National Speech and Debate Tournament

2025 — Des Moines, IA/US

Hannah Erdman Paradigm

Policy
Policy Debate Judge Philosophy

Your experience with Policy Debate (check all that apply)

Coach of a team
Policy debater in high school
Frequently judge Policy Debate

How many Policy rounds have you judged this year?

0-10

Which best describes your approach to judging Policy Debate?

Policymaker
 

RATE OF DELIVERY

7/91 = slow and deliberate
9 = very rapid
 

QUANTITY OF ARGUMENTS

5/91 = a few well-developed arguments
9 = the more arguments the better
 

COMMUNICATION AND ISSUES

8/91 = communication skills most important
9 = resolving substantive issues most important
 

TOPICALITY: I am willing to vote on topicality:

6/91 = often
9 = rarely
 

COUNTERPLANS

3/91 = acceptable
9 = unacceptable
 

GENERIC DISADVANTAGES

6/91 = acceptable
9 = unacceptable
 

CONDITIONAL NEGATIVE POSITIONS

3/91 = acceptable
9 = unacceptable
 

DEBATE THEORY ARGUMENTS

3/91 = acceptable
9 = unacceptable
 

CRITIQUE (KRITIK) ARGUMENTS

6/91 = acceptable
9 = unacceptable
Additional remarks:

I prefer argumentation to be specific with clear links. All students in a round should be doing their best to flow and stick to the flow for organization and optimization of arguments. Ability to follow the flow and give clear and concise organizational information is preferred, even if the rate of delivery is rapid. I am capable of judging spread rounds but please clarify with your opponent if they are of able body and mind to keep up with spread in order to make the round as fair as possible. I stick to firm policymaker grounds but I will accept creative argumentation and value clear and logical analytical information. Students should be kind and courteous to each other as not to ruin the fun of this still being an activity that students willfully participate in. Overall, I am a high flow policymaker judge that values organization, respect, and delivery.

Note: 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.