National Speech and Debate Tournament
2024 — Des Moines, IA/US
Mike Suomi Paradigm
Lincoln-Douglas
Lincoln Douglas Debate Judge Philosophy
Your experience with LD Debate (check all that apply)
Current LD coachExperienced LD judge
Former Policy debater
Current Public Forum coach or judge
Speech coach
How many years have you judged LD debate?
6How many LD rounds have you judged this year?
11-20What is your preferred rate of delivery?
6/91 = 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:
BothVoting issues are:
Absolutely 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 flowI have not judged LD on the National Circuit, so am not very familiar with the LD high-paced non-traditional rounds. That being said, I come from a Policy background so understand and am familiar with the progressive debate of Plans, DAs, Kritiks, CPs. My speed is not nearly as fast as it used to be - definitely need to slow down for tags/analytical arguments if you are going fast. I will listen to all arguments and it has to be debated out, but I generally find PICs a bit abusive and think Kritiks are more interesting as a solvency attack rather than in-round implications. Overall, regardless of your approach, strong use of evidence, explaining your impacts and evidence, and clearly weighing the round (that includes more than just saying "i win on magnitude and time frame" but how the arguments interact with one another) will be important to win my ballot.
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