History

Overall my competitive background is unimpressive. I mostly did Public Forum and Domestic Extemp for my 3 years of competition. I am however very well versed in Lincoln Douglass, and Congress. I was a finalist in the Senate at State after an unfortunate year. I attended James Madison High School. I have been judging mostly LD since I graduated high school in 2015 and I’ve figured out what I do and don’t like in round. I have graduated from UTSA with a major in Criminal Justice, Double Minoring in Legal Studies and Political Science. I am currently attending UNT College of Law. If you are reading this, please ask me how law school is going! It would be nice to see if anyone reads this.

Value Debate

I do not require a value debate in round. If a framework is established I will default to it until it is contested. Framework is the lens of which I view the round. When I make a decision, it is based off a very mathematical calculus. When no framework is established, or two frameworks are negated, I default to a utilitarian calculus. If you and your opponent have the same framework, or the framework doesn't greatly affect the offense in the round, do not feel obligated to keep debating it. Hearing two people bicker about the definition of moral, even though nobody is arguing a nuanced case around a specific definition, is maddening.

Theory

I for the life of me, could not tell you what a proper theory structure looks like. Tell me what happened and why I should care, and I will buy the argument. I do not enjoy theory debate, and I believe that it should be used solely to check abuse.

Kritik

Link to the resolution or I will probably not vote you up. Imma repeat that to make sure it is perfectly clear, LINK TO THE RESOLUTION OR I WILL PROBABLY NOT VOTE YOU UP. Otherwise I do enjoy seeing things like antiblackness, queer theory, Fem, etc. as long as there is a clear link. I do not enjoy seeing cases that can literally be run on any topic without any real research. I am a big fan of permutations to crappy K’s. If you insist on not linking you better have a damn good reason, and provide a clear Role of the Ballot.

Disads and Counterplans

I enjoy both disads and counterplans, when run correctly. I do find it odd though, most of these could very well be called contentions. I'm sure there is some old technical reason that separates them, but its mystery to me. Remember that any plan you produced can't simply be fiated into existence, that is to say, it must be possible at the very least. Of course with persuasion the idea of plausibility can shifted one way or another, but that is on you.

Speed

I am pretty decent with speed, but keep in mind if you are spreading and have time left at the end of your speech or end up repeating the same thing ten times, your speaker points aren’t going too look nice. The point of spreading is not to confuse your opponent, it is simply a tool to get more arguments out in a given time.

Update January 2020

Considering it's been 2 years since I've updated this, I figured I'd add this little tid bit at the end. Amazingly my preferences haven't changed much, I do find myself enjoying progressive debate more and more as the years go on, but I think it's important that every judge have an open mind when going into a round. I strongly encourage you to run whatever version of debate you believe gives you the best chance to win the round. If you have any questions please come find me before or after the round.

Update 2023

It seems like 2 and a half years seems to be the pattern on how often I feel obligated to update this little forum. I am now a third year law student and unfortunately have not been able to judge debate nearly as often as a like, so if I look slightly lost or confused in your round, it may not be your fault, I am just rusty. What I enjoy seeing in rounds has not changed. I may ask you to slow down more than I used to in my prime, but I promise to do my best to keep up with what you need.

As of this year I am currently competing in Moot Court, and will be competing in Mock Trial, on behalf of the University of North Texas at Dallas College of Law.

Hello,

I have over 7 years of debate experience as a competitor and private tutor. My experience includes DX, Oratory, Policy, PF, Congress, and LD. I have multiple state and national qualifications, and competed in the competitive Houston circuit. In addition, I am an award-winning speaker.

Debate is cool, but to me public speaking is king. Therefore, I care about your speaking. Good fluency will give you good speaker points. In terms of winning the actual debate, I want your arguments to be easy to understand. I can understand complex debate as a hired judge, but you will not always be able to have former debaters hear you argue. You will win by proving to me that your case has a bigger impact than your opponents. Show me the numbers and show me the facts. Prove to me that your side of the case is better. Also, solvency is a big factor in my decisions.

This all holds true whether I am judging you in congress, LD, PF, or policy. In addition, I am a pretty friendly guy and hate to see debates get heated. I need both sides to remain cordial with each other, I will dock speaker points if you are being rude to your opponents. Debate is won on arguments, not intimidation.

Good luck and feel free to ask me any questions!

I am an old school traditional judge.

In Congress - If you ask for an in house recess to pad a speech or to address the chamber because no one is speaking - DO SO AT YOUR OWN RISK! Nothing annoys congress judges more than 15 minutes of caucusing and getting splits, only for no one to be ready. The PO should be running the round and is perfectly capable of admonishing those who are not ready to speak. Otherwise, I like a good intro with a 2 pt preview and good, creative arguments that show critical thinking. Be active in the round and ask good questions.

PF - Keep it simple. If you run a plan, a K, or theory, you are unlikely to get my ballot. Treat me like I have no idea what this topic is and explain EVERYTHING. Weigh impacts to get my ballot. Don't complicate a pro/con debate.

LD - For UIL, stick to a traditional format with Value/Criteria and Contentions. Weigh and give voters. For TFA, just know that I loathe rapid delivery and love explanations. If you are going to run a counterplan in absence of an affirmative plan, I will not vote on it. LD is not 1 person policy. Uphold your value throughout the round.

Remember, debate is impossible without effective communication.

FLASHING IS PREP TIME! If you are not speaking, you are prepping. My prep time clock is the official prep time clock.

I did PF at James Bowie HS in Austin, TX for 3 yrs

Please be sure to clearly weigh in both speeches! Don't just throw around buzzwords with no actual weighing. Any offense that you want me to vote on must be extended in both speeches. I will usually vote off of the clearest link chain in the round. Cards should have quality warrants (less paraphrasing please). Quality over quantity.

I would prefer if offense (and maybe defense if possible, but not necessary) is frontlined in the second rebuttal, and that both teams collapse throughout the round. Do not try to go for too much.

Extend terminal defense in summary.

Speed is fine as long as you are clear.

I never ran any K's, theory, Cps, but will do my best following if ran.

Please be nice to each other!

qzpbellman@gmail.com

I am a parent judge for Westwood High School, please treat me as one. I want clear and concise argumentation, good speaking and a good atmosphere in the debate-space. Perhaps most important, please be nice to each other and have fun, otherwise it's not worth it.

DO NOT SPEAK TOO FAST. PLEASE KEEP A CONVERSATIONAL PACE FOR THE SAKE OF A PARENT/LAY JUDGE.

I debated for Churchill for two years, competing in PF and extemp. I vote based on the persuasiveness of your argument- that is to say, I prefer the technicality of the debate and who answered and won arguments over the truth of the arguments. I think PF should be judged based on persuasiveness and your ability to convince me of your arguments. I value arguments that are well-composed and can hold their own during clash.

I prefer direct argumentation during crossfire. Address your opponents points and show me why yours are better. During crossfire, please be polite. I dock points for rudeness, condescension, and aggressiveness. Blatant sexism, racism, etc. will not be tolerated. Remember that the debate also consists of your body language and how you compose yourself.

I understand that you have many things to say and points to address, but please do not spread. I haven’t debated in a while and I prefer you clearly articulate your arguments, especially tags. Especially in the final focus and summary, pick the arguments that are the most strong and be concise in telling me why they are better than your opponent’s and why I should vote for you.

I was a PF debater and I have no experience in CX or LD. I was taught pretty traditionally in terms of PF and that is how I judge. I was never taught things such as kritiks or theories, so please do not use them in your arguments.

https://judgephilosophies.wikispaces.com/Boyd%2C+Megan

For email chains and/or any questions: mvboyd@sbcglobal.net

Public Forum

I am open to both traditional and progressive styles. My only preference is that you debate the style that is most comfortable for you.

Framing: Please give me lens through which to view the round. If you don't give me any framing, I'm either going to vote based off your opponent's framing, or worst case scenario something completely arbitrary. It's incredibly difficult to judge a debate with two entirely different impacts and zero weighing mechanism. Please, please, please don't waste your time reading me definitions for literally every single word in the resolution.

Theory: This is public forum, I truly believe you have no time to read incredibly progressive and complex arguments here. If you want to, I will listen. However, keep in mind I am now four years out and have not kept up with the literature. With that being said, basic arguments relating to topicality, reasonability, and competing interps are always welcome.

CP/K/Aff Advocacy: Sure. I personally think the time constraints of PF make it hard to do any of these things, but that doesn't mean you can't pull it off in an abbreviated sense.

Flow: Now for what you all really came here for, I do not expect the second speaking team to extend offense in the first rebuttal. If you have time to extend offense, more power to you. I understand that four minutes is an incredibly short amount of time to attack your opponent's case then literally defend against all their attacks. This was literally never an issue when I debated and don't know who decided the second speaking team has to work twice as hard to win the round. If you actually want to waste your breath calling out your opponent in your two minute speech for not extending offense I will literally sit there and stare at you until you actually say something worthwhile. Your summary is your second, and final rebuttal. I expect you to take 1 or 2 (3 if you're fast) of the round's biggest arguments at this point. The final focus is not meant for line by line debate. At this point, hand me clear voters and call it a day.

Speed: Chances are if you are spreading in PF you're literally just doing it for clout points you won't get. Mind you, I'm not saying you cannot speak fast. I understand how short four minutes is to get through a lot of information. Speak as fast as you'd like, but I will tell you to stop if I nobody can discern a word you're saying.

Speaker Points: I don't hand out 29s or 30s. If you're looking for presentation points, I suggest you go ahead and strike me right now. If you have a pretty voice, but terrible argumentation skills I'm not your girl. A 29 from me is rare, but very possible. My range is generally 27.25-29.25. I don't tolerate racism, sexism, misogyny, ableism, homophobia, transphobia, the list goes on. I will dock your speaks for those issues. If your opponent calls you out, you might even lose the round. If it's utterly abhorrent I will stop the round.

Lastly, I will not do any work for you. I'm not here to babysit you, or connect any dots that you may have missed. It is your job, and your job alone, to tell me why I should vote for you.

did pf debate in hs for Lamar. fine with speed. prefer stock debates with good analysis/warrants/weighing. theory is fine if there is some actual abuse. give me a simple story at the end even (especially) if the round has been highly technical.

please don’t run critical affs, i’m very lenient on T if your advocacy doesn’t even pretend to be in the direction of the res. if you run a K, please be clear about the world of the alt. i will not vote for it if i do not understand the alternative world i am supposed to vote for.

My pronouns are they/them/theirs. Please do not call me ma’am. I know it's a southern respect thing but it's icky to me. If you need a title for me, I unironically like being called judge, Judge Contreras is fine, just Contreras works too. My students call me Coach, and that's also fine. Teens, please don't call me El (that's one southernism I stand by!)

Affiliations:

Head Coach and social studies teacher at L.C. Anderson High School in Austin, TX since 2022.

San Marcos High School- I competed all four years in high school, I did extemp, congress, and UIL Policy.

Speech people!!!!

I will not rank a triggering performance first. I just won’t do that. There’s no need for you to vividly reenact violence and suffering at 8 a.m. on a Saturday morning (or like, ever). Triggering performances without trigger warnings will have their rank reflect the performance. Use your talent to tell a story, not to exploit pain. Also, normalize giving content and trigger warnings before your performance!! Give people a chance to take care of themselves. If I'm judging your round and another competitor triggers you, you are welcome to quietly get up and walk out during their performance. I will not dock or punish you for this, your mental health is the most important. Please take care of yourself and each other!! I'm in a "you should do a different piece" mindset on this issue and if you can't reenact that narrative without exploiting suffering, something is wrong.

Debate comments (PF, LD, CX, World Schools)

Just disclose. I know LD's norm is sending 30 minutes before round, I think that's a great norm.

In PF, send case docs. Don't be secretive with your cards. Your opponents should not have to disclose a disability in order to get you to send docs. I also think sending a speech doc for rebuttal and summary is a good norm. This is not (necessarily) something I'll down you for but it could be, if you're intentionally being harmful.

I will evaluate anything as long as it's warranted and extended. I won't make arguments for you, tell me why and how you're winning. I'll vote tech over truth unless the truth overwhelms the tech. Sticky defense is so fake, extend your arguments if you want to win them. Unextended = dropped. Proper extensions, tag and cite, claim, warrant, impact!!

Both partners need to participate in grand cross. PF is a partner event! No, you can't skip grand cross. I'm listening to cross and waiting to hear the questions from cross brought into round.

Please do a www.speechdrop.net room, it is a fantastic site, and I will definitely pop in and read cards and cases if you have the speechdrop room set up. Always send case, always send speech docs. I am #notsponsored, just a fan! My email is down below.

Spell out all the abbreviations you use in round. Don’t assume I know what you’re talking about. People know what the UN is, the EU, etc, people may not know BRI, any random trade agreement, etc.

speed: You don't have to go at a conversational pace but nobody should be full-on-spreading in PF. When you're off the doc, you have to go slower. I try not to flow off the doc but I will use it as support if you're faster than I can follow. I'm not in a debate round to read off your case doc, I'm in round to hear YOU. Slow down on taglines, analytics, authors- basically anything you think is vital to my decision.

PF-specific comments:

• I'll vote on anything, not a huge fan of theory, not the best judge to evaluate theory
• i love frameworks! they should be well-developed. blippy frameworks don't win framework debates
• extensions are not just saying "Extend my contention 2", you must extend the card tag/cite and the claim, warrant, and impact! Let me hear the link chain again!!
• speaker points- these national tournaments keep giving me a rubric to use and I'm trying to apply that to all the realms I judge in. Points start at 28 and I adjust from there. Points will only be below a 27 if you did something harmful or rules/norms were horribly broken.
• PFers, please read cards with actual taglines. "furthermore", "and", are not taglines. A tag is the thesis of the card, it is the summary of the content. I've been seeing a lot of that lately- it's lazy and bad practice.

LD-specific:

• I don't judge LD often, not as comfortable with LD speeds but I'll use the doc
• I will evaluate k's, as long as they're well-developed and defended. i know theory is normative in LD and I'll do my best to evaluate it fairly and wisely. probably not the best judge for your theory debates
• consider me pretty lay, generally pretty trad. Read me a standard, read me a value, slow it down!!
• I know this event is generally more technical but again, don't assume I know what you're talking about!! spell out all your abbreviations, provide definitions (especially if you're reading a K), do your best to make the round and the space more accessible!
• pref me slightly better than a lay judge
• I come from pf so arguments such as kritiks and theory will make less sense to me butI’lltry my best to evaluate them

email- theedebatecoach@gmail.com

and

docs.anderson@gmail.com

please <3

This message is specifically for competitors in debate events; I value respect in the round. Please don’t be rude in front of me. It doesn’t make me laugh, it reminds me of uncomfortable/unpleasant rounds where my competitors were rude to me or my partner. That has no business in a debate space, please don’t bring that energy into a round. This goes double for people in privileged positions who make women and gender/racial minorities uncomfortable or unsafe in the debate space. Not only will I chew you out and tank your speaks, but I will also let your coach know about the harmful practices. it's on all of us to make the debate space inclusive and equitable.

TLDR- be nice, be kind, and be self-aware.

Congress comments:

I did congressional debate all four years I competed in high school, I really enjoyed it and love watching a good Congress round. I have a lot of respect for a strong PO and usually reward that with a higher ranking. POs that struggle with precedence, maintaining decorum, and Robert's rules of order will have that reflected in their rank.

Clash, clash, clash! Put the debate into congressional debate.

There's a line between sassy and rude. Tread it carefully.

General comments:

something that I genuinely appreciate in every event is a trigger warning before potentially triggering performances and speeches. controversially, I care about all of your experiences in a round and would like to give everyone an opportunity to opt out. If you’re a spectator or a competitor in a speech room, you deserve the opportunity to step out. If you’re competing in a debate round, you have every right to ask your competitors to read a version of their case that excludes the triggering material. As a judge, I reserve the right to step out/turn off my camera for a moment before you give your performance.

In a debate round, I’d appreciate that triggering material cut out. I don’t think intense/graphic depictions of human suffering add much to your overall case anyway, I’d rather you extend cards in that time or frontline or do anything besides exploit human suffering.

If I correct your pronunciation of a word in my ballot, it’s genuinely to educate you. It’s hard to know how to pronounce a word you’ve never heard aloud, just read (looking at you, Reuters!)

I have a degree in history, with a focus on Latin American history. Keep that in mind when discussing issues focused on Latin America. Feel free to ask me for a reading list to better understand conflicts, revolutions, and government suppression (including US intervention) in Guatemala, Argentina, Honduras, El Salvador, and more.

If you are spectating an event and are fully texting in front of me or attempting to talk to/distract a competitor, I’m going to ask you to leave. I will not warn you once, I have a zero-tolerance policy for disrespecting competitors or interfering with competition in that way.

I used to have a really long paradigm but honestly I don't even know if that's that helpful so here are some key things, ask me questions in round if you want to know about specifics:

- Don't be mean to each other (or me), please. Literally this is fun we should all be having fun!

- Don't just give me blippy one liners; every argument should have a clear warrant

- Please give me some kind of ballot story. I don't want to have to do any weighing or any work for y'all at the end of the round. I generally prefer final speeches to have some kind of crystalizing.

- I would prefer y'all go a little slower because I haven't been judging a ton since COVID started. However, you don't have to be at like, a conversational pace. Just slow down on taglines. Also, if we're doing email chains, speed isn't as much of a problem for cases.

- For LD, I'm generally a better K judge than a techy policy judge. I love critical theory; I read a bunch of it. I'm writing my senior thesis about queer/disabled utopian thought and its relationship to HIV/AIDS.

- For PF, I'm open to whatever fun experimental, progressive args you want to run. I don't think the event needs to stick to some model of what "correct" PF looks like--read Ks, theory, do performances, etc, have fun with it.

For email chains: glasscockbrett@gmail.com

I'll listen to anything. Run whatever arguments you want, as long as you can win in a round why you should be able to run it. I try not to have any preferences towards arguments, even though I know I do.

Everyone always asks about speed; it doesn't bother me. I am a little deaf, so try to be loud and clear. If I can't hear you I'll let you know. If it stays unclear I just won't write down what I don't hear. When it comes to really technical arguments, try and slow down and signpost really well.

I have strong opinions on topicality. Reading T on affs that are clearly topical makes me groan; I will still vote on it if you win, but I won't enjoy it. Extra-topicality however, amazing argument. Reading topicality on a fringe topical argument, go for it. I don't think T is a good response to critical Affs. I think T needs to be a check on more obtuse arguments, but there's too many good arguments against you should lose for running a fem aff. I feel very strongly that the neg should get the topical ground if the aff is running a critical, non-topical aff. Reading aff on the neg against critiques is fair game as long as you have a few arguments to justify why you should get that ground. Topical version of the Aff and proven abuse in the round are two arguments that go far with me.

Too many debates I've watch have no direct impact comparisons. "Even if..." statements I think are smart arguments and shows an understanding of the debate and a respect for the opponents arguments.

My pronouns are she/her.

Email: olivia.hardage3@gmail.com

I did PF at Westlake and I currently coach there.

You only need to extend defense in first summary if it has been frontlined otherwise, it sticks.

I think 2nd rebuttal needs to at least frontline offense and preferably defense as well. I won't automatically down you if you don't do this but I prefer it and I think it's more strategic.

If you want to concede a de-link to kick out of a turn you can't just say that phrase, you need to explain why the particular arguments allow you to do that. If you only say "we concede the de-link so we kick out of the turn" and move on and your opponent extends the turn, I will grant them the turn.

I will vote on the least mitigated link chain leading to the most weighed impact. I will vote for a team with a fleshed-out link chain and a poorly extended impact over a team that does the opposite.

I give speaks mainly based on presentation or if I think a team should be in out rounds. However, if you want a 30 from me focus on speaking clearly and having good round etiquette.

I'll evaluate any arguments like theory/Ks but I don't have pervasive knowledge of how they traditionally function in rounds so make sure everything is explained thoroughly.

I'm good with speed to an extent, anything getting close to spreading I probably can't follow.

The most important thing in debate is weighing! If you don't weigh, I am forced to decide what I think is the most important argument.

If you want more specifics, feel free to ask me questions!

I did Policy Debate (CX) for 3 years.

Add me on the chain - samiridrees786@gmail.com

a little bit about me: i debated PF in texas for four years and have coaching experience and now major in Economics and International Relations.

1. truth vs tech: im tech over truth except for when im truth over tech. basically, warrants are the most important part of debate and a warrant is weak if it isn't at least a little bit true. tldr: just make sure your arguments make sense

2. speaks: 30s will be granted to speakers with excellent word economy, fluency, and strategy.

3. speed: this is PF, you are not going to speak too fast for me. go as fast as you want

4. progressive arguments: i'll evaluate anything just know i do not have a lot of experience in progressive debate

5. second rebuttal needs to frontline

6. anything in final focus needs to be in summary; i will be more lenient about extended defense in first final that wasn't in first summary

7. offensive overviews in second rebuttal are kinda mean but not that mean. use your own discretion; if its a super heavy overview maybe don't run it. if its not too heavy its fine

8. i will be v happy if yall do an email chain

9. if you say anything offensive, homophobic, sexist, ableist, or that renders debate an unsafe environment you will get an automatic L20

have fun!!! im a super chill judge and am always open to answering questions before or after round. its a learning experience and i just want you to try your best <3

4 year PF debater. Public forum is a separate event from CX and LD for a reason. Any arguments you make should be explained clearly enough that almost anyone could judge the round. If you speak too fast, I'll tell you. Public speaking skills are a major part of this event, so if you aren't convincing, you won't get my ballot.

he/him

I did PF at James Bowie HS in Austin, TX for 4 yrs, graduating in 2019.

I would prefer offense to be frontlined in second rebuttal. Any unaddressed defense doesn't need to be extended in summary. Any offense that you want me to vote on must be fully extended in summary and final focus. Don't just say the words extend + the card author. Please actually extend argument. If you don't, I will look to vote elsewhere. Weighing is very important. Please give me a way to evaluate the round.

Speed is fine as long as you're clear. For online debate, I think its good practice to send speech docs prior to constructive given connectivity issues. If an email chain is used, I would like to be added.

I'll attempt to evaluate any argument you read in front of me, but I am more comfortable with standard stuff. I never ran K’s/theory/CP’s/etc. Feel free to ask me specifics before the round!

Lastly, please be nice to each other.

If anything in here was unclear, I'm happy to answer your questions!

Love to be on the chain.... sfadebate@gmail.com

LD---TOC---2024

I'm a traditional leaning policy judge – No particular like/dislike for the Value/Criterion or Meta-Ethic/Standard structure for framework just make sure everything is substantially justified, not tons of blippy framework justifications.

Disads — Link extensions should be thorough, not just two words with an author name. I'm a sucker for good uniqueness debates, especially on a topic where things are changing constantly.

Counterplans — Counterplans should be textually and functionally competitive but I'm willing to change my mind if competition evidence is solid. I love impact/nb turns and think they should be utilized more. Not a fan of ‘intrinsic perms’.

Kritiks — I default to letting the aff weigh case but i'm more than willing to change my mind given a good framework/link push from the negative. I’m most familiar with: Cap, Biopolitics, Nietzsche, and Security. I'm fine voting for other lit bases but my threshold is higher especially for IdPol, SetCol, and High Theory. Not a fan of Baudrillard but will vote on it if it is done well.

K Affs — I'm probably 40/60 on T. If a K aff has a well explained thesis and good answers to presumption I am more than willing to vote on it. A trend I see is many negative debaters blankly extending fairness and clash arguments without substantial policymaking/debate good evidence. I default to thinking debate and policymaking are good but I'm willing to be persuaded otherwise absent a compelling 2NR.

Topicality — Big fan of good T debates, really dislike bad T debates. I don't like when teams read contradictory interps in the 1NC, you should have good T evidence, and I like a good caselist. Preferably the whole 2NR is T.

Theory — Not a fan of frivolous shells but i'm willing to be convinced on any interp given a good explanation of the abuse story. I default to In-round-abuse, reasonability, and have a high threshold for RVIs.

Phil — As an Ex-Policy Debater, my knowledge here is very limited. I'm willing to vote on it if it's very well warranted and clearly winning on the flow. But in a relatively equal debate I think I will always default to Util.

Tricks — Don't

edited for LD 2022-3

I have not judged a lot of LD recently. I more than likely have not heard the authors you are talking about please make sure you explain them along with your line by line. Long overviews are kind of silly and argumentation on the line by line is a better place for things Overview doesn't mean I will automatically put your overview to it. If you run tricks I am really not your judge. I think they are silly and will probably not vote for them. I have a high threshold for voting on theory arguments either way.

edited for Congress

Speak clearly and passionately. I hate rehash, so if you bring in new evidence and clash you will go farther in the round than having a structured speech halfway to late in debate. I appreciate speakers that keep the judges and audience engaged, so vocal patterns and eye contact matter. The most important thing to me is accurate and well developed arguments and thoughtful questions. For presiding officer: run a tight ship. Be quick, efficient, fair, and keep accurate precedents and recency. This is congressional debate, not congressional speech giving, so having healthy debate and competition is necessary. Being disrespectful in round will get you no where with me, so make sure to respect everyone in the room at all times.

Edited 20-21

Don't ask about speaks you should be more concerned with how to do better in the future. If you ask I will go back and dock your speaks at least 2 points.

Edited for WSD Nats 2020

Examples of your arguments will be infinitely more persuasive than analogies. Please weigh your arguments as it is appropriate. Be nice, there is a difference between arrogance and excellence

Edited for PF 2018-9

I have been judging for 20 years any numerous debate events. Please be clear; the better your internal link chain the better you will do. I am not a big fan of evidence paraphrasing. I would rather hear the authors words not your interpretation of them. Make sure you do more than weighing in the last two speeches. Please make comparison in your arguments and evidence. Dont go for everything. I usually live in an offense defense world there is almost always some risk of a link. Be nice if you dont it will affect your speaks

Edited for 2014-15 Topic
I will listen to just about any debate but if there isnt any articulation of what is happening and what jargon means then I will probably ignore your arguments. You can yell at me but I warned you. I am old and crotchety and I shouldn't have to work that hard.

CXphilosophy = As a preface to the picky stuff, I'd like to make a few more general comments first. To begin with, I will listen to just about any debate there is out there. I enjoy both policy and kritik debates. I find value in both styles of debate, and I am willing to adapt to that style. Second, have fun. If you're bored, I'm probably real bored. So enjoy yourself. Third, I'm ok with fast debates. It would be rare for you to completely lose me, however, you spew 5 minutes of blocks on theorical arguments I wont have the warrants down on paper and it will probably not be good for you when you ask me to vote on it. There is one thing I consider mandatory: Be Clear. As a luxury: try to slow down just a bit on a big analytical debate to give me pen time. Evidence analysis is your job, and it puts me in a weird situation to articulate things for you. I will read evidence after many rounds, just to make sure I know which are the most important so I can prioritize. Too many teams can't dissect the Mead card, but an impact takeout is just that. But please do it all the way- explain why these arguments aren't true or do not explain the current situation. Now the picky stuff:

Affs I prefer affs with plan texts. If you are running a critical aff please make sure I understand what you are doing and why you are doing it. Using the jargon of your authors without explaining what you are doing won't help me vote for you.

Topicality and Theory- Although I certainly believe in the value of both and that it has merit, I am frustrated with teams who refuse to go for anything else. To me, Topicality is a check on the fringe, however to win a procedural argument in front of me you need specific in round abuse and I want you to figure out how this translates into me voting for you. Although I feel that scenarios of potential abuse are usually not true, I will vote for it if it is a conceded or hardly argued framework or if you can describe exactly how a topic or debate round would look like under your interpretation and why you have any right to those arguments. I believe in the common law tradition of innocence until proven guilty: My bias is to err Aff on T and Negative on Theory, until persuaded otherwise.

Disads- I think that the link debate is really the most significant. Im usually willing to grant negative teams a risk of an impact should they win a link, but much more demanding linkwise. I think uniqueness is important but Im rarely a stickler for dates, within reason- if the warrants are there that's all you need. Negatives should do their best to provide some story which places the affirmative in the context of their disads. They often get away with overly generic arguments. Im not dissing them- Reading the Ornstein card is sweet- but extrapolate the specifics out of that for the plan, rather than leaving it vague.

Counterplans- The most underrated argument in debate. Many debaters don't know the strategic gold these arguments are. Most affirmatives get stuck making terrible permutations, which is good if you neg. If you are aff in this debate and there is a CP, make a worthwhile permutation, not just "Do Both" That has very little meaning. Solvency debates are tricky. I need the aff team to quantify a solvency deficit and debate the warrants to each actor, the degree and necessity of consultation, etc.

Kritiks- On the aff, taking care of the framework is an obvious must. You just need good defense to the Alternative- other than that, see the disad comments about Link debates. Negatives, I'd like so practical application of the link and alternative articulated. What does it mean to say that the aff is "biopolitical" or "capitalist"? A discussion of the aff's place within those systems is important. Second, some judges are picky about "rethink" alternatives- Im really not provided you can describe a way that it could be implemented. Can only policymakers change? how might social movements form as a result of this? I generally think its false and strategically bad to leave it at "the people in this debate"- find a way to get something changed. I will also admit that at the time being, Im not as well read as I should be. I'm also a teacher so I've had other priorities as far as literature goes. Don't assume I've read the authors you have.

Make everything clear

I do flow :-)

Please be quick calling for cards and setting up email chains. You waste time and slow the tournament down when it takes super long in between speeches to show evidence.

Overall, use critical thinking skills and your own analysis to persuade me. Don't read straight through your evidence and count on me to understand everything; do the intellectual footwork for me. Weigh throughout the round. Framing is encouraged. Speed is discouraged. I'mokay with open cross if circuit rules and both teams are.

Read my written comments on the ballot! I give useful, constructivefeedback.

Disads: Try to make these arguments persuasive and reasonably believable. Sure, you might chain the impact to include nuclear war, but if it isn't likely, it's less important to me.

Counterplans: Please read the plan text slowly and thoroughly explain why it would solve better than the affirmative . The counterplan text should not be a paragraph long. Use your own words in the speech to signal that you actually know what you are advocating for.

Topicality: Please go very slowly on these arguments, because I want to write down every part of the shell. If I don't understand every part of the shell, it's difficult for me to feel comfortable voting on it.

Kritiks:Only run these if you can explain every part of the shell in simple terms, especially what the alternative would tangibly look like. Provide authentic analysis in your own words on the kritik's substance so I can understand better.

Theory: Make sure it's an important enough of a violation to warrant the theory. This should not be kicked prematurely.

Conditionality: I get irritated when more than 2 off-case arguments are conditional because I feel like it turns the debate into a "see who can cover everything the fastest" match instead of a "use evidence and logic to prove why you're right" match. I also think multiple worlds theory is argumentatively lazy.

Disclosure: I do not vote off of disclosure theory. Good teams should be able to use their topic education and research as well as their argumentative and persuasive skills to engage in and refute cases that they've never seen before. Disclosure undermines critical thinking and creativity.

TFA LD:Avoided frivolous definition arguments. Off-case arguments are great.

Congress:Please don't just tell me how a bill won't solve the problem, argue against general purpose of the bill.Use evidence and clash with other people in the room.

I did congress for three years at James Bowie High School in Austin TX!

PF:

No spreading! Please don’t use an ungodly amount of time to find/share cards (but I do understand that everyone has different resources that may take longer than others). Please keep theories/counter plans/k’s out of the round (most of the time, I can follow what you’re saying, but I will not be able to properly weigh it). Be nice.

Please be sure to clearly weigh in both speeches. Any offense you want me to vote on must be extended as well.

Once again, please be nice to each other!

xoxo gossip girl

LD:

As you can see, I was more of a speech competitor. As long as you send me your email chain, I should be fine! Please include both of my emails, sometimes wifi is funky and doesn't upload on one or the other:

breebibliophile1494@gmail.com AND bgr43@txstate.edu.

Keep in mind that I'm not the greatest at keeping up with you while you spread, so a nice signpost or recap every now and then is nice.

Traditional/Framework oriented. Carry contentions throughout the flow, and make sure to address this in the final speech. Okay with fast speech but make sure its clear to understand what you are saying.

Im always happy to answer questions before the round starts.

I do not favor spreading or excessive speed. speaking faster than conversational speaking rate is fine if necessary, but the speaker should still be clear and easy to understand. Be professional and confident at all times. remember you, are here to persuade me.

I prefer that competitors stay away from topicality arguments. If its a must address it and then continue to the topic. Debates that mainly focus on education and argumentation tactics are contradictory and a waste of time.

I prefer that clash remains clean. No eating up time with questions or answers, and please do not interrupt or cut your opponent off unless it is necessary for time purposes. I consider clash to be an important part of the debate because it demonstrates your understanding of the argument and your stance on the debate, and potential holes in your opponent's argument.

Overall, demonstrate to me a solid understanding of the resolution. I prefer structure, clarity and impact over all else. Make sure to emphasize voting issues by stating them slowly, clearly, and in a concise manner.

On the ballots I will try to be through, I will include things I feel each competitor did well and what I feel could use improvement. I will list my thoughts about different topics discussed in round as well as a flow of ideas that I felt held up in the round.

After the round is over I will happily give critiques but most of it will probably be on the ballot, however I typically do not disclose.

I am a parent judge. Please speak at a conversational pace and be clear.

please include on email chain srthomas@alumni.berklee.edu

I did not competitively debate during my scholastic career, but have participated in moot courts and have been part of deliberative bodies.

I have strong background in history and Political science as well as many of the modern political theories and philosophies.

That said I put value on logical reasoning and command of your argument above all else. Quality if your argument over quantity of arguments or points made. Speak clearly and try to keep jargon to a minimum.

I value those whose arguments are well composed and logically structured and can control clash.

Caution on K, it has a place but not in some events. I look quite dimly at Ks in LD that fail to link to the resolution.

Also be nice, if you try to intimidate or otherwise game opponents I will take a dim view on it . Be courteous, and don't try to steal prep, I will not look favorably on that. Be ready to act or announce prep as soon previous speaker ends or cross is complete.

Earl Warren '19

UT Austin '23

Email: morgan.tucker02@gmail.com

I primarily competed in Congress primarily but also did LD, DX, and IX.

Overall, I'm cool with just about anything. Do what YOU want, but do it well.

Congress Paradigms

Please engage in clash if you're past the 3rd speaker. i mostly give 4-6 rankings for speeches. i'll normally rank the PO 4-8 if they didn't mess up big time.

LD and PF

- don't be mean.

'Progressive' Argumentation. I am willing to evaluate essentially all arguments and am somewhat comfortable evaluating most args. I am most familiar with framework, meta-weighing, kritiks, plans, cps, disads, and (kinda) theory. trix are bad but I am able to evaluate those args If I must—run them at your own risk. Run what you want to run because that's what I did when I debated. I think that limiting different/"progressive" forms of argumentation in any debate space is bad.

Extensions. Extensions are really really important. I see too many talented teams lose because they don't extend or don't extend fully. All dropped responses are conceded—100%. Extend your link(s), warrant(s), and impact(s) if you want the argument(s) to be evaluated, especially if it's contested. If the argument is not correctly extended entirely through, then, it cannot be evaluated. With that in mind, please extend what you want to win on in every speech. My threshold for extensions on K, theory, etc. is higher than it is for substance, please explain every part of the arg in every speech so I can follow.

Weigh. You should weigh, it will likely help you win. Like most args, conceded weighing is true weighing. Use it to your advantage. If there are two arguments, then I will default to ANY weighing that is present. If there is no weighing, I will be forced to make the decision on my own.

Speed. Speed is fine as long as I can understand/follow, but keep in mind that I have never been the best at flowing. I am very comfortable letting you know if I can't keep up. I will say 'clear' three times before I dock your speaks if you don't slow down.

Team cases are the worst, I prob won't be very happy to hear and judge a case that I have heard before and will likely give lower speaks. Team cases ruin the integrity of debate and make me sad :( -- The purpose of debate isn't to win, it is to develop yourself and your cognitive reasoning. Case writing and research is essential to that.

Read me. If I look confused I'm doing that on purpose; it's because I'm confused. If I am nodding, it means I agree with you. I tend to be pretty expressive and I will when I am judging too.

First things first: If you are speed reading, do not raise your voice and yell your speeches at me. I will call out your tone in round and that will probably mess up your speech. Talking loudly does not make me understand your speed any better, and it will dock you on speaks. Use your inside voice.

Argumentation: I like bare bones clash and direct argumentation. I evaluate everything pretty fairly, but avoid topics that would clearly create distress and aren't relevant to the topic. Hate speech, homophobia, implicit or explicit racism, and being rude to other debaters are not tolerated in my rounds.

Presentation/Speed: An easy way to ensure you get your speaker points is to slow down on taglines, authors, and provide summaries of cards after you read them. I judge based on end of round voters and impact calculus. Your use of the sources is more important than the name tied to it. Additionally, I think playing the cards game is a waste of debate time. Engage with the content of the round and if there is a legitimate issue of false sources we can have a discussion in post.

Very important: ALWAYS SIGN POST. At the start of a new argumentation, when flipping between AFF and NEG, whenever you change to a new topic you need to tell me. Otherwise the flow gets messy on my end and it hurts my ability to judge you based off of all the wonderful ideas you're presenting. You'll get docked if I can't understand you.

How I vote:

For LD: Value Criterion. It may seem basic but it's how I judge. Drops count against you- so if you're running a K but don't address your opponents case, whats the point to the debate? In your last speech I need specific voters and specific links and very specific reasons for my vote. Be comparative, that means impacts. I have the nitty gritty details written on my page, but give me the big picture reason why you win.

For PF: Impact calculus and clash. Hit every single one of their points, then show how yours are better, and you win. I want to hear why your "world" is the more feasible and the more worthwhile.

My bark is much worse than my bite- just respect me, respect each other, and have fun with it. Good luck!