The Roar at the Ridge
2019 — Suwanee, GA/US
Novice Public Forum Paradigm List
All Paradigms: Show HideBackground: Debated mostly Policy Debate for 4 years at Marist School although I did a couple of PF tournaments here and there.
Email: bnq2658@gmail.com
Last Update 11/16/16
Policy Paradigm
Summary: I usually prefer DA Case CP debate but K's are fine if I can understand it. Really don't want to vote on theory though.
General Things
- I don't take prep for flashing or emailing unless the tournament is running behind or tab is nagging me to get done faster
- Keep the debate calm and more relaxed
- I probably won't look at evidence unless it is specifically indicted or highlighted
China Topic
- I haven't had a lot of experience with this topic so please don't use too many abbreviations and acronyms
- I don't know much about China policy as of this year but I know a good amount of Japanese politics and policy if that helps you at all
Case
- Please don't read an econ impact in front of me if your internal links aren't amazing. I study economics and unless your internal link and solvency cards are by economists with a ton of numbers. I like warming impacts and sciencey impacts like nuclear fusion since they interest me and I would probably more likely to pay attention to them
- I'm getting tired of heavy impact debates and overviews. It seems like most of the time the debate boils down to nothing
- Solvency debates and debates about the actual aff are the most enjoyable for me since they make the debate less generic. They also have to be explained a lot more in detail since I probably won't know it
DA
- I really like DA debates
- The DA debate is probably going to be won or lost at the link level so I would probably focus on that
Counterplans
- I like CP's but I'm sometimes easily confused about what they do so you have to make it clear in CX or the 2NC as to what it does
- I'm fine with judge kicking the CP even if you don't say it, given you extend case
K's
- I'm very hit or miss when it comes to K's. Often I get very confused by the barrage of information 2N's introduce in the block. Here's my advice if you decide to go for a K in front of me, slow down when you get to the K flow and explain everything as if I've never debated before
- K debates are way too technical and I hate that. Debate the K like how your authors would, slowly and philosophically
- The link debate is honestly the only important thing about the K debate. If you run a K, I'm pretty much going to agree that you that you will outweigh the aff. I will, however, give you a much higher threshold to meet for the link so you need to spend about 75% of your time on the link debate
- K tricks are stupid and cheap ways to win rounds so I'm probably not voting for them
- On the aff the first thing you should do is just hammer that 1NC link evidence. It's usually super generic
T
- I probably won't for T unless it is pretty much obvious that the aff is untopical. I'm probably going to default to reasonability
- If it is a questionable aff, then please make the impacts clear and go slow.
- If you prove that the aff is untopical but still lose the impact debate then I'll probably still just vote for you
Non-Traditional Arguments
- I honestly don't know how I feel about these since I've only encountered a single unorthodox debate. I would prefer it if your argument is topical
- If you do something really weird I'm probably going to have this confused look on my face and default to the more orthodox team
Theory
I hate voting on theory. Please don't make it a theory debate and if you do slow down. Theory about one specific argument is a reason to reject the argument.
- Word PICs: have to be extremely justifiable
- 50 State Fiat: stupid but not an immediate reason to reject
- International Fiat: good
- Consult and Conditions CP's: depends on the solvency advocate
- Condo: probably won't vote on unless dropped or perfcon
- Multiplank CP's: fine if you have a solvency advocate for each plank
- CP Perms: can make the CP go away, not sure about it as an advocacy
- K Perms: kind of dumb. Just go for the no link
he / him
My email for the chain is hbharper8@gmail.com
I am okay with anything you run as long as it is explained well. Tech > Truth. Please be respectful to your opponent.
Fun Facts:
I did PF from 2015-19.
I default to an offense / defense paradigm for evaluating rounds.
I do not like to base my ballot only on disclosure theory or topicality, so you shouldn't make those your only voters.
I don't expect you to run a counter-interp against theory. You can just treat it like a normal argument.
The second rebuttal should address the first rebuttal. Responses in first summary are fine too.
I appreciate funny taglines and puns when they are in good taste.
Y'all, don't be mean, it will only hurt your speaks.
First, a little about me...
I debated Public Forum for three years in high school at Piedmont Academy and Policy for four years at the University of Georgia.
Yes, put me on the email chain: morganpac15@gmail.com
I expect respect from everyone involved no matter the climate - race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, etc. IF you have something controversial to say, I expect you to back it up and give it a purpose.
Let's talk PF:
Do you expect everything in the final focus to also be in the summary? Not necessarily - every round is different and comes down to different things, but I think having your main points extended in both is important. By the time of the summary and final focus, your winning points should be obvious (this includes your impact calculus).
Do second speaking teams have to respond to the first rebuttal? Yes, if time permits.
Do first speaking teams have to extend defense in the first summary? Defense, yes. New arguments, no.
Do you flow/judge off crossfire? It depends on how the round is going; crossfire can either make or break you, and if it is a close round, crossfire will play a part in the decision.
Do teams have to have more than one contention? No.
Does framework have to be read in the constructives? This is a loaded question - if you think you will need framework, include it in the constructive. AT THE LEAST, framework MUST be apart of the rebuttals. Summary or final focus is too little too late to bring up or heavily impact the framework debate.
Speed is fine, off-time roadmaps are encouraged, do not dominate or take over your partner's crossfire, but if needed, I will allow *some tag-teaming. I don't want you to be a sitting duck, but crossfire is the time where judges can see just how much you really know about your case, evidence, and arguments.
Let's talk Policy:
At the end of the day, the debate will come down to who had the most convincing points and who extended them the best. Clash is key, impact calc is key.
K Arguments: I am fine with K arguments, but do not assume that what you are advocating for is clear to all those who are listening. I need to see why the K outweighs staying on-case and why it is beneficial to debate.
DAs: I love me a good disad. Economy DA, Politics DA, any DA. If you can prove to me why the DA outweighs what the Aff can do, then I am all in it.
Topicality: I am completely fine with T args; I think in the chaos they keep the debate centered. But be warned, if you go for T, it must be won in the round.
CPs: Counterplans are fine IF they are not messy. I have seen, gone against, and read some really complex CPs that just don't pan out in the time permitted. If the explanation is not there in the planks and you struggle to add all you are trying to say, you probably shouldn't do it.
Don't get lost in the complexity of what Policy debate is; no matter the format, all debates come down to what the arguments are, how the evidence withstands, and how the debaters themselves carry the case through.
If anyone has any questions or if I left anything out, don't hesitate to ask :)
Good luck to all, and God bless!
* Quality of argumentation
* I don't like people getting angry, personal, or condescending during debate
Email Chains: iyang061002 AT google DOT com
Do whatever you want, I’ve gone for almost everything in my time.
I try to have no argumentative bias (I feel like I do a pretty good job).
Spreading is probably good but go ahead and be trad if you want, no preference
Non-negotiables:
- Have fun
- Try your best