I am a parent judge for Trinity High School in Louisville, Kentucky. I mostly have experience with judging public forum at local tournaments at both novice and varsity levels. My judging philosophy is simple. I like solid arguments and slow speaking (No spreading). I prefer the use of both logical reasoning and convincing evidence in arguments and contentions, so I don't mind the use of cards in cases and rebuttals. I believe that the argument should be easy to follow and concise (no policy style cases). Arguments that are racist, sexist, xenophobic, or homophobic will result in an automatic loss. Essentially, debate is an educational activity that I believe that an ordinary person should be able to listen to and come to conclusion on who's argument is more persuasive. 

My only debate experiance is from about a year of judging. In that time I've judged mostly traditional rounds (with little to no philosphy). I try to keep up on current events so informed arguments with reasonable probabilty are the best strategy when debating in front of me. Critical, progressive, or philosophical agruments will have to be explained very clearly to ressonate; I don't have any issue with these arguments, I'm just not familiar with them.

Key Considerations:

• Substance of argument over style of argumentation is a primary metric by which I seek to appraise a round.  There are many debate styles that may come and go in popularity, but the substance of an argument is central to all.  Accomplish substance more thoroughly than your opponent and a win will be earned.

• Intelligent and Intelligible arguments are preferred.  In other words, provide a clear thesis for which you are contending and make sure that you accomplish it in such a rate of delivery that can be followed/flowed in proper fashion.

• Strong development of argumentative framework, appropriate evidence, and proper linkage are all assets in a round.

• Healthy clash is encouraged so that each posited argument clearly claims its unique ground.  Vigorous clash is welcomed as long as it is with clear respect for one's opponent. 

• Special Note: A significant and primary task of a winning debate is to address the resolution, address the resolution, and address the resolution.  Those who address the resolution will have a far better chance at earning a win than those who seek to address a matter that lies outside of the stated scope of a round.  Specifically, one should be prepared to debate the chosen topic not a topic about the topic or of your preference.

Experience: 

• I have debated in high school and college with primary experience in Policy and Lincoln Douglas styles.  I have coached at the high school level for a number of years during my teaching tenure at North Oldham High School and strongly support the Wilson Wyatt Debate League philosophy of providing constructive reflection for debaters.

At the heart of debate is an understanding of human nature and how we react to it in society. I will judge your round based on organized attacks against each of your opponent's points. Dismissive arguments or off-the-wall comments do not count as an attack. Your arguments should be thoughtful and appeal to ethos, pathos, or logos. For L-D debaters, the primary focus should be the value and criterion clash and how your argument is correct at the root of it. Your speaker points will be based on your diction, passion for the topic, eye contact, and speed. Failure to be well-spoken, or an indignant attitude, will lose you speaker points no matter how good your arguments.