Hi, I'm Harshia (she/her/hers)! I have competed in extemporaneous speaking, declamation, and original oratory with multiple medals and national bids. I have also judged public forum and speech for various leagues. If I'm your judge and you have any concerns, comments, or questions, please do not hesitate to email me at harshia31@gmail.com!

I will be timing you during rounds but I prefer you also time yourselves so I don't have to constantly time-check and monitor you as that puts me in an uncomfortable position. I flow everything other than cross, so please let me know if you'd like any points noted in my flow during cross if you'd like to.

I will always look for strong logic and assertive speaking, but please be weary of crossing the line between rude and assertive. Any discriminatory or hateful behavior will not be tolerated and will automatically be reported and will result in deduction. Please be considerate of your partner and opponents. This is an educational activity, I like to see passionate speakers, not bullies.

As a competitor, your job is to tell me how to decide the round. I will be following your framework, your signposting, and your weighing. Focus on what will help you win, not miniscule points that won't necessarily help you win or lose the round. Citation should be accurate and intentional.

Good luck, thank you for your participation, and P.S you'll get bonus points if you tell me your favorite kind of chobani flip :)

I am new to judging, so please speak clearly and emphasize your key points. Avoid jargon whenever possible. I will do my best to stay with you. I enjoy a healthy debate. Avoid repetition, if you are going bring the same point up, do so only if you have a new perspective or detail to add.

Best of Luck !!

I have had experience with judging LD/PF debate for 3+ years. I also keep a continuous flow throughout the round, so don't extend arguments if you are going to drop them.

I prefer traditional debate and enjoy the flow of arguments in that format.

Medium speed with clear pronunciation is my preference when reading cases, rebuttals, etc.

Finish your arguments on time; I don't consider any arguments/points you make overtime. That being said, I'm all for hardcore factual evidence, and it makes arguments stand out to me.

Please respect your opponent, and have fun! Enjoy your rounds with me, and thinking out of the box is always appreciated.

Good luck!

I am looking for topicality does the thesis of the affirmative really meet the standards of debate. I also look and see what evidence is being used and if it used effectively and not just some random piece of evidence that is biased. You see their is the subjective and objective facts in each debate. I also look at see when you quote evidence is up to date and plausible to support your thesis. I expect language to be respectful to each other if you are aff or neg. I do not like to use profanity in this educational setting. Do you use your time wisely? Does someone leave two or three minutes left in a rebuttal if so why? Doing crossfire do you answer questions properly or ask probing questions to help you win the debate. I value good speakers and good flow.

Aimee Sann Paradigm

Policy is a fascinating debate format! I love it, and I am still learning it. If I am your judge and you are sending emails, please include me: sanna@notredameprep.com.

1. Be organized. I prefer claims numbered, deliver tags clearly and with emphasis, roadmaps, and signposting. Otherwise, my flow will just fall apart. My flow will be on paper.

2. Lay out your framework clearly and don’t fail to say why you won. In the end, I need to hear what you believe carries the most weight in the round. How you met your burden. How the other side failed to meet theirs.

3. Don’t assume I know all the jargon. I have familiarity with most of it, but explanation matters.

4. Treat statistics with care. If there is clash on them, I will be attentive to your knowledge of how they are collected and how to measure their strength.

5. In Ks, I will be looking for specificity with reference to the AFF’s plan, and I will be listening for your alts.

General Debate including PF, LD: I am a Theatre and Speech Professor, hence I emphasize all the elements of a good speech round: good diction, NOT speed, a delivery that is fluid and emphasizes words and concepts of importance. Additionally, eye contact is also appreciated as well as proper decorum when cross examining.

Speech: I value eye contact for Oral Interpretation events. All other aspects of Speech are equally weighted. I do allow a fair amount of movement in all performance events. Because of the disparity of rules over many leagues, I ask that only your feet touch the floor. Please do not kneel, sit, lay down, or place your hand on the floor. Additionally, I do not mind if you occasionally/ glance at/look at your partner, to establish continuity, for important timing, or to establish a point of emphasis that is logical for your performance. For Oratory, a well-organized speech using a specific organizational pattern (Examples. Monroe's Motivated Sequence, Three Point Army Method of Communication, et.al) is greatly appreciated. Lastly, please competitors, vocalize and test the acoustics of the room in which you will perform. Make certain that your volume fits the space. As a rule, better to be a bit too loud than a bit too soft. Additionally, when you go to the front of the room, please do not ask if the judge or everyone is ready. Use your presence and your eyes to take command, and communicate nonverbally with the judge to know when to start. Lastly, no need to thank the judge when the round is over. It is the judge who should be thanking you.