I'm a very simple judge. I have experience judging Congress, PF, Policy, LD, and all other IEs. At the beginning of the year, I am lax, understanding, and offer constructive criticism. However, I get more strict as the year goes on. I firmly believe that it is up to you as debaters to impress me. However, this is DEBATE! Have fun! Make yourself at home. I'm a person, not a evil heartless zombie.

On that note, there is one major thing with me as a judge; DO NOT SPEW! I can listen fast, but if it gets to the point I can't understand you, I can't judge you and you WILL be marked last.

Be civil. Debate beyond your case. As you debate, interact with and include all of the information brought up in the round. Speak clearly, and organize your arguments in a clear and concise manner.

All Speeches (DEBATE AND IE'S) I Do NOT like speed. I cannot keep up and I do not give and warnings during speeches. (online be cautious of how well your mic keeps up as well). I also DO NOT give time signals.


Be caring toward your opponents go a long way. Respect and patience are key to my heart. I care about a good learning environment for you as students. Hoping you will learn how to improve.

I'm more traditional than progressive. I don't flow traditionally (because I'm autistic). I'm not necessarily a "Lay" Judge but I'm definitely a wild card, sorry, Good Luck.

For Debates (LD/PF/Spar) follow this link (copy-paste to URL) to a rubric I tend to follow to determine the rounds I judge. this was taken from California State University, Northridge.

http://www.csun.edu/~ds56723/phil338/hout338rubric.htm


Background:
Hi, I'm Shantell Neilson. I competed in High school speech and debate, from 2006-2010, on the South Summit High school squad. I have been a judge since 2011. I've volunteered as an assistant coach for many years for ALA (2011-2014) and I've helped mentor many other coaches and judges. I have assistant Directed many tournaments in the state of Utah with my husband Jake Neilson. Some examples are UVU's MCJ tournament, the CUSDC (Central Utah State Debate Circut) tournaments for the past 5+ years.

**Please be careful with Sensitive Topics like ALL ABUSE, Violence, Rape & Neglect. I'm a Childhood Abuse Survivor***
Most judges don't have a way for you to censor trigger warnings like this. And you don't know your opponents.
Be brief and give Trigger warnings and limit details that aren't related to the speech. **

I have judged Policy yearly for the past 15 years. I prefer LD and PF, but I am familiar with the ins and outs, but I don't know them intuitively as I have never competed in Policy. I am willing to try and follow whatever you present. However, I expect you to communicate with me. I am the judge, not your opponent. What that means is this, you need to tell me what you are doing and why. Slow down and communicate with me. When I say slow down, what I mean is this:

1. I don't follow speed. I try, but I won't get most of what you say if you are going a million miles an hour. However, I understand the strategy and need. If you spread, you need to slow down and tell why I should care about what you just said. Give me a quick, slowed down summary of what you said, and why I should care.

2. Make taglines very clear! Don't assume I heard your 'next DA' when you're going a million miles an hour. If you want it on my flow, make it clear what it is and where to put it. Spread the rest, but slow down for taglines and summarize what you just said! This is especially important for the 1AC and 1NC.

3. Email chains are helpful, but not. It is nice to have an email chain, but if I have to read the email to understand what you are saying, why give speeches? Also, trying to follow evidence because I can't understand you makes it difficult for me as a judge. I will refer to reference, but will not pour over it after a round to determine a winner. Doing that means I don't need to hear from you. I could sit at home and read your evidence to determine a winner. Don't rely on chains.

Lincoln Douglas

I prefer traditional LD Debate with a Value/Criterion. I have voted for flex-negs, and other more progressive type arguments, but I prefer debates that use Value/Criterion. Don't spread! If you spread in LD, I won't flow. You can go at a crisp pace. In fact, I prefer a crisp paces, but...spread and you will most likely lose.