Policy Paradigm

I'm open to most arguments and will vote on anything that is clearly extended, warranted, and impacted out. However, there are some caveats, which will be listed below.

First, I have rarely voted on kritiks. I don't necessarily hate the argument, but I just haven't found it persuasively articulated in a way that would make me reject the aff. Policymaking framework and the perm are pretty persuasive arguments for me. However, do your thing, and if kritiks are your thing, go for it, just make sure to explain and impact it out very thoroughly and specifically.

Additionally, I flow on paper. This means that I probably can't keep up with you if you go insanely fast. Sorry, but it is what it is. Figured I should just tell you that so you're not disappointed. I'm not saying go slow, but just be careful.

I generally default to a policymaking paradigm, meaning offense needs to be presented to win the round. There have been exceptions, and I have voted on case defense when a 100% solvency deficit exists, but that is rare. I can be persuaded to change this outlook, but an argument for why I should vote neg on presumption when the neg wins case defense should be presented.

Disadvantages are good, expected, and encouraged. The links and internal links are generally the weakest part of a disad, so the aff should exploit this, through either evidence or analysis.

Counterplans are a very strategic option in front of me on the neg. On the aff, make sure that you impact out your perm and how it would function - "perm do both" means nothing to me if that's all you say. If the neg wins that the CP solves case, any risk of a DA means I go neg, so make sure that you have a solvency deficit to the CP and/or offense on the NB if you're aff. I'll evaluate CP theory how it's presented and don't really have strong leanings on most theoretical issues.

Case - Solvency is generally the weakest part of any affirmative - make sure you exploit this on the neg. Offense on solvency is good too. I have no problem at all with the neg reading disads on case and calling them solvency turns.

Topicality - I generally have a low threshold for voting neg on T, that said you need to have a full T shell for me to vote on. I love a good T debate. Make sure to go a bit slower on T than other arguments, as it's more difficult to flow.

As a general note, I hate tagline extensions. Please do more than just "extend ______ argument," even if it was dropped. Likewise, make sure you extend everything you need to. Blowing up an advantage in the 2AR doesn't really get you anything if the 1AR didn't even talk about that advantage.

LD

I'm most familiar with traditional LD debate with F/W debate being Value & Criterion.

If you chose to debate something else that is fine, just go slow and know that I might need more explanation from you on new arguments.

*** I like when people are having fun, are passionate about what they are discussing, and feel comfortable***

I like being on the email chain - braedendecker0@gmail.com

No prep for flashing

Tag team cross-x okay dokey

Clash is cool (line by line even cooler)

Claim and warrant(s)

If..then statements (especially for overviews)

Previous Experience: 4 years policy, state champion in South Dakota, have argued policy, performance, and critical styles. I help coach Washington High School.

Speed: I think I am probably around an 8 or 9 for speed, I don't think you giving me a copy of the speech allows you to be less clear. I think if you are going so fast that you cannot emphasize key sentences or words you really want me to catch it is probably too fast.

Theory: Okay with generic theory arguments I think they should be used by both teams to advance their positions, understanding when a theory argument helps you and when it helps you on more then just that singular flow is always a plus for me. I think it is still challenging for me to vote on theory when it doesn't become emphasized if you want to win me on condo bad make sure its 5 minutes in the 2ar. When theory goes deep and is nuanced I think it's great!

Counter Plans: Well worded plan texts are amazing, well-worded permutations to those plan texts equally good. I love the technical side of good counterplan debate. I think on average I will allow more "techy" things to occur when it comes to this type of debating (example being aff kicking all advantages in order to create offense on perms).

Counter Plan PICS: Can make sense in some situations, overall think most abuse claims can be very justified but when the distinction of what the Aff doesn't cover is made as early as 1st cross-x it's hard to punish a negative team that understands flaws in the aff plan enough to the extent that they can create ground over bad plan texts and specific instances the plan shouldn't cover or doesn't cover.

DAs: I love disad debate. I really look for unique, interesting, and well-researched scenarios. Your scenario should articulate solid internal links and impacts as well as paint a good picture for me at the end of the round. Please please please, if you are going for this, impact calc is a must. This should be half of the 2NR. Generics are okay. Good Generic Disad debate is very nice and hearing individual nuanced takes on a common disad is really refreshing. Generic disad walls (think 3-4) are okay but the above still applies, if you are doing this strategy go for 1 in 2nr.

Kritik: I think K debate is some of the most educational debate there is. I really enjoy the framework side of this debate and the weighing mechanisms being discussed for the round. I like performative elements especially when they are used strategically (think 1nr blocks creating competitive reasons to vote on performativity alone). I think conditional critics are usually bad for fairness / hurt the alt in some way. I would like to think I have an extensive knowledge of literature but this is not true in many cases where the majority of the study is only a single author or a newly emerging school of thought, this doesn't mean don't go for it, it does mean I will probably be spending extra time reading through the evidence to get a thesis of their theory / using some Wikipedia articles to help fill in gaps (I will not extend this into the debate round for you).

Performance: If you are running anything that might be considered performance you need to actually use the performative parts in your aff, don't read a poem and never bring it up again, I think if it has performance that should be a central part of your argument.

Framework: I like framework debate, good framework debate is a pain to untangle and resolve but I feel like it always gives some sort of insight into the debate. I like offense/defense on the framework debate. Warrants are extremally important on this flow, don't leave me with open ends and small sentences.

Speaker Points: If you show me your knowledge of your preferred argument I will give you good speaker points. I think I probably give higher speaker points than other judges on average.

Things to note

I try to convey my emotions clearly.

I like to flow (cross-x to even the amount of time you spend on an argument and am happy to send a copy of my flow to you if you ever want it!)

Do what you do and do it well!

This is my second year judging,

I don't really like topicality--I'll vote on reasonability.

DA's, CP's, K's are good.

I don't really like theory.

Speed: 6/10

I was a three year policy debater from South Dakota. I tend to be a policy maker judge, but I will try and vote however I am told to during the round. Some speed is fine, but make sure that you are clear with tags and you may have to slow down if you are explaining complex arguments or theories to me. Please don't be rude towards the other debaters or your partner - debate should be a place where everyone feels welcome.

Policy

I'm cool with any type of arguments being ran, but I prefer DA/CP/case debate versus critical or topicality (unless if they are actually untopical). Open CX is fine, but don't use up all of your partner's time. Make sure to have warranted extensions of your arguments and I appreciate if the debate can be boiled down to why you should win. If you have any specific questions, feel free to ask me before the round starts.

LD

I am pretty new to LD, but I will do my best to judge any round. To be honest, you will need to spend a little time explaining what some of the arguments are, as I'm not up to date with a lot of the buzzwords used. If you have any specific questions, feel free to ask me before the round starts.

PF

While I never competed in PF, I have been primarily judging it for the past two years. As for argumentation, y'all can run whatever you'd like, I do not mind. Don't steal prep or go over time with your speech - once you run out of time I stop flowing. Do your best to be fast with your evidence, it can get pretty obnoxious waiting. It's your opponent's right to ask for evidence, and it's on you to provide it without holding up the debate.

This is pretty much copied from Luke Cumbee's philosophy, my high school coach

Quick things

I love to learn new things
If you have any specific questions--feel free to ask
No prep for flashing
Include me in the e-mail chain/flash drive exchange
Tag team CX is acceptable, but it doesn't score you any points
In your last speech—go for arguments and never go for everything
Clash matters -- do not run away from your opponent's arguments
Student safety (mental and physical) comes first

Experience

Debated policy 4 years in high school. I have a fair amount of experience in both circuit and traditional circles.

Good Debate

Every time I update this it always seems to be me finding a new way to say this: "Do what you do best--and justify what you do." Generally speaking--this means making offensive arguments, supported by multiple warrants, effectively applied to the round--no matter your argument preference.

Theory (+Topicality)

Higher threashold for theory than many--it generally requires a legitimate claim. I’ve voted on it before but it has to be developed and it has to dive deep into the standards. I generally default to competing interpretations unless convinced otherwise. Have offense against their interpretation and use the standards to prove substance to your theoretical objection. If you go for theory in any sense of the word, tell me whether it’s a reason to reject the team or argument and provide offense for that.

Also: 10 second theory shells deserve 10 second responses. Even if they are conceded--I would still probably default to reject the arg. If you want me to make your theory argument enough weight to make me ignore everything else in the debate and vote for you, then give it the time it deserves.

On conditionality: 1 is fine--2 is probably fine--3 is debateable--4 will be a fun/unique debate but probably not fine

Disadvantages

Link story is usually the largest uphill battle, so you should probably have more than one link
Specific links are good links
Disad turns case is important
Risk of uniqueness is a thing
Link turns need uniqueness to be offense

Counterplans

Not sure what else to say--CP's are strategic and should be used often. Ones that are specific to the aff are especially fun.

Kritiks + Performance + Clash of Civs + The only section you'll probably read

Although everything is up for debate... I do have a strong belief in addressing the topic. Negative is required to address the affirmative... affirmative is required to address the topic.

I'm not sure why it's my place to tell you what you should and should not argue. I've had students who preferred to argue policy arguments and I have had students who preferred to argue performance (and everything in-between). As a coach, I could not imagine not having them on my team--nor could I imagine discouraging the passion they had in their arguments. I am a strong believer in this community; therefore, I am also a believer that we should not exlude entire types of arguments, nor any debater, nor any lifestyle, etc.

What that does not resolve, however, is how I evaluate these debates. A couple of thoughts on that... Good debate trumps my preferences. Justify what you do/why you win. Smart arguments are good arguments. Clash is always a priority. Offensive arguments--well warranted--applied to the debate's nexus question.

This was intentionally vague: if you have a specific question feel free to ask.

Framework

FYI: these are stressful to judge--I generally default to offense/defense and vote for the team that did the best debating. Any shift from this framework usually requires a team who is doing the best debating anyway.

The direction I am moving is in favor of education. The last thing I want to do is have a student feel like they can't present their best strategy in front of me--I want to see you at your best. That being said--I do enjoy issue oriented debates more than Framework debates. I also have a general thought that it can be tough to do Framework debates well. I will also say that if you want to go the Framework route, you really need to develop the arguments well (simply saying the word education is not convincing)

My experience in debate is 3 years in policy and 1 year in LD, all of which was at Sioux Falls Lincoln High School in South Dakota. I have had little judging in college, so do not expect me to know the topic that well, so do not use a bunch of acronyms. Furthermore, I have also now started mock trial, and so am used to a slower speed. However, as long as you clearly enunciate your words and clearly signpost, you should be fine.

Speaker points will be between 20 and 30 usually, with 20 being atrocious and 30 being the best I have seen this year. They can go lower if you make offensive comments that do not have a place in debate, such as racist, homophobic, or ad hominem attacks.

Flashing is not prep, but if it starts to get long I will say to just start the speech and you can flash later during your opponent's prep.

You can put me on the email chain but I will try not to read them and focus on what you are saying in the round

email: davidmicksd@gmail.com

CX Paradigm

My local circuit was pretty conservative, but I have experience travelling to other circuits where they have been more progressive. This paradigm will aim to give my brief opinion on the big issues of policy.

Speed: I am half-deaf, which affects how well I can hear you, so it will probably be a good idea to go a little slower than normal. I can handle some, but when you start getting really muddled I will just look at you. So if you see that, slow down. If I had to rate myself, it would be 5/9.

Kritical Affs: I am fine with them as long as you clearly explain your issue and how you aim to solve it with advocacy. While framework may win me over, I think as long as you explain how it helps debate you are good.

Kritical arguments: I think they can make a good debate as long as they connect to the aff. Do not just read your generic K because then I won't think it will link. Again, I do not have that much experience in kritiques, so you should explain clearly your K is.

DA and Counterplans: I think they are a great form of debate, as long as they are specific to the case. The more generic it is, the easier it is for the aff to no link and for me to vote down the CP

Case: Case debate is so underutilized in my opinion that it hurts. You should be linking your offcase to the case to provide more areas for the aff to argue against. Also, it provides an extra layer of offense that the neg can use.

Theory: I can vote on it, but you have to show abuse and impacts. If there is no impacts, then I have no reason to vote for your theory.

Condo: I think neg should have multiple ways to attack the aff, but if there are more than 3 conditional arguments, then I will vote for condo bad. I think condo can be a reason to reject the team if it is really bad, but if they have under 3, at best it is a reason to reject the condo arguments.

Topicality: I don't like it. It will be really hard to convince me if you run it since the topic is year long, but if there is clear abuse, point it out. If I see it and you bring it up, I will vote for it. On kritical affs, they should be specific to the aff. Otherwise, it is hard for me to see abuse with the team's aff, instead of just kritical affs in general.

LD Paradigm

I only had one year, but my circuit was only focused on case vs. case debate, so I can handle that. Otherwise, for more progressive arguments, just refer to my policy paradigm.

2019-2020 season update:

I don't debate in college, so I'm becoming less familiar with super tech-y arguments and the intricacies of the resolution. Generally, I don't think you can ever provide too many warrants/explanation, especially with more complex arguments.

General--

- junior at the University of Missouri - Kansas City

-I debated for three years at Roosevelt High School in Sioux Falls, SD, and I qualified to NSDA Nationals in Policy and Congress

-I'm always looking to learn new things

-Don’t be a jerk in round-- I have a very low tolerance for rude behavior, especially when the other team looks uncomfortable

-I’ll call for cards/want to be on email chain

-I have experience with stock issues and k debate and respect both styles

-debate your best-- I don’t want to prevent anyone from doing what they want to do

CPs--

I didn’t run CPs in high school; I'm unfamiliar with the mechanisms, but they're great when well-explained.

T--

I think the general problem with T debates for me is that they get bogged down in standards v standards and other minutia-- if the T debate is fleshed out to where clash can determine the winner and loser, then I'm cool with it

If you’re going for T, GO FOR IT-- 5 minutes in the 2nr, the abuse should be there and nothing else in the round should matter

K--

I ran Ks on aff and neg, mostly fem and psychoanalysis, and I think K debate is interesting

One caveat, I’m not familiar with lots of Ks, meaning you’ll have to explain the story and how it interacts with the affirmative/resolution

Framework--

I feel like the approach to framework should be less “fairness/limits” in their conventional sense and more “let’s make policy in policy debate.”

I default to a “how do I make the debate space better” mindset

DA--

Sell me on the link story-- I have a tendency to think link cards are pretty bad (see evidence quality standard at the top)

Case--

Extensions of warrants are really important-- I definitely do not understand all plan mechanisms after the 1AC

Theory--

In round impacts are important, sell me on why it’s important to vote on them

Slow down and flesh out the argument

Any other things-- just ask, I will answer all questions to the best of my knowledge :)

I am currently an elementary education major with a public policy analysis certificate focusing on education policy at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. I competed in South Dakota for Sioux Falls Lincoln in Policy Debate and Domestic Extemp.

I believe that debate is a place where everyone should be respected and have opportunities to learn. I will listen to any argument that is supported and creates a clash on the flow.

LD:

-I can handle some speed but especially with online debates, it can be difficult to understand. If I can't make out the words, I can't flow it. (Goes for tags and text)

-I have no opinion on how LD debate should be, so don't say "this is LD you can't run that" because debate is an educational space where ideas should be tested.

-I will listen and evaluate all kritiks, but debating in South Dakota means I didn't have much experience with them, so explain well.