WRHS Spooky Speech and Demon Debate
2019 — Warner Robins, GA/US
Novice Public Forum Paradigm List
All Paradigms: Show HideI debate Public Forum so i understand the rules of debate just fine. I will judge in a mix of lay and tech. This means I'll focus on the arguments but nothing that goes too far in terms of violating PF rules. I won't do any analyses for you: make it obvious for. Any argument I vote on will the ones most well developed and frontlined throughout the round.
I am a former high school debater that has dabbled in everything. I’ve been judging for the past six years and have judged everything, but policy. I recently graduated with a degree in Anthropology, with a focus on cultural anthropology. I’m a pretty typical PF judge and will vote for the team with the most compelling argument, however, I do like a solid framework. As far as cross goes, I don’t care if you sit or stand—whatever is most comfortable for you works for me. I don’t like when you address me during cross because I feel like you should be focused on your opponents instead. My BIGGIE is DO NOT SPREAD. If you are going too fast, I will not flow the round and drop you. This is PF, not policy. I have an extensive speech background and will be pretty merciless when it comes to speaker points. Other than that, remember to be respectful during the debate. Things can get pretty heated sometimes, but that is no excuse for rudeness. If you say things during the round that that are sexist, racist, homophobic, etc., I will drop you immediately. Let’s be kind to one another and remember to have fun! I look forward to hearing some good debates!
I am a speech coach in Georgia. I competed in IEs but I can follow debate very well.
- LD - Value/Value Criterion - This is the unique feature of LD Debate. Have a good value and criterion and link your arguments back to it.
- PF - I side on the traditional side of PF. Don't throw a lot of jargon at me or simply read cards. Compete in PF for the debate animal it is. Remember debate, especially PF, is meant to persuade - use all the tools in your rhetorical toolbox: Logos, Ethos, and Pathos.
- Speed -Since I did not debate in High School, I don't follow speed well. Speak at your own risk, but if I didn't hear it, I don't flow it.
- Know your case, like you actually did the research and wrote the case and researched the arguments from the other side. If you present it, I expect you to know it from every angle - I want you to know the research behind the statistic and the whole article, not just the blurb on the card.
- I like clash. Argue the cases presented, mix it up, have some fun, but remember that debate is civil discourse - don't take it personal, being the loudest speaker won't win the round, being rude to your opponent won't win you the round.
- Debating is a performance in the art of persuasion and your job is to convince me, your judge (not your opponent!!) - use the art of persuasion to win the round: eye contact, vocal variations, appropriate gestures, and know your case well enough that you don't have to read every single word hunched over a computer screen. Keep your logical fallacies for your next round. Rhetoric is an art.
- Technology Woes - I will not stop the clock because your laptop just died or you can't find your case - not my problem, fix it or don't but we are going to move on.
- Ethics - Debate is a great game when everyone plays by the rules. Play by the rules - don't give me a reason to doubt your veracity.
- Win is decided by the flow (remember if you don't LINK it, it isn't on the flow), who made the most successful arguments and Speaker Points are awarded to the best speaker - I end up with some low point wins. I am fairly generous on speaker points compared to some judges. I disclose winner but not speaker points.
- Enjoy yourself. Debate is the best sport in the world - win or lose - learn something from each round, don't gloat, don't disparage other teams, judges, or coaches, and don't try to convince me after the round is over. Leave it in the round and realize you may have just made a friend that you will compete against and talk to for the rest of your life. Don't be so caught up in winning that you forget to have some fun - in the round, between rounds, on the bus, and in practice.
- Questions? - if you have a question ask me.
• Feel free to time yourselves and your opponents but my time is the official time. (If you are timing your opponents, make sure your timer does not make a noise while they are speaking)
• No off-time roadmaps please, either include your roadmap in your speech or formulate your speech in a way where your intentions are clear.
• I don't flow cross, if there is a concession made or something important brought up during cross, bring it up in a speech
• Summaries should be composed of voters, at that point I need to see weighing, what the round has come down to, and why you won at each point.
• Make it a point to extend your arguments. If your opponents fail to attack a point, but you fail to talk about it after the first speech until the final focus, no one wins that point.
• Arguments introduced in summary/final focus will not be considered.
• I can handle speed but spreading is not okay, if I can not understand you, I can not flow your arguments.
• No need to be rude. Your speaker points will be docked significantly.
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.
I am a flay judge. I usually vote off of logical arguments with solid evidence and weighing.
I am a linguist by training so your language of debate matters to me. I like clear and comprehensible speeches, meaning you might have to slow down a bit (I'll give extra speaker points to those speakers)
I also care about being courteous and professional during your debate, meaning I would never vote for those who are too aggressive and rude.
My name is Scout Malloy. I am more a lay judge than I am a tech judge, but I will flow the entire round, besides cross. As far as speed goes, spreading is fine, I am pretty good with speed, and do not mind it. Time management is KEY. I will drop you, if you get up to speak for 30 seconds and then sit back down. Be prepared walking into the round, and do not speak quietly. Speak with volume so I can hear you, otherwise you will be dropped. Ill go over paradigms prior to the round in person.
Timing:
I do not permit off-time road mapping. Use your allotted time to say everything needed. Time yourself, your team mates, and your opponents. (I will keep time as well). Speaking beyond the allotted time may affect speaker points. Questions asked at the end the Crossfire will not be answered.
ARGUMENTATION
I flow each contention for each round and take gist notes of the Crossfires.
Please remember these points:
During the Summary Speech, extend your contention.
During the Final Focus, focus on your single, strongest contention and explain why you win on that basis. Reiterate your evidence and reasoning to support your impacts for that contention.
EVIDENCE
You should not ask for evidence unless: 1. You know your opponent is making unsubstantiated claims, 2. Your opponent has evidence directly contrasting your own evidence and claim, or 3. You believe your opponent is misrepresenting or falsifying evidence.
Be clear to provide your reason for requesting the evidence. If you believe the evidence is false or misrepresented, I will look at it as well. Otherwise, I never ask for evidence.
When prompted for evidence or a source, you should be able to provide it quickly. If you cannot quickly find a source, I will assume it does not exist.
RESPECT
Maintain civility and respect for opponents during crossfire. Respect during a crossfire is paramount. I understand and support passionate exchanges, but not at the expense of civility and respect for your opponents.
SPEAKING
Please do not spread. Show passion for your topic in these ways: speaking loudly; articulating clearly; varying your tone; stress key points.
STANDING/SITTING
I have no preferences for sitting or standing at any point in a debate, and I don't care at whom you look during speeches or crossfires.
DISCLOSING
At the end of the round, I typically disclose the winner. I also provide specific, written feedback for participant.
Experience/Background: I coached at Columbus HS from 2013-2021, primarily Public Forum, and now coach at Carrollton HS (2021-present). I did not debate in high school or college, but I have been coaching and judging PF, a little LD, and IEs since 2013, both locally (Georgia) and on the national circuit, including TOC and NSDA Nationals. I spent several years (2017-2022) as a senior staff member with Summit Debate and previously led labs at Emory (2016-2019).
Judging Preferences:
If you have specific questions about me as a judge that are not answered below (or need clarification), please feel free to ask them. Some general guidelines and answers to frequently asked questions are below:
1. Speed: I can flow a reasonably fast speed when I'm at the top of my game, but I am human. If it's late in the day/tournament, I am likely tired, and my capacity for speed drops accordingly. I will not be offended if you ask me about this before the round. For online rounds, I prefer that you speak at a more moderate speed. I will tell you "clear" if I need you to slow down. If I am flowing on paper, you should err on the slower side of speed than if I am flowing on my laptop.
2. Signposting and Roadmaps: Signposting is good. Please do it. It makes my job easier. Off-time roadmaps aren't really needed if you're just going "their case, our case", but do give a roadmap if there's a more complex structure to your speech.
3. Consistency of Arguments/Making Decisions: Anything you expect me to vote on should be in summary and final focus. Defense is not "sticky" -- meaning you cannot extend it from rebuttal to final focus. Please weigh. I love voters in summary, but I am fine if you do a line-by-line summary.
4. Prep (in-round and pre-round): Please pre-flow before you enter the round. Monitor your own prep time. If you and your opponents want to time each other to keep yourselves honest, go for it. Do not steal prep time - if you have called for a card and your opponents are looking for it, you should not be writing/prepping unless you are also running your prep time. (If a tournament has specific rules that state otherwise, I will defer to tournament policy.) On that note, have your evidence ready. It should not take you longer than 20-30 seconds to pull up a piece of evidence when asked. If you delay the round by taking forever to find a card, your speaker points will probably reflect it.
5. Overviews in second rebuttal: In general, I think a short observation or weighing mechanism is probably more okay than a full-fledged contention that you're trying to sneak in as an "overview". Tread lightly.
6. Frontlines: Second speaking team should answer turns and frontline in rebuttal. I don't need a 2-2 split, but I do think you need to address the speech that preceded yours.
7. Theory, Kritiks, and Progressive Arguments: I prefer not judging theory debates. Strongly prefer not judging theory debates. If you are checking back against a truly abusive practice, I will listen to and evaluate the argument. If you are using theory/Ks/etc. in a way intended to overwhelm/intimidate an opponent who has no idea what's going on, I am not going to respond well to that.
8. Crossfire: I do not flow crossfire. If it comes up in cross and you expect it to serve a role in my decision-making process, I expect you to bring it up in a later speech.
9. Speaker points: I basically never give 30s, so you should not expect them from me. My range is usually from 28-29.7.
ffiliation: Houston County High School, Mercer University
"I'm not a cop" was what one of my favorite coaches told me when I asked him how he evaluated round. I'd like to think that I can function under the same paradigm. Usually if I'm judging you or someone you know, I would like to think that I'm not here to save any fictional lives, rather I would like to think that for the two hours we have together maybe we can have a discussion that a accomplishes a little more than the heg/ptx debate that you've probably had for like the last four years. That being said, if you are a fan of that then you do you, I'll try my best to evaluate the arguments but you should probably know that I'll be very lenient on the K and my threshold for policy framework may not be where you want it.
If you didn't know I am currently a project debater and I would like to think that I care for this activity and hope to see it grow. That being said, I think that I've been told for so long that my job in the back of the room was simply to evaluate arguments but I think as debaters we can evolve past that simple game and maybe do something productive with the time we have together? I know quite a few people that have gotten scholarships from their work in debate, and that's great for them but I'd like to think that if anyone were dedicating this much time to an activity then maybe we can make it count.
But in general do what you want to do for the next two hours or so, but I think it would just be fair to warn you that my ability to evaluate the case v. ptx debate isn't that great because my ballots in those rounds just feel really ironic.
Also, I reserve the right to vote you down on racist, sexist, and/or homophobic language. Elijah Smith does the same thing, and I think having that rule is probably good for the activity.
My Clout:I am a PF debater and currently captain of Houston County Debate Team. I have debating varsity for over 3 years, and currently my partner and I are the state champs in Varsity PF so ya know, I really like debate.
I mainly judge PF debate so I love dynamic speakers and good presentation. I can do like a little spreading, but if you're spreading don't be surprised when I wasn't able to understand/flow what you read. Also I really like when a team has good synergy, it is so annoying when debaters act like they hate their partner. I love humor, idk like a pun or something, ya know a lil chuckle.
I don't flow cross, so it does not have a influence on my ballet unless it is brought up in another speech (and yes it has to be extended). I DO NOT tolerate rudeness or being obnoxious during any speech, and do expect you to be aware of the dynamic of you and your opp. Like why do you need to yell, I'm right here. You will automatically lose the offense if you extend through ink, misread cards, or gaslight in any way.
I believe in signposting as much as possible, especially front lining in second speeches such as second rebuttal and summary, like I need to know what is going on if you just start in the middle of your flow and go with it. I prefer when the summary is a clean split between offense and defense, but really it's not a huge deal as long as your addressing arguments. Theory argument is fine, just please warrant it and place weight on it. Most importantly I should be able to flow clear impacts and voters from your F.F. PLEASE for a clearer debate condense the round in summary and F.F nobody has time for you to attack everything in the round PLEASE.
I usually disclose, please do not argue or try to alter the vote in any way. Thank you! oh and ask questions if you need to I don't mind :)
My Clout: I am currently the 2020 Varsity Public Forum State Champion, captain of the Houston County High School Debate Team, and I have been debating VPF for over 3 years.
Truth>Tech
I'm here for argumentation, as such, having great presentation and being the team commanding the round will definitely earn you higher speaks. As a PF debater, I definitely will be looking at the synergy of your team, I absolutely hate teams who seem like they don't like each other or have never debated together.
Truth>Tech
I don't flow cross, but I definitely pay attention, however, if you want it on the ballot it MUST be extended!! I don't tolerate rudeness or arrogance but I definitely enjoy a good pun, especially if it makes me cackle. I require frontlining in all second speeches, such as rebuttal and summary, and please, please, PLEASE signpost.DO NOT extend through ink.
MOST IMPORTANTLY I am not here for you, so don't make me do more work- HAVE IMPACTS. Please make sure summary and F.F mirror each other. For a clearer debate, please condense the debate in summary and F.F..
Thank you, and may the odds be ever in your favor :)