Vibes.

I have been competing in Parli Debate for the past 5 years, and IE for around 4 (OO, Imp, Extemp, Info).

PARLI

General Preferences

• Organization - I prefer clear structure & signposting during a speech. Make sure it is clear to me where you are on the flow, otherwise I will not flow.
• Links - Please explain the links between your evidence/uniqueness and impact. Do not make bold claims that your argument links to solving poverty, climate change, world peace, etc. without a logic/link chain to back it up.
• I will never bring my personal beliefs into a debate round. Run whatever you want, if the links, impacts, and evidence are strong then I'll vote on it.

Ks & Theory

• If you can run them well, I am open to it. That said, if you can't run them well, don't do it at all. I will tank your speaks for bad theory.
• I understand T, but I need clear explanations of a K with minimal jargon and little spreading.
• LINKS LINKS LINKS. If your K doesn't link into the topic/opposing case, I can't vote on it.
• I do like rhetoric Ks, but give me multiple impacts.
• DO NOT run friv. T/K, you will lose my ballot and get tanked speaks.

Speed

• I can flow moderate spreading but don't speak so fast that it is impossible for your opponents or me to flow. Accessibility comes first.
• If your opponents or I yell "clear" or "slow" during your speech, please do so. With that said, DO NOT try to run speed bad theory on the opponents if you didn't attempt to yell "clear" or slow."

Etiquette

• Just be polite, it's not that hard.
• Racism, Sexism/Misogyny, Homophobia, Ableism, etc. will not be tolerated in round (and if you see opponents doing it call them out on rhetoric). I will vote for the other team and tank your speaker scores automatically.

SPEECH

Platform

• Content - Give me clear link chains and good analysis. I am a debater before speech kid. Although I appreciate a funny AGD/gimmicky device to lead you through the speech (I myself am pretty gimmicky), that alone will not get you the 1.
• Delivery - I value clear speaking and smooth delivery. Although 1 or 2 flubs won't make a difference on my ballot, if there are many and it's clear that you are not prepared, your rank will drop. Use your gestures! Take up space in the room! Stage presence in speech is very real.
• Jokes - Be funny! I'm always inclined to vote for funny speeches. However, I don't appreciate jokes that punch down/are racist, sexist, homophobic, ableist... you get the idea.

Interp

• I've never competed in interp, so I'm just along for the ride here! My only guideline is to stay within the lines of your event (a DI should be dramatic, an HI should be funny, etc.)

Hello! My name is Sahi and this is my second year of speech and debate. I'm a pretty laid back judge, but I have some ground rules.

DEBATE:

General Preferences:

Organization and structure is key for me. Signposting is also HIGHLY recommended, or it's hard for me to catch what your saying and where to put it on my flow. Make your links clear and reasonable. If I believe that your impacts are unreasonable and I do not see the link, I will not vote on it. Make your refutations clear or else I probably wont catch or flow them. I will mainly weigh on the criteria provided by the first speakers, unless the other side calls it as skewed and provides a substantial reason as to why it's skewed. If there is no weighing mechanism, then I will weigh on which arguments stand, as well as magnitude and likelihood. I don't mind one or two hiccups when your speaking, but if there's too many, then your speaks will drop.

Tabula Rosa:

TECH >> TRUTH. I am not biased in my rounds and a blank slate when judging.

K's and Theory:

K's are not my favorite...

Theory's are fine, just make sure you do not spread and link it properly.

Speed:

Speak at a reasonable pace for me and your opponents to flow and understand what you're saying. If I have to yell "clear" or "slow" once and you don't listen, I'll stop flowing and you speaks will be tanked. Please don't spread at a really fast pace, or I will have no choice but to stop flowing and I won't have much to weigh your speech on.

Etiquette:

Just make sure to be kind to your opponents and me. Racism, sexism, homophobia, etc. are NOT tolerated (if you see it, call it out) and I'll vote for the other team and tank speaks automatically.

SPEECH:

Limited Prep:

I normally don't flow Cross-X (SpAr), but if something important happens, tell me in your speech.

Clear links and analysis is also important in your speech, and I'll keep this into consideration when giving ranks.

Memorized Speeches:

I just need to be able to tell that you put time into memorizing it. If I can not tell, then your speaks will drop.

Try to make your speech unique! Since this is memorized and prepared ahead of time, I expect something that's somewhat creative. For example, I'm a visual learner, so hand signals really communicate messages to me.

Jason Huang

he/him

Email chain or Speechdrop are both fine

jasonhuangdebate27@gmail.com

Debates for Modernbrain

Argument Prefs:

1-Ks/Clash of Civs

2-Larp

3-Theory/T

4-Phil: I enjoy a good phil debate but you have to explain it thoroughly since I don't read a lot.

Strike me for trix

Top Level:

You don't have to call me judge, Jason is fine.

Tech > Truth("The sky is blue" is truer than "The sky is red", so don't go too far)

Speed is fine but as always, Clarity >>>>>>>>>>> Speed. I will yell clear twice and stop flowing afterward.

Time yourself because sometimes I forget

Defaults(changed with one sentence): No rvis, drop the argument, competing interps, presumption negates, theory is highest layer

If you want me to vote on evidence ethics you must stake the round, if you're right then I will buy the allegation and L25 your opponent; if you're wrong then it's L25 for you.

Cross ex is binding

Zero risk is not a thing

Don't steal prep---you can take up to one minute to send the email, after that every 30s is -0.2 speaks.

Please don't make me vote on presumption.

Ad hominem and/or making the space uncomfortable is L0.

Accessibility matters. I dislike debates and debaters that don't allow engagement. If you spread 6 off at full speed after the opponent reads a case at conversational speed, I will 100% give you the lowest speaks possible. It's better to have a real debate and win rather than foreclosing the space to win.

T

I love a good T debate, especially if the shell is well-developed and the 2NR isn't blocked. But when the shell isn't that great and the 2NR still goes for it, I don't like it as much.

Reasonability flow aff if they are topical.

Counterplans

Run any counterplan

"Cheaty" CPs are up for debate.

Condo is good and fun, but not really when you read 6 CPs and each has 5 planks.

I will not kick the CP unless you tell me too

PLEASE HAVE A SOLVENCY ADVOCATE

DA

I love a creative disad.

Do whatever you want, make sure the link chain is warranted.

"If uniqueness really shielded a link turn that much, it would also overwhelm the link."---Scott

Link shape uniqueness is true, especially for ptx.

If you go for the DA, give me the plot/story/whatever you want to call it and explain the implications and warrants. I've seen and given way too many disorganized 2NRs that don't persuade in any way.

Kritik

I mostly ran these arguments so I am pretty familiar with how these debates go.

Links are the most important, the K is only valid if the link makes sense. I hold a high bar for K that barely links.

Don't try to use framework to make the aff irrelevant, debate is not "you lose because you don't talk about xyz".

You need more than "Fiat is illusionary"

Kicking the alt is fine, just make sure you are clear. One line that says "we are going for framework" is not enough.

Please explain the literature. I have some confidence in my readings, so I probably understand the core of your ideology. But assume that I know nothing for the sake of debate.

Judge kick is the same for the alt

K affs

I think K affs are cool. But please explain: why the ballot solves, why your method is good, and why your model is good. Affs need to defend their model of discussion and some advocacy. Again, if the aff doesn't change anything, whether in or out of the debate space, I don't see why the ballot matters for you.

Plan affs:

"If the aff is a good idea then the aff wins."---Noah

Speaker Points

Floor is 28.5

I won't give you 30 speaks just because you told me to, the debate is yours but your speaks are mine.

Creative strategies, clear rebuttals, not doing stupid stuff, debate like yourself and you'll get nice speaks.

Random:

Debate is a community. You will probably see the same people every single tournament you go to, so try to be nice to everyone(it doesn't hurt). I get things can be heated and hostile but let's let our reason overcome the sense like Plato said. Make friends and have fun.

Don't be morally repugnant(sexist, racist, ---phobic, et cetera)

I debated parli in HS for DVHS and was mostly a caseish debater but i enjoy a well-run and explained flow debate

I would prefer if you didn't spread

If you want to run k or t, explain thoroughly what it is and what it means

I weigh on the weighing mechanism unless told otherwise

I will only protect the flow in JV/Novice, I expect open to be able to catch new args in 3rd and POO

I also really like terminalized impx

For email chain: yilin@modernbrain.com

1. I did not compete in speech and debate but have been involved in speech and debate since 2016. I’ve Judged and watched a fair amount of rounds, mostly in speech, with some in Congress and PF. Also judged a few rounds in LD and other form of debates.
2. Speech and debate are such amazing activities, enjoy yourself and do your best!
3. Please be respectful and kind.
4. If you see me in a speech round, know that I care about authenticity, evidence, creativity, and presentation.
5. If you see me in a debate round, please don’t spread, and be clear so I can understand you. Tell me where I should be flowing. Tell me why you are winning. Tell me why should I vote for you.
6. Have fun, be nice, make some friends!

Elizabeth Pak is has been a licensed attorney in California since 1994.

She has judged speech and debate tournaments.