National Speech and Debate Tournament
2024 — Des Moines, IA/US
Holden Ruch Paradigm
Lincoln-Douglas
Lincoln Douglas Debate Judge Philosophy
Your experience with LD Debate (check all that apply)
Current LD coachFormer LD competitor
Experienced LD judge
How many years have you judged LD debate?
8How many LD rounds have you judged this year?
21-30What is your preferred rate of delivery?
6/91 = Slow conversational style9 = Rapid conversation speed
Does the rate of delivery weigh heavily in your decision?
YWill you vote against a student solely for exceeding your preferred speed?
YHow important is the criterion in making your decision?
It is a major factor in my evaluationDo you feel that a value and criterion are required elements of a case?
YRebuttals 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:
BothVoting 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?
9/91 = Not necessary9 = Always necessary
Please describe your personal note-taking during the round
I keep a rigorous flowThings I don't like in LD:
- Casework that amounts to a list of reasons to vote aff/neg. Write cases, not lists.
- Spreading if your opponent is not from a circuit where spreading is common. I can handle speed - can your opponent?
- Minimizing the importance of framework. Framework is what sets LD apart.
- A lack of style/flair/entertainment (If I'm going to be judging for 9 hours of my day, entertain me)
- Bad theory that you read every single round no matter the topic (time skew, weaponizing legitimate social causes to win debate rounds w/o a serious violation by your opponent, etc)
- Counterplans. I'm a firm believer that plans are inherently abusive.
Things I like in LD:
- Coherent casework built around a central guiding principle
- Rebuttal that goes right down the flow - be linear.
- An approach to LD that feels like it's in the spirit of the event - don't gamify the round.
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