First and foremost, I am looking for clear contentions and well argued impacts with a clear and obvious structure. While presentation is not the deciding factor, it does affect how persuasive your arguments ultimately are. That being said, whichever side that conveys the best evidence and best rebuts their opponents will win.

Still, as a judge, clarity is important. Competitors have a tendency to believe that if they speak more and very fast then their arguments will be better and they will win the debate. However, this might instead muddle your points and rationale and end up hurting your arguments. It must be stressed that clear arguments coupled with empirical evidence wins debates not shouting out as many sources, reasons, and data as possible.

Finally, understanding and properly refuting the other side's argument is pivotal. The debate should not just be which side has the most evidence, but also which side can best defend their evidence and arguments.

[Last update 3/9/22: No real changes to what's below, but just a note to people who like to create live docs that a paradigm can be honest, accurate and funny. And if you don't get the jokes, then I feel a little sorry for you.]

History

I competed in LD, Extemp and Congress back before you were born (the 90s). I then returned and judged for a number of years before becoming an Assistant Coach (focusing on LD and Congress) -> Head Coach -> Assistant Coach (focusing on financials and tournament organization). I have spent the better part of the last decade-plus working tab on the local and national levels, but still do dust off the cobwebs occasionally to judge. I have judged everything, so individual event notes below.

LD

I started when LD was a values debate and still consider it so. The Affirmative has a burden to prove the resolution true and it's the job of the Negative to prevent that from happening (not necessarily by proving the resolution false). Though I think the progress of modern-day jargon has forced the event to become more esoteric, I've begrudgingly become accustomed to it. My biggest issue with contemporary debate is when debaters try and solve for some real-world problem. This is a theoretical debate; you can't assume the problems you're trying to solve for exist in the first place.

It's been a long while since I've been outspread in a round [and that was in policy], so you're probably okay to speak like you would normally in round. But understand that the actual clash of ideas can get devalued by hyperspeak, particularly when your opponent can't handle that same pace. So if you going fast detracts from the quality of debate, then that's your fault -- not your opponent's -- and that will reflect in your speaker score. Note if by some chance you are outspreading me, my pen will hit the desk and I will try and stare through your very soul. Take that as your sign to slow the heck down.

Lastly, keep your kritiks to yourself and don't try to skirt the resolution. The debate is supposed to be a battle of competing values on a nationwide topic. When your case is based around the expanding the education of debate, then you're avoiding the fundamentals of the event. You want to expand your education? How about you learn to argue the resolution you were given.

CX

Unlike LD, I have been outspread (rare as it may be). The best thing you can do to avoid that happening is to be very organized and sign post for me when you're moving to different arguments. Slowing down for tag lines also helps reduce that risk. Otherwise, it's easiest for me to approach CX as a hypo-tester [though I realize that's kind of obsolete], so assume I'm simply tab but be sure to explain to me how your arguments impact the round.

PFD

No major preferences in terms of argumentation, as the event isn't really long enough for that to be a big issue. Get to your key points and be wary of your word economy. For crossfires, don't be too rude [dominating the question time and/or just being snarky] or too nice [the "Do you have a question?" game] lest you risk your speaker points for the round.

Congress

STOP PLAYING NICE!!! Just because someone in the room has a speech on the bill/resolution does not mean they deserve to give that speech. If the argumentation on a bill has gone stale, then let's move onto the next bill for crying out loud! Besides, you're doing that person a favor and giving them better recency on a new bill rather than keeping them in the position of chamber custodian, left to clean up all the argumentation that has already taken place. Seriously, there is nothing I hate more in a session than rehash, and it seems these days that Student Congresses value decency and equity [perhaps as an opposition to Washington...] over quality.

My ranks usually get calculated on a two-prong system, ranking total speech points and speech score average, then combining them for a chamber rank. Ties are usually broken on everything else [question quality, number of questions, chamber usefulness, not being nice].

Speech

I read the rules for whatever event I'm judging. I then apply those rules to your performance. That probably makes me better than half the judges you sometimes get. Seriously though, stumbles and stutters are one of the first things I pick up on. If you're doing it a lot (particularly in rhetorical events), I'll start a counter and you'll be sad to see the results at the end of the round. Characterization and pantomime are generally my focal issues for interp events -- your goal is to make me forget that I'm sitting in a desk that is too small for an overweight adult. :)

LD and PF: Although I list myself as "Traditional," I am open to different arguments as long as they are explained well and related to the resolution. I believe that we are debating the resolution, not fixing society's ills. Yes debate will enable us to fix society's ills but a competition round is not where that will occur. Debate theory can be interesting to judge, but again, needs to still be connected to the resolution. Also, be sure that the theory you're arguing is correct and logical. In terms of speed, to me it's not speed it's clarity. If you are going 97 miles per hour and have to constantly repeat yourself because you trip over words, maybe going 60 is better.

Congress: As a scorer or Parli, I look for good speeches with good evidence and analysis, but also continuous participation. I believe Congress is an overall package, including activity with questioning, motions and amendments. PO's should be able to move the chamber along smoothly, and fairly. However, they must also recognize that sometimes this may be a new experience for someone in the chamber, and be sure that everyone understands how the PO is maneuvering the chambers, not just assume that it's just standard operating procedure for everyone. Be good to each other and you will often stand out from the competition.

I'm a tab judge, I'm never going to intervene or complete arguments for the debaters in front of me. What's made important in the round is what I'll make important on my ballot. I'm fine with speed, as long as the debaters articulate. I understand K and rhetorical arguments, and am willing to vote for whatever makes the most logical sense in the round, regardless of morals (i.e., I'll vote for an argument that kills more people if the debater can tell me why that makes the most sense).

I know debate theory and will always point out an error in link chain, though I won't vote there unless opponent also points it out.

I like voters, clash points, and world comparison.

I have been our school's coach/administrator of our speech and debate team for many years. I am also an English teacher.

When judging debate, I would like to hear every word, to follow every argument. I do not like fast-talking because it leaves me guessing what I heard. I would like the two teams/two sides to listen to each other and ask questions and rebut in ways that show good listening. I enjoy clash. I enjoy when clash brings a debate round to greater levels of thinking and crisper points being made on each side. I like when the teams/sides help me, the judge, better see my way to an RFD. (Of course, I have to agree, but I enjoy when sides/teams state in logical and intelligent ways why they should win and show when doing so that they have a solid grasp on what just happened in the round.)

When judging speech, I appreciate the commitment that students show in constructing a well-organized speech and preparing to perform it. I appreciate the energy, pathos, honesty, charm, intelligence, drive to connect with an audience, and all-around skills of a well-delivered speech.

Regarding literary interpretation, I am an English teacher; I love it all.

I did PF for four years at Shikellamy High School, where I placed 8th at NSDA nationals, and am currently a senior on the Columbia Debate Society.

I flow and am willing to follow *some* speed. I will listen and flow to all arguments so long as they are reasonably warranted and are not offensive/violent.

Like other judges, I expect teams that I judge to warrant, impact, and weigh. To be more precise, and to touch on my personal preferences, teams should develop and prove their arguments with evidence and logical explanation. Thus, if a team offers cards to impact their case and assert that their contention is true, but fails to provide robust reasoning, I consider that argument to be deficient. For example, "Scholar A says that Y happens" is deficient, but "Scholar A says that Y happens *because* of ..." is not deficient. Beyond offering explanations of why their case is true, the best teams will develop and extend their arguments throughout the entire round (all, or almost all, speeches). Finally, teams should make a habit of weighing arguments in the round. While attacking the veracity of opponents' claims is persuasive, it is also worthwhile to weigh arguments as if they are true to show why your arguments are more important (ex: Even if my opponents' second contention is true, our first contention still outweighs because ...). Doing so will make me happy (yay!) and also increase your chances of winning.

I hope the aforementioned preferences make sense, and I look forward to watching everyone debate :)

Overall - I will vote on anything I can understand - this includes speed/spreading. I won't tell you if I can't understand you. Speed at your own risk. I'm mostly non-interventionist, although if you're making grossly false statements about empirical facts, I reserve the right to not accept them. You can be aggressive, but at all times remain respectful to your opponents. Argumentation and logical reasoning are the foundations of debate. I don't care about your cards or meta-analysis unless you tell me why I should. Shake hands with your opponent, not with me.

LD Specific:

LD is a value debate. LD is a value debate. LD is a value debate. If upholding your value isn't the point of your case, I'm not going to vote for you. A value is not a "framework." Your contentions should link to your VC and your VC should be measuring your value. LD is not 1 person CX - don't talk to me about plans or solvency. LD is a value debate.

PFD:

Don't turn your presentation into policy-lite. Make arguments, don't just read evidence. I don't inherently care about any of your evidence unless you tell me why it matters.