Hello all, my name is Naomi Brooks and I am a current member of the Conway High School Varsity Forensics Team. I have competed in Prose, Poetry, Storytelling, and POI, and I have earned a few medals and trophies along the way! I am familiar with most speech events from sitting in on tournament rounds and helping my teammates practice. As for debate, many of my closest friends are in debate and have taught me a lot about the different styles, rules, etc. I have watched several debate rounds, although I am not nearly as experienced in debate and highly prefer judging speech. That being said, I always do my best to flow and give a fair verdict based on the content of your evidence and how you present your argument, rather than simply the resolution or your speaking style.

Some things I require of you as a judge in forensics:

-Give content warnings no matter how little you think the issue is, it cannot hurt to give a quick warning. I have seen too many kids forget to give warnings, and it can be very triggering. Even if someone doesn't need to leave the room, it makes the world of a difference to be prepared for what's coming. You never know what might make someone uncomfortable. Give a content notice for anything you'd see in a movie rating: mentions of violence, crude language, mentions of alcohol/drugs/other substances, descriptions of mental health, etc.

-Please avoid excessive cursing or using any slurs. Basically keep it PG-13. If you're mentioning racism, sexism, ableism, homophobia, etc. as a way to spread awareness about an issue, I understand, but keep it respectful and make it clear that you are not supporting it.

-Be respectful of your competitors! This means treating them with kindness both inside and outside of the competition room, not being on your phone during the round, and not exiting/entering the room while someone is performing. It can be very distracting and hurtful, and if I see you disrespecting your teammates, it will not go unnoticed.

In debate:

-Please, please, do not spread or even speak too rapidly! I shouldn't have to struggle to keep up with what you are saying, and neither should your opponent. I believe that it is unethical, and as someone who primarily judges speech, I quite frankly can't handle it and will likely dock points or simply be unable to judge your actual argument fairly.

-Be respectful to your opponent. Do not insult them or their argument or present anything in your case that discusses your opponent. Tell me why you won, not why your opponent lost. Criticizing their argument is fine, just don't personally attack them.

Thank you for reading! Best of luck to you all!

Appearance judge with a focus on delivery and reasoning. New to judging but spent time on circuit for the last two years.

I will not flow spreading. I shouldn't need your case flashed, if there is a question on evidence I will ask after the speech.

If you don't check my paradigm and you still choose to spread it will be reflected on the ballot (it's not a guaranteed loss just proof you communicate with no regard for the audience.) If both competitors choose to spread they will be dropped in speaks. If the K is that good then go on and explain it - but do it to where I can follow along listening. I'm here for progressive argumentation as long as I can follow along.

Strike me on prefs if this is a problem.

My name is Addison Choate. I truly love debate and I am currently an LD Debator at Conway Public High School.

I don't have any strict preferences for debate rounds. Please just keep it respectful, professional, and absolutely do not cheat. The only thing I ask you not to do is spreading. If I cannot understand you, your opponent cannot understand you, and that is not fair.

*PS. If you have a creative approach to an argued I ALWAYS love to see that*

I am a varsity forensics captain that is a two time qualifier to the NSDA Nationals, 2024 State Champion, and a two time UKTOC finalist. However, I am knowledgeable on how Debate is supposed to be judged.

Please include me on the email chain - durhaemma25@cps.k12.ar.us AND emmagracedurham13@gmail.com

Due to my speech background, speaking style is very important to me. If I can't understand what you're saying, I will not add it to my flow. Please refrain from spreading, I can handle speed, but if I miss your point, I won't find it relevant enough to be on flow.I will only flow questioning period if mentioned multiple times.

I value truth over tech and focus on impacts when it comes to making my decision.

Progressive or traditional - I am familiar with both debate styles, although I am more knowledgeable with traditional debates.

Any argument that is discriminatory to any group of people (racist, sexist, homophobic, etc) will not be accepted. Please be respectful to all people involved in the debate.

Thank you and I wish you the best of luck.

Likes:

- Be loud so I can hear what you are saying.

- Make a convincing or unique argument backed by evidence.

- Respect your fellow competitors.

- Respect your PO.

Dislikes:

-I do not tolerate any form of racism.

- Spreading to the point that I am unable to keep track.

- Do not disrespect your fellow competitors.

Hey guys, I am absolutely not a harsh judge. I am a varsity high school debater who specializes in BQ, though I can judge BQ, LD, and IPDA. Here is what you should know about me when it comes to judging:

• Do not spread. I do not like spreading, and I probably can't understand you
• Don't abuse defining power. I know it should be self explanatory, but be strategic and not obscene
• Don't focus on your opponent the whole time. Yes, you should let it be known that your opponent dropped and argument or said something false, but don't let that be the only factor you hone in on. Tell me why YOU won and not why your opponent lost.
• I like respect. Please be respectful. You're attacking your opponent's case, not your opponent (shake hands after the round pretty please)

Alrighty, so as long as you're not rude, not inconsiderate, and not boring, you should be all set. Happy debating!

This is the first time that I've judged this event. Please keep your delivery slow and clear. I appreciate clear analysis of why you should win in the final rebuttals. I am most interested in how respectfully you persuaded me of your position overall.

Hello! My name is Elyse Esperanza Ortega. I am a varsity member of the Conway High School Forensics team and I love what I do. I typically compete in POI, Spanish Poetry, and Storytelling. I am fluent in English and Spanish, and love to see YOU in your pieces. I have been to UKTOC and Nationals, so I'd say I'm pretty good at what I do. I value uniqueness and individuality. I want to see your passion for your piece and your WHY behind it. I love good characterization and want to see big shifts between characters.

For speech events:

• BE BIG; BE LOUD; BE BOLD...for speech events, more is ALMOST always better, but know when too much is too much
• Please, please, PLEASE give content disclaimers. It's courteous to your judges and fellow competitors, and not everyone has had the same experiences that you have had. You never know what other people have been through.
• Please be respectful during other people's performances, it makes you look horrible if you're being rude
• During quiet parts, be quieter than your "normal" speaking voice, but still loud enough for me to hear you
• Eye contact is key!
• If your piece is extremely inappropriate, racist (I understand if you are utilizing specific terms/situations to describe an event, but blatant racism is unacceptable), sexist (without the purpose of describing a situation/event/time period), or derogatory in general, I will not score it favorably.
• Profanity without a good cause (saying words just to say them) doesn't make you look too great
• If your event allows you to move, then MOVE
• Show who YOU are, and show who your characters are
• I will try my VERY best to give you the best feedback I can, and remember that almost everything about speech events is subjective
• If you do the Dodo Shake I won't give you extra points, but you'll be my new bff

Debate:

• IPDA:
• Have a convincing argument
• Good evidence
• Good voice projection
• Eye contact

• Congress:
• Convincing argument
• Present new main points (add on to the point/argument)
• GREAT voice projection/ eye contact
• annndddd...argue for the correct side...please :,(

(you can probably tell which events I prefer lol)

Random fun facts about Elyse:

• I love metal, punk rock, midwest emo, classical music, K-Pop, pop, and Latin music
• I am a Christian :)
• I am a D1 sleeper
• I'm in Model UN
• I'm ranked 2nd in Arkansas for POI (I lost my voice at State and had to compete without a voice)
• I am a Dodo
• I collect stuffed animals, rocks, blankets, and eyeliner
• I'm in Mock Trial
• I love to time keep during rounds I'm competing in
• I'm a vegetarian
• If you ask to hear my cringe voice I'll show you at your own risk (after the tournament is over ofc)
• Even if I don't agree with your views I'm still gonna love you as a person :)
• I am an advocate for natural curly hair
• I'm highkey brainrotted

I am a junior high speech and debate coach. While I do tolerate some speed please do not spread. Please make sure to signpost. Impacts are important please make sure you connect them back to your value/criterion. Have fun and be kind to each other.

I’m a Congressional debater from Conway High School. I am the 2023-2024 Novice Congressional State Champion. I prefer reasonable claims with a good impact with evidence worked in well to back it up. The idea of every resolution leading to nuclear war and extinction can and will give me a headache, but to each their own. I have no patience for disrespect, yelling, spreading, or just general nonsense. Confidence is important, but there is a line between that and arrogance. Learn that line. Have fun, debate hard!

My name is Mustfa Zia. I am a debater in Conway High School, and have debated IPDA, Public Forum, Lincoln-Douglas, and Big Questions. Also, I have extensively performed in Mock Trial. I have previously judged for the Conway Classy Classic invitational tournament.

I would like to consider myself as a laid-back judge. I love competitors with confidence, but please remember you do need to have a case.

I weigh tech over truth; in other words, if you say something which is factually incorrect but your opponent doesn’t fact-check you, that’s my prerogative to take that as fact.

Furthermore, I give extremely detailed notes, in both the reason for decision and for the feedback of both sides. This feedback will remain largely constructive, and I am not afraid to critique. I love debate and want what is best for all debaters, and so to point out flaws and shortcomings is to uplift my fellow debaters. My RTD will essentially be my entire flow!

I also value humor. Throw some humor into your argument and it makes it stick! Please do remember, however, this does NOT mean to be disrespectful towards your opponents.

And finally, under no circumstances whatsoever, spread. If you spread, I will stop the flow of debate and simply try to pick the jumble of words you say. If I loved spreading, I would've become a policy debater. Thankfully, I have a soul!

Now, for me judging speech and forensics events:

I would like to reiterate that I am a debate person. This means when it comes to speech and forensics, I will judge as though I am a lay judge.

What that means is that I value clarity, conciseness, and most of all delivery in the performance of pieces or the giving of speeches.

As a Mock Trial competitor, I also value making usage of body language to convey your performance.

Finally, for both my comments and my RTD, I will critique quite substantially on performance and areas of improvement.

P.S: If you add some of these elements into the round, I’ll give your speaker points a bump:

Spider-Man reference - .2 points

Tool (the band, not the appliance) reference - .3 points

Speaking on quantum mechanics in any fashion- .1 points

Explaining to me before the round why Interstellar is a peak movie- .2 points