in PF), but I wouldn’t consider myself a super techy judge. Do your thing, be clear, and enjoy yourselves!
- Please debate the resolution. It was written for a reason.
- It's important to me that you maintain clarity throughout the round. In addition, please don’t spread. I don’t have policy/ LD judging experience and probably won’t catch everything. If you get too fast/ to spreading speed I’ll say clear once, and if it’s still too fast/ you start spreading again, I’ll stop typing to indicate that I’m not getting what you’re saying on my flow.
- Take advantage of your final focus. Tell me why I should vote for you, don't solely focus on defensive arguments.
- Maintain organization throughout the round - your speeches should tell me what exact argument you are referring to in the round. Signposting is key! A messy debate is a poorly executed debate.
- I don't weigh one particular type of argument over another. I vote solely based on the flow, and will not impose my pre-existing beliefs and convictions on you (unless you're being racist, sexist, homophobic, antisemitic, or xenophobic). It's your show, not mine!
- Please please please don't speak over the top of one another. This being said, that doesn't mean you have a right to monopolize the questioning time, but there is a nice way to cut someone off if they're going too long. Use your best judgment. Don't cut someone off two seconds after they start answering your question.
- Be polite!
- Make my job easy. I should not have to (and will not) make any links for you. You have to make the link yourselves. There should be a clear connection to your impacts.
- Weighing impacts is critical to your success, so please do it!
Any questions, please feel free to ask! Have fun and good luck!
I am the parent of a (former) Hunter College High School debater and a current Horace Mann debater. I am also a litigator. Most of my experience is with public forum debate. My preferences are: No "theory" and no excessive spreading. Thanks!
I am a lay judge and will vote based on who explains their argument most clearly and weighs the best. I don't like when contestants spread. Being respectful and clear are my main priorities.
Please focus on logic and quality of your debate.
Please don't speak too fast. Be clear, concise and focus on the key points.
Respect each other and be polite.
I'm a parent judge. My daughter is a varsity PF debater, so I understand what flow is, but still treat me as a lay.
I prioritize well warranted arguments with strong evidence (not just card names & stats). Do not spread. Be respectful and kind :)
My Background:
- I am a parent judge who started judging when our son began debating as a freshman in high school
- Have judged Public Forum
What I expect from debaters:
- Speak clearly and slowly. I cannot stress this enough. If you speak too quickly and I can't follow you, you will not be helping your team.- --- Persuade me with arguments that are supported by evidence. Evidence should be presented with full citations and explained clearly. Citations without explanations or explanations without citations are not persuasive.- Tell me why I should vote for your side by explaining with particularity why the other side's arguments fail and why yours don't.
Focus me on the important issues in your favor.
- Be respectful of everyone who is participating in your debate - your opponents, and your partner. Consider your tone, your conduct, and your words.
- Do not assume that I understand acronyms or phrases that are peculiar to the topic but not necessarily in common use in the English language. Please take the time to define them.
I feel honored to judge your debate and debating skills. Please do not feel I am ever judging you as a person. I feel privileged to hear your learned thoughts on the debate topics.
I have been impressed with all debaters I have heard to date and you and your colleagues gift me great hope for the future! :-)
Here are the things that I value most in a debate tournament:
1) Be respectful!
2) Be clear on your reasoning!
3) I am particularly interested in how you can elaborate the impacts.
Good day debaters,
I have volunteered as a parent judge for past 2 years. I prefer clear, concise arguments over speed. if you are going to use acronyms or technical terms, please take your time to explain as much as possible. Please be respectful and polite to your opponents. I love to see the argument viewed from multiple angles and positions substantiated with facts and figures. good luck!
About me : I am parent volunteer judge and a teacher, This is my second season jugdging.
Comments:
-Please be nice, and please be clear
-Explain the speech/debate topic and Format
-Speech and Debate should be logical and engaging, I like value argument over style.
-Keep medium speaking pace
-I take notes in constructive, rebuttal and crossfire(pf)
Lay + parent judge
You don’t need to speak super slowly, but do not spread and if you need to speak fast, please articulate well
DO NOT run Ks or theory; I do not know how to evaluate them
I will not flow but I will take some notes
Weighing is necessary to win the round
Be respectful towards your opponents at all times
In cross examination, the goal should be to (politely) seek clarification or to highlight what you believe are analytic or factual weaknesses in their argument; the goal should NOT be to to intimidate, shout down, or otherwise prevent your opponents from actually responding
If you interrupt or otherwise prevent them from responding, I will score the cross in their favor; if they do not meaningfully respond to the substance of your question, I will score it in yours
I am a parent judge.
Please explain your arguments clearly. I value logical reasoning and clear connections between your arguments and the resolution.
Please back up your arguments with evidence, and explain why the evidence matter.
I would appreciate it if you explain to me why your side should win.
If you speak too quickly, I may miss important details.
I try my best to flow.
Please be respectful to your opponents throughout the debate.
Please add me to the email chain: li.he.2008@gmail.com
Good luck!
For PF Penn/Harvard:
Email: sunayhegde2017@gmail.com
Did LD In HS for 4 years at montville. Used to have a long paradigm but decided to try to shorten it, if you have specific questions ask irl, but ill try my best to go with whatever yall want/try to be as non-dogmatic on things as best as I can.
Send speech docs of all cards being read before round and set up a email chain, please do not do the send cards after, it makes things go much slower, and is generally just a better practice to send a speech doc with whatever cards were read.
Should be fine with speed, but since I've been out of debate for a while, my flowing has gotten a lot worse, so if you're going like really fast on analytics, there's a good chance I'll miss something. Better to either slow down on analytics or like send them, but ill clear you if I cant flow you at all.
I really like disclosure, and I think it should be a norm PF (so if your opp hasn't disclosed its probably a good idea to run disclosure in front of me). That being said ill vote on disclosure bad if I think you won your counter interp/reasonability or something, but the bar will just be higher to win that.
I will vote on literally anything, (ie vote after 1ac, friv shells, etc..) but like naturally, the more I dont understand the arg, the greater chance I just can't vote on it. The more objectively untrue an arg (ie sky is green) the lower the bar is for a response. Also these arguments still need a warrant, like I won't vote on ev after 1ac if there isn't some sort justification irregardless even if the justification is "stupid". Esp since I've been out of debate for a bit it means I'll naturally be less familiar with some ideas. This means Pomo, really obscure Phil, complicated link chains, weird pems, etc.. probably need a lot more explanation/go slower, since otherwise, if I'm lost as to like what the arg is, it makes it really hard to vote on that. Good with Policy args, theory and stock Ks (cap, security, etc..). Will vote on spikes, but probably dont read a nailbomb AC.
Please collapse, and give a ballot story and do judge instruction as to why you won the round by FF. If you just LBL and do no like judge instruction (ie: if we win this link turn, we win round cuz xyz, or even if scenarios) then it's more likely I will need to intervene and the decision/speaks won't go your way. Also please make sure your actually explaining your weighing and why it matters ie its not enough just assert we ow on scope, prob etc.., but argue why that ows other weighing mechanism, or why your terminal impact ows/link turns their impacts.
Hello students,
I have been judging for the last couple of years and enjoy it a lot.
It's a great learning experience for me as well. I look forward to a wonderful time with you all.
All the best!
Congratulations for participating in Speech and Debate!
I’m a debate enthusiast, and my leisure time is spent promoting the sport for all students. Whether you win or lose this round, you are developing competencies that will carry you throughout your life. Now for how to win my ballot.
I'm a FLAY (Flow /Laymen) PF judge, so while I flow the round, I expect a respectful and civil atmosphere— and make sure your narrative makes sense. In other words, don’t read a bunch of statistics to support arguments that don’t seem reasonable in the real world.
In my evaluations, I prioritize the following three factors, listed in no particular order:
1) Weighing: clearly explain the arguments made by both sides as early as the second rebuttal and throughout the remainder of the round
2) Warrant: provide logical reasoning behind the evidence presented and critically interrogate your opponents' warrants.
3) Clash/Crossfire: fully engage with and provide quality responses to the arguments made by your opponent, rather than simply disagreeing with them. With that said, don’t stress the crossfire. The crossfire is NOT going to make or break the round. At most, it may impact your speaker points. Thus, it's important to use that time to thoroughly interrogate and understand the opponent's narrative to have a meaningful exchange of ideas for the remainder of the round.
If evenly matched on all the above, perceptual dominance (i.e., tone, presence, confidence, and team dynamic) wins!
Automatic Loss:
Warning: If tempted to give false evidence, Don’t Do It!
Speaker Point deduction:
Icks:
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Repeatedly (3 or more) asking opponents for cards. You might as well ask them to send you their entire case- SUS!
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Looking only at the judge the entire round without ever looking at your opponent; I find it dismissive and rude to your opponent. It’s important to fluctuate your attention and consider both the judge and your opponent during the round.
Yes, email chain: sohailjouyaATgmailDOTcom
PUBLIC FORUM JUDGING PHILOSOPHY IS HERE
Update:
- Probably not the best judge for the "Give us a 30!" approach unless it becomes an argument/point of contestation in the round. Chances are I'll just default to whatever I'd typically give. To me, these kind of things aren't arguments, but judge instructions that are external to making a decision regarding the debate occurring.
BIG PICTURE
- I appreciate adaptation to my preferences but don’t do anything that would make you uncomfortable. Never feel obligated to compete in a manner that inhibits your ability to be effective. My promise to you will be that I will keep an open mind and assess whatever you chose. In short: do you.
- Tech guided by Truth.All this means is that I recognize that debate is not merely a game, but rather a competition that models the world in which we live. This doesn’t mean I believe judges should intervene on the basis of argumentative preference - what it does mean is that embedded clash band the “nexus question” of the round is of more importance than blippy technical oversights between certain sheets of paper - especially in K v K debates.
Don't fret: a dropped argument is still a concession. I likely have a higher threshold for the development of arguments that are more intrinsically dubious and lack warrants.
- As a former coach of a UDL school where many of my debaters make arguments centred on their identity, diversity is a genuine concern. It may play a factor in how I evaluate a round, particularly in debates regarding what’s “best” for the community/activity.
Do you and I’ll do my best to evaluate it but I’m not a tabula rasa and the dogma of debate has me to believe the following. I have put a lot of time and thought into this while attempting to be parsimonious - if you are serious about winning my ballot a careful read would prove to serve you well:
FORM
- All speech acts are performances, consequently, debaters should defend their performances including the advocacy, evidence, arguments/positions, interpretations, and representations of said speech acts.
- One of the most annoying questions a judged can be asked: “Are you cool with speed?”
In short: yes. But smart and slow always beats fast and dumb.
I have absolutely no preference on rate of delivery, though I will say it might be smart to slow down a bit on really long tags, advocacy texts, your totally sweet theory/double-bind argument or on overviews that have really nuanced descriptions of the round. My belief is that speed is typically good for debate but please remember that spreading’s true measure is contingent on the number of arguments that are required to be answered by the other team not your WPM.
- Pathos: I used to never really think this mattered at all. To a large degree, it still doesn’t considering I’m unabashedly very flowcentric but I tend to give high speaker points to debaters who performatively express mastery knowledge of the subjects discussed, ability to exercise round vision, assertiveness, and that swank.
- Holistic Approaches: the 2AR/2NR should be largely concerned with two things:
1) provide framing of the round so I can make an evaluation of impacts and the like
2) descriptively instruct me on how to make my decision
Overviews have the potential for great explanatory power, use that time and tactic wisely.
While I put form first, I am of the maxim that “form follows function” – I contend that the reverse would merely produce an aesthetic, a poor formula for argument testing in an intellectually rigorous and competitive activity. In summation: you need to make an argument and defend it.
FUNCTION
- The Affirmative ought to be responsive to the topic. This is a pinnacle of my paradigm that is quite broad and includes teams who seek to engage in resistance to the proximate structures that frame the topic. Conversely, this also implicates teams that prioritize social justice - debaters utilizing methodological strategies for best resistance ought to consider their relationship to the topic.
Policy-oriented teams may read that last sentence with glee and K folks may think this is strike-worthy…chill. I do not prescribe to the notion that to be topical is synonymous with being resolutional.
- The Negative’s ground is rooted in the performance of the Affirmative as well as anything based in the resolution. It’s that simple; engage the 1AC if at all possible.
- I view rounds in an offense/defense lens. Many colleagues are contesting the utility of this approach in certain kinds of debate and I’m ruminating about this (see: “Thoughts on Competition”) but I don’t believe this to be a “plan focus” theory and I default to the notion that my decisions require a forced choice between competing performances.
- I will vote on Framework. (*This means different things in different debate formats - I don't mean impact framing or LD-centric "value/value criterion" but rather a "You must read a plan" interpretation that's typically in response to K Affs)That means I will vote for the team running the position based on their interpretation, but it also means I’ll vote on offensive responses to the argument. Vindicating an alternative framework is a necessary skill and one that should be possessed by kritikal teams - justifying your form of knowledge production as beneficial in these settings matter.
Framework appeals effectively consist of a normative claim of how debate ought to function. The interpretation should be prescriptive; if you are not comfortable with what the world of debate would look like if your interpretation were universally applied, then you have a bad interpretation. The impact to your argument ought to be derived from your interpretation (yes, I’ve given RFDs where this needed to be said). Furthermore, a Topical Version of the Affirmative must specifically explain how the impacts of the 1AC can be achieved, it might be in your best interest to provide a text or point to a few cases that achieve that end. This is especially true if you want to go for external impacts that the 1AC can’t access – but all of this is contingent on a cogent explanation as to why order precedes/is the internal link to justice.
- I am pretty comfortable judging Clash of Civilization debates.
- Framework is the job of the debaters. Epistemology first? Ontology? Sure, but why? Where does performance come into play – should I prioritize a performative disad above the “substance” of a position? Over all of the sheets of paper in the round? These are questions debaters must grapple with and preferably the earlier in the round the better.
- "Framework is how we frame our work" >>>>> "FrAmEwOrK mAkEs ThE gAmE wOrK"
-Presumption can be an option. In my estimation, the 2NR may go for Counterplan/Kritik while also giving the judge the option of the status quo. Call it “hypo-testing” or whatever but I believe a rational decision-making paradigm doesn’t doom me to make a single decision between two advocacies, especially when the current status of things is preferable to both (the net-benefit for a CP/linear DA and impact for a K). I don't know if I really “judge kick” for you, instead, the 2NR should explain an “even if” route to victory via presumption to allow the 2AR to respond.
“But what about when presumption flips Affirmative?” This is a claim that I wish would be established prior to the 2NR, but I know that's not gonna happen. I've definitely voted in favour of plenty of 2ARs that haven't said that in the 1AR. The only times I can envision this is when the 2NR is going all-in on a CP.
- Role of the Ballots ought to invariably allow the 1AC/1NC to be contestable and provide substantial ground to each team. Many teams will make their ROBs self-serving at best, or at worse, tautological. That's because there's a large contingency of teams that think the ROB is an advocacy statement. They are not. Even more teams conflate a ROB with a Role of the Judge instruction and I'm just now making my peace with dealing with that reality.
If the ROB fails to equally distribute ground, they are merely impact framing. A good ROB can effectively answer a lot of framework gripes regarding the Affirmative’s pronouncement of an unfalsifiable truth claim.
- Analytics that are logically consistent, well warranted, and answer the heart of any argument are weighed in high-esteem. This is especially true if it’s responsive to any combinations of bad argument/evidence.
- My threshold for theory is not particularly high. It’s what you justify, not necessarily what you do. I typically default to competing interpretations, this can be complicated by a team that is able to articulate what reasonability means in the context of the round, otherwise I feel like it's interventionist of me to decode what “reasonable” represents. The same is true to a lesser extent with the impacts as well. Rattling off “fairness and education” as loaded concepts that I should just know has a low threshold if the other team can explain the significance of a different voter or a standard that controls the internal link into your impact (also, if you do this: prepared to get impact turned).
I think theory should be strategic and I very much enjoy a good theory debate. Copious amounts of topicality and specification arguments are not strategic, it is desperate.
- I like conditionality probably more so than other judges. As a young’n I got away with a lot of, probably, abusive Negative strategies that relied on conditionality to the maximum (think “multiple worlds and presumption in the 2NR”) mostly because many teams were never particularly good at explaining why this was a problem. If you’re able to do so, great – just don’t expect me to do much of that work for you. I don’t find it particularly difficult for a 2AR to make an objection about how that is bad for debate, thus be warned 2NRs - it's a downhill effort for a 2AR.
Furthermore, I tend to believe the 1NC has the right to test the 1AC from multiple positions.
Thus, Framework along with Cap K or some other kritik is not a functional double turn. The 1NC doesn’t need to be ideologically consistent. However, I have been persuaded in several method debates that there is a performative disadvantage that can be levied against speech acts that are incongruent and self-defeating.
- Probability is the most crucial component of impact calculus with disadvantages. Tradeoffs ought to have a high risk of happening and that question often controls the direction of uniqueness while also accessing the severity of the impact (magnitude).
- Counterplan debates can often get tricky, particularly if they’re PICs. Maybe I’m too simplistic here, but I don’t understand why Affirmatives don’t sit on their solvency deficit claims more. Compartmentalizing why portions of the Affirmative are key can win rounds against CPs. I think this is especially true because I view the Counterplan’s ability to solve the Affirmative to be an opportunity cost with its competitiveness. Take advantage of this “double bind.”
- Case arguments are incredibly underutilized and the dirty little secret here is that I kind of like them. I’m not particularly sentimental for the “good ol’ days” where case debate was the only real option for Negatives (mostly because I was never alive in that era), but I have to admit that debates centred on case are kind of cute and make my chest feel all fuzzy with a nostalgia that I never experienced– kind of like when a frat boy wears a "Reagan/Bush '84" shirt...
KRITIKAL DEBATE
I know enough to know that kritiks are not monolithic. I am partial to topic-grounded kritiks and in all reality I find them to be part of a typical decision-making calculus. I tend to be more of a constructivist than a rationalist. Few things frustrate me more than teams who utilise a kritik/answer a kritik in a homogenizing fashion. Not every K requires the ballot as a tool, not every K looks to have an external impact either in the debate community or the world writ larger, not every K criticizes in the same fashion. I suggest teams find out what they are and stick to it, I also think teams should listen and be specifically responsive to the argument they hear rather than rely on a base notion of what the genre of argument implies. The best way to conceptualize these arguments is to think of “kritik” as a verb (to criticize) rather than a noun (a static demonstrative position).
It is no secret that I love many kritiks but deep in every K hack’s heart is a revered space that admires teams that cut through the noise and simply wave a big stick and impact turn things, unabashedly defending conventional thought. If you do this well there’s a good chance you can win my ballot. If pure agonism is not your preferred tactic, that’s fine but make sure your post-modern offense onto kritiks can be easily extrapolated into a 1AR in a fashion that makes sense.
In many ways, I believe there’s more tension between Identity and Post-Modernism teams than there are with either of them and Policy debaters. That being said, I think the Eurotrash K positions ought to proceed with caution against arguments centred on Identity – it may not be smart to contend that they ought to embrace their suffering or claim that they are responsible for a polemical construction of identity that replicates the violence they experience (don’t victim blame).
THOUGHTS ON COMPETITION
There’s a lot of talk about what is or isn’t competition and what competition ought to look like in specific types of debate – thus far I am not of the belief that different methods of debate require a different rubric for evaluation. While much discussion has been given to “Competition by Comparison” I very much subscribe to Competing Methodologies. What I’ve learned in having these conversations is that this convention means different things to different people and can change in different settings in front of different arguments. For me, I try to keep it consistent and compatible with an offense/defense heuristic: competing methodologies require an Affirmative focus where the Negative requires an independent reason to reject the Affirmative. In this sense, competition necessitates a link. This keeps artificial competition at bay via permutations, an affirmative right regardless of the presence of a plan text.
Permutations are merely tests of mutual exclusivity. They do not solve and they are not a shadowy third advocacy for me to evaluate. I naturally will view permutations more as a contestation of linkage – and thus, are terminal defense to a counterplan or kritik -- than a question of combining texts/advocacies into a solvency mechanism. If you characterize these as solvency mechanisms rather than a litmus test of exclusivity, you ought to anticipate offense to the permutation (and even theory objections to the permutation) to be weighed against your “net-benefits”. This is your warning to not be shocked if I'm extrapolating a much different theoretical understanding of a permutation if you go 5/6 minutes for it in the 2AR.
Even in method debates where a permutation contends both methods can work in tandem, there is no solvency – in these instances net-benefits function to shield you from links (the only true “net benefit” is the Affirmative). A possible exception to this scenario is “Perm do the Affirmative” where the 1AC subsumes the 1NC’s alternative; here there may be an offensive link turn to the K resulting in independent reasons to vote for the 1AC.
Sheryl Kaczmarek Lexington High School -- SherylKaz@gmail.com
General Thoughts
I expect debaters to treat one another, their judges and any observers, with respect. If you plan to accuse your opponent(s) of being intellectually dishonest or of cheating, please be prepared to stake the round on that claim. Accusations of that sort are round ending claims for me, one way or the other. I believe debate is an oral and aural experience, which means that while I want to be included on the email chain, I will NOT be reading along with you, and I will not give you credit for arguments I cannot hear/understand, especially if you do not change your speaking after I shout clearer or louder, even in the virtual world. I take the flow very seriously and prior to the pandemic judged a lot, across the disciplines, but I still need ALL debaters to explain their arguments because I don't "know" the tiniest details for every topic in every event. I am pretty open-minded about arguments, but I will NOT vote for arguments that are racist, sexist or in any other way biased against a group based on gender identity, religion or any other characteristic. Additionally, I will NOT vote for suicide/self harm alternatives. None of those are things I can endorse as a long time high school teacher and decent human.
Policy Paradigm
The Resolution -- I would prefer that debaters actually address the resolution, but I do vote for non-resolutional, non-topical or critical affirmatives fairly often. That is because it is up to the debaters in the round to resolve the issue of whether the affirmative ought to be endorsing the resolution, or not, and I will vote based on which side makes the better arguments on that question, in the context of the rest of the round.
Framework -- I often find that these debates get messy fast. Debaters make too many arguments and fail to answer the arguments of the opposition directly. I would prefer more clash, and fewer arguments overall. While I don't think framework arguments are as interesting as some other arguments in debate, I will vote for the team that best promotes their vision of debate, or look at the rest of the arguments in the round through that lens.
Links -- I would really like to know what the affirmative has done to cause the impacts referenced in a Disad, and I think there has to be something the affirmative does (or thinks) which triggers a Kritik. I don't care how big the impact/implication is if the affirmative does not cause it in the first place.
Solvency -- I expect actual solvency advocates for both plans and counterplans. If you are going to have multi-plank plans or counterplans, make sure you have solvency advocates for those combinations of actions, and even if you are advocating a single action, I still expect some source that suggests this action as a solution for the problems you have identified with the Status Quo, or with the Affirmative.
Evidence -- I expect your evidence to be highlighted consistent with the intent of your authors, and I expect your tags to make claims that you will prove with the parts you read from your evidence. Highlighting random words which would be incoherent if read slowly annoys me and pretending your cards include warrants for the claims you make (when they do not) is more than annoying. If your tag says "causes extinction," the text of of the part of the card you read needs to say extinction will be the result. Misrepresenting your evidence is a huge issue for me. More often then not, when I read cards after a round, it is because I fear misrepresentation.
New Arguments/Very Complicated Arguments -- Please do not expect me to do any work for you on arguments I do not understand. I judge based on the flow and if I do not understand what I have written down, or cannot make enough sense of it to write it down, I will not be able to vote for it. If you don't have the time to explain a complicated argument to me, and to link it to the opposition, you might want to try a different strategy.
Old/Traditional Arguments -- I have been judging long enough that I have a full range of experiences with inherency, case specific disads, theoretical arguments against politics disads and many other arguments from policy debate's past, and I also understand the stock issues and traditional policy-making. If you really want to confuse your opponents, and amuse me, you'll kick it old school as opposed to going post-modern.
LD Paradigm
The Resolution -- The thing that originally attracted me to LD was that debaters actually addressed the whole resolution. These days, that happens far less often in LD than it used to. I like hearing the resolution debated, but I also vote for non-resolutional, non-topical or critical affirmatives fairly often in LD. That is because I believe it is up to the debaters in the round to resolve the issue of whether the affirmative ought to be endorsing the resolution, or not, and I will vote based on which side makes the better arguments on that question.
Framework -- I think LDers are better at framework debates than policy debaters, as a general rule, but I have noticed a trend to lazy framework debates in LD in recent years. How often should debaters recycle Winter and Leighton, for example, before looking for something new? If you want to stake the round on the framework you can, or you can allow it to be the lens through which I will look at the rest of the arguments.
Policy Arguments in LD -- I understand all of the policy arguments that have migrated to LD quite well, and I remember when many of them were first developed in Policy. The biggest mistake LDers make with policy arguments -- Counterplans, Perm Theory, Topicality, Disads, Solvency, etc. -- is making the assumption that your particular interpretation of any of those arguments is the same as mine. Don't do that! If you don't explain something, I have no choice but to default to my understanding of that thing. For example, if you say, "Perm do Both," with no other words, I will interpret that to mean, "let's see if it is possible to do the Aff Plan and the Neg Counterplan at the same time, and if it is, the Counterplan goes away." If you mean something different, you need to tell me. That is true for all judges, but especially true for someone with over 40 years of policy experience. I try to keep what I think out of the round, but absent your thoughts, I have no choice but to use my own.
Evidence -- I expect your evidence to be highlighted consistent with the intent of your authors, and I expect your tags to make claims that you will prove with the parts you read from your evidence. Highlighting random words which would be incoherent if read slowly annoys me and pretending your cards include warrants for the claims you make (when they do not) is more than annoying. If your tag says "causes extinction," the text of of the part if the card you read really needs to say extinction will be the result. Misrepresenting your evidence is a huge issue for me. More often then not, when I read cards in a round, it is because I fear misrepresentation.
New Arguments/Very Complicated Arguments -- Please do not expect me to do any work for you on arguments I do not understand. I judge based on the flow and if I do not understand what I have written down, or cannot understand enough to write it down, I won't vote for it. If you don't think you have the time to explain some complicated philosophical position to me, and to link it to the opposition, you should try a different strategy.
Traditional Arguments -- I would still be pleased to listen to cases with a Value Premise and a Criterion. I probably prefer traditional arguments to new arguments that are not explained.
Theory -- Theory arguments are not magical, and theory arguments which are not fully explained, as they are being presented, are unlikely to be persuasive, particularly if presented in a paragraph, or three word blips, since there is no way of knowing which ones I won't hear or write down, and no one can write down all of the arguments when each only merits a tiny handful of words. I also don't like theory arguments that are crafted for one particular debate, or theory arguments that lack even a tangential link to debate or the current topic. If it is not an argument that can be used in multiple debates (like topicality, conditionality, etc) then it probably ought not be run in front of me. New 1AR theory is risky, because the NR typically has more than enough time to answer it. I dislike disclosure theory arguments because I can't know what was done or said before a round, and because I don't think I ought to be voting on things that happened before the AC begins. All of that being said, I will vote on theory, even new 1AR theory, or disclosure theory, if a debater WINS that argument, but it does not make me smile.
PF Paradigm
The Resolution -- PFers should debate the resolution. It would be best if the Final Focus on each side attempted to guide me to either endorse or reject the resolution.
Framework -- Frameworks are OK in PF, although not required, but given the time limits, please keep your framework simple and focused, should you use one.
Policy or LD Behaviors/Arguments in PF -- I personally believe each form of debate ought to be its own thing. I DO NOT want you to talk quickly in PF, just because I also judge LD and Policy, and I really don't want to see theory arguments, plans, counterplans or kritiks in PF. I will definitely flow, and will judge the debate based on the flow, but I want PF to be PF. That being said, I will not automatically vote against a team that brings Policy/LD arguments/stylistic approaches into PF. It is still a debate and the opposition needs to answer the arguments that are presented in order to win my ballot, even if they are arguments I don't want to see in PF.
Paraphrasing -- I have a HUGE problem with inaccurate paraphrasing. I expect debaters to be able to IMMEDIATELY access the text of the cards they have paraphrased -- there should be NO NEED for an off time search for the article, or for the exact place in the article where an argument was made. Making a claim based on a 150 page article is NOT paraphrasing -- that is summarizing (and is not allowed). If you can't instantly point to the place your evidence came from, I am virtually certain NOT to consider that evidence in my decision.
Evidence -- If you are using evidence, I expect your evidence to be highlighted consistent with the intent of your authors, and I expect your tags to make claims that you will prove with the parts you read from your evidence. Pretending your cards include warrants (when they do not) is unacceptable. If your tag says "causes extinction," the text of of the part you card you read MUST say extinction will happen. Misrepresenting your evidence is a huge issue for me. More often then not, when I read cards in a round, it is because I fear misrepresentation.
Theory -- This has begun to be a thing in PF in some places, especially with respect to disclosure theory, and I am not a fan. As previously noted, I want PF to be PF. While I do think that PFers can be too secretive (Policy and LD both started that way), I don't think PFers ought to be expending their very limited time in rounds talking about whether they ought to have disclosed their case to their opponents before the round. Like everything else I would prefer were not true, I can see myself voting on theory in PF because I do vote based on the flow, but I'd prefer you debate the case in front of you, instead of inventing new arguments you don't really have time to discuss.
I’m a parent judge.
Some things to consider during the round:
1. Please don’t spread. I won’t know what you're saying and if I can’t understand you, I can’t vote for you.
2. Ask useful questions during crossfire, I think the ability to respond on the fly is important. However, I won’t consider anything said during crossfire unless it is said during a subsequent speech.
3. Please don’t introduce new arguments during final focus. It is especially not fair for the 1st speaking team if they don't have a chance to response.
4. Read an arguments backed with warrants and cards from credible resources and authors, and tell me why you prefer your evidence over your opponents evidence.
5. Collapsing is important. Quality>Quantity. It is much better if you have one really good one that you focus the round on. Make your argument simple yet powerful.
6. Weighing is very important. Tell me why your impacts matter more than your opponent’s do.
7. If any false, fake, or misconstrued evidence is run on purpose, I WILL drop you. Debate should be educational, and fake evidence hurts the purpose of this activity. If you believe that your opponents have run misconstrued or fake evidence, please call for the card.
8. As I’ve mentioned, I’m a lay judge, so I don’t understand most pf jargons. I think debate is about persuading normal people with a decent education, so try to make it so even “normal” parents can understand and vote for you.
With everything said, debate should be a fun, educational, extracurricular activity. Try to have fun and please be respectful to your opponents. But most of all, have fun!
my email for evidence and etc: esther.kardos@gmail.com
general rule of thumb.... i am now officially 4/5 years removed from pf debating and the format has changed a lot. i am super receptive to this change so if you're doing something especially out of the box it's totally fine with me, i just need a heads-up and you might have to do some extra legwork to teach an old pf-er new tricks.
spreading - yeah, probably. if you can't get through your speech without it, then i can follow until about 230 wpm. after that, maybe send over a copy of your speech to make sure i don't miss anything. i would encourage you to slow down toward the back end of your speeches, but up to you.
theory & beyond - i didn't have to deal with this a ton back when i did pf (pf used to be the "one format without theory" lmao not anymore!), but i've had enough exposure to T/K/plans/counters from judging that i can probably pick up what you're putting down. as a caution, i REALLY need to get persuaded by theory to vote on it, and if it's too complicated for me to understand i'll just default to your opponent.
flowing - make flowing easy for me! start each of your big points with something flashy like "my first contention is..." or "my second independent point is..." or even just "one... two... three...", and then clearly indicate to me the different branches of argumentation under that big point. you don't need to be as obvious as shouting "THIS IS MY WARRANT, THIS IS MY IMPACT", but be able to clearly explain why/how something is true and what's going to result from it, and especially why it matters more than whatever your opponent is saying. i listen to cross-ex but i don't flow it, so if you/your opponent say something important during cross, make sure you remind me during your next speech so it 100% makes it on the flow.
evidence/cards - evidence is only as good as the warranting, weighing, and impacting that goes behind it. i will never base my rfd on how well you were able to gather bits of evidence from the depths of debate's dark web, or if one really good point you were making had a link that couldn't load. instead, if the argument you're creating makes sense to me (with some informational evidence to back it up) because of the warranting, weighing, and impacting you put behind it, then i'll always be more willing to pick that up rather than just buy what the other team is saying because of some guardian article from 2004.
misc - i don't mind "offtime roadmaps" or whatever the kids are calling it these days, just let me know beforehand and plzzz keep them brief. if you're a novice (or even a varsity!!!) and you have questions during the round, please don't be afraid to ask me, i'll never look down on you for wanting to learn! i'm happy to give any timing cues, you just gotta let me know beforehand. be nice to each other, debate is temporary but building a habit of being a jerk follows you forever. and in case I haven't beaten this to death already, WARRANT AND IMPACT AND WEIGH.
if you have any more questions, let me know. i'm so excited to see what arguments you come up with!
Hello,
My name is Nagendra Prasad Kautickwar. I am a parent judge. I have been judging for last couple of years. I have been judging for last 2 years.
Why judge?
a. I have been active speech and debate contestant in my high school and college days. I enjoy good debates and public speaking.
b. My older boy is part of his school's Speech and Debate club.
c. I wish I can contribute to this cause (in my own way) by providing unbiased feedback.
What do I look for?
a. Values: Respect for opposition team and judge, conduct in the debate and sportsmanship,.
b. Strategy, Structure and Content: I really appreciate good debates. I like the teams who put some structure to their contentions and are able to tell a story through them. A story for me includes contentions, rebuttals, arguments and counter arguments, (all backed with evidence where necessary). I also look for a strategy if any adopted by the teams going into the debates. A good strategy is icing on the cake.
c. Style:Good oratory skills including eye contacts, hand gestures, voice modulation etc make the debates more engaging. I look for appropriate use of these skills. I do not mind contestants reading from their laptops or notes, however only reading these notes could get boring.
What do I assure?
a. Stay unbiased; Do not judge based on my pre-conceived position on certain topic
b. Provide unbiased and constructive feedback
Clarity and organization is key for me. You may have the strongest argument, but if I cannot understand it or if it gets lost within citations it will not get the credit it deserves. My recommendation is speak clearly and slow enough so that every point is clearly understood. In addition, it is always helpful if you clearly lay out all arguments. For example, "point 1, point 2, etc.", as I will then remain focused on your specific point and not get lost in a jumbled list of arguments and references.
Separately, it's not necessary to give an off-time roadmap, especially if everything is laid out clearly in your presentation.
Most importantly, have fun and enjoy the day!
Parent judge, prefer well developed arguments with good logic.
Please keep the debate at a conversational speed.
Whilst I will do my best to take notes, I do appreciate sound logic and constructive evidence.
Please respect your opponents and keep speeches and crossfire civil.
Most importantly, remember to have fun!
I’m a parent volunteer judge, have judged various formats of speech and debate for several years.
Your performance will be assessed based on what your deliver and how you deliver. I am a scientist, I like straightforward, well developed and evidence supported contentions and arguments. I appreciate spot on rebuttals and effective debates. I don't judge if your arguments are right or wrong, I vote for the team who is more convincible based on your defense and offense.
Don't overwhelm your case with numerous sources but rather select the best evidence to support your argument. Use reputable, unbiased sources and succinctly connect all evidence back to your contentions. It is your responsibility to challenge the evidence provided by your opponents. I don't do fact check for you.
Please speak at an understandable pace (no spreading!). If you're speaking too quickly, I may not be able to flow, and you may at the risk of losing those arguments.
In your final speech, please clearly state the reasons why you think your should win.
I expect you to be respectful and civil throughout the debate. Sarcasm and intolerance for your opponents will lose you speaker points.
1. Please use sources/references for all facts that you are bringing up. This includes percentages, numbers, stats, and any ideas of other authors that you are paraphrasing. I will not believe you if you don't have your facts backed up.
2. Don't eyeroll your opponent or speak in a manner that's rude, i.e., that they don't know what they're talking about. They may have absolutely no idea of what they're talking about, and you should call them out on it, but just don't be rude.
3. Please don't go too fast.
4. Real solutions/real things get across to me much better.
5. I'll only call for cards if you and your opponent are saying opposite things about the same exact thing.
6. You can respond to any rebuttals in any of the time periods allocated for rebuttals. I see a debate as a whole thing, so the entirety of what is said is up for game in rebuttals.
Name: Lalit Kumar
Email: lalit96@yahoo.com
I am a lay/parent judge. However, I do have knowledge of the LD and how it works. I have judged PF tournaments for over a year and got familiarity with LD debates. I have also researched the current topic in detail online.
I usually join a couple of minutes before the round to take questions about my paradigm. If you have clarity questions, please feel free to ask.
Key notes:
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Respect - First, and foremost, debate is about having fun and expressing your creativity! Please be respectful to your opponents and your judges.
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Document sharing - please share your speech/response docs ahead of time so I can follow along. Include me in the email chain (lalit.kumar.debate@gmail.com) Please ensure the subject is not blank and populated with tournament name and round.
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Clarity - Please do not sacrifice clarity for speed. Your arguments should be clear and well-substantiated with evidence
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Jargon - Jargon and abbreviations should be avoided and will lead to deductions. They cause a lack of clarity and can lead to misinterpretations. Please explain any technical jargon that you use.
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Time - Going overtime will lead to deductions. I would recommend timing yourself and your opponents. In case you notice your opponent is overtime, feel free to raise your zoom hand to highlight this.
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Signposting - I strongly recommend signposting so your opponents understand what you are responding to.
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Theories and Ks - I have limited understanding of Theories and Ks; but I am okay to proceed as long as you break it down in simple and clear terms. You need to elaborate on how it correlates to the topic.
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I don't prefer extinction, but I don't mind as long as you have a clear link chain.
kurtisjlee@gmail.com
3 Years Highschool PFD Debate
3 Years College Policy Debate
(Policy)
1. I'm fine with speed. Obviously if you're forcing it and sound off and you dont see me flowing then you need to slow down (which you and your partner should be observing anyway).
2. You will benefit greatly by slowing down on tag lines and reading plans, and flipping between flows.
(PFD + Policy)
I'm really big on the technical side of debate. That means clearly outlining and discussing the:
1. Impact Calculus
-Timeframe
-Magnitude
-Probability
-How your impacts relate to your opponent's impacts
-How these impacts actually happen, the full story behind them, paint a picture. ELI5
2. Links
-They do X so they link, is not a link.
-I weight links pretty heavily in arguments so I prefer when debates spend time to contextualize the links within the story of the debate
3. Uniqueness
-Usually not an issue but i've been surprised before, often gets assumed
4. Internal Link
-Im very skeptical of you just arriving at extinction. I mainly ran policy arguments so I know how ridiculously easy it is to just fit in 16 extinction scenarios in your constructed speech but I need to see that internal link debate fleshed out.
5. Open to any kritiks/performance but the above bullets apply even more so. I do not like when teams brush over the technical side of debate just because they arent running nuclear war. Arguments are still arguments and logic is still logic.
6. Framework - I lean towards debate being a game. That being said, there are obviously millions of ways to debate within that framework.
Anything else just ask.
Kurtis Lee
Lay parent judge
This will be my first time judging a debate round.
Make all ideas very clear, and no debate jargon please.
I will not be flowing but I will take notes down. If you speak too fast and I cannot write what you have to say down, I cannot evaluate it.
Please weigh.
I currently live in my home country of Armenia and am teaching gender studies to university students in addition to working on a research project on the labor market here and translating professionally.
What is below is still relevant and is a reflection of how I think about debate but was written when I was actively coaching both high school and college.In short, I'm K-friendly and flow-focused. I'm also 8 hours ahead of EST which means if it's past 2pm for you, it's past my bedtime and you would benefit from slowing down a touch, especially since we are online.
Who I am
I (she/her) debated college policy (CEDA/NDT) at The New School, where I started as a college novice. I read Ks that were research projects about things I cared about. I love debate for its educational value, the research skills it builds, and the community it fosters. I have no issue dropping speaks or ballots for people who undermine the educational value of the activity by making people defend their personhood.
**I will be wearing a mask. I don't know y'all or where you've been and I don't want you to breathe on me. It's not personal. Please ask me for any other accessibility accommodations you need before the round and I will do my best to make the round comfortable for you!
For all formats (specifics below)
Email for the chain: newschoolBL@gmail.com
I vote on the flow. Do what you're good at and I will evaluate it: what is below are the biases I will default to without judge instruction, but if I am given instruction, I will take it. If provided them, I follow ROBs and ROJs seriously in framing my decision. I have voted both on the big picture and on technicalities.
I am excited to be in your debate, especially so if you are a novice, and I would love to chat post RFD if you have questions! :)
Policy:
DAs, CPs: Fine, no strong opinions here.
Ks: Yes. Explain your links and your impact framing.
T: Hate when blippy, like when thorough & well-explained and have voted on T when it has won the debate many times. I am unlikely to vote on an education impact vs a K aff, though.
High theory for all of the above: Explain yourself. I don't vote on arguments I don't understand/can't explain back.
Likes: Clear spreading, smart debating, impact calculus, well-warranted arguments, case debate, thorough research, debaters from small schools.
Dislikes: Unnecessary hostility, bad evidence, blippy T blocks, strategies that rely on clowning your opponents, mumbling when spreading.
I am by far most comfortable in clash and KvK debates. I don't really care about policy v policy, but will give it the proper attention if put in them.
Public Forum:
If you don't share evidence, strike me. And also re-evaluate your ethical orientations.
Non-negotiables:
1) Email chain. The first speakers should set up the email chain BEFORE the round start time, include everyone debating and me, and share their full cases with evidence in a verbatim or Word document (if you have a chromebook, and in no other instances, a google doc is fine).
2) Evidence. Your evidence must be read and presented in alignment with the intent of whatever source you are citing. I care about evidence quality, and I care about evidence ethics. If you are paraphrasing or clipping, I will vote you down without hesitation. It's cheating and it's unethical.
Debate is a communication activity, but it is also a research activity, and I think that the single most important portable skill we gain from it is our ability to ethically produce argumentation and present it to an audience. I believe that PF has egregious evidence-sharing practices, and I will not participate in them.
I like smart debating, clear impact calculus, and well-warranted arguments. Do what you're good at and I'm with you! This includes your funky arguments.
I am fine with speed, but going fast does not make you a smarter or better debater and will not make me like you more. Debate is above all else a communication activity that is at its best when it's used for education. I can't stand it when more experienced or more resourced teams use a speed strategy to be incomprehensible to the other team so they drop things. It's bad debating and it perpetuates the worst parts of this activity.
Please be as physically comfortable as possible!! I do not care what you are wearing or whether you sit or stand. It will have literally zero impact on my decision.
I am far less grumpy and much more friendly than the PF section of my paradigm might make me seem. I love debate and go to tournaments voluntarily. See you in round!
Less is more! I will judge by quality of evidence not quantity. Your speech should be loud and clear.
I am your typical parent judge -- pls focus on logic, clarity and quality. Explain and give reasoning to evidence/responses.
Do not speak fast or I will not be able to catch the arguments.
In final focus, please write my ballot for me -- comparatives, weighing, etc. Tell me where to vote.
Do not run arguments that are progressive (theory, etc. if I do not understand it I will drop it.) -- make it a lay debate.
Be polite. Good Luck!
Hi! I'm excited to be your judge today. I am a trained speech and debate judge.
For debate - Please don't speak too quickly. If you speak too fast, I will stop flowing and your arguments will not be evaluated as part of the round. Please add signposts to make arguments as clear to me as possible. Impacts are important to me - I want to understand the real world significance of the argument. Don't just tell me the argument, tell me why I should care.
For speech - I love speech events where you incorporate personal stories and humor. Have fun, because your energy will be contagious!
Email: ema3osei@gmail.com
Pronouns: They/She
Debated at University of Pittsburgh
I have biases and opinions but rarity of any round reflecting them substantively instead of aesthetically means my specific opinions don’t matter much. You’ll know how I judge based on decisions instead. Don't care what you read. I don't evaluate sheets, just arguments. Bad arguments bore me. Impact turn case or implicate debate itself when reading a K. On framework, defend actual impacts not just intrinsic goods or intrinsic bads. Buzzwords are buzzwords. Solvency matters. I get fugues, eating issues, and fatigue from travel and long days. Be mindful.
I'm a hater. Popular opinion in debate typically annoys me. The outside world exists but it's not 'outside' of rounds. Don't be entitled. I like giving good speaks. Debate the other team, not just your flow. They likely* dropped as many arguments as you did. Sounding like you’re ahead aesthetically doesn’t do much for me. I care about CX until it's a waste of time. Don’t spread faster than is comprehensible/clear. Be a less than a terrible person and certain arguments go away. Otherwise, that's on you.
I am a Judge Mom and I like to judge LD and PF. As a judge, I am looking for a persuasive, logical argument with clear evidence. Pace and delivery are also important. Be respectful and enjoy the debate !
In debates, I prefer clear analysis and organization of speech. Be respectful of the tournament rules and of each other. Keep track of your time. I have spent a large part of my career working with companies in the Technology and Media industries.
You can expect that I’ll understand the concepts and implications of your arguments but speak at a pace that a non-debater can understand. Slowing down on pivotal moments of the debate to really make your point will be useful. Research your facts and make appropriate citations in your arguments. Finally, what matter most is as below:
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Which debater was more persuasive?
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Did the debater support his or her position appropriately, using logical argumentation throughout and evidence when necessary?
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Which debater communicated more effectively? Speed, word choice, and delivery all count.
I look forward to learn and also have fun!
For the NSD tournament: If you run theory on kappa or lambda, I'm dropping you.
Before getting into technicals:
Chances are that by the time you're reading this, I've become a very sleepy guy. I'd love to just have a straight forward topical debate that isn't lightening speed, but then again I'll evaluate whatever you get up and say.
I'm a second year out, so I can pretty much adapt to any in round practices you're used to. A few preferences:
- tech > truth
- Clear signposting (I vote off the flow so I need to know where to write what)
- Case extensions in summary and final focus
- It has to be in summary to be in final focus
- If it's not in summary, I won't vote on it (...ok revisiting this a year later... I reserve the right to maybe vote on it)
- I don't flow crossfire
- I will go to extreme lengths to avoid voting on presumption.
- Time yourselves (esp crossfire)
- Any speed is fine
- Add me to the email chain please: gnpaulson@college.harvard.edu
Two critical notes:
- I don't believe in speech docs. Debate is about speaking, so I refuse to read your speech off a document as you read so quickly you're basically just making sounds instead of saying words. Please speak as fast as you'd like and clarity will rely on your annunciation rather than a google doc.
2. I do not like theory; I've found that most times teams run it for a competitive advantage rather than for the sake of benefiting debate. That said I'll still evaluate and vote on it, but I think it's fair for you to know my preferences.
My opinion? All good debate starts the same way:
Stand up, introduce yourself, confidently and clearly. You are representing your team, your school; most importantly, yourself - and perhaps even a position with which you do not agree. Be counted. Be heard. Gird Your Loins...
Be prepared. Know your material profoundly. Present it, rather than reciting or speed-reading it. Effective Public Speaking is a connection with your audience, not a listing of innumerable facts.
Draw from the strength of your convictions. Ergo: Have conviction. Every argument deserves its airing. This is true even of the one you're making. Convince me.
Words matter. Speak slowly to present your argument. If your words are too fast to be heard, you've already discounted them yourself. Cut to the chase. Distill. Edit. Much better to make a thoughtful, clearly-articulated argument than to try to pack in the absolute limit of facts.
Amaze me with the quality of your research, the extent of your reading - and the depth of your insights... Show me you have some overview of the history underlying the arguments you're making. Study. Learn. Study it again. This is what you're here for.
If you think you've covered it all, go back and dig deeper. There's more.
You're all brilliant. You make the job of judging difficult, which is why we're here.
Keep up the Good Work!
I am a parent judge representing Hunter High School in New York City. This my first time judging debate.
I work in finance. I'm familiar with basic debate jargon (turn, extend, etc.) but I'm certainly not a very experienced judge. Please be sure everything you say is understandable. I prefer a normal speaking pace and you must be clear. If I can't follow you it will be harder for me to understand connections between your contentions, warrants, and impacts or challenges to your opponent's arguments.
When time runs out, please finish your thought and stop speaking.
I will vote off the flow.
Zachary Reshovsky Paradigm
Last changed 12/13 10:32P PST
About me and Overview: I have a background with 4 years as a high school debater (Lincoln Douglas) and 3 years as a collegiate debater (1 year NPDA parliamentary and 2 years NDT-CEDA Policy) at the University of Washington - Seattle. At UW, I majored in International Relations where I graduated Top 3% of class and was a Boren and Foreign Language and Area Scholar (Chinese language) and nominee for the Rhodes and Marshall Scholarship. My expertise is in China studies, US-China relations and Great Power Relations.
As an LD debater, I was (and still am) a believer in traditional LD rather than progressive LD arguments. I believe that the introduction of policy arguments to LD (in particular on resolutions that clearly resolve around moral/philosophical issues) are inappropriate. As such, I strongly prefer cases centered around a strong Value and Value/Criterion, an explanation of why that V/VC is moral, and how it links to the topic. As well, please explain to me in rebuttals why you are winning using specific articulations and spins on your/opponent's evidence. High school debaters in particular struggle with articulating why they are winning in final rebuttals, which oftentimes invites frustrating judge interventions. I will consider consider policy arguments in LD (in particular on topics that directly involve a policy proposal - e.g. "the US should implement a federal jobs guarantee" topic). However, these type of arguments will get substantial less weight than traditional LD topics. I prefer depth over breath arguments - I've noticed a lot of debaters will extend all of their offense without telling me which argument is the strongest, why I should vote on it, and how it beats out your opponents arguments. This forces me to intervene and attempt to weigh which extended arguments are strongest. In an ideal world, you'll provide me with a single argument where I can feel comfortable voting. Regarding procedurals, I have an extremely high threshold for Theory. I believe that Theory is vastly overused in LD and distracts from the substantive education that discussing the topic brings. Your opponent needs to be doing something truly abusive for me to consider it. I'm happy to consider Topicality arguments if I'm judging CX. In LD, I rarely see cases that are off-topic, but if you feel your opponent is feel free to run T.
As well, try to be creative! I come from a family of artists and always have looked at debate as equal parts rhetorical art and logic. Some of the best rebuttals and cases I have seen have had really creative spins on them and really sounded entertaining and compelling. I would encourage debaters to study examples of speeches in which the speaker has articulated not only a strong argument, but also delivered it in a way that delivered with rhythm, well apportioned arguments, was organized cleanly, and had substance that was comparable to strong prose in a novel rather than a rote response to a prompt.
Regarding my views on specific types of arguments:
- Primarily policy/on-case judge, but certainly willing to consider Kritikal and off-case arguments. DisAd/Ad impacts need to be spelled out clearly and weighed thoroughly in later rounds or else risk judge intervention. Find that debaters oftentimes do not get beyond surface-level tit-for-tat argumentation in later speeches in debate. No attempts made at crystallization of arguments, nor any attempt made to weigh why one impact (magnitude, timeframe, probability) or combination of impacts should OW other impacts and, equally importantly, why they should OW. Magnitude definitely easiest impact to evaluate, but feel free to do other impacts as well.
- For CPs, better to run 1 CP than many. Leaves more room for fleshing out that argument. I'm ok with Consult CPs.
- For Kritiks, I'm familiar with general arsenal of Kritiks, but please do not assume that I know the ideology/philosophy by heart. Explain it as if I am a 200-level undergrad student. Second, please articular impacts as you could an advantage or disadvantage. In particular, the link needs to be strong, specific, and very clearly linked to Case. Unmoored or vague links tend to be the death-knell of kritiks - debaters oftentimes just pull out the first link that they find and then proceed to force it to link to the case the AFF is reading. Make sure you make clear why the AFF is uniquely causing some ideologically-grounded harm or is buying into some existing detrimental framework.
Likewise, the impact of Kritiks tends to be highly nebulous (e.g. the plan causes more capitalism and capitalism is bad). Specific and clearly defined impacts are always good - they are particularly helpful for K debates.
Think of K Alternatives as very similar to a kritikal CounterPlan text - ideologically-driven condemnations that (e.g. "The AFF is evil in some undefined but scary sounding way") never work out well much like CounterPlans like (e.g. "Do the Plan but in a better way" never work). Would always recommend to debaters that they discuss why the Alternative solves or remedies some problem to a greater degree than the Plan.
- For Identity arguments, please lay out specifically how and why the AFF/NEG is engaging with a structure of power or dominance in a specific way that is problematic. That the AFF/NEG simply exists/reifies an existing power structure will get some traction yes. However, given that in order to make positive change in any environment one has to engage with unequitable power structures, it is important to describe precisely how the offending party has 1. in concrete terms, made the situation worse/more inequitable & 2. how this OW whatever benefits the offending party is accruing. Saying the offending party is simply working within existing inequities alone will not be sufficient to win usually, even when those inequities are a valid cause for concern. Again, specificity is important here - how many and in what ways is the offending party hurting disadvantaged communities.
- For Performance-based arguments on the NEG - I have a very high threshold for clearly non-Topical Perf arguments. Many teams seem to be running clearly non-topical arguments on AFF that do not in anyway link to the resolution and then proceed to claim some special framework that neatly fits/justifies their Performance into the resolution - this does not mean that they will get my ballot if the Neg runs Topicality in the 1NC.
- Likewise, for Performance-based arguments on the NEG - NEG needs to clearly win 1. why the Performance should be weighed in opposition to the AFF and within the AFF's FW. OR 2. Why whichever NEG FW that is put forth is clearly preferable. Again, I have a high threshold for clearly non-resolution specific neg performance arguments. So if the Neg wishes to win in this situation it needs to VERY CLEARLY win why a performative FW is the criterion on which the debate should be judged.
Speaking point scale:
- 29.9-30-near 100% perfect (flawless execution, strong elocution, high degree of erudition in arguments)
- 29.5-29.8-very strong debater, octo/elims performance (highly coherent arguments, well extended, effective execution and thoughtful usage of time, high degree of consideration to opponents)
- 28.8-29.4-average debater, perhaps 4-2/3-3 record level performance (better than average, but includes some dropped arguments, lack of coherency throughout debate but ultimately enough arguments are extended to win and/or come close in debate)
- 27.8-28.7 - un-average debater - unable to make coherent arguments, lots of drops, lack of tactical acumen or strategic skill in debate proper. Able to read first constructive, but unable to recognize with arguments are to be prioritized in final speeches. Relies too much on ASPEC/procedurals in place of on case/Kritikal arguments.
below-27.8 - very un-average debater - does not know how to debate and cannot coordinate correctly with partner. Lacking in basic etiquette towards others.
- Notes to debaters: Evaluation mostly dependent on quality of arguments - however, polish also comes into play. Clarity/clear organization and efficiency in rebuttals will increase your speaker points dramatically. Well run obscure and non-Western philosophies (Eg Baudrilliard, Taoism, Shintoism) will also garner extra speaker points on basis that they make judging more interesting and less monotonous/repetitive. Same thing goes for contentions that discuss innovative/non-talked about issues
FOR LD: I debated LD In high school and am comfortable with speed in it. I strongly prefer value/criterion based debate and will not consider policy arguments in LD. From my perspective it is important to win the VC debate, but not essential. I view the VC as something akin to goal posts in soccer (you can still score/gain offense through the oppositions goal posts, but it is harder to win because your opponent controls the scoring boundaries).
Ultimately, I will evaluate offense/impacts through a normal magnitude/probability/timeframe lens and will default to a Utilitarian calculus if nothing else is provided, but will weigh through whatever VC wins. I strongly prefer weighable impacts (Eg X number of people will be helped to Y degree), which creates clarity in judges mind. I see a lot of debaters (especially in LD) not doing ð˜¾ð™¡ð™šð™–𙧠weighing of their impacts vs opponents impacts in NR And 2NR, which is unhelpful and creates judge intervention. I would strongly recommend spending at least some time in each rebuttal evaluating your impacts as to why you are winning on probability/magnitude/timeframe/vulnerability of populations affected/permanence of your impacts. As with all debate, please crystallize in final speeches with concise underviews that explain why you are winning and how your arguments OW/eclipse/precede your opponent’s impacts.
several general thoughts on LD debates I’ve seen:
- on contention level debate, please warrant out your contentions and extend claims and evidence in whole (claim, internal warrant, and impact), in particular in the rebuttals. Greater specificity is better. I’ve noticed a lot of debaters merely extend the tag lines of their evidence without the warrants/cards behind them and, more specifically, what the evidence does in debate/how I should evaluate it relative to other positions. This is problematic in that it leads to judge intervention and forces me to evaluate evidence after round. In NR/2AR I would prefer that you tell me how to vote rather than ask me to adjudicate between/weigh in on Impacts. A good rebuttal will not just include extensions of evidence, but also point to what parts of the evidence (eg the historical example that the author references, the statistical meta study that the cards author proffered) support your claims and what impacts their ideas will lead to.
- evidence: I prefer evidence that has descriptive/historical/statistical claims rather than predictive/speculative claims due to the fact that the former is based on things that have already happened/is more scientific whereas the latter has not occurred/is based on predilections that may or may not occur. I will prefer the former over the latter absent an argument made to differentiate the two. Expert authors will be preferred to non-experts in a vacuum. Non-contextualized anecdotal evidence is the least preferred type of evidence.
- AFF strategy: I notice a lot of debaters (in particular on the affirmative) have a difficult time extending sufficient offense in the debate to stay in the running. I would strongly recommend extending your arguments/contentions first (esp in the 1AR where there is a timeskew) before moving on to opponents case. Inexperienced debaters tend to get distracted/overwhelmed by their opponents case and attempt to tackle it first, but end up running out of time to extend their own case after getting bogged down in said opponents arguments. The best offense is a good offense - you can win if you extend your claims and leave some of your opponents claims dropped, but you cannot win if you extend none of your claims but shoot down the majority of your opponents arguments. I would strongly recommend starting out with your case first in rebuttals and then moving to refute your opponents case.
The Affirmative needs to be even more strategic/efficient in the 2AR. The 2AR needs to focus down on one to two arguments they are winning and not attempt to cover the entire flow. Past losing 2ARs I have seen have spread themselves too thin and never told me where to vote. In order to ensure that you get your offense on the flow, I would recommend a 20/30 second overview at the top of the 2AR explaining why/where you are winning and where I should vote. This ensures you have a shot at winning even if you do not get to all points you wish to discuss in this short 3 minute speech.
- Timeskew: By default, I will give the affirmative somewhat more room than negative to make less well developed/consistently extended arguments due to the timeskew (The Neg won 52.37% of ballots according to a meta analysis of 17 TOC debate tournaments in 2017-18). Beyond this, if the AFF argues that their arguments should have a lower burden of proof bc of timeskew, I will give the AFF even more room to make blippy arguments.
Kritiks (General): Im a fan of Ks in LD. Unlike Policy arguments that have crept into LD (Plans/CPs/DisAds), I believe that Ks belong in LD on the basis that they are grounded in philosophy rather than practical politics.
Several observations/suggestions for Ks in LD:
- On the Link level, please make a clear link to something your opponent specifically does in her/his case. I've noticed that a lot of Kritikal debaters rely on very generic links (e.g. saying that the AFF proposes a policy, the policy involves Capitalism, and that Capitalism is bad, therefore you should reject the AFF) rather than an indictment of some aspect of the AFF's specific proposal (e.g. the AFF's plan proposes an increase in mandatory minimum sentencing, this will lead to a higher prison population, prisons disproportionately affect minority populations and are therefore structurally racist, mass incarceration is the warrant, therefore you should reject the AFF because they lead to more structural racism). The former example relies on generic appeal to a structure the AFF exists within/likely would have to exist within in order to implement policy, the latter explicitly outlines what specifically the AFF does to increase racism/violence. If and at all possible, please try to articulate what the opponent explicitly does to warrant your K.
- On the Alt, I have noticed that many people who run Ks have a very vague (and at times non sensical) Alternatives—in the past I have voted against Ks often because of their lack of Alt solvency. If you plan on running a K, please make clear what the Alt does and how the Alt can solve/lead to some substantive change better than AFF can. I have a very difficult time voting for Alts when I don't know what they do. I would recommend making specific empirical examples of movements that align with Alt’s views that have succeeded in the past (eg if you’re running an Alt that wants to deconstruct settler colonialism, point to historical examples of Native movements that dislodged colonialism or the effects of colonialism—for example protests against the DACA pipeline in S Dakota, Native Americans protests against Columbus Day + what meaningful and lasting policy/public opinion changes these movements imbued). Its my personal belief that movements that lead to most meaningful change not only indicts and identifies a policy/problem with the status quo, but is also able to engage with the political sphere and implement some meaningful change. I believe that a well-articulated K should be able to do the same.
- K Impact: If K Impact involves some degree of indictment of the AFF, please explain to me what the AFF indictment does/leads to out of round beyond merely asserting that the AFF leads to bad impacts - otherwise it is likely that I will default to voting AFF on basis that AFF does/advocates for something imperfect but net positive. Even winning that the Aff leads to bad things (eg that the AFFs deployment of military forces is imperialist/that AFFs passing of a policy leads to more capitalism) may be insufficient to win when weighed against the entirety of AC impacts — the K also needs to prove THAT they do something beneficial as well (see previous paragraph).
- Type of K you run: You are of course welcome to run any K you feel is strategically valuable in the moment. As a personal side note, I personally prefer hearing Ks that come from obscure/not-commonly-run philosophers (e.g. Foucault, Deleuze, St. Thomas Aquinas) rather than commonly-understood philosophies (e.g. Capitalism). I believe that introducing non-traditional philosophers into debate adds substance, flavor, and argumentative diversity to the debate sphere - Independent on whether they win, I will reward debaters who run these arguments with additional speaker points for the above mentioned reasons.
Race/Gender/Transphobic/Homophobic Kritikal indicts - I will consider indictments of an opponent on the basis that they have done said something racist, gendered, -phobic in their personal behavior. The indictment, however, needs to clearly documented (e.g. a screen shotted Facebook post, a accusation with references to multiple witnesses who can corroborate the incident) and the offending violation/action needs to fall into the category of commonly understood violations of norms of basic decency surrounding race/gender (eg a racist joke that would be called out at a dinner party, usage of the N word towards a debater of color, calling a female debater the B-word, usage of the six letter homophobic/anti-gay term that starts with F). Microaggressions will be considered, but will have a much higher burden of proof to overcome because they are more difficult to prove/document and have comparatively less negative impact. As well, these arguments preferable should be accompanied by an articulation of what Impact of dropping a debater will have (e.g. will it send a strong sanctioning signal to other debater generally to not make the joke in question in the future(?), will it merely deter the accused debater from another repeated violation(?)) outside of round. Without an articulation of framework, I will default to a standard VC framework in LD and Policymaking Impact calculus on basis of magnitude/probability/TF in CX - if you lose/fail to provide a non-traditional framework, this does not mean that your race/gender arguments will not be evaluated, but does mean you will have to explain how they work/function under a CXmaking/VC framework and likely means you will face a comparatively uphill battle.
Speed Ks-please do not run them - I don’t believe they are worth considering and are a waste of time. After having come across them 3-4 times this year, have not voted for a speed K. Unless opponent is literally spreading so fast no they are unintelligible, I believe that it is unwise to spend all our time and energy indicting each other for procedurals when we could be debating about the substantive of the topic.
I am not a fan of Performance/poetry in LD, but will consider it if absolutely necessary. Know that I have a high BoP to consider these types of args.
I generally have a very low bar to granting the AFF RVIs due to timeskew. I have granted AFF RVIs about 70-80% of the time when the AFF has introduced this argument.
I debated PF for Stuyvesant and have a good amount of experience in the national circuit. Don't speak fast at the cost of enunciation. Extend warrants with impacts and weigh, please!
I reward speaker points for quality of argumentation as well as delivery, but I value substance over flourish
A couple of specifics:
— Keep evidence tags consistent, it helps me on the flow and makes extending easier
— Don’t introduce new evidence in second summary, I won’t evaluate it (first summary is fine)
Feel free to ask me any questions before round.
Max Wu’s paradigm is pretty much what I follow so you can check it out for more specifics.
I am a traditional debate judge. I like clash, weighing of arguments, and substantive, not blippy arguments. I do not believe that Kritiks and theory have any place in PF debate. Speed should be reasonable. I can handle speed, but again, I don't think it belongs in PF.
I focus the most on the summary and final focus speeches where the debaters should be funneling the round down to the key issues and comparing and weighing them.
rajendra10031@gmail.com
Hi! My name is Raj and if you’re reading this, I’m probably judging you. I debated for 4 years, went to the TOC my junior and senior years.
TLDR; Treat me like a flow judge. Do whatever you feel comfortable doing.
When it comes to evaluating theory's K's, disclosure theory, I didn't do a lot of that in High School so I am unfamiliar with it. However, if you feel that it is needed and you can justify it in the rounds, then by all means go for it but be specific with it. If you’re spreading, then I won’t understand you and will put my pen down. *PLEASE DON’T SPREAD ABOVE 350wpm* I WILL VOTE 100% OFF THE FLOW and I will disclose and give my RFD. PLEASE FRONTLINE RESPONSES and have actual terminal impacts that I can vote on. Weigh and throw buzzwords like scope & magnitude at me. Remember if you do not extend these responses, impacts, and weighing I cannot vote on that. Tabula Rasa
If you make a comment that I deem racist, homophobic, sexist, or ableist at any point in the round it completely eradicates the integrity of the event and creates a space in which individuals can’t compete fairly and I won’t think twice about dropping you and giving you 20 speaks.
Last thing; please remember to have fun. I remember doing debate at this tournament and it was so much fun so please cherish this time at this tournament and enjoy yourselves.
I am a parent judge. Please speak slowly. No spreading. No tech. I have judged PF and LD multiple times, but I am still getting the hang of it. Please be nice to each other and I will give nice speaker points!
I debated four years pf, ld, and policy in high school and four years of policy in college.
I can flow pretty much everything, and I’ll evaluate all the arguments to the best of my ability. Try to give your arguments impacts and help me create a framework to evaluate the debate.
Update April 2024- some thoughts after a few years of judging pf
I'm considering not allowing off-time road maps as I think they've become super long-winded and silly. It's my preference that you say, "pro case then con case" or vice versa. Sometimes there are extra sheets of paper that's fine, but I've been in too many debates when the off-time road map sounds something like this, "I'm gonna start by talking about the major issues in the round, then I'm going to address some of the things my opponent has said, before frontlining and then weighing at the bottom." That is, essentially, meaningless to me.
I think that debaters should reward punctuality and timeliness. When I was a debater I didn't realize how much judges are on the clock. There is a judging deadline and if the debate starts late, or seems to take forever. Besides extenuating circumstances, I am always trying to be on time and I think it's selfish to make the tournament run late. That means if I only have two minutes left before the decision deadline, I am spending two minutes deciding. It is in your best interest as debaters to give me more time, not less to think about the round.
I've watched a few theory debates this year. I tend to think RVI's are silly. PF theory is not my favorite but I have voted on it before.
I do really like it when debaters make arguments comparative and have a lot of topic knowledge. I'm often interested in these topics and it's nice when you are too.
I won't evaluate "death good", wipeout, or tricks. I also have a high threshold for frivolous theory arguments, although I have no problem evaluating theory debate.
Standard Flow Judge, Ex-PF Debater, a little bit rusty
Parent Judge.
For PF Debaters:
I would appreciate it if you talked clearly and not too fast. Please do not spread; I need to understand your facts. I would appreciate it if you could minimize the debate jargon. Also, it would help if an off-time roadmap could be given. I'll listen to crossfire, but won't flow it. If anything happens during cross that you want me to consider in my ballot, mention it in a speech. Being assertive is good, but being overly aggressive is not. I value respectful and considerate discourse, even during competitive situations. Keep your tone professional and refrain from attacking other competitors or viewpoints. Please do not throw cards at me without warranting them out.
Finally, as a public forum debater, you should rely on both logic and evidence to construct your arguments.
Please don't forget to have fun!
For Speech:
As your judge, my goal is to provide constructive and encouraging feedback while fairly evaluating your performance. Below are the key factors I will be focusing on during your speech:
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Clarity and Organization: I value clear, well-structured speeches that follow a logical progression. Make sure your points are easy to follow and supported by evidence.
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Delivery: This includes your vocal variety, tone, and pacing. Confidence, energy, and appropriate gestures will enhance your message. Speak clearly and engage your audience, making eye contact and demonstrating strong body language.
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Content and Analysis: I’m looking for insightful analysis and a deep understanding of your topic. Whether it’s persuasive, informative, or another format, your content should demonstrate critical thinking and creativity.
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Engagement and Impact: How well do you connect with your audience? Effective speakers draw in their listeners through compelling storytelling, emotional appeal, or intellectual engagement.
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Time Management: Stay within the allocated time limit without rushing through your speech. A well-paced speech reflects strong preparation and respect for the rules.
What I Don’t Focus On:
Minor stumbles or nervousness won’t severely affect your score if you recover well and continue with your speech. I prioritize substance and delivery over perfection.
Remember, I am here to support you in your growth as a speaker. I aim to provide useful feedback that can help you develop your skills for future competitions.
Good luck, and I look forward to hearing your speeches!
I am a parent judge.
General Notes
- Please speak slowly and clearly. English is not my first language and I believe that debate should be an understandable exchange of arguments. When you speak fast I am more likely to be confused and not understand your argument
- I might not take that many notes because I am trying my best to understand what you are saying. For me, I memorize your arguments better than writing them down, so if you see that I am not taking a lot of notes that is why. I am, however, following along
- Always be polite to your opponents at all times.
- Be clear at all times, explain your argument and why it makes sense.
- Assume that I don't know anything about the topic. Do not make things up because I am a lay judge, I value good arguments that are supported by evidence and clear explanations.
- I value presentation and delivery as an important part of my decision
How I make my decision:
- I will vote for the team who has persuaded me the best. Regardless of my own knowledge, I will not judge with bias but rather give the win to the team that best explains their argument and interacts with their opponent's argument
- You should tell me why your argument is the most important and why it comes first
- Do not use debate jargon or any complex language. I value clarity and quality in my decision.
Parent judge. I will attempt to follow the flow, but help me by speaking clearly and do not spread. Do not use debate jargons.
Likes:
Explain your reasoning well, focus on convincing me with sound arguments and concise/clear logic.
Keeping the cross fire civil, respect each other and refrain from combative/aggressive tone/phrasing.
Speaker points are awarded based on both the manner of speaking and the content of the speech. In other words, try not to read monotonously from your screen.
Dislikes:
Avoid strategies that rely on scoring technicality "gotcha" points.
Do not attempt to overwhelm your opponent (and me) with numbers. I will not check complex statistics/math in your arguments, but will doubt why they're necessary if the argument/reasoning is sound.
No progressive arguments like Ks or theory. Keep the debate topical.
Misc:
Walk me through the ballot. Make it really easy for me to vote.
sophomore in college & I debated in PF during HS as second speaker - happy to give advice/answer questions at the end of the round.
for evidence- 1) add rv2529@barnard.edu to the email chain w this subject line: tournament name - rd # - school team code (side) v. school team code (side), 2) please send docs in the form of pdf (preferably)/word doc -- really don't like google docs/sending directly into the email chain bc it makes centralizing everything worse.
from there, these are things to keep in mind:
--while I can follow speed, please provide a speech doc if you expect I will miss something on my flow. that being said, speed shouldn't tradeoff with clarity.
--TIME yourselves. I beg.
--for elims-if there's a lay on the panel, please please adapt speed to the lay and not to me. please make the debate accessible/understandable for them. but it’s your choice
--in both rebuttals, I expect teams to 1) signpost as you go down the flow so that I know where you are and what is being responded to 2) weigh the arguments and not just say, “we outweigh, ” tell me which weighing mechanism and WHY you outweigh.
--for 2nd rebuttal, frontline terminal defense & turns.
hint: I like link-ins from case & preq. args a lot. BUT I don't like when teams use their case args as the only response ie. deterrence vs. escalation debate. interact w the individual warrants and links.
--make it SUPER CLEAR what you're going for in summary & do all the necessary extensions (contentions, blocks, etc). weigh weigh weigh. meta-weighing is also great (tell me which mechanism is better).
--not a fan of sticky defense but I will consider it if that's what the round comes down to.
--tech or not: the final focus speech is a good time to SLOW DOWN and explain the argument and the direction the round is going in. please do not bring in any new responses or implications during this speech.
--I generally enjoy listening to crossfire. still, I will LISTEN to crossfire, but I will not FLOW crossfire. I can only evaluate good points made in cross if they are brought up in speeches later.
--clarity and strategy are the key factors that will impact your final speaks.
--I prefer topical debates but I'm OPEN to theory and progressive arguments when ran well. that said, I'm not super familiar w a lot of these so run it to me like you're running it to a parent (make your points VERY clear & accessible).
Here is what I am looking for:
Stand up and introduce yourself clearly.
Be prepared. Know your material profoundly. Present it clearly, rather than reciting or speed-reading it. Effective Public Speaking is a connection with your audience, not a listing of innumerable facts.
Words matter. Speak slowly to present your argument. Do not spread. If your words are too fast to be heard, you've already discounted them yourself. Cut to the chase. Distill. Edit. Much better to make a thoughtful, clearly articulated argument than to try to pack in the absolute limit of facts.
Time management.By now you should watch your own time and make sure you do not spillover.
I am a lay judge. Please speak slowly and clearly. You will lose my attention if you speed talk.
Make a clear summary of your arguments upfront. Focus on your key arguments and provide substantive evidence. Do not waste time on less important, peripheral arguments.
Clear counter-arguments (with evidence) to your opponents' points can make or break your case.
Do not talk over each other in cross. Be respectful.
Please refrain from using debate jargon.
At this point, I have heard a fair number of debates, but I am a parent judge.
Speak as slowly as you need to in order to make your arguments clear. Generally the time you save by speaking too fast is not worth it, especially if I can’t understand what you’re saying. The confidence that you show when you don’t rush is as valuable, if not more valuable, than the handful of additional points you might make speaking faster.
I find it very helpful when you give a roadmap in terms of your overall argument, and also when you make clear at the start of your speech how many points you intend to make to support your argument. If you remind me as you go through your speech which point you are speaking to, even better. Similarly, when you are responding to or rebutting your opponent’s speech, be clear as to which point(s) you are addressing.
Also, please do not use debater jargon. I might understand you, or I might not. Either way, you are much more likely to convince me if you explain your points clearly and fully from start to finish. You may be tempted to try to save time by saying something like: “Judge, you should delink this argument from 3.C on the flow because there’s no XYZ warranting here.” But I may not understand you, and even if I do, the point will have less force to me buried in jargon without further explanation.
Whether or not argument is explicitly labeled as “weighing”, I am most likely to be swayed by a few thoroughly argued key issues, accompanied by analysis convincing me that those issues decisively cover the critical territory. A team may have the better argument on every point except the decisive argument that logically controls the overall outcome, but in my ballot I’ll try my best to follow that critical, controlling argument.
Do your best to take the topic seriously. Put differently, I respect government's right to define the terms of the debate, within the bounds established by the topic, unless the opposition can convince me that government's framing falls outside of a fair reading of the topic. In my experience, this doesn't happen often, but when it does it can be decisive. Also, please take each other's arguments seriously - I much prefer debates in which each side squarely and fairly addresses the other side's best arguments.
I find that evidence is more often an issue in public forum, but in any form of debate, there are limits to what sort of evidence is credible, or how much I will trust it. For example, evidence claiming to predict the future is always uncertain. Opinion evidence is only as convincing as the reasoning and facts that support it. Solid empirical evidence, ideally paired with deep analysis, often carries the day in a public forum debate, though logical analysis can beat empirical evidence if the analysis explains away the observation.
And evidence in any form of debate that the other side convinces me is unreliable will undercut the credibility of an argument. If you tell me that something is a fact, I expect it to be true.
Most of all, be nice to each other, and have fun! In my experience, the most skilled debaters are often the most gracious.
Hi! I'm excited to be your judge today. I am new but I will try my best.
1. Please don't speak too fast. I believe debate is a communicative activity, and therefore make sure I can hear and understand every word that being said.
2. Please make your arguments as clear to me as possible. I want to understand the real world significance of the argument.
3. Please be friendly to others, otherwise you will lose speaker points.
Rapid speaking and excessive technical language may hinder your performance. It's acceptable to speak quickly as long as you remain clear. But if speed affects your clarity, it's better to slow down.
I won't share my decision post-round to ensure the tournament progresses smoothly and to uphold fairness in all debates. The decision will solely be reflected in the ballot.