I was a four year policy debater in high school and then debated 2 years of college parli and 1 year of college policy. The debate is about what you make it about so just be clear in the story of the aff or neg.

Other thing - extend by argument, "Royal 10" isn't as good for my flowing as "econ collapse causes war"

I listen to, but do not flow CX, you will have a hard time convincing me of links to things said in cross (obviously this is a sliding scale, if it's a link to the performance of the speech act the threshold is lower than "they admitted that I was right on everything in CX so default to me")

You will have a hard time convincing me of arguments that rely on "real world" framing, policy debate is not like the real world in basically every way, instead you should spend that time talking about the skills that your model of debate emphasizes and why those skills are important, if that means debaters are better at real world arguments say that but lets not pretend that policy is anything close to a simulation of real world arguments

Formalities:

I can probably handle your speed but if I can't I'll say clear and I don't have an issue with open cross, just so long as you aren't talking over your partner. If you're being rude to your partner I'll take it out of your speaks, I have no problem with you clarifying what they said but cutting them off or not letting them speak isn't cool.

If you have an intricate interpretation or plan that's really tricky you'll want to slow down and maybe read it twice.

If I call for evidence it means that I'm comparing the truth claims you're asserting versus your warrants which means that I don't what your theory or analytics, if I don't hear those arguments in the speech I feel uncomfortable evaluating them which is another reason why slowing down in the theory debate on important arguments is good for you in front of me.

T and theory in general:

I did a lot of theory debate in highschool and in college so I really appreciate theory debate that clashes and understands the model of debate it wants to create. Theory is also the most game-y part of debate in my mind so try not to dance around the thesis of your shell, if you're saying negative fiat is bad or the negative shouldn't get condo or whatever just say it, those can be made into arguments that I'll vote on regardless of what I believe is good or healthy for debate. In that same vein if you're going against the theory I'm open to you questioning why things like fairness or education are good, especially specific models of fairness/education.

One quirk: while I'm totally cool arguments that condo or multi-actor fiat or whatever aren't voters just on face I do believe that topicality is a voter. This is not to say that you have to be topical but you should have reasons as to why topicality is bad, basically what I'm saying is that policing disads on the T shell are cool but "lol T is dumb" isn't.

Pet peeve: please do not refer to theory arguments that are not topicality as "T" I won't dock speaker points or anything it just makes transitioning between flows easier for me.

K:

Ks are cool, I like them, don't assume I've read your lit. That's the biggest thing, because of that you should spend time explaining the alt, "embracing x consciousness" is going to be hard for me to vote on because I have no idea what the means in a vacuum, and especially what the world looks like post alt. This is doubly true if you know that I do know your lit because how it changes the status quo is what gives you uniqueness and frames your links. I have no issue with K debates so long as you tell me what's going on.

CP:

Great and beautiful. Process counterplans are awesome, that said "process counterplans are abusive" is totally an argument you can win in front of me. Same with the alt however if it's something very nuanced I need to know how it's functionally different than the plan, if it's 9-0 and you win that normal means is 5-4 that's fine but I do need to see that functional difference.

DA:

Amazing. There aren't enough nuanced disad debates I think, and I'm a sucker for getting into the nuance of your uniqueness evidence.

Case:

Please try to tie your off case positions to the case. If it's extending a link to an advantage for explanation or analysis of how the DA turns an advantage that's great, in the same way extending your case onto their off case to show how you control the internal link to their impact scenario, great.

· 4th year as parent judge

· Passionate debate good, ‘isms not acceptable

· Vote off flow

· If I can’t understand your arguments (too quiet, too fast) then it’s not going in my notes

· BTW: Biologist by occupation

LD Paradigm:

I would say that I tend to prefer "traditional" LD debate, so I really enjoy rounds with good framework debate. However, I am also okay with running Kritiks or more "progressive" cases.

I cannot stress enough how important signposting is for me. This makes it SO much easier for the judge to flow your case well, so PLEASE do this. Additionally, off-time roadmaps are great, as it gives me some direction with my flow.

I look to framework debate, my flow, and contention-level debate when deciding the round.

I'm okay with some speed, but please do not spread. If you're going to spread anyway, please know that if I can't hear it or understand it, I won't be able to flow it. You must speak clearly and slowly over all of your contentions and cards so I can get them down.

Voters are great, I like for you to tell me why you think you've won the round.

Ask me any questions if you need to!

Andrew Chadwell,

Assistant Coach, Gig Harbor HS, Gig Harbor WA

Coached PF: 10+ years

Competed in PF: 1 year

Competed in British Parliamentary: 2 years

Competed at the 2012 World Universities Debating Championship in Manila.

Items that are Specific to the 2018 TOC tournament are placed at the end of this-I would still encourage you all to read the whole Paradigm and not just the TOC items.

Hello all,

Note: I debated in PF at a time when things were a bit different-Final focus was 1 minute long, you could not ask to see your opponents evidence and not everything needed a card in order to be true. This might explain some things before you read the rest of this.

Arguments have a claim, a warrant, and a link to the ballot (impact). This is interpreted by my understanding of your explanation of the argument. If I don’t understand the argument/how it functions, I won’t vote on it.

Main items:

1. Clear arguments-I should be able to understand you.

2. What are the impacts?-Impact calc is very important.

3. Give me voters in Final Focus.

4. Abusive Case/Framework/Conduct: Alright so if you are running some sort of FW or case that gives your opponent a super narrow bit of ground to stand on and I feel that they have no ground to make any sort of case then I will consider it in my decisions.

That being said if your framework leaves your opponents with enough ground to work with and they don’t understand it that's their loss.

Conduct in the round should be professional-We are here to debate not get into shouting matches. Or insult the opposing team's intelligence.

Framework/Res Analysis/Observation’s: Totally fine with as long as they are not super abusive. I like weighing mechanisms for rounds.

Evidence Debates/Handover: I have a very large dislike of how some teams seem to think that PF should just be a mini-CX where if you don’t have a card even if the argument is pure logic, they say it cannot be considered. If the logic and the link works I am good with it.

I don't want to see evidence/definition wars unless you can clearly prove that your evidence supplements your opponents. Also, evidence handover counts toward your prep time-not outside of it. You wanna see someone's evidence that comes out of your prep.

Speaker Points: I was asked this several times last year so I figured I would add this piece. How to get 30 speaker points from me. First of all I would say that clarity is a big helper in this, alongside that I will also say that asking good lines of questioning in crossfire can help you get better speaker points from me. I do tend to grade harder on the rebuttal and final focus speeches since those were what I was primarily doing when I competed. The other thing that can be really helpful is analogies. Good analogies can win you a round. If they are actually good.

Things that help you win my ballot:

Unique arguments (That actually link to the resolution)

Be clever.

Be polite.

Be Civil

Make it an awesome round. Down to the wire back and forth. Keep me on the edge of my seat.

Things that hurt you:

Being abusive- either in case or in speaking. Aggressive CF and arguments are okay with me, but keep it in check.

Disregarding All of the above points.

Not being attired professionally. (Unless extenuating circumstances exist)

Ignoring my point about evidence debate.

Insulting an opponent personally.

TOC Specific Items

Please share your opinions or beliefs about how the following play into a debate round:

The speed of Delivery: Medium speed and clarity tend to win out more than the number of items that you claim should exist on my flow.

The format of Summary Speeches (line by line? big picture?)

I generally would go for either Line by line will help my flow be clear and easier to understand at the end of the round. Big picture I tend to believe has more of an impact on the summary and the final focus.

Role of the Final Focus

Put this up at the top: But here it is again: I want to see Voters in the final focus. Unless your opponent pulled some sort of crazy stunt that absolutely needs to be addressed, the final focus is a self-promotion speech on why you won the round.

Extension of Arguments into later speeches

If an argument has not been responded to then you can just extend it. If it has been refuted in some way shape or form you need to address that counter before I will flow it across.

Topicality

Unless this is explained extremely well I cannot vote on T. Frankly don't risk it.

Plans

Not for PF.

Kritiks

With the lack of knowledge that I have in regards to how Kritiks should be run, Please do not run them in front of me. This will likely make vote for your opponent.

Flowing/note-taking

You should be flowing in the round-Even if you know that you have the round in the bag. Always flow.

Do you value argument over style? Style over argument? Argument and style equally?

Equal. A debator who can combine good arguments with style is going to generally win out over one or the other.

If a team plans to win the debate on an argument, in your opinion does that argument have to be extended in the rebuttal or summary speeches?

Definetly in the summery. If you have time in the rebuttal you can...

If a team is second speaking, do you require that the team cover the opponents’ case as well as answers to its opponents’ rebuttal in the rebuttal speech?

No. If you can start to do that great-but that might push you past the medium speed threshold.

Do you vote for arguments that are first raised in the grand crossfire or final focus?

If they are new-no. However, if they are extensions of prior arguments then that will be determined on a round by round basis.

If you have anything else you'd like to add to better inform students of your expectations and/or experience, please do so here.

Please read the whole paradigm. Also remember that I am human (I think) and I can make mistakes.

Chris Coovert,
Coach, Gig Harbor HS, Gig Harbor WA
Coached LD: 26 years
Coached CX: 17: years

Coached PF: 20 years

Competed in LD: 4 years

Competed in NPDA: 2 years


LD Paradigm: I have been competing in, judging and coaching Lincoln Douglas debate for over twenty years. I have seen a lot of changes, some good, some not so good. This is what you should know.

I will evaluate the round based on the framework provided by the debaters. The affirmative needs to establish a framework (usually a value and criterion) and then show why, based on the framework, the resolution is true. The negative should either show why the resolution is not true under that framework or provide a competing framework which negates. My stock paradigm is what most people now call truth testing: the aff's burden is to prove the resolution true and the negatives is to prove it false. I will default to this absent another paradigm being established in the round. If both debaters agree that I should evaluate as a policymaker, I am able to do that and will. If you both put me in some other mode, that is reasonable as well. If there is an argument, however, between truth testing and another way of looking at the round the higher burden of proof will be on the debater attempting the shift away from truth testing.

As far as specific arguments go.

1. I find topicality arguments generally do not apply in Lincoln Douglas debate. If the affirmative is not dealing with the resolution, then they are not meeting their burden to prove the resolution true. This is the issue, not artificial education or abuse standards. I have voted on T in the past, but I think there are more logical ways to approach these arguments if the aff is affirming the entire resolution. In a round where the affirmative runs a plan, T becomes more relevant.
2. I find the vast majority of theory arguments to be very poorly run bastardizations of policy theory that do not really apply to LD. I especially hate AFC, and must/must not run plans, or arguments of this nature.
3. I have a strong, strong, bias against debaters using theory shells as their main offensive weapon in rounds when the other debater is running stock, predictable cases. I am open to theory arguments against abusive positions, but I want you to debate the resolution, not how we should debate.
4. You need to keep sight of the big picture. Impact individual arguments back to framework.

Finally, I am a flow judge. I will vote on the arguments. That said, I prefer to see debaters keep speeds reasonable, especially in the constructives. You don’t have to be conversational, but I want to be able to make out individual words and get what you are saying. It is especially important to slow down a little bit when reading lists of framework or theory arguments that are not followed by cards. I will tell you if you are unclear. Please adjust your speed accordingly. I will not keep repeating myself and will eventually just stop flowing.

Public Forum Paradigm

I want to see clear arguments with warrants to back them up. I am ultimately going to vote on the arguments in the round not speaking ability. That said, speaking persuasively will never hurt you and might make your arguments seems stronger. Please do not lie about evidence or take it out of context.

CX Paradigm
I have not judged very much CX lately, but I still judge it occasionally. I used to consider myself a policy maker, but I am probably open enough to critical arguments that this is not completely accurate anymore. At the same time, I am not Tab. I don't think any judge truly is. I do enter the room with some knowledge of the world and I have a bias toward arguments that are true and backed by logic.

In general:
1. I will evaluate the round by comparing impacts unless you convince me to do otherwise.
2. I am very open to K's that provide real alternatives and but much less likely to vote on a K that provides no real alt.
3. If you make post-modern K arguments at warp speed and don't explain them to me, do not expect me to do the work for you.
4. I tend to vote on abuse stories on T more than competing interpretations.
5. I really hate theory debates. Please try to avoid them unless the other team leaves you no choice.
6. The way to win my ballot is to employ a logical, coherent strategy and provide solid comparison of your position to your opponents.

I am able to flow fairly quickly, but I don't judge enough to keep up with the fastest teams. If I tell you to be clear or slow down please listen.

PF PARADIGM:

I am comfortable with you running whatever arguments you want, as long as they are explained and impacted well. Please be respectful to your opponents. I judge predominantly on the flow so dropped and extended arguments do matter in a round.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CX PARADIGM

Tabula Rasa...with a few caveats.

In the interest of brevity, I've decided to condense my paradigm to 5 specific things that are important for me.

1. I like seeing an on case debate, or even debating stock issues, especially in the context of this years's resolution.

2. I have a hard time voting for most politics DA's because of sketchy link scenarios so make sure every step of the link chain is well defended if you are going for one.

3. On Perm debates I want to see the perm addressed as a test of competition rather than a separate advocacy.

4. Explain K impacts clearly (i.e. what is genealogical analysis, what would a radical rejection of X actually do, etc.). Make the K actually link to the other side. Don't just use philosophical meme jargon please. Go slow on K's.

5. When reading/extending cards please don't just reference cards by author/date. I generally flow cards by content so briefly tell me what the card actually said so I can reference it on my flow.

Note on Speed and Prep: I am okay with speed, but will say clear if you are unclear. I value clarity much much more than I value speed. If you are debating a team that goes much more slowly than you, I will ask that you slow down and not try to spread them out of the round. You may win the round still but I will not give you more than 25 speaks if you do this.

Prep is 6 minutes per side per state rules unless tournament rules say otherwise, prep ends when the flash drive leaves the computer.

Coach and judge of 18 years.

Lincoln Douglas:

I always fall back on the basic explanations on the National Speech and Debate LD ballot.

1. The resolution evaluated is a proposition of value, which concerns itself with what ought to be instead of what is. Values are ideals held by individuals, societies, governments, etc., which serve as the highest goals to be considered or achieved within the context of the resolution in question.

*This is paramount for me.

2. Each debater has the burden to prove their side of the resolution more valid as a general principle. It is unrealistic to expect a debater to prove complete validity or invalidity of the resolution. The better debater is the one who, on the whole, proves their side of the resolution more valid as a general principle.

*I dislike when one debater puts the burden of proof on the other side.

3. Students are encouraged to research topic-specific literature and applicable works of philosophy. The nature of proof should be in the logic and the ethos of a
student's independent analysis and/or authoritative opinion.
4. Communication should emphasize clarity. Accordingly, a judge should only evaluate those arguments that were presented in a manner that was clear and understandable to them as a judge. Throughout the debate, the competitors should display civility as well as a professional demeanor and style of delivery.

*No spreading/speed reading. I put huge emphasis on clarity. Persuade me with your language and well crafted thoughts. If I can't understand you, you can't win.

5. After a case is presented, neither debater should be rewarded for presenting a speech completely unrelated to the arguments of their opponent; there must be clash concerning the major arguments in the debate. Cross-examination should clarify, challenge, and/or advance arguments.
6. The judge shall disregard new arguments introduced in rebuttal. This does not include the introduction of new evidence in support of points already advanced or the
refutation of arguments introduced by opponents.
7. Because debaters cannot choose which side of the resolution to advocate, judges must be objective evaluators of both sides of the resolution. Evaluate the round
based only on the arguments that the debaters made and not on personal opinions or on arguments you would have made.

I am a third year student at the University of Washington studying political science. I was a Public Forum debater all throughout high school. In a round I like to have clear voters in the summary and final focus and value framework as a weighing mechanism.

LINCOLN-DOUGLAS:

I have coached LD since the last century. While I am capable of change, I do hold fast to a few philosophies that you will want to know about if I'm your judge.

First, do go ahead and have a value and a criterion for the debate. Hit those arguments (on your own and theirs) hard: I will look for a weighing mechanism that leads me to some large good.

Second, QUALITY OF ARGUMENT IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN QUANTITY. Just because your opponent drops your Contention 5 Subpoint F doesn't mean that you've automatically won anything worth winning (least of all the whole debate), because if you have a Contention 5 Subpoint F, none of your arguments are probably at all developed or worthwhile. Doing claim-data-warrant well requires some time, and I'd rather have a few arguments developed beautifully than a bunch of arguments that are underdeveloped.

Kritiks: not a fan, but willing to listen. I tend to view them as an excuse not to debate the resolution, so go with caution, but if you're bold enough to go past this warning and try, I'll listen. You might not want to put all of your eggs in this basket if I'm your judge.

Speed: Ick. I'd like to hear debaters demonstrate communication skills that will be valuable outside of debate rounds, and speed is not that. I find it offensive to me as an English teacher.

I do distinguish between offensive speed and defensive speed. That is to say that if you're just spewing out a billion arguments in hopes that one or two will stick, I will actually resent what you're doing with my time and this event I love. But if you need to speed up a little (for example in the 1AR) to hit some things, I can live with that. Nonetheless, if I can't understand you, I can't flow, and if I don't flow it, you didn't say it.

To put it another way (and not just with speed): it is not my job to understand you. It is your job to be understandable.

I'm sure I'm forgetting something: feel free to ask me in the round if anything is missing here.




PUBLIC FORUM:

I'm old enough that I remember when Public Forum was founded (did you know it was originally called Controversy? Then Ted Turner Debate?). Originally, it was founded as a lay judge debate: something that your smart uncle who has never seen a debate round could judge intelligently. Solid argumentation, thoughtful evidence, but no "card wars" and no debate-head jargon. The idea was that LD was too specialized, too jargony, too aimed at a tiny debate-head population rather than to the general public.

While I love LD (still), I hold to this original purpose for Public Forum Debate. I will listen to anything, but let's stay focused on the topic at hand. I won't flow (though I do take notes to refer to for my RFD).

In other words, when judging Public Forum, I take off my debate-coach hat and put on my citizen hat. Treat me like a citizen hasn't decided on an issue who shows up to hear you debate that issue. When I watch a political debate on TV--let's pretend for a second like these are more than shouting matches--I don't flow those, nor do I want to hear epistemological jargon. I just listen for the best evidence, logic, and (yes) coherent presentation. Wow me with those and you'll be on my good side.

editing for new tournaments

I am a lay judge.

If I can't understand you, I can't judge you properly. Please speak slowly, clearly and with good diction.

Please be courteous while presenting your arguments. Meanness will not work in your favor.

Please do not rehash previously stated information/arguments unless you have a good reason to do so.

I am just doing this so that I won't get fined.

10 years judging and coaching PF—9 times at TOC (gold and silver divisions--two online years), 7 times at Nationals

Add me to your evidence email. brandonc@svsd410.org

I coach only Public Forum.

I am a high school English teacher full time.

Speed is fine with me.

I prefer big picture summaries

Role of the Final Focus: Crystallize the round (cliché, I know), but if it does not follow through on the flow I won’t weigh it.

Extension of Arguments into later speeches: I want to see everything on the flow. I look specifically at the summary and the final focus to see what you want me to really focus on in my decision.

Topicality/Plans/Kritiks: Make me engaged and interested in how you approach the round. I am not a stickler for or against anything at all. I want to see solid debates with clear argumentation and exceptional evidence.

Flowing/note-taking: I flow on the computer in an excel spreadsheet. I have my own shorthand and do not flow during crossfire because I would rather see the ammunition come up in speeches.

I value arguments. Style is irrelevant to me as long as I can understand your speaking—be snarky, be rude, whatever. Just get your point across.

If a team plans to win the debate on an argument, in your opinion does that argument have to be extended in the rebuttal or summary speeches? I think that the argument should be clearly flowed across. However, that does not mean I would not consider a major missing element from the constructive if it was crucial to the round.

If a team is second speaking, do you require that the team cover the opponents’ case as well as answers to its opponents’ rebuttal in the rebuttal speech? No, I do not require this. It can be effective at times, but not required.

Do you vote for arguments that are first raised in the grand crossfire or final focus? Sure. If it is clear and well grounded.

Weighing: I want you to weigh for me if the resolution and your case are really asking for it (usually you would know if you need to.) If you don't weigh and tell me what you ultimately want me to vote for and why by the final focus.... then I will just choose based on the flow.

Crossfire: I'm listening to what you are saying, but I don't write anything down for the most part, unless I am checking my flow against what you are saying and editing. If you want me to flow it, it better come up again in the speeches.

Framework: Sure. Do it. But if you both have one, you better make sure you decide which one to use and why and convince me of that.

Off time roadmaps: Don't care.

My only expectation is good clear debate. I do not like the argument that Public Forum is only for “lay” people off the street. I think it has much more potential to be an intellectual and engaging technical challenge. I am not a big fan of weighing lives because it really seems to be about the pathos/narrative and not the actual argumentation. Not that I don’t care about lives or whatever, it just is generally not an effective argument and most times there are more interesting ways to approach a topic than that.

A stance of assumed ignorance will be taken, only information presented in cases will be taken into consideration when weighing cases.

Note speed when presenting case is fine however keep in mind if attempting to speak in a manner that Opp isn't able that completely comprehend all pts that perhaps I am also unable to follow.

Case/evidence email: k3n.nichols@gmail.com

Lincoln Douglas

Background: I've been judging high school Lincoln Douglas for over 6 years and work in the tech industry.

Speed: I'm a native English speaker, so faster than conversational delivery is fine, but debaters should attempt to be persuasive and not speak just to fill time. (I do appreciate good argumentation and have noticed that faster speakers tend to rush past important points without fully exploring their significance, so keep that in mind.)

Criteria: I consider myself to be a "traditional" LD judge. I value logical debate, with analysis and supporting evidence... co-opting opponents' value & criterion and showing how your case wins is completely fair and certainly a winning strategy. I do weigh delivery and decorum to some degree, but generally it isn't a factor... in the event of a tie, Neg wins. Neg owns the status quo, so the burden is on Aff to show why changes must be made.

Note: I don't care for "progressive" arguments... most of the time they're just a cheap ploy to ambush unsuspecting opponents instead of expanding our understanding of the problem and the philosophical underpinnings guiding our decision. (If you'd rather be doing policy, there's a whole other event for you to enter.)

Public Forum

Public Forum is based on T.V. and is intended for lay viewers. As a result, there's no paradigm, but some of the things that help are to be convincing, explain what the clash is between your opponents position and yours, and then show why your position is the logical conclusion to choose.

I debated Lincoln Douglas for one year and Public Forum for two years on the Washington circuit with occasional national trips. It's my second year out of high school and I am now a student at the University of Washington studying Political Science and Economics. In a nutshell, I do not hold many strong preferences in judging as long as foundational debate skills are well-refined.

My main goal as a judge is to intervene as little as possible. By the summary and final focus, it is important for me to hear good impact calculus and weighing of relevant arguments. Voters in FF are also always preferred. This also means that although I am interested in what happens before summary/FF, if something is not brought up again or given a clear warrant in those last speeches, I will not weigh it.

During that liminal period when pulling up evidence, I ask that everyone stops writing/prepping unless a team is actively running prep time.

I often find framework debates in PF somewhat irrelevant, so if you are going to run anything, just make sure to make it clear to me why it matters and why it's a valid voting mechanism. Although I rarely encountered CPs/T when debating PF, I'm open to whatever types of arguments debaters want to run, as long as it is clearly communicated. I am also okay with any type of speed.

Finally, I tend to vote by looking back at the offense of both teams and what is left standing at the end of the round. From there, I see how impacts were weighed in the summary and FF to determine which team takes the ballot, so demonstrating how the voting issues played out in the round will be very helpful for me.

BACKGROUND: From 1988-1992 I competed in Lincoln-Douglas debate at a reasonably successful level. I LOVED it and still do personally prefer it to other types of debate. That said, I respect all forms of debate and try to honor the essence of the form when judging any debate. I have been out of the Debate world since 1992 until now, as new coach in 2016-2017. During my two years as coach, I have been judging Policy often. I think I'm really starting to get it. The plus side of me being somewhat new to Policy is I don't come with the usual biases/preferences as a more experienced judge who competed in Policy might. I have taught Literature and Writing for 17 years as of this moment, and I write and edit fiction.

GENERAL PARADIGM: Tabula Rasa. I won't do the thinking for you, for the most part. I like depth of knowledge on the topic. You should be reading up on your topic, not just finding evidence cards. I want plenty of clash. I want solid reasoning and analysis. Explain your arguments.

STYLISTIC PREFERENCES: You don’t have to be nice, but you should always be respectful. I’m not terribly fond of the overuse of debate jargon and I find that it can supplant reason. I always prefer reason in that case. And by that I do mean overuse. One should be able to call things what they are. Label and articulate the labels of the parts of your case. Use those labels in your following speeches. I like a good debate where you take on the resolution and defend that position and am less impressed with trying to side-step or avoid clash.

SPEED: Not personally a fan because I love good rhetorical style and believe that words matter, but I can follow you if you articulate and slow down on the important points. I find I’m less hindered in understanding by speed than I am by poor articulation and enunciation.

KRITIKS: Sure, if well-argued and not frivolous.

KRITIKAL AFFS: Sure, but same as above.

THEORY: Yep. Also same as above.

TOPICALITY: Also same as above.

COUNTERPLANS: And again. I’m open to different kinds of arguments, except solvency arguments in LD (that annoys me unless you argue why it’s appropriate--it’s not a given). It’s not so much the type of argument that matters, it’s HOW YOU CONVINCE ME IT MATTERS. You have to do that work.

SPEAKER POINTS: Yes, I give 30s. Good rhetorical and style and attitude matter.

CROSS-EXAMINATION: I don’t flow CX, so you need to bring it up in your speech if you want me to flow it and I’m not a fan of “flex” CX.

FLASHING/SPEECH DOCUMENTS: Arrive prepared with paper copies or be seamless with your technology. I am annoyed when time is lost because lost because of technology glitches.

UNDERVIEWS/OVERVIEWS/OFF-TIME ROAD MAPS: Sure, but be quick about it.

DISCLOSURES: I will not disclose unless I am instructed by the tournament to. I think mystery about how you’re doing is a good thing.

I debated public forum for 4 years at Gonzaga Prep. I currently coach Public Forum and have judged Public Forum and LD.

Please cover the flow and dropping a significant contention will make it hard for you to win. If your opponent dropped an argument don't say, "they dropped it" emphasize why it matters and why that alone should allow you to win. With that being said in your own case if a contention is not working leave it alone and do not waste your time on it.

Anything short of spreading I should be ok with. If you go too fast I will yell at you to go slower and simply adjust and you will be fine.

I appreciate good plans and counter plans when done effective. In Public Forum I will rarely vote against someone's use of a "Point of advocacy" unless it is clearly over the top. Put simply saying something is a counter plan and leaving at that will almost never win that point for you.

Do not be afraid to use other tricky framework or tricky arguments because I love those when done effectively. It is not enough to simply say your opponents framework is abusive but rather explain why. I like both statistical and the use of logic in a case. When these are put together effectively that to me is the best case.

Aggression in CX will never hurt you as long as you're not over the top and rude.

Debate should have emotion and nothing is worst than having to sit through bland speech after bland speech. Debate like you believe what you are talking about.

Voters: Voters will almost always decide the round for me. I love debaters who crystalize the round throughout. The last speech should be primarily focused on giving good voters. THE BIGGEST THING I LOOK FOR IS ROUND CRYSTALLIZATION!

Please do not ask me if you can time yourselves. You are welcome to and I do not care.

Speaker points are stupid and arbitrary but typically I stick to the following scale. Most good debates will fall into the 27-29 category.

30: Best Speaker at tourney

28-29: Very Good

27: Good

24-26 Decent

Below 24: Major things to work on for the level of competition you are in

I have been a coach for 50+ years and am favorable to traditional arguments. If you have a traditional case I would suggest reading it in front of me.

1. I won't evaluate non-topical arguments/performances etc. 
2. I do not like tricks and wont evaluate them.
3. I will evaluate kritiks as long as I understand how they function in the round.
4. If you want to spread I am ok with speed, however if I put my pen down I am not flowing.  You must be clear; I will be flowing from your speech not a doc.
5. If there is abuse in round just explain it in layman's terms and warrant it. I will not be a good judge for evaluating friv theory arguments.

Please feel free to direct more specific questions to nwilloughby98@gmail.com

I have competed in policy debate at the University of Puget Sound since 2017.

Short Version: Run whatever you want in front of me as long as it is not an anti-ethical position. I am open top be persuaded by most arguments that are warranted and impacted out.

Long Version: I think debate is a s competition, but to only categorize it as so would essentialize the community and investments in this activity. I am open to performance, policy, FW, conversation debate, as long as you have some justification for your model of debate I can vote on it. In round violence performed through rhetoric or otherwise is very serious and can outweigh any extinction impact scenario.

I think that warranted and impacted analytics have just as much weight in round as cards being read. Also, reading a card is not an argument, it must be contextualized and analyzed from your position for it to mean anything in round.

Although I listen to FW debates, I prefer when there is a creative/non-generic position that is upheld in these type of debates. One-off FW on the neg without the aforementioned creativity is boring and no one wants to have those debates. That being said, you do you and just be able to justify your position and if it is compelling I will vote on it.

T shells need TVA's to be voting issues. Please articulate what ground is lost to the other team so this can be flushed out and nuanced.

I think impact framing is imperative to the rebuttal speeches, but needs to be introduced before the 2NR and 2AR. You don't needs cards to make these args, just reasons to prefer.

As far as K debate goes, I have knowledge on most bodies of literature. I do K debate, and run arguments about Settler Colonialism, gender and queer args, anti-statism generally, Deleuze, Foucault, etc. I'm a political theory major so I also have my foot into liberalism, fascism, etc. I am open to any type of K you decide to run. As far as winning K debates, I think the link needs to be specific to the Aff and also needs an impact. K's don't need alts but they are very helpful as they can frame your solvency to both the links and the DAs made.

Finally, I think the performance in-round is a voting issue on top of the in-round abuse i detailed above. Eg debate is a rhetorical/performative event and I treat it like so. Make your speeches good, don't sound like a robot, and BE CLEAR! If you sacrifice clarity for speed I will take off speaker points. I prefer clear, slow arguments to fast, hasty ones that lost their parts. However, if you're fast and clear I can flow you just be aware of whether or not I am flowing because I will stop if I don't know what you're saying.

I debated public forum for four years back in high school. I prefer a lot of clash in the round as well as impacts. I can usually keep up fairly well, but please be aware that if you are speaking too fast I may not be able to get your whole idea on my page, so slow down and make your arguments clearly.