I am a cardiologist in the Washington, DC area and I have no background in debate. I have been a parent judge for 5 years, so I do know some of the basic rules.

Please speak clearly and be respectful with asking and answering questions.

Keep your arguments generally socially acceptable.

I prefer probable arguments as opposed to farfetched arguments.I want to hear a good debate. Avoid repeating what others have said. Make sure you address previous speakers and expound on arguments.

At the end of the session, I have to rank you and that is difficult, so please talk to me when I am finished and not prior to that.

Please do not speak too fast or too quiet.

If you are reading this, you are already more likely to win your debate because you are conscientious enough to take the time to learn your judge’s preferences! Good for you!

So, from most to least important (except #9; that's important for morale!), here are my preferences:

1. Please do not talk too fast. If I miss your point, I cannot give you credit for it.

2. Please do not talk too loudly. I am right in front of you, and my ears work very well.

3. Please clearly signal your contentions and subpoints by number and letter respectively.

4. Please identify the source AND year of each piece of evidence.

5. Please explain how each contention supports both your value and criterion.

6. Please include your voting issues at the end of your second rebuttal.

7. Please keep your number of subpoints and rebuttal responses reasonable; an excessive number of subpoints and responses is a tactic that can undermine your side more than your opponent’s.

8. Please do not spend debate time accusing your opponent of breaking debate rules or norms. Enforcing rules and norms is 80% of my job as a teacher, and I am very good at it, so let me worry about that. Focus on your arguments and your opponent’s arguments.

9. (If you are still reading this, good for you!) Finally, I wish I had been as brave as you are when I was your age! You are courageous for participating in such a challenging event! Now go and make yourself, your coach, your teammates, and your family proud!