Put me on the email chain please: makaylajgill@gmail.com

Background: I debated for four years at Millard West High School in Omaha, NE from 2014-2018 (I’m a senior at the University of Nebraska – Lincoln). My debate career was a mix of traditional policy and K debate. I was a 2N who wanted to be flexible, and my partner (who was in charge of the aff) was more to the K side. I loved anything that directly engaged the case. It's been years since I last judged debate, so keep that in mind.

Basic Summary: Run what you want to run, but don’t expect me to automatically know everything you’re saying. I could’ve written the evidence, but I’d still want an explanation. Framing can make or break a round. Feel free to ask me specific questions about my paradigm before round.

AFF: I strongly believe the burden of the affirmative is to prove they do/solve something (unless your advocacy is doing nothing, if so prove how it’s not the status quo, etc), so case needs to be extended. I will vote neg on presumption.

NEG: Run whatever you want but explain it to me. I could’ve written your evidence, and I would still want you to do the leg-work to explain your link, internal link, alt/counterplan, etc. Reference the specific arguments below for perspective on certain off-case. Be adaptable. Be creative. Be strategic.

Specific Arguments:

Policy v. K Affs: I’ve ran both and I think both have value. Narratives and performances are awesome, but they’re so much more powerful if you use them to power your aff/advocacy.

Kritiks: As stated above, please do not assume I know your theory or how it solves. I ran Neolib quite a bit, but I do have at least a basic familiarity with a lot of other Ks either through running them or debating against them. I want a decent link and want to know what the alternative is that I’d be voting for.

Theory: The main reason I don’t find voting for theory super appealing is because usually people don’t prove substantial abuse. However, if someone drops theory, I weigh it significantly more. Dropped or not, you need to prove an impact/abuse for me to vote on it.

Topicality: Topicality is underrated and underused, but you have to prove a sufficient amount of abuse.

Disads: Pretty cool when you have a good link and explain the internal link chain story.

Counterplans: I’m actually a super big fan of counterplans/counter-methods – when they’re creative and run well. Make sure it’s competitive.

Framework/Framing: Framework can lead to incredible debates, if run and debated properly (which doesn’t happen often). I rarely find the classic “exclude the aff because k debate isn’t traditional debate” persuasive, just as a heads up. Just because you give an interpretation on FW or say role of the ballot doesn’t mean you automatically win. If they challenge it, you have to defend it. That said, if you drop the framing, you’ll be in a rough place. Do impact framing. It’s a basic step that people overlook. (Role of the Ballot isn't an instant winner. I view it more as a framing tagline, so I need you to justify why I should utilize the ballot that way)