ACTAA High School September Regional
2020
—
Online,
AR/US
Speech/Congress Paradigm List
All Paradigms:
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Cammie Adams
Jonesboro
None
Jennifer Akers
Cabot High School
None
Morgan Akers
Cabot High School
None
Hannah Bailey
Hire
8 rounds
None
Kristina Baker
Bentonville High School
None
Erin Bartels
Hire
8 rounds
Last changed on
Fri January 19, 2024 at 5:31 PM CDT
Frequent Congressional Judge. Be unique with your content instead of repeating over and over again. Use crystallization in your speeches near the end of the bill.
Melinda Beith
Hire
8 rounds
None
Savanah Brinkley
Cabot High School
None
Martene Campbell
Episcopal Collegiate School
Last changed on
Wed January 3, 2024 at 12:15 AM CDT
Congressional Debate Paradigm:
I'm looking for the best legislator overall which means I am considering your holistic participation in the round including the types of speeches you have given and the questions you've asked. I love that Congress is a unique blend with an emphasis on delivery and debate/analysis in the round.
Additionally, I value evidence based debate with credible sources. Cite a source so I can look at it if I'm interested.
Please don't re-hash arguments--Know when it's time to move on. I flow the round and will know when you re-hash arguments and evidence. It's also important to know where/when you are speaking in the round in terms of what type of speech you are giving.
Be prepared to speak on either side of a bill.
You are also role playing as a legislator--remember this as well.
Jannetta Carney
Russellville HS Forensics/Debate
None
Sarah Caudle
Russellville HS Forensics/Debate
None
Kristen Coats
Cabot High School
None
Mandy Coombe
Cabot High School
None
Marisa Davis
Russellville HS Forensics/Debate
None
Andrea Dorantes
Hire
8 rounds
Last changed on
Fri February 25, 2022 at 8:22 AM CDT
Hi everyone! My name's Andrea Dorantes, and I'm an alumnus of Bentonville High School in Bentonville, Arkansas. Currently, I am a senior at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN. Before college, I competed in both Speech and Debate for 5 years. I am the 2017 State Champion in USX, a National Qualifier in Informative Speaking, and a Semi-Finalist in Informative Speaking at the National Tournament of Champions. I have also competed in Congressional Debate at a high level. Although most of my performance experience lies in the public speaking realm, I am confident in my ability to assess other performances with skill and consistency. Thank you for your patience and perseverance in this unconventional time, and I am glad your skills and hard work will be able to be showcased.
I'm really looking forward to watching your performances :)
Donovan Dowers
Bentonville High School
None
Olivia Draughon
Russellville HS Forensics/Debate
None
Kait Eastman
Russellville HS Forensics/Debate
None
Adam Franky
Hire
8 rounds
None
Abigail Gray
Jonesboro
None
Lauren Gwaltney
Russellville HS Forensics/Debate
None
Leslie Harden Greer
Parkview Magnet
Last changed on
Fri January 5, 2024 at 8:35 PM BST
Leslie Harden Greer Judging Disclosure:
I take the responsibility of judging seriously and believe in rendering fair decisions based on a neutral perspective. I share this commitment with most experienced judges. I approach each round with an open mind, eliminating bias and holding no preconceived ideas about the outcome. I can lean affirmative or negative with equal propensity, and teams should strive to persuade me with their arguments.
I bring 23 years of experience as an English, drama, debate, and communication teacher, and have also coached speech and forensics, directed theatre, and coached mock trial and student congress. My approach to judging is influenced by these years of involvement in the education and forensics community.
Here are some key aspects of my judging paradigm:
1. Communication is Key: I prioritize clear communication over rapid delivery. (It’s as if I can hear the quiet sobbing of the policy debaters reading this.) Effective communication is vital for conveying arguments successfully. I prefer a clear and eloquent presentation of issues in the round. Effective communication is crucial in persuading me of the merits of your arguments.
2. Play Professional: I place a high value on sportsmanship and decorum in debate. Respectful conduct is essential for a productive debate.
3. Affirmative Burden: The affirmative plan should fulfill all of their burdens. If the negative demonstrates that the affirmative is lacking in any one of the issues, it is grounds for the plan to be rejected.
4. Quality Evidence: I appreciate well-articulated arguments supported by high-quality evidence. Well-researched and substantiated arguments are more persuasive in my evaluation.
5. Focus on Disadvantages and Counter-Plans: I often give weight to disadvantages and counter-plans. While I may not vote on kritiks or topicality arguments, I assess the affirmative's advantages against the negative's disadvantages.
6. Respect for Judges: I expect debaters to recognize that judges are reasonably intelligent, well-informed members of society. Debaters should present their case comprehensively and avoid assuming that judges lack the ability to evaluate evidence and arguments.
In summary, my judging philosophy centers on fairness, clear communication, and rigorous argument evaluation. I encourage debaters to present their cases effectively and persuasively, regardless of their positions, and I assess each round impartially. Good luck, and I look forward to a productive and engaging debate.
Michelle Hardin
Jonesboro
Last changed on
Wed September 23, 2020 at 3:45 PM CDT
Please do not spread, I want to be able to understand what you are saying. If you spread, I will not be able to keep up, and I cannot score you accurately.
If Congress, please ask if I am ready, if not and I cannot find your ballot fast enough, I will not be able to flow/give comments on the first half of your speech.
Please be polite, I will not stand for rude or disrespectful behavior to your partner and/or opponent.
Olivia Harrison
Hire
8 rounds
None
Peggy Havdala
Jonesboro
None
Dr Marian Hendrickson
Don Tyson School Of Innovation
Last changed on
Sat January 20, 2024 at 2:27 AM CDT
I have been working with the debate team at our school for 4 year and judging for at least 3. I am a High School/College teacher in both US and World History. This means I am very well versed in history. I am well versed in research and bias of sources. In Debate rounds I want well researched cases with strong evidence. I also like connections, your evidence needs to connect to your points and support your claims, free floating evidence does not apply anywhere in the round. I expect a synopsis for voters as well, if you don't give me voters I will use my own observations to way the round, which may not be how you want me to vote. That being said, being too pushy may push me away from your position. Give voters that I can consider and persuade me why you should win on the logic and evidence of the case. I am not a fan of spreading. I would rather have you present a case with a few strong points than a lot of little ones. I do not like it when competitors are rude to one another. No matter how heated the battle or frustrated you get, politeness goes a long way with me.
Brady Nicole Herbert
Rogers Heritage
None
MiKayla Jayroe
Russellville HS Forensics/Debate
Last changed on
Fri February 2, 2024 at 10:17 AM CDT
I competed in debate in high school and have judged tournaments regularly for the last four years. As a former student, I understand the importance of constructive feedback and will do my best to always offer you comments on your ballot.
I am not a fan of spreading. Rather than spitting out as much information as quickly as possible take the time to ensure you make meaningful points in a manner that your audience (myself and your opponent(s)) can understand.
Please make sure you speak to me rather than simply reading off your speech. It is ok to look at your notes for a brief moment but do not be dependent upon them when speaking. Making eye contact and refraining from staring at your notes shows you are engaged with your audience and knowledgeable about the subject at hand.
Make your arguments interesting and organized. If competing in congressional debate please be sure to address and refute points made by previous speakers and/or present new points of your own. Do not simply present the same argument as your peers over and over again. Most importantly, be respectful of everyone.
Samantha Johnson
Fayetteville High School
None
Ajay Joshi
Bentonville High School
None
Alison Kaseberg
Hire
8 rounds
None
Last changed on
Tue September 17, 2024 at 3:11 PM CDT
I am a debate coach at Little Rock Central. Please put both on the email chain: jkieklak@gmail.com; lrchdebatedocs@gmail.com
I believe that my role is to listen, flow, and weigh the arguments offered in the round how I am persuaded to weigh them by each team. I will listen to and evaluate any argument. It is unacceptable to do anything that is: ableist, anti-feminist, anti-queer, racist, or violent.
I think debates have the lowest access to education when the judge must intervene. I can intervene as little as possible if you:
1) Weigh your impacts and your opponents' access to risk/impacts in the debate.
2) Actively listen and use your time wisely. Debaters miss each other when distracted/not flowing or listening. This seems to make these teams more prone to missing/mishandling arguments by saying things like, "'x' disad, they dropped it. Extend ____ it means ____;" yet, in reality, the other team actually answered the argument through embedded clash in the overview or answered it in a way that is unorthodox but also still responsive/persuasive. Please be clear.
3) Compare evidence and continuously cite/extend your warrants in your explanations/refutation/overall argumentation. Responses in cross that cite an individual warrant or interrogate their opponents' warrants are good ethos builders and are just in general more persuasive, same in speeches.
4) You fully explain your perms/responses to perms. I am less persuaded by blippy arguments (especially the perms), and I am more persuaded when perms and are either: explained in detail or carded.
5) "Be mindful of your maximum rate of efficiency" (AT). Speed isn't typically a problem, but do be realistic about how fast you think I can type your responses that you want me to flow verbatim (perms, blippy disads, etc.) and not reconstruct.
Debate has changed the way that I believe about certain policies and policymaking. I believe that debate can do this for other people too.
I value persuasive judge instruction, and I would like my RFD to reflect key moments/lines in the 2AR and 2NR. Line by line is important.
Chloe Knowlton
Hire
8 rounds
None
Varsha Kolluru
Bentonville High School
None
Jerry Matella
Cabot High School
None
Rachel Mauchline
Cabot High School
Last changed on
Sat September 14, 2024 at 5:01 AM EDT
Rachel Mauchline
Durham Academy, Assistant Director of Speech and Debate
Previously the Director of Forensics and Debate for Cabot
she/her pronouns
TL;DR
Put me on the email chain @ rachelmauchline@gmail.com
speed is fine (but online lag is a thing)
tech over truth
World Schools
I truly love world school as an event. It is my favorite event to coach and I've been coaching worlds since 2018. I focus heavily on the event’s rubric to guide the ballot; however it ultimately is a debate event so remember to focus on the warranting and implication of your arguments. I do think there is a lot of room for stylistic flair that can add to a worlds round that can carry down the bench throughout the round. I see a lot of value in POIs for both sides - for the asking side to break up the flow of the debate and for the receiving side to clearly contextualize an answer that helps guide them to their next point of clash.
Policy
I typically get preferred for more policy-oriented debate. I gravitated to more plan focused affirmatives and t/cp/da debate. I would consider myself overall to be a more technically driven and line by line organized debater. My ideal round would be a policy affirmative with a plan text and three-seven off. Take that as you wish though.
Lincoln Douglas
I've judged a variety of traditional and progressive debates. I prefer more progressive debate. But you do you... I am happy to judge anything as long as you defend the position well. Refer to my specific preferences below about progressive arguments. In regards to traditional debates, it's important to clearly articulate framework.
Public Forum
weighing.... weighing.... weighing.
I like rebuttals to have clear line by line with numbered responses. 2nd rebuttal should frontline responses in rebuttal. Summary should extend terminal defense and offense OR really anything that you want in final focus. Final focus should have substantial weighing and a clear way for me to write my ballot. It's important to have legitimate evidence... don't completely skew the evidence.
Here are my specific preferences on specific arguments if you have more than 5 mins to read this paradigm...
Topicality
I enjoy a well-articulated t debate. In fact, a good t debate is my favorite type of debate to judge. Both sides need to have a clear interpretation. Make sure it’s clearly impacted out. Be clear to how you want me to evaluate and consider arguments like the tva, switch side debate, procedural fairness, limits, etc.
Disadvantages/Counterplans
This was my fav strat in high school. I’m a big fan of case-specific disadvantages but also absolutely love judging politics debates- be sure to have up to date uniqueness evidence in these debates though. It’s critical that the disad have some form of weighing by either the affirmative or negative in the context of the affirmative. Counterplans need to be functionally or textually competitive and also should have a net benefit. Slow down for CP texts and permutations- y’all be racing thru six technical perms in 10 seconds. Affirmative teams need to utilize the permutation more in order to test the competition of the counterplan. I don’t have any bias against any specific type of counterplans like consult or delay, but also I’m just waiting for that theory debate to happen.
Case
I believe that case debate is under-covered in many debates by both teams. I love watching a case debate with turns and defense instead of the aff being untouched for the entire debate until last ditch move by the 2AR. The affirmative needs to continue to weigh the aff against the negative strat. Don't assume the 1AC will be carried across for you throughout the round. You need to be doing that work on the o/v and the line by line. It confuses me when the negative strat is a CP and then there are no arguments on the case; that guarantees aff 100% chance of solvency which makes the negative take the path of most resistance to prove the CP solves best.
Kritiks
I’ll vote for the k. From my observations, I think teams end up just reading their prewritten blocks instead of directly engaging with the k specific to the affirmative. Be sure you understand what you are reading and not just read a backfile or an argument that you don’t understand. The negative needs to be sure to explain what the alt actually is and more importantly how the alt engages with the affirmative. I judge more K rounds than I expect to, but if you are reading a specific author that isn’t super well known in the community, but sure to do a little more work on the analysis
Theory
I’ll vote for whatever theory; I don’t usually intervene much in theory debates but I do think it’s important to flesh out clear impacts instead of reading short blips in order to get a ballot. Saying “pics bad” and then moving on without any articulation of in round/post fiat impacts isn’t going to give you much leverage on the impact level. You can c/a a lot of the analysis above on T to this section. It’s important that you have a clear interp/counter interp- that you meet- on a theory debate.
Britney McGloflin
Cabot High School
None
Caleb Mimms
Cabot High School
None
Mike Noland
North Little Rock High School
None
Michael O'Connor
Russellville HS Forensics/Debate
None
Kaitlin Parks
Russellville HS Forensics/Debate
None
Lily Pendley
Fayetteville High School
None
Hayley Poindexter
Hire
8 rounds
None
Sophie Price
Bentonville West High School
Last changed on
Fri September 25, 2020 at 10:35 AM EDT
I debated congress and PF all four years of high school, occasionally some LD thrown in.
I do not mind if you speak fast, but there is a fine line between clear and concise and gibberish.
Carry through arguments, and I can tell if you're asking a question just to throw your opponents off the rails, and of you are answering a question in a completely bogus way so you can confuse them. Answer in ways that reflect your case.
Kayla Roat
Bentonville High School
Last changed on
Sat February 26, 2022 at 12:26 AM CEST
Hello! I have been judging debate for a couple years now and I did speech in high school.
I expect you to be respectful towards one another and to efficiently keep your own time to keep the debate moving forward.
I give speaker points based on who was the most natural speaker. I am okay with you spreading, however, please be aware that on this format the audio may lag and I may miss some of the things you say.
I love cross-examination. A big deciding factor will be who can effectively get their point across while debunking the other team's points through questioning and rebuttal arguments.
Breanne Selah
Cabot High School
Last changed on
Fri September 6, 2024 at 9:39 AM CDT
New coach here. I'm familiar with speech and forensics, but new to debate.
Please don't spread. I'm not savvy enough to figure out what you are saying and flow your case.
Please be respectful to your competitors.
I value truth over tech and focus on the impacts for my decisions.
I'm looking forward to your debate, best of luck.
Jessica Skordal
Bentonville West High School
Last changed on
Wed January 3, 2024 at 12:39 PM CDT
Bentonville West High School Speech & Debate Coach
I have been a coach and competitor in the forensics/speech/debate world for 20+ years. I specialize in speaking. Speaker points are important to me. Sloppy or disorganized speeches can cost you the round. Please don't just read to me. I want to see your speaking & delivery skills as much as I want to see your arguments. Make clear arguments and focus on line-by-line analysis. When it comes to splitting hairs for a win, I will go with the team with the best line-by-line argumentation.
Back your claims and counterclaims with solid cards. I'm an analytical thinker when it comes to debate rounds. I want to hear your claims back with more than your opinion.
I am a tab judge and willing to listen to any argument. However, don't kill a dead horse or bet your case on minuscule points. Support your claims with professional backing. Make your points clear and understandable. Make sure you link to the resolution.
I enjoy a clearly organized debate with strong signposting, road-maps, and line-by-line analysis. Organization is key to keeping the flow tidy as well as maintaining clash throughout the round.
PLEASE DON'T SPREAD. Adapt your case structure/speaking style, to adhere to this request. I'm a speaker. I expect solid speaking skills. I can deal with fast speaking as long as you are clear. However, I'm a traditional judge. Don't spread in styles outside of CX. If you do speak quickly, make sure you're clear. If I miss your argument because you're not clear, it could cost you the round.
Be sure to read arguments that have a clear link to the resolution/framework. If I don't understand the argument itself or don't understand how it links, there is no way I can evaluate it.
You're not going to win rounds with me in cross. Just because you bring a point up in cross does not mean I will flow it. If you want it considered, bring it up in your rebuttal. Keep it professional. A true debater can give their points without sounding demeaning or disrespectful. It will cost you the round with me. Learn to disagree respectfully.
I am by no means a lay judge, but I judge PF & WSD rounds as if I am. Don't use debate jargon in these rounds. Speak to me as if I had never heard the word debate before. That's the design of these styles.
If you have any questions, please ask me prior to the round.
Avoid arguments that are homophobic, sexist, racist, or offensive in any way. Be respectful to your opponent and judge. Use professional language at all times.
This is your debate so have fun with it! Best of luck to you!!
Dawna Smith
Rogers Heritage
None
Jessica Smith
Cabot High School
None
Tatum Stanley
North Little Rock High School
None
Carmen Teague
Jonesboro
None
Claire Tebbutt
Cabot High School
None
Daniel Terrell
Rogers Heritage
None
Malley Terrones
Hire
8 rounds
None
Priya Thelapurath
Hire
8 rounds
None
Last changed on
Fri January 5, 2024 at 1:03 AM CDT
I believe that high school debate and forensics should be a learning and growing activity for students. Winning is fun but competitor growth is more important.
I appreciate that there are different styles of debate and that many competitors try several different debate styles. We have different forms a debate for a reason. As competitors, it is your responsibility to know what makes those different forms similar and what makes them different. Make sure you are debating in a manner that respects and highlights the unique aspects of your debate form. Don't try to mash styles together by using techniques associated with one debate style into one where it isn't practiced.
With that being said here are some items that will give you more insight into how I judge:
*I am a flow judge.
*Signpost PLEASE - if you don't tell me where to apply your argument I will NOT be inferring.
*I would like a quick off the clock roadmap prior to your speech (not necessary for first speakers). This should be a brief overview of what you plan to cover. Example: I will be covering my opponents case and then my case. This is all the detail I need so I can be on the right flow.
**Theory debate - I don't like it. We are here to debate a topic not a theory - many of you are preparing for careers that will demand you provide argumentation and rebuttal and that can't happen if we aren't dealing with the topic.
*DO NOT SPREAD - it is not in your best interest for me not to be able to flow you - if I can't flow you can't win. You will know I can't flow your speech because I will put my writing utensil down.
*Be Courteous - the round needs to be about the clash of claims not the clash of attitudes.
*If you provide a weighing mechanism/framework/value and value criterion PLEASE use it during the debate. Don't bring it up in your first speech and not talk about it again until your last speech.
*If you are using a prepared speech PLEASE make sure you have practiced it before the round to ensure it is as fluid as possible. Also make sure you are pronouncing all names and words correctly.
*I am not a fan of Ks although I am learning more about them and why they can help a debate round. My preference is topic debate. If you can link your K to why your opponent can't access their impacts then I am all ears.
*I am a traditional judge/coach.
*In Public Forum:
**If your case is one or two lengthy contentions with no subpoints and lots of evidence PLEASE make sure that you are tying these to the resolution. I prefer clearly labeled contentions and subpoints. It is just easier to flow.
**Please make sure you are using the summary and final focus speeches for what they are intended. I place a lot more weight on what happens in these four speeches than the first four. You are the one debating. You tell me what the major arguments are. Don't make me figure this out. Listen to each other during this time. I LOVE when Final Focus has clash!!!
**Crossfire is an important part of the debate. I don't flow it but I do listen. If you want something that occured during crossfire to be weighed in the round you MUST bring it up during the next speech.
*In Congressional Debate
**Please remember this is a speaking and debate activity. I want to see rebuttal arguments as well as new arguments for the side you are supporting. Prepared speeches are nice but if you are any speaker after the first aff/neg, please provide some argumentation with sound evidence. Make sure you have a good balance between old and new arguments.
*In Big Question
**Make sure that you are debating the topic!!
*In Lincoln/Douglas
**Please see note above about value/value criterion. This is 100% how I am going to evaluate the round. If each sides presents different V/VC our round centers on these and not your contentions unless you are also tying your V/VC to your contentions which would be AWESOME!! I would prefer to hear a debate on the topic but if the round goes here let's make sure we are really showing the importance of the V/VC.
Daisy Turner
Russellville HS Forensics/Debate
Last changed on
Fri January 26, 2024 at 10:37 AM CDT
Have a good round.
no spreading.
Jessica Vaughn
Cabot High School
None
Abby Vernon
Bentonville High School
None
benjamin warfield
Hire
8 rounds
None
Kaleb Webb
Cabot High School
None