National Speech and Debate Tournament
2025 — Des Moines, IA/US
John Goldberger Paradigm
Lincoln-Douglas
Lincoln Douglas Debate Judge Philosophy
Your experience with LD Debate (check all that apply)
Former LD coachFormer LD competitor
Experienced LD judge
Former Public Forum debater
How many years have you judged LD debate?
21How many LD rounds have you judged this year?
11-20What is your preferred rate of delivery?
7/91 = Slow conversational style9 = Rapid conversation speed
Does the rate of delivery weigh heavily in your decision?
NWill you vote against a student solely for exceeding your preferred speed?
NHow important is the criterion in making your decision?
It may be a factor depending on its use in the roundDo you feel that a value and criterion are required elements of a case?
NRebuttals and Crystallization
Voting issues should be given:
Either is acceptableThe use of jargon or technical language ("extend", "cross-apply", "turn", etc.) during rebuttals:
Is acceptableFinal rebuttals should include:
Line by line analysisVoting issues are:
Not necessaryHow do you decide the winner of the round?
I decide who is the winner of the key argument in the roundHow necessary do you feel the use of evidence (both analytical and empirical) is in the round?
7/91 = Not necessary9 = Always necessary
Please describe your personal note-taking during the round
I keep a rigorous flowNote: if you wish for your pronouns to appear the debaters you judge on text/email blasts, log into Tabroom, click Profile at top, and add them in the Pronouns field.