I have been judging for a few years now, and I have met some wonderful competitors. I will always be as fair and unbiased as possible. I ask that you speak at a normal rate rather than spreading. I intend to judge based on the flow, with a particular emphasis on the impacts.

I am a veteran science teacher who currently teaches AP Environmental Science and AP Physics as well as Earth and Space Science. However, this is my first year judging so please be patient with me if I make any newbee mistakes. In regards to fast speaking, on a 10 point scale from Eeyore to professional auctioneer I can usually follow along up to a 7, but may not understand you if you don't speak clearly or change topics without appropriate transitions. Finally, I may be unfamiliar with specific moral jargon so please explain any terms in your framework that aren't commonly used outside the context of LD debate. Finally, I appreciate a well organized and logical argument with clearly stated framework and contentions.

Current School Affiliation

Chair, Depart of English, Elkins High School

Education Entrepreneurship Graduate Student, University of Pennsylvania, Graduate School of Education

Speech & Debate Program Coordinator, Randolph County Schools

Elkins High School (Elkins, WV)

2016-present

Elkins Middle School (Elkins, WV)

2019-present

Experience as a Competitor

I did not participate in speech and debate activities until I was in college. The program at Davis & Elkins College was primarily focused on public debates and less so on competitive speech and debate. My time at D&E lead me to see the value of debate to shape and improve public discourse. Additional details about my experience are below.

Davis & Elkins College (2013-2016)

Public Debate (debates on campus and in the community, Madison Cup @ James Madison University, iDebate Rwanda)

College Forensics Association (Lincoln-Douglas Debate, Parliamentary Debate, Poetry Interpretation, Prose Interpretation, Communication Analysis, Informative Speaking, After Dinner Speaking, Extemporaneous Speaking, Impromptu Speaking)

Lincoln-Douglas Philosophy

Overview I'm a traditional coach in a traditional circuit that has a general knowledge of progressive LD. However, I am willing to accept CPs, DAs, and Ks, but please be mindful of your opponents/judges ability to adapt. However, I am not likely to vote on theory arguments unless the violation is very abusive.

Speed I'm cool with speed, but be aware of how technology impacts how you are heard.

TL;DR I vote on impact. I want to hear why your argument matters. I will give preference to the debater that does the best job of showing the impact of negating or affirming the resolution.

General Debate Philosophy

1. I judge on impact. Tell me why your argument matters.

2. Create strong links between your claims and your evidence.

Background: I did a mixture of PF, LD, and Congress for 4 years throughout high-school (Huntington High School). I am currently studying English, Political Science, and Philosophy at Marshall University. 

Public Forum:

In terms of how I vote, I want to emphasize how important key voting issues or weighing is. I prefer teams to introduce their key voting issues or impacts in their summary and then extend it into final focus (basically, summary and final focus should look the same). If you do not provide weighing mechanisms or impacts, it will be significantly harder for me to determine what is more important in the round. 

If you do not extend something in summary, I will not count it if it is brought up in grand crossfire and final focus. If you are a competitor and notice the opponent doing this in round, briefly call it out. 

If someone in the round specifically tells me in round to call for evidence (for any reason: relevance, date, or misquotation), I will call for the evidence at the end of the round. In any instance, if a competitor cannot provide me a significant piece of evidence, mentioned in either rebuttal or their constructive, I will not account for the evidence or the argument connected to the particular evidence. If a team is unethically handling evidence (lying, misquoting on purpose), they will lose the round and receive minimal speaker points. 

If a competitor calls for evidence, it is on prep-time. I expect that neither team is prepping during the exchange. Once the team who has called for the evidence receives the evidence and clarifies that they are running time, I will start prep-time. 

In round, I will keep track of prep but also expect competitors to as well. 

While speaking, if you run over-time, I will allow you to finish your sentence. After that, if the timer is up, I will not flow any information. If you see that I am no longer writing, I am not flowing. 

If you are the second speaking team during rebuttal, I do expect you to uphold your own case and clash against theirs. You can choose what order you do this in as long as it happens. Considering how long it might take, I am fully understanding and appreciative of you making strategic choices. For instance, if you want to drop a contention and want to go for 1-2 more significant contentions, I will not drop speaker points or use this in how I end up voting. 

In most cases, I will not interfere in the round for any reason. However, if competitors are purposefully distracting their opponent or not demonstrating proper behavior in round, I will. 

As for speaks, I want to include how I evaluate speaker points:

30: The argument and the presentation were perfect. I didn't have anything to critique. 

29: The argumentation, research, and presentation in round was excellent. I can point out minor errors in your specific comment section. 

28: Your in-round performance was good, but it's clear that there are multiple areas that could have been more effective. 

27: There were numerous errors in both argumentation and presentation. 

26: One of two things could have happened (I will make sure to specify)

1. No evidence was presented or the evidence/speech was completely irrelevant to the topic.
2. You were disrespectful to your opponents. 

Lincoln Douglas:

All of the same rules from PF apply, but I do expect that the weighing done is in context of the framework. The first thing I evaluate is the framework debate followed by how the contentions connect. Winning framework does not necessarily mean you win the round. I'm looking for competitors to clarify how their contentions fit under their framework and extend that through the round. Also, if possible, I am looking for competitors to be able to fit their contentions into the opponent's framework as well. I understand if the frameworks are meta-ethically different and you cannot possibly connect your contentions to the opponent's framework, but if that's the case then you need to allocate a significant portion of your time to the framework debate. 

I have advanced degrees in speech communication, rhetoric and argumentation and I teach at the college level on those subjects. However I take very seriously the idea that public forum debate should be judged by non-experts and therefore I am not a fan of speed and the quantity of arguments over the quality of arguments. Use public speaking skills effective for a general audience.

The quality of evidence and logic will generally win the day for me, and clear signposting, lack of jargon and connecting your rebuttals back to your opponents case are what I am looking for. While I take notes during the debate, evidence, warrant and impact are more important to me than whether your opponent answers all of your individual arguments.

In crossfire the debaters should take turns and I will interject if one debater simply seems to be trying to shout down the other. Civility is more impressive to me. In summary and final focus speeches you should explain clearly why your team should win the round in language that a lay judge and audience can understand. Debaters can keep their own time and use their laptops and phones within the limits of the rules. I try to be pretty relaxed when I judge so as long as you aren't trying to take advantage things should be fine.

I don't mind audience members as long as they are not disruptive and as long as the participants don't mind. Have fun with the tournament!

I have no specific preferences and will judge to the event. I have competed in all debate events in the past and so I understand what the event is like from a competitor stand point. My personal opinions don't matter to me, what matters is how well you can debate your side. Please be respectful and I will dock points for anything considered underhanded by the judge's guide. Also, please try to avoid going over time.

Public Forum-

Background-

My email is cammays05@gmail.com

I did PF debate all four years in high school so I'm pretty familiar with anything that could come up in the debate. Speed is fine, but I think debate is supposed to be an educational activity, accessible to anyone who watches, so I highly discourage spreading, but if you really feel like you have to spread in a constructive of rebuttal just send the doc.

In Round-

I expect everything y'all are going for in the debate to be clearly extended, especially in summary. With this, dropped points need to be pointed out by each team, I will be flowing but dropped points should immediately be jumped on as a cause for winning. At the end of the debate I vote on what offense is left (obviously), so be sure to introduce voting issues and weighing mechanisms for me preferably starting in summary or rebuttal. Please clearly explain your weighing mechanism don't just say, "Vote on this impact because of scope," incorporate some analysis and explanation with it. Also, extend warranting and link chains not just the impact and its stat. I will also vote on mishandled evidence or faulty evidence, I think those are strong arguments that can undercut a case well. Finally, please do some case defense, don't just reread your case or not respond at all to arguments against it. I really don't know what else to put just be respectful in speeches and questioning and ask me any questions if you have them.

LD-

A lot of the same stuff from PF, don't just extend claims and source tags, but extend the warranting with it. My vote is based on whichever argument better fits under the value and value criterion I buy in the debate.

Post Round-

I'm fine with disclosing and answering questions about my decision and the round and giving feedback as long as a tournament allows it. However, doing this can get pretty contentious, so if y'all are trying to be post-round debaters I'm going to cut my feedback short, like I said earlier just be respectful. I get tournament days can be stressful but just remember I'm trying my best. Thanks.

If you're reading this before a PF round consider: skip to the bolded "this is a note for PF" which is about my views on evidence. Otherwise do what you want in round; have fun, go crazy. Read the rest of the paradigm if you have time, but it's mostly about LD/Policy.

General Thoughts:

1. I encourage you to ask me specific questions before the round. Asking me general questions (EG: "How would you describe your paradigm", etc.) before the round won't prompt me to give you very helpful answers. Just be specific with your questions and we'll be good, I'm happy to answer any questions I can. If you have questions that are going to determine or guide your strategy in round then ask them! But I'm not great at summarizing all my thoughts for you on the spot.

2. Tech over truth in nearly every regard, I want to see your arguments and responses to opponents'. Give me clear, evidenced links to support impact scenarios and narrativize them well. I will avoid judge intervention in almost all cases and to the extreme. That is to say, to put yourself in the best position to win I want to see you clearly defend and weigh your points because I will not weigh them for you. I will not automatically default to one position over another when given no reasons to prefer. From a strategic standpoint, it is in your best interest to give me a framework by which to evaluate your impacts even if that framework is localized to weighing your impact.

3.Extensions through ink are usually okay- if it's something critical to your round strategy, especially if it interacts with your opponents' case (e.g. a turn) you shouldprobably be doing at least a little more than this. If you're making an argument that I should invalidate or eliminate entire components of what your opponent has read/said in round, it makes sense to give me at least a brief warrant for why each clust of arguments should be dropped- why does your defense apply toall the things you say it does? Why would I group those arguments that way? Make sure you're implicating and warranting effectively here.

4. I'm always happy to answer questions and listen to concerns/criticisms of my decisions afterwards. I want to get better and so do you, why not help each other. However, I will not change my decision, even if you convince me I've made the wrong one- the best you'll get is a "huh, you're right."

5.THIS IS A NOTE FOR PF. If it takes you longer than 15 seconds to find a card that you claim to have, I will ask you if you want to run YOUR prep time to find it. If you say "yes" then carry on, but maybe consider familiarizing yourself with your evidence so you can find it quicker. If you say "no" then that evidence won't "exist" until you demonstrate that it's real (which could include reading it in the next speech, though that might be too late if your opponents speak between when you cite it and then). Obviously I will be understanding if there are technical difficulties (IE internet cutting out, computer crashing) which I have been made aware of.

Also, while we're on evidence in PF, sending just like, a link to a website isn't great. If your opponent doesn't interact with it I will probably take you at face value, but know that there is a chance (slight) that I will, unprompted, click your link and read the article and if it says something other than what you claimed then I will intervene to vote against you because of this. I won't do this with a cut card unless someone in the round makes it an issue. TL;DR: If you're sending just hyperlinks to articles make sure they say what you claim.

Speed: Sure. I can keep up as long as you are able to maintain clarity. I will call speed if you go too fast, and I encourage you to call speed on your opponent if they are going too fast for you. I will begin docking speaker points on the third time I have to call speed, and if your opponent calls a third time you should expect a good hit to your speaker points. This isn't necessarily a voting issue for me (unless your opponent makes it a voting issue). I definitely want to be on the speechdrop/email chain (though I prefer speechdrop). mightybquinn@gmail.com.

AFF: I prefer topical AFFs. I am open to listening to an engaging K AFF (or if your opponent doesn't call T then I guess run whatever you want, obviously), but I would still prefer to listen to a topical AFF. I strongly prefer AFFs that include a plan text of some sort (even if it's a vague/open-ended plan text). I don't like the idea of "reserve the right to clarify" but I understand it's functionality given time constraints. Don't clarify in an utterly unreasonable way (my threshold is pretty high here).

T: Topicality is a stock issue, and as such I will vote on it if it's won. I don't particularly enjoy listening to T arguments, but who really does. I don't particularly love definitions (I.E. "substantial"), unless the original definitions are completely misrepresenting the words of the resolution/rule/etc. That being said, competing interpretations has been doing well in front of me recently so I would hardly call it unviable. Upholding your standards is pretty much the most important thing to do to win T in front of me. You can make your voter "NFA-LD rules" if you want, but there needs to be an articulated voter on T for me to vote on it. I default reasonability, but really I strongly prefer one or both debaters to give me a FW. I will evaluate T on whatever FW is given to me by the debaters. NOTE: My threshold for voting on T is lower than it was my first two years judging, if you happen to remember/have heard that I would not vote on Topicality.

Theory: Pretty much the same as my T paradigm. I'll listen to theoretical positions, just give me some clear standards if you want to win that position in front of me. I default drop the argument if you don't read a warrant for why I should drop the debater, but I believe fundamentally that theory comes first, so it doesn't need to be a great warrant. Clear in-round abuse stories tied to theory arguments, especially those focused on research burden and unfair ground have been successful in front of me in the past, but I don't perceive myself as being uniquely drawn to them. I don't mind Neg debaters running Disclosure Theory against Affs, but unless the Neg runs a CP or an Alt I don't think Affs running Disclosure Theory against Negs is a viable strategy in front of me if the Neg DOES run a CP or Alt then suddenly Disclosure is a viable aff position. (NOTE: this is for LD, for PF aff's can run disclosure theory, it is viable in that realm).

Disclosure in PF is a fine theory position to run in front of me, but I will not vote for it on principle alone. I DO generally think disclosure is a good norm that should be adopted into PF, but that being said, you need to have clear standards, voters and weighing on a theory argument to win. My desire to not intervene in a round far outweighs my desire to punish teams for not disclosing. A role of the ballot framing is also a good strategy in any context if you're going for theory and if you're defending against a position like this then having a counter framework is also a good idea.

I will vote on conceded RVI's but the threshold for voting on an RVI that's been effectively defended against is probably fairly high. "Don't vote for an RVI" is not enough defense. Explain to me literally any reason to not vote for the RVI.

CP: I don't have a strong personal predilection to voting on conditionality one way or the other, but I conceptually dislike conditional CP's a lot- that being said, it's not a strong enough dislike for it to matter unless someone in round forces my hand. "Condo Bad" arguments are viable in front of me but by no means will they always win. Perms of the CP need to be actually explained to me. Just hearing "both" won't be a winning position in front of me. I will evaluate the plan vs. CP debate in pretty much the same way that I evaluate the SQ vs. plan debate unless one side offers a different FW. I am okay with the Neg going for CP and SQ in the NR, but I feel like the strategy is risky given that you have to split your time between both positions.

K: I love critical arguments and I was a critical scholar professionally, but don't necessarily expect me to be read up on all of the literature (though I may surprise you). I'm okay with generic links to the AFF, but I definitely like to see good impact calculus if your argument is reliant on a generic link; I need one or the other to be strong for your K to have a chance in a round. I need to know why the impacts of the K outweigh or precede the impacts of the AFF. I prefer Alternatives that have some type of action, but am open to other types of Alts as well. I don't particularly love hearing alts that say we need to theoretically engage in some different type of discourse unless there's a clear plan for what "engaging in X discourse" looks like in the real world (which can include within the debate round at hand, but might have more). Particularly, I enjoy hearing alternatives that call for the debaters in the round to engage in discourse differently (I think this is the easiest type of Alt to defend). Even if the Alternative is to simply drop the AFF in-round, that is enough "real world" implementation of a theoretical Alt for me.

Clarification: K debate is not the absence of tech- you still need to demonstrate a link an impact even if those things take a different form or are about different things than they would be in a more traditional arg.

DA: Not much to say here. Give me a good DA story and if you are winning it by the end of the round then I'll probably vote on it. Definitely remember to do weighing between the DA and the AFF though because there's always a good chance that I won't vote on your DA if you can't prove it outweighs any unsuccessfully contested Advantages of the Aff. DA's with no weighing are only a little better than no DA at all.

Solvency: A terminal solvency deficit is usually enough of a reason for me to vote against the aff BUT I need this extended as a reason to vote. You can always say that it's try-or-die, tell me there's a risk of solvency and sure, I'll still grant you that begrudgingly (unless you've really lost the solvency debate). If you're getting offense somewhere else good for you, I'll still vote on that; so like, if your case falls but you have a turn on a CP or an RVI on T or something those are still paths to the ballot. This note is here because I've seen a few rounds where the aff just sort of says "they have at best a terminal no solvency argument" and like- that's enough for them. That's what neg needs at the minimum to win the round.

I use she/her pronouns.

I have coached all forms of debate, with students as state champions, national qualifiers, and national outrounds (mainly in LD, but also CX, PFD, and congress). While I am a coach of 20+ years, I like to be treated as a lay judge. My philosophy is that regardless of the style of debate, you should never assume that your judge knows more than you and it is your responsibility to educate them on the topic. That means:

1) I prefer speech habits that emphasize persuasiveness and understanding. Don't spread, make sure to signpost, and think about how you can use your voice to emphasize key points.

2) Avoid topic-specific jargon. We are not researching this stuff to the level that you do as a competitor. Don't throw out an acronym without telling me what it stands for, unless it is a universally-known one (i.e. NATO). Sometimes even terms of art in the resolution aren't really known to the judge, so it is helpful to clarify. That also goes for complex ideas and theories.

3) Explain your arguments/contentions. Just reading card after card does not showcase your logic. Remember the warrant -- WHY does that evidence matter? And with that said, what is the impact? I love a good impact.

Debate:

PF:

First and foremost, I'm a flow judge, so respond to all of your opponent's points. I will not consider any argument/rebuttal that isn't verbalized, so if you have a point you want me to consider in my decision, make sure you communicate it!

Second, I look at impact and quality of argument over quantity of arguments.

Third, if two pieces of evidence are in direct conflict, I will weigh the quality of the evidence based on source year and publication.

Fourth, speed is not an issue for me. Just make sure you speak clearly!

Lastly, and most importantly, respect one another! Even if you have the better arguments, I will not vote for a disrespectful competitor. Treat each other well, and have a great round!

LD:

First and foremost, I'm a flow judge, so respond to all of your opponent's points. I will not consider any argument/rebuttal that isn't verbalized, so if you have a point you want me to consider in my decision, make sure you communicate it!

Second, I look at impact and quality of argument over quantity of arguments.

Third, if two pieces of evidence are in direct conflict, I will weigh the quality of the evidence based on source year and publication.

Fourth, if value/VC are not agreed upon between the AFF/NEG, please remember to provide refutation on your opponent's value/VC! If both the AFF and NEG present two different values/VCs and don't respond to the other, I will go with whomever's I believe to be the most valid by the round's end (which will almost certainly influence my decision).

Fifth, speed is not an issue for me. Just make sure you speak clearly!

Lastly, and most importantly, respect one another! Even if you have the better arguments, I will not vote for a disrespectful competitor. Treat each other well, and have a great round!

SPAR:

First and foremost, I'm a flow judge, so respond to all of your opponent's points. I will not consider any argument/rebuttal that isn't verbalized, so if you have a point you want me to consider in my decision, make sure you communicate it!

Second, I look at impact and quality of argument over quantity of arguments.

Third, as this is a more extemporaneous debate style, sources will likely not impact my decision to a great degree; however, if a source's validity is disproven, I will most certainly consider that when making my decision. If two pieces of evidence are in direct conflict, I will weigh the quality of the evidence based on source year and publication.

Fourth, speed is not an issue for me. Just make sure you speak clearly!

Lastly, and most importantly, respect one another! Even if you have the better arguments, I will not vote for a disrespectful competitor. Treat each other well, and have a great round!

Nico's Bio:

I am a college student from Marshall University as a Yeager Scholar in the Slack Class of 2025, a member of the University Student Senate, and a coach for hire for debate. When I was in high school I competed heavily in Congressional Debate. While attending Oxbridge of the Palm Beaches, I was captain of the Congressional Debate team, had dozens of TOC bids, competed and finaled at Harvard University Debate, Emory Debate, NSDA, States, and NCFL Nationals #4 place, multiple chamber choice PO awards, and holding a ranking within the top 5 for NSDA points my senior year. Needless to say, when it comes to Congress, I am no lay judge and will rank accordingly, valuing a mix of data, logic, refutation, cross-examination, creativity, presentation, etc.

Nico's Contact Info:

Phone: (561)-704-7022

Email: raffinengo@marshall.edu

Facebook Messenger / Instagram: @nicolasraffinengo

Congress Paradigm:

What I Look for From Speakers:

• Argumentation in Speech: Claims are followed by logical backing (warrant), as well as data and an impact of why I should care, I don't mind the order you do this but it is a must to get ranked well by me. Reference or crossfire others in round showing why I as the judge or constituent should value your arguments over others. Also providing unique or non-stock argumentation will make you stand out, especially if a round is super stock-heavy in terms of arguments. Authorship and First Neg should take all the stock arguments as well as explain the bill well, as well as a bonus if they set burdens.
• Presentation of the Speech: Your intro and conclusion should be memorized as well as contentions. The good theming of a speech and creative aspects will make your speech more memorable. Keeping eye contact and using appropriate presidential movement keep listeners engaged, and show memorization of speech. Keeping pacing, tone, and vocal variety to highlight points can make your speech easier to follow.
• Crossfire: Good crossfire should refute or build something to the debate, I hate seeing softball, convoluted, or just questions that don't really contribute anything to the round.

What I Look for From Presiding Officers:

• Solid Control of the Round
• Quick Selection of Speakers and Questioners
• Providing a Google Sheet will Get Brownie Points from Me
• Gaveling Isn't Insanely Loud
• Explanation of Procedures is Good
• Understanding Roberts Rules

Public Forum Paradigm:

Update Georgetown 10/11

Everything else in my paradigm below applies. Please make sure constructive and rebuttal docs are sent accordingly, or else your speaker points will be docked. I have been accustomed to the event enough where I will be able to tolerate speed, but this doesnot mean that clarity is sacrificed.

Speech Content:

• Constructive Speeches: Present your main arguments and evidence. Provide a clear framework for your case and establish the significance of your position.
• Crossfire I-II: Be respectful but firm with opponents, engage in questioning well, and tackle points on both sides well, use these periods to help set up your following speeches.
• Rebuttal Speeches: Respond to opponents' arguments, point out flaws, and reinforce your case. Engage in strategic argumentation and address crossfire issues.
• Summary Speeches: Summarize key arguments and impacts. Extend your strongest points and highlight the most critical issues in the debate.
• Grand Crossfire: Engage in open questioning and answer to address any remaining issues. Clarify positions and challenge opponents' claims.
• Final Focus Speeches: Re-emphasize your most powerful arguments. Explain why the judge should prioritize certain issues and impacts. Provide a clear conclusion and solidify your stance.

Etiquette:

• Be respectful and professional.
• Avoid personal attacks.
• Stay within allotted time limits.
• Use evidence ethically and cite sources.

I have judged debate events off and on for 35+ years.

For my first 15 years, I primarily judged high school Policy Debate and only occasionally high school Lincoln-Douglas Debate.

More recently, I have judged rounds of COLLEGE IPDA Debate (most), Lincoln-Douglas Debate, and NPDA Debate (least) and HIGH SCHOOL Lincoln-Douglas Debate, Public Forum Debate, and SPAR/Extemp Debate.

Although my initial experience was in high school Policy Debate, I do not like high speed. If I am leaning forward to catch everything you are saying or you are gasping for air between utterances, you are talking too fast. If that is the case or you're overwhelming my ability to process information, I will say SPEED. By the same token, if you're speaking is not clear, I will say CLEAR. Please adjust accordingly if I say SPEED or CLEAR.

Ultimately, I judge holistically - the better debater or debate team wins the round. This almost always is the debater or debate team that carried the debate on my flow. In that very rare case when it is not, it is because I consider effective communication in deciding which debater or debate team won (and in assigning speaker points).

In a policy debate, I look to stock issues; in value debate, I look to which side best upholds the value(s) presented; in a fact debate, I ordinarily look to which side persuaded me by a preponderance of the evidence or similar standard offered by the debaters.

I do try to come in with an open mind. As a result, I will listen to and potentially "vote" any issue you raise. But I prefer for debaters on both sides to address the topic and clash thoughtfully with the other side's arguments.

If you run a kritik or counterplan, I expect you to explain it clearly (especially the kritik) and establish a clear link to the topic/case you're debating. I'm not an expert on every critical lens that challenges status quo thinking.

I dislike spreading. Identify major weaknesses in your opponents' arguments and flesh them out for me. Presenting a lot of one-sentence arguments in the hope your opponent can't respond to all of them will not help you win my ballot.

I judge on what I hear. I expect debaters to both make arguments and use both logic and evidence. I also expect debaters to summarize why they won; don't spend so much time refuting arguments that you leave no time to tell me clearly why you won.