I have been a coach and consultant for the past 28 years and done every debate format available stateside and internationally. I also have taught at Stanford, ISD, Summit, UTD, UT, and Mean Green camps as a Curriculum Director and Senior Instructor. I think no matter what form of debate that you do, you must have a narrative that answers critical questions of who, what, when, where, why, how, and then what, and so what. Debaters do not need to be shy and need to be able to weigh and prioritize the issues of the day for me in what I ought to be evaluating. Tell me as a judge where I should flow things and how I ought to evaluate things. That's your job.

If you would like for me to look at a round through a policy lens, please justify to me why I ought to weigh that interpretation versus other alternatives. Conversely, if you want me to evaluate standards, those need to be clear in their reasoning why I ought to prioritize evaluation in that way.

In public forum, I need the summary to be a line by line comparison between both worlds where the stark differences exist and what issues need to be prioritized. Remember in the collapse, you cannot go for everything. Final focus needs to be a big pic concept for me. Feel free to use policy terms such as magnitude, scope, probability. I do evaluate evidence and expect you all to do the research accordingly but also understand how to analyze and synthesize it. Countering back with a card is not debating. The more complicated the link chain, the more probability you may lose your judge. Keep it tight and simple and very direct.

In LD, I still love my traditional Value and VC debate. I do really like a solid old school LD round. I am not big on K debate only because I think the K debate has changed so much that it becomes trendy and not a methodology that is truly educational and unique as it should be. Uniqueness is not the same as obscurity. Now, if you can provide a good solid link chain and evaluation method of the K, go for it. Don't assume my knowledge of the literature though because I don't have that amount of time in my life but I'm not above understanding a solidly good argument that is properly formatted. I think the quickest way to always get my vote is to write the ballot for me and also keep it simple. Trickery can make things messy. Messy debaters usually get Ls. So keep it simple, clean, solid debate with the basics of claim, warrant, impact, with some great cards and I'll be happy.

I don't think speed is ever necessary in any format so speak concisely, know how to master rhetoric, and be the master of persuasion that way. Please do not be rude to your opponent. Fight well and fight fair. First reason for me to down anyone is on burdens. Aff has burden of proof, neg has burden to clash unless it is WSD format where burdens exist on both sides to clash. If you have further questions, feel free to ask specifics.

In plat events, structure as well as uniqueness (not obscurity) is key to placing. Organization to a speech as well as a clear call to order is required in OO, Info, Persuasive. In LPs, answer the question if you want to place. Formatting and structure well an avoid giving me generic arguments and transitional phrases. Canned intros are not welcome in my world usually and will be frowned upon. Smart humor is always welcome however.

I want you all to learn, grow, have fun, and fight fair. Best of luck and love one another through this activity!!

I am a speech and debate teacher/coach at Christ Episcopal High School. I have a Ph.D. in Theatre Literature, Criticism and History with a minor in Communications and intense study of Rhetoric.

I have been a high school speech and debate coach since 2014.

My preferences are:

* respectful discourse-if you are rude-you loose speaker points

* Obvious: looking for sound logic, claims supported with credible evidence

* looking for clash and effective use of time

* I like clear weighing

* good communication skills with judge --no spreading. If I can't understand you I won't be able to flow your case-we can negotiate a signal you prefer when you have lost me.

* I don't like email chains for LD or PF which I consider Oral mode of debate and not written- email chains are also time inefficient--(this means you must actually speak in a way that a speaker of the language could mostly understand you. Incoherency is not very persuasive.)

* I am oriented towards substantive LD debate and do not prefer Theory case in LD because to run it efficiently takes the time you need for Policy rounds-If you run Theory then be sure to use your time efficiently

I prefer no spreading, but I should be able to follow if absolutely necessary.

Overall, I am more traditional and look at Framework debates as well as how well cards are utilized.

My personal policy is I do not provide verbal feedback or announce the winner directly after the round. All notes, comments, and feedback are posted on my written ballots.

I do not prefer K cases.

***No prior debate experience (lay judge), however, been judging Individual Events and occasionally Public Forum for the past 4 years

- state your framework (if you have one) at the beginning of your debate

- when you state your contentions, make sure you state them clearly

- off-time roadmaps are helpful

- prefer no spreading, but keep in mind I can't flow towards you if I can't understand/hear you

- prefer you keep your own times

kplunkett@stmdhs.org for cases/cards

Traditional judge, I prefer no spreading or Ks. I won't take off for them, but I encourage you not to!

• The easiest way to earn speaks is to clarify the voting issues and prove how and why you outweigh. I'll weigh the round based on the criteria you give me, so be sure to give me a metaphorical rubric!
• I'm a tabula rasa, so I'll vote exactly how you tell me. Hit your framework/V/VCs early and often.
• I like to see claim-warrant-impact. I flow what you say, not what I think you mean.
• Spreading doesn't scare me and will not affect your speaks, but I prefer conversational speed and good delivery.
• Cards should be clearly cited and available for review should there be a conflict over source validity or context. Clipping will not be tolerated.
• Signpost - reference the contention # or subpoint in speeches and CX.
• CX is for questions, not rebuttals.

Sacred Heart Catholic School.

12 years judging experience.

I am traditional. I have judged PF, Lincoln Douglas and Policy and have witnessed both change over time. I believe that LD should revolve around traditional value/criterion debate with contentions, but I am not completely opposed to more progressive arguments if properly adjusted.

AC: Plans are fine, but don’t rely on heavy jargon and policy implementations.

K’S: Kritiks are fine if properly explained, I am not well versed in literature, so if you are depending on me understanding your K perfectly then I am not the judge for you. Don’t rely completely on the K--go at your own risk.

CP’S: Please adjust them to the aff. CP’s for the sake of a CP’s is pointless in front of me. Be clear and clash with the aff or I won’t weight it.

DA’s: I prefer actual NC’s with FW.

Theory/Topicality: Abuse needs to be present and needs to be pointed out. Topicality needs to be obvious at well. Do not run them unless you can tell me exactly where abuse is and why it matters. Go at your own risk.

Speed: Don’t. Spreading for the sake of spreading will not get my ballot. If you are going to win, you can do it speaking at a normal rate of speech with well-warranted arguments.

Again, I am traditional. Keep that in mind. 

Experience:

I am somewhat new to judging debate. I performed in speech in high school and I am a performer so rhetoric and persuasive appeal does play a big role with me, please show me that you are confident about your case, even if you’re not. That being said, I do want to take the role seriously and I have done what I could to prepare for it in recognition of your hard work in preparation for debate. Of course I don’t need to tell you that good sportsmanship and professionalism are of the utmost importance.

Expectations:

1. Please do not spread. This just loses my attention in your debate and I will just vote for the person from whom I caught the most thoughts/ideas. Help walk me through your arguments and make sure I hear them: evidence and rebuttals. It would be helpful if you sent me your case: saylorw@gosaints.org

2. Avoid progressive arguments unless you are 100% comfortable and prepared to defend them.

3. During rebuttal/final focus be specific with why you think you won and your opponent lost. This really stands out to me.

I like clear argumentation and signposting, and I ask that you guys do not spread. Timing is very important to me, please time yourselves and when the time is over, I will drop my pen and stop flowing. Do not take too long to flash, as it eats up time and puts the tournament behind. Emphasize stock issues, and give me clear reasoning for why your team wins them. Stocks play a huge role in my weighing of the round.