National Speech and Debate Tournament
2023 — Phoenix/Mesa, AZ/US
Casie Sambo Paradigm
Policy
Policy Debate Judge Philosophy
Your experience with Policy Debate (check all that apply)
Coach of a teamOccasionally judge Policy Debate
How many Policy rounds have you judged this year?
0-10Which best describes your approach to judging Policy Debate?
Stock issuesRATE OF DELIVERY
6/91 = slow and deliberate9 = very rapid
QUANTITY OF ARGUMENTS
3/91 = a few well-developed arguments9 = the more arguments the better
COMMUNICATION AND ISSUES
4/91 = communication skills most important9 = resolving substantive issues most important
TOPICALITY: I am willing to vote on topicality:
3/91 = often9 = rarely
COUNTERPLANS
1/91 = acceptable9 = unacceptable
GENERIC DISADVANTAGES
4/91 = acceptable9 = unacceptable
CONDITIONAL NEGATIVE POSITIONS
8/91 = acceptable9 = unacceptable
DEBATE THEORY ARGUMENTS
5/91 = acceptable9 = unacceptable
CRITIQUE (KRITIK) ARGUMENTS
5/91 = acceptable9 = unacceptable
I want to hear good, well-developed arguments at a speed that I can actually follow. I'm looking for strong links, clear impacts, and solid analysis. I'm not impressed by how quickly you read other people's arguments. I'm looking for how you synthesize evidence into a compelling argument for the specific round. The winning side will have consistency in speeches and arguments throughout the round and spend time weighing arguments and explaining why their arguments are superior. I do not want to be on the email chain. I believe firmly that debate is an oral communication activity, and if I have to read to understand your argument, something has gone very wrong with your communication.
Please do not spread - what a year this week has been. I'm tired. I cannot follow. A great strategy for me is to read tags slowly and then speed up on evidence (as a former LDer, I prefer your argumentation over your evidence anyway). I don't know all the CX jargon and acronyms. Be kind and explain what you're talking about. Ex: "Our first off case is a Plan-Inclusive-Counterplan, or PIC." <--That would have been such a helpful line in the first couple rounds I judged. If I can access the round, I will engage fully. I'll nod when you have me, smile when I think you've said something really smart. If you start to lose me, you'll see me squint and lean forward. Eventually, you'll lose me completely if you don't correct, and you'll know that because I'll stop typing/looking at you.
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.