National Speech and Debate Tournament

2024 — Des Moines, IA/US

Alfredo Avila Paradigm
Lincoln-Douglas
Lincoln Douglas Debate Judge Philosophy

Your experience with LD Debate (check all that apply)

Current LD coach
Experienced LD judge

How many years have you judged LD debate?

2

How many LD rounds have you judged this year?

41+

What is your preferred rate of delivery?

1/91 = Slow conversational style
9 = Rapid conversation speed
 

Does the rate of delivery weigh heavily in your decision?

Y
 

Will you vote against a student solely for exceeding your preferred speed?

N

How important is the criterion in making your decision?

It is a major factor in my evaluation
 

Do you feel that a value and criterion are required elements of a case?

Y

Rebuttals and Crystallization

 

Voting issues should be given:

Either is acceptable
 

The use of jargon or technical language ("extend", "cross-apply", "turn", etc.) during rebuttals:

Is acceptable
 

Final rebuttals should include:

Voting issues
 

Voting issues are:

Absolutely necessary

How do you decide the winner of the round?

I decide who is the person who persuaded me more of their position

How necessary do you feel the use of evidence (both analytical and empirical) is in the round?

7/91 = Not necessary
9 = Always necessary

Please describe your personal note-taking during the round

I keep a rigorous flow
Additional remarks: I like conversational debating, making the arguments practical that invite the judge to be an active listener in the presentation. I believe that debaters have to respect their opponent. I do not reward spreading, I reward a pace that is realistic in negotiations. I don’t like whining, personal attacks, dominance, aggression, and disrespect. I appreciate professionalism, kindness, and integrity. I reward speakers who make eye contact and that coordinate voice inflections, hand gestures, and facial expression to highlight important points in their argument.

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.

Judges

MAIN List Paradigms
Lincoln-Douglas List & NSDA Paradigms
Policy List & NSDA Paradigms