I competed in policy debate and parliamentary debate (NPDA and APDA) in college. I currently teach and used to coach debate to middle school students at Brentwood school. While I can flow if you spread, for parliamentary debate I prefer a round that is clear and the analysis of arguments is stressed over just trying to go fast.
I am going to borrow from my old debate coach:
Ken Sherwood: “I am an argument critic. Do not expect me to vote for any claim that is not developed into an argument. You must develop a complete argument including warrants, not just assertions.”
If you choose to run theory, please make sure you clearly explain how your argument functions in the round. I prefer rounds that combine the technical aspects of the flow with a clear presentation, and I will always look to the flow first when determining speaker points.

Email Chain: evanaengel@gmail.com

I debated LD for 3 years for Harvard-Westlake School (2014-17) - 13 career bids, Dukes and Bailey 17', won some tournaments/broke at the TOC. I loved debate because of the variety. I could be a fan of any argument you want to read, provided it 1) is explained in a way I can understand and 2) has an explicit reason why that means you should win. I like when debaters appreciate the space they've been given and use it to do what they like. This means engage in the resolution and your speaking time however you want whether that means dense moral philosophy, theory, or critical debate. Just do what you find meaningful even if that just means doing what gives you the best chance to win. My biggest preference in terms of what you run is that you make good arguments which you understand and execute well. I hated judges that said "I won't vote on X because I disagree with/don't like it" so I try not to be one, but I reserve the right to hold debaters to a reasonable standard of quality argumentation.

Housekeeping

You must share your speech docs with your opponent. Flashing, emailing, speechdrop, NSDA Campus message; whatever method of sharing you prefer as long as it's more effective than looking over your shoulder.

I think disclosure is very good for debate. This is not to say you cannot beat disclosure theory in front of me—it just means you will have a very hard time. This is not an invitation to whip out your “must disclose 1ar frontlines” or whatever race-to-the-bottom shell—my preference is for fairly disclosed debates, not gotchas disguised as legitimate theory.

Prep ends when the flash drive leaves the computer/the email is sent

***Online Debate***

• Here is the procedure i will follow if a student drops off a call, or I drop off a call: students are expected to maintain local recordings of their speeches - if they drop off, they should complete the speech and immediately email their recording upon completing it. I will not allow students to restart speeches / attempt to figure out how much time they had left, particularly in elimination rounds.
• If someone drops off a call, please do not steal prep time.
• It will make the round easier for all of us if you figure out a way to be able to see both me and your opponent on screen - non-verbal communication is really helpful for e-debate working at its best, and if we both nod at "everyone ready," you need to be able to see that, not just be waiting on us to un-mute ourselves and speak up! if you do not hear from me or see me indicate I am ready in some form, you should not assume i am ready. one thing i think this means is that "is anyone not ready" is no longer the right question to ask - "is everyone ready" is gonna be key to ensure no one misses anything.
• Slow down. i think online you should be going at 70% or so of the speed you would go in person. if you do not slow down and technical difficulties mean i miss arguments, i will not be very sympathetic to the post round - I have had a lot of kids not be able to hear me bc of the way zoom handles microphones - i am sorry if you do not hear me say "slow", but i cannot emphasize enough the need for you to slow down.
• You should have an email chain - if you are flight b, the chain should be set up before you hop on the call if possible.

Kritiks

I like good K debate a lot. An NR containing a well explained, and well impacted K that doesn't forget about the case is a good thing. An NR containing a K you've never read the lit for is hair pullingly frustrating. Ask yourself if you can explain your position without the use of buzzwords, if the answer is no, you risk being in the latter category.

I'm not generally a huge fan of the 4 minute K overview followed by line by line constituted primarily by "that was in the overview". Take time to clearly explain and implicate the links/impacts/framing arguments and contextualize them to the aff.

Non-T/Performance Affs

I believe people should be able to do whatever they want with their affirmative, and I will by no means auto vote you down for not being topical. That said, T/Framework was my favorite argument in high school, and I will be hard pressed to vote aff absent a robust defense against it—whether that comes in the form of impact turns, a counter-interp, or something else is up to you. I find myself voting aff during these debates more often than not for two reasons: 1) The NR on framework is more whining about how hard the aff was to prep than it is clear impact comparison; 2) The NR doesn't engage the 1ar arguments properly—the 2nr should both deal with the warrant AND implication of these arguments because too often I have on my flow "this doesn't make any sense" without an explanation of why or why that matters.

Policy

I think these can be some of the best debates around. I would love you if you did good evidence comparison and comparison of links to the impact rather than doing superficial weighing of impacts. The straight turn and impact turn are both deeply underutilized arguments in LD. I'm sick of judging 1ARs that are 80% defense against the DA.

I'm not normally a fan of rote plans bad theory arguments. I think you should either read a T shell or a more nuanced reason why their type of plan text is bad.

Topicality

Your interp needs evidence, standards and voting issues. A good T debate is one of my favorite debates and should involve a deep comparison of the world of debate each interp justifies, not just competing 6-points of the limits standard. Textuality as a voter just barely meets the standard for coherent argument, i'll vote on it, but it will be defeated easily in front of me. RVIs on T are not a thing.

Theory

I'm not a fan of frivolous theory, I'll vote on it, but there is a low bar for answering it. If you're struggling to figure out whether a certain shell is too frivolous for me to give the benefit of the doubt, don't read it. I am extremely persuaded by infinite regress/arbitrariness arguments against the vast majority of spec shells.

Ethical Philosophy/Framework

I am far and away the least versed in this part of LD. I'm not unwilling to vote on anything you choose to read, just understand that if it's more complicated than the simple end of ripstein or util, you will need to explain it to me like I'm a distracted 5 year old. You should know that I, generally speaking, am a firm believer that comparative worlds is the best interpretation for debate and, as a result, I will likely not love your burdens aff/whatever postdating related trend is popular.

Note: I have had this section of my paradigm virtually unchanged for a long time and, while I do now have a degree in philosophy, I have left it intact. In my experience, the vast majority of debate moral philosophy is kind of like the theory debate—there seems to be a fairly small universe of arguments (mostly straw-men of what authors actually have to say—“induction fails so consequences, no matter how great, can’t even be considered in moral calculus”) that both sides already kind of know and trot out against each other over and over. I describe myself as a distracted 5 year old here because I remain mostly in the dark about how to evaluate these kinds or arguments and about how to compare offense under means-based frameworks. I would be tremendously impressed by a debater who was able to deliver a speech on one of these positions that didn’t leave me frustrated by its lack of nuance and argumentative clarity and would reward them with very high speaker points.

Spikes/Tricks/Skep

I will vote for these arguments if I absolutely have to, but I greatly dislike and generally don't understand them. Chances are if you're winning in front of me on a blippy theory spike or an a priori, it's because the rest of the debate was literally impossible to evaluate and you will not be happy with your speaker points because of it.

I've beeen the Debate Director for Dougherty Valley High School for 4 years. I competed in debate for all 4 years of high school, where I mostly participated in Lincoln-Douglas. I also debated Parli in college on the NPDA circuit.

I'm okay with basically every form of progressive argumentation provided it is run well. While I prefer topical interpretations, I really enjoy it when those interpretations branch out into the critical and theory levels of the debate. My threshold for theory debate in relatively high; in that there needs to be an actual tangible impact on the round, not just whining about hypothetical potentials for abuse. I'm unlikely to vote on Parli RVIs unless they go completely dropped.  Be creative, have fun, run good analysis, but don't assume that I make connections for you. 

Finally, I have a form of progressive hearing loss which means that, while I generally don't have a problem with the volume debate rounds are conducted at, it is becoming increasingly difficult for me to prosses debate when the pace is much faster than conversational. I don't like to force debaters hands in terms of presentation or strategy, but it is crucial for me to be able to understand what you are saying. 

I have several years of experience judging more traditional style of Lincoln-Douglas debate for Brentwood. I will flow and base my decision on the arguments. I tend to prefer using the value framework as the lens by which I make my decision. I am not as comfortable with very circuit-type arguments. I tend not to favor theory or kritical arguments. And I prefer more conversational delivery—speed could factor negatively.

I was a circuit debater through all of high school. In 2015 I qualified for TOC in LD and then graduated high school. Since then, I have had no engagement with Varsity LD debate at all. As a debater, I pretty much exclusively ran Ks and other critical theory, often tenuously associated with the resolution. I'm especially a sucker for queer theory and methods debate. I was never a particularly technical debater, so I'm sure I can't flow very quickly now. I also avoided theory and T like the plague, so you probably don't want me to adjudicate the line by line of your theory debate. I'd like to think I'm a smart guy, with a degree from a smol liberal arts college, but I'm definitely out of the loop on current trends and expectations on the circuit.

I may seem like I am not paying attention but I am listening. I am not very good at small talk so if you have a question just ask me.

To the point:

I am very much a progressive traditionalist when it comes to Public Forum.

What does that mean?

Yes, I believe that parents should be 100% comfortable judging public forum debate at all levels. It is your job as a debater to adapt and NOT the other way around.

Fast talking is fine. Don’t spread. Creative Arguments, I am listening. You are not actually topical, but you are in the direction of the topic, YES, I am still listening.

FRAMING IS THE BEST PART OF PUBLIC FORUM DEBATE. How your team frames the round should be strategic and work in your team’s advantage. A team should only concede framework if they actually believe that they can win the debate under the other team’s framework. Otherwise, defend your framework. If they call you out for “abusive framework” tell me why it’s not and why I should still be voting under it.

While it’s not mandatory, if you are speaking second you should address your opponent’s rebuttal. I don’t expect you to split your time in some specific way, but at the end of the day a speech did happen just moments before yours and you kind of need to engage with it. (Translated: Must respond to your opponent’s case and defend your own)

Rebuttals: cover their case in the context of yours. cross applications are going to be key to get me to sign the ballot in your favor.

I do not flow cross, but I am listening and PRAYING that all the cool things that take place during this time find a place in speeches. Otherwise, all the sweating, panting, and exchanging of evidence was pointless.

BOTTOM LINE:

If it isn't in Rebuttal, it can't be in Summary. If it isn't in Summary, you can't go for it in Final Focus.

Oh ya, I am bad at speaker points.

As it relates to LD -

Fast talking is acceptable but I cannot deal with spreading for extended periods of time, flow, and be objective. My mind drifts whenever people speak to me in the same cadence for extended periods of time.

Spreading: My brain can’t handle it which is why I generally avoid judging TOC Circuit Varsity LD debates. I do this because I agree that spreading is a skill and I understand that since you are on the circuit you would probably like to have the opportunity to do so. However, if you get the wonderful privilege of having me judge you, I will expect you to do a few things to enhance my involvement in the round. I ask that you not practice spreading in front of me.

“I hear everything when in sensory overload. But it’s not as if I can hear what is being said; rather it is just many, many sounds, unfiltered and loud. It feels like sounds are coming at me from every direction. Lights from all directions also seem to glare in my eyes. Sensory overload is horrible.” — Laura Seil Ruszczyk

I evaluate the framework first. I prefer debates that are topical. That said, I think on most of the resolutions for LD there are lots of topical discussions debaters can engage about race and identity matters.

If they say they are in the direction of the topic and clearly articulate how they are, I would probably agree that they are probably pretty topical. However, I do think T is a real argument.

I prefer students to use cx for questions and answer exchanges, not for extra prep.

Super short version: I'm exactly like Tim Alderete

Short Version: I do lay and circuit debate. I like Ks the most. Plans, counterplans, disads, and other Policy style arguments are my second favorites. I hate theory except condo, sometimes dispo, and ASPEC.{ICs good/bad is fine too. I call clear twice. After that I stop flowing.

Long version: I debated for Meadows High School in Nevada and was coached by Tim Alderete and Scott Philips. Therefore, besides my love of pizza I am also a better judge for circuit style debaters. Theory or trick heavy schools should avoid preffing me since I don't like those arguments. I generally do not vote on spikes, frivolous theory, or discriminatory arguments.

What I do like are Ks. Race is best for me since that I what I know best. Gender/sexuality second best. The rest is all the same thereafter. I'm okay with non-topical stuff as long as it somehow connects to the topic at hand. So if you use an afropess argument and explain how the specific topic we are on is anti black then we good. Otherwise the arg will probably be weaker in my eyes. I also like traditional Policy style args. Plans, Disads, Perms, etc.

Speaks. I give lower speaks than most. Sorry. Ways to get good speaks though include fast flashing/emailing, clear spreading. Clarity>speed. Politeness. Humor. References to history. Opposites of these will result in lower speaks.

I AM EXTREMELY STRICT ABOUT PREP AND TIMERS. You may time the round for your own benefit but I am going with whatever my timer says. LDers have a huge issue with stealing prep by "taking time to flash" or put other files in file shares, etc. Prep ends once your opponent has the file. So if you need to flash an arg then it comes out of prep. If you fail to send your stuff then your opponent does not need to flash you anything either. I cannot stress enough how irritating this is.

Have fun and ask me any questions before round. Enjoy!

UPDATED 6/1/2022 NSDA Nationals Congress Update

I have been competing and judging in speech and debate for the past 16 years now. I did Parli and Public Forum in High School, and Parli, LD and Speech in College. I have judged all forms of High School Debate. Feel free to ask me more in depth questions in round if you don't understand a part of my philosophy.

Congress

Given that my background is in debate I tend to bring my debate biases into Congress. While I understand that this event is a mix of argumentation and stylistic speaking I don't think pretty speeches are enough to get you a high rank in the round. Overall I tend to judge Congress rounds based off of argument construction, style of delivery, clash with opponents, quality of evidence, and overall participation in the round. I tend to prefer arguments backed by cited sources and that are well reasoned. I do not prefer arguments that are mainly based in emotional appeals, purely rhetoric speeches usually get ranked low and typically earn you a 9. Be mindful of the speech you are giving. I think that sponsorship speeches should help lay the foundation for the round, I should hear your speech and have a full grasp of the bill, what it does, why it's important, and how it will fix the problems that exist in the squo. For clash speeches they should actually clash, show me that you paid attention to the round, and have good responses to your opponents. Crystallizations should be well organized and should be where you draw my conclusions for the round, I shouldn't be left with any doubts or questions.

POs will be ranked in the round based off of their efficiency in running and controlling the round. I expect to POs to be firm and well organized. Don't be afraid of cutting off speakers or being firm on time limits for questioning.

Public Forum

• I know how to flow and will flow.
  • This means I require a road map.
  • I need you to sign post and tell me which contention you are on. Use author/source names.
• I will vote on Ks. But this means that your K needs to have framework and an alt and solvency. If you run a K my threshold for voting on it is going to be high. I don't feel like there is enough time in PF to read a good K but I am more than willing to be open to it and be proven wrong. For anyone who hits a K in front of me 'Ks are cheating' is basically an auto loss in front of me.
• I will vote on theory. But this doesn't mean that I will vote for all theory. Theory in debate is supposed to move this activity forwards. Which means that theory about evidence will need to prove that there is actual abuse occurring in order for me to evaluate it. I think there should be theory in Public Forum because this event is still trying to figure itself out but I do not believe that all theory is good theory. And theory that is playing 'gotcha' is not good theory. Having good faith is arbitrary but I think that the arguments made in round will determine it. Feel free to ask questions.
• Be strategic and make good life choices.
• Impact calc is the best way to my ballot.
• I will vote on case turns.
• I will call for cards if it comes down to it.

Policy Debate

I tend to vote more for truth over tech. That being said, nothing makes me happier than being able to vote on T. I love hearing a good K. Spread fast if you want but at a certain point I will miss something if you are going top speed because I flow on paper, I do know how to flow I'm just not as fast as those on a laptop. Feel free to ask me any questions before round.


LD Debate

Fair warning it has been a few years since I have judged high level LD. Ask me questions if I'm judging you.

Framework
You do not win rounds if you win framework. You win that I judge the round via your framework. When it comes to framework I'm a bit odd and a bit old school. I function under the idea that Aff has the right to define the round. And if Neg wants to me to evaluate the round via their framework then they need to prove some sort of abuse.

https://judgephilosophies.wikispaces.com/Steele%2C%20Nick Affiliations: Harvard Westlake, Dennis Tang (West Linn HS)
Hi - My name is Nick Steele and I debated varsity LD for 4 years at Harvard Westlake. I'll try to keep this brief - my judging preferences are pretty open:
I'll evaluate the round based off of the line by line. I'll try to be impartial - For example I will vote on ideal theory/Kant vs. a race AFF if good comparison and weighing are done. I will vote on politics vs. a structural violence AFF, and I will vote on K impact turns to theory, and vice versa
That being said, I tend to lean more towards policy/k style arguments than theory and phil
Policy args: most of what I read in highschool, I'm comfortable evaluating them
Ks: I read a lot of these too, I'm familiar with all the common ones but if you're reading dense pomo or something less common please have clear overviews and tags
Non T AFFs, performance, narratives, etc: all fine and I read them, they're still debate arguments so I hold them to the same standards. Hopefully they're related to the topic. Making the reason to vote AFF clear is key
T framework: it's fine and necessary sometimes , the T version of the AFF debate is usually important so be clear there
Theory: Good strategic theory or theory to check actual abuse is good, I will vote on frivolous theory but I don't think it's very strategic and that will be reflected in speaks
I'll try to be neutral but I lean AFF on 2 or more condo, NEG on agent cp's, AFF on specific plans good, NEG on reasonable PICs but AFF on super small or random PICs. Default competing interps and drop the debater
Phil: I'm familiar with and read at some point all of the common LD frameworks. I'm most familiar with consequentialism and deontology, but feel comfortable evaluating most framework debates. Same thing applies with dense fw as dense Ks
Tricks/a prioris/ skep etc: will vote on them, don't like them. I think common sense responses answer a lot of these positions well
Speaks: will be given based off of efficiency, giving good overviews, collapsing effectively, reading quality substantive arguments, and effectively using ethos if it suits the round.
30 - one of the best speeches I've seen all year
29.5 - you should get to late out rounds
28.9 - you should probably clear
28.5 - average
Flashing: Make an email chain. If you're using a computer you should have a flash drive as back up. I won't take prep. Be fast please
I won't vote on things like racism or rape good, etc. If you personally insult someone in the room or deliberately make someone uncomfortable you'll get a 0.
Do what style you're best at and have fun! I'm excited to see different individual arguments styles and people debate best when they're confident in what they're reading.

Affiliation: Marlborough (CA), Apple Valley (MN)

Past: Peninsula (CA), Lexington (MA)

Email: ctheis09@gmail.com — but I prefer to use speechdrop.net

Big Picture

I like substantive and engaging debates focused on the topic's core controversies. While I greatly appreciate creative strategy, I prefer deeply warranted arguments backed by solid evidence to absurd arguments made for purely tactical reasons.

I find the tech or truth construction to be reductive — both matter. I will try to evaluate claims through a more-or-less Bayesian lens. This means my knowledge of the world establishes a baseline for the plausibility of claims, and those priors are updated by the arguments made in a debate. This doesn’t mean I’ll intervene based on my preexisting beliefs; instead, it will take much more to win that 2+2=5 than to prove that grass is green.

"Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence" — Carl Sagan

"What can be asserted without evidence can also be dismissed without evidence" — Christopher Hitchens

Default Paradigm

I default to viewing resolutions as normative statements that divide ground, but I’m open to arguments in favor of alternative paradigms. In general, I believe the affirmative should defend a topical policy action that's a shift from the status quo. The negative burden is generally to defend the desirability of the status quo or competitive advocacy.

Affirmatives should advocate a clearly delineated plan or advocacy, which can be the resolution itself. The aff's advocacy text is the basis for negative competition and links, and as such, it must contain any information the aff feels is relevant to those discussions. Affs cannot refuse to specify or answer questions regarding elements of their advocacy and then later make permutations or no-link arguments that depend on those elements. "Normal means" claims can be an exception but require evidence that the feature in question is assumed. Proof that some possible version of the aff could include such a feature is insufficient. Refusal to answer direct questions about a particular element of the advocacy will likely take "normal means" claims off the table.

I prefer policy/stock arguments, but I’m certainly open to critical or philosophical positions and vote for them often.

If you refer to your arguments as “tricks,” it’s a good sign that I’m not the best judge for you. Debaters should, whenever possible, advance the best arguments at their disposal. Calling your argument a "trick" implies its value lies in surprise or deception, not quality.

Note: an odd topic construction could alter these priors, but I'll do my best to make that known here if that's the case.

Topicality

Generally, affirmatives should be topical. I have and will vote for non-topical positions, but the burden is on the aff to justify why the topicality constraint shouldn't apply to them.

Topicality is a question of whether the features of the plan/advocacy itself being a good idea proves the resolution. This means I will look unfavorably on a position that is effects topical, extra-topical, or related to the topic but doesn't in and of itself prove the resolution.

In topicality debates, both semantics and pragmatic justifications are essential. However, interpretations must be "semantically eligible" before I evaluate pragmatic advantages. Pragmatic advantages are relevant in deciding between plausible interpretations of the words in the resolution; pragmatics can't make those words mean something they don't. I will err aff if topicality is a close call.

Theory Defaults

Affs nearly always must disclose 30 min before start time, and both debaters should disclose which AC they will read before elim flips.

Affirmatives should usually be topical.

Plans are good, but they need to be consistent with the wording of the topic.

Extra T is probably bad

Severance is bad

Intrinsicness is usually bad, but I'm open to intrinsic perms in response to process cps

Conditionality is OK

PICs are OK

Alt agent fiat is probably bad

Competing interpretations>reasonability, usually

Probably no RVIs

Almost certainly no RVIs on Topicality

I don't like arguments that place artificial constraints on paradigm issues based on the speech in which they are presented.

No inserting evidence. Re-highlights should be read aloud.

Kritiks

I am open to Ks and vote on them frequently. That said, I’m not intimately familiar with every critical literature base. So, clear explanation, framing, and argument interaction are essential. Likewise, the more material your impacts and alternative are, the better. Again, the more unlikely the claim, the higher the burden of proof. It will take more to convince me of the strongest claims of psychoanalysis than that capitalism results in exploitation.

Establishing clear links that generate offense is necessary. Too often, Ks try to turn fundamentally defensive claims into offense via jargon and obfuscation. A claim that the aff can’t or doesn't solve some impact is not necessarily a claim the aff is a bad idea.

It's essential that I understand the alternative and how it resolves the harms of the Kritik. I won't vote for an advocacy that I can't confidently articulate.

Arguments I will not vote for

An argument that has no normative implications, except in situations where the debater develops and wins an argument that changes my default assumptions.

Skep.

A strategy that purposely attempts to wash the debate to trigger permissibility/presumption.

A contingent framework/advocacy that is "triggered" in a later speech.

Any argument that asks me to evaluate the debate after a speech that isn't the 2AR.

Arguments/Practices I will immediately drop you for

Mis-disclosing/disclosure games. (There is an emerging practice of hiding/adding theory arguments or tricks to the AC without including them in the doc that's disclosed pre-round and/or the doc sent out in the debate. This is intentional deception and will result in an automatic loss).

Clipping. (There is an emerging practice of including long descriptive tags in the docs sent out during debates but only reading truncated versions. I consider this clipping. By sending those analytics you're representing, they were read in the round.)

Any argument that concludes that every action is permissible.

Any argument that creates a hostile environment for either myself, the other debater, or anyone watching the debate.

Any argument that explicitly argues that something we all agree is awful (genocide, rape, etc.) is a good thing. This must be an argument THAT THE DEBATER AGREES implies horrible things are ok. If the other debater wins an argument that your framework justifies something terrible, but it is contested, then it may count as a reason not to accept your framework, but it will not be a reason to drop you on its own.

Public Forum

I only judge PF a few times a year, mostly at camp. Arguments are arguments regardless of the format, so most of my typical paradigm applies. The big caveat is that I strongly prefer teams read actual cards instead of paraphrasing evidence. I understand that there are differences of opinion, so I won't discount paraphrasing entirely, but I'll have a lower bar for indicts. Also, I'm not reading ten full articles at the end of the debate, so I'd appreciate it if you could prepare the paraphrased portions in advance.

Hi, I'm Kevin, and I go to Harvard-Westlake school in Los Angeles.

Not sure if middle school debaters will even see this, but I did parli for 7th and 8th grade, and I do national circuit LD now.  Try to impact your arguments well. DO EVIDENCE COMPARISON (show why your cite from washingtonpost is more credible than GMOsAreTerrible.blogger.com).  I usually give good speaks, upper 70s for average.  Highest I've gone is an 86.  I'm fine with fast talking, but don't get crazy, because parli usually dooesn't have speed.  

Pref me if you want! Just kidding you don't have prefs

Update for Stanford 02/08/20 Elims: Please!! Slow down!! Zoom and the online format just simply cannot handle full speaking speed! P l e a s e. If I cannot understand what you're saying because you are are not accommodating the online format, I just won't flow it. I can only flow what your audio can accommodate!

Update for Stanford 02/05/20: This is my first time judging this topic, and I am not very familiar with the lit/terminology, so please explain acronyms, critical terms, etc. very clearly.

Update for Apple Valley 10/06/20: I cannot overemphasize the importance of slowing down your speaking speed for online debate! Even when you think you have slowed down, please slow down another 20% just to accommodate for delays and weird technical hiccups. As such, you will likely need to adjust the amount of material in each speech to match the slower speed, so please prepare accordingly!

Update for Yale 10/02/20: Online debating is challenging for a number of reasons, but technological difficulties (e.g. unclear audio, static) can uniquely hinder auditory comprehension. As such, please slow down more than you think you need to when speaking to account for these issues; similarly, it is more than imperative that you proactively disclose all relevant materials with myself and your opponent via email chain to ensure clarity.

--

Hello! My name is Liz Yount (she/her/hers), and I’m currently a senior at The George Washington University studying English with a concentration in Critical Theory/Cultural Studies and Classical & Near Eastern Studies. I debated at Harvard-Westlake for three years, as well as on the NSDA’s USA Debate Team for two years. I have experience in Lincoln Douglas, Worlds Schools, and British Parliamentary debate formats.

I will be generally responsive to most lines of argumentation (except those explicitly stated below). If you are reading a position you find meaningful and generating a passionate discussion, I will certainly pick up on that. Do what you do best, as long as you are making good arguments and being respectful. I also love coaching debate! If you have questions, please ask!

Important/Must Read:

1. Disclosure: Please flash. This is fairly self-explanatory. I’m not going to count every second you spend emailing/passing a flash drive, but if it becomes superfluous I will be annoyed. Please include me on every email chain. I will read your cards/analytics/whatever and compare it against your in-round performance. If there is a discrepancy, that would be bad. My emails are lizyount@gwmail.gwu.edu and liz.yount22@gmail.com. Feel free to include both emails if you want to ensure I have received your documents. If I do not receive your spoken material via email or other means, I will assume you did not read this and, consequently, deduct speaks.

2. Trigger Warnings: Mandatory for all debates in which potentially difficult material is presented, such as sexual violence, suicide, police brutality, etc. You must provide a verbal trigger warning before presenting potentially trigger material. As debaters, the onus is on YOU to adjust your material to the room; that is to say, debaters and judges, unlike spectators, cannot leave, so if one of us feels triggered by material, you must have a secondary strategy prepared. You are also not the judge of whether someone else is triggered. (*Important Note: Please do not read narratives of sexual violence in front of me! I will leave the room and the ballot will reflect the fact that you did not take my statement into account. Thank you in advance for being respectful!) Rodrigo Paramo’s paradigm also echoes my thoughts on this subject in more depth, if you would like further explanation.

3. Speaks/Respecting the Debate Space: Your speaks are inextricably linked with your treatment of the debate space. Clearly good argumentation warrants higher speaks (which I will go into), but maintaining the integrity of debate as a safe classroom is highly important to me. I will not vote on arguments that are racist, sexist, ableist, etc. Please do not cut your opponent off during CX each time they begin to answer your question or be condescending. Understand the way power dynamics function in debate and act accordingly; that is to say, no mansplaining, whitesplaining, etc. Asking for pronouns is also encouraged. If your opponent is significantly less experienced than you, there is no need to outspread them on a complicated position. If you are exhibiting toxic behavior, I have no issue intervening with my ballot after the round, or during round if the behavior is becoming particularly dangerous.

4. Speed: I will not flow what I cannot understand. Quality over quantity. I would much rather you clearly read one off and utilize it well than spew through a million things. Similarly, do not go for five blippy arguments when you could go for one fully articulated one (see: Extension). If you include me on your email chain, as requested, there should not be a speed issue; however, I will say clear twice if necessary. After that, I will just begin deducting speaks.

Arguments:

1. Policy: Great! I read a lot of policy arguments when I debated. Please have an explicit perm text which is written and disseminated to judge/opponent and ideally supported by some kind of textual advocacy. I would much rather you read one well explained perm than three quick “perm do something” then move on. Again, quality over quantity. Simply stating “perm do both” does not generate offense. You must make it explicitly clear why the perm is a voting issue for you.

2. Kritiks: This is my favorite type of argument, but it can very, very quickly become my least favorite in a given round. Debating in LD partly influenced me to pursue a higher degree in cultural critique. With that said, DO NOT read bizarre positions you do not understand that only vaguely apply to the debate. Before you read a K, ask yourself these questions:

a. Have I actually read the article/book from which the K is cut? If not, do not read the K.

b. Can I explain the K using terms other than buzzwords? If not, do not read the K.

c. Does my K have a topic-specific link, or am I reading it for kicks? If not, do not read the K.

d. Does my K have an explicit alt of some nature? If not, do not read the K.

I will not vote on a poorly articulated K simply because it is a K, nor will I cut you technical slack for reading a “difficult position.” In fact, the standard for what constitutes good explanation/extension is higher given the nuanced nature of the literature. If you cannot explain your position or are clearly being disingenuous to the literature with the hope that either your opponent or I will fall for your doctored version of the material, I assure you that will not work and my disappointment will likely be reflected on my face and in the ballot. That being said, if you understand the position, have read the literature, and execute your K well, you will make me extremely happy and likely get very high speaks.

3. Theory: Slow down on theory! Especially interps. I was never big on theory when I debated and still am not. Clearly if there exists a true violation, go for it; however, if you like to read frivolous theory just for the sake of reading theory, do not pref me. I also default to competing interps. If you spend your 2ar going for time skew, I will be sad. Finally, please do not make a blippy and unsubstantiated “I meet” claim and move on.

4. Topicality: I am probably 50/50 on K vs. T must defend the topic. I like the topic, and it exists for a reason; however, if there exists valid ground to critique the topic, I will also be responsive assuming (a-d) under Kritiks is met.

5. FW/Phil: (Do people even read this position anymore?) Anyway, I enjoy philosophy and have read a lot of ethics, political theory, etc. My same standards for Ks also apply to dense philosophical positions (see Kritiks, a-d). If you read a thousand bizarre analytics and spikes/tricks with the intention of being confusing, I will be sad.

6. Spikes/Tricks/Skep: Yikes.

Technical/Other:

1. Extension: I have a relatively high standard for what constitutes proper extension. I will lean Aff in a debate wherein Neg has presented a lot of good arguments but underextends them in the NR. Conversely, whatever unequal speech time distribution that might exist does not give Aff a blank check to underextend. It is not enough to solely extend impacts. You must also extend the warrant behind the impact in order to fully have extended the argument. Again, quality over quantity.

2. Overviews: These can be good, but please do not read a long K overview in the NR without explaining how the K interacts with the Aff. Please signpost and follow the line-by-line.

3. Dumping Turns: It is probably a good thing to read turns to the AC. (That should go without saying). It is not good, however, to dump a ton of tangential cards without indicating how they interact with the Aff and then going for a blippy “drops = conceded” argument in the NR. Again, quality over quantity. (Are you sensing a trend?)

If you have any questions about anything stated above, please do not hesitate to email me or ask before the round. Overall, please have fun and be respectful!