National Speech and Debate Tournament

2024 — Des Moines, IA/US

Sean Petersen Paradigm

Policy
Policy Debate Judge Philosophy

Your experience with Policy Debate (check all that apply)

Coach of a team

How many Policy rounds have you judged this year?

0-10

Which best describes your approach to judging Policy Debate?

Stock issues
 

RATE OF DELIVERY

1/91 = slow and deliberate
9 = very rapid
 

QUANTITY OF ARGUMENTS

4/91 = a few well-developed arguments
9 = the more arguments the better
 

COMMUNICATION AND ISSUES

3/91 = communication skills most important
9 = resolving substantive issues most important
 

TOPICALITY: I am willing to vote on topicality:

3/91 = often
9 = rarely
 

COUNTERPLANS

5/91 = acceptable
9 = unacceptable
 

GENERIC DISADVANTAGES

4/91 = acceptable
9 = unacceptable
 

CONDITIONAL NEGATIVE POSITIONS

3/91 = acceptable
9 = unacceptable
 

DEBATE THEORY ARGUMENTS

8/91 = acceptable
9 = unacceptable
 

CRITIQUE (KRITIK) ARGUMENTS

4/91 = acceptable
9 = unacceptable
Additional remarks: Ok full transparency, I am a old school Policy judge. I don't care for spreading or non-topical theory. Give me a solid plan that looks at the stock issues and can solve, fund it and get it as close to real as possible. I will take a little fiat but too much won't work. Rate of speed must be slow, I am a flow judge and if I can't flow it I can't vote for it. Speed and card slamming won't sell me, feasibility and need will win the ballot. Impact Calc is my focus for both sides so show me harms and ads/disads for the win.

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.