Interlake Invitational
2020 — Online, WA/US
Congress Paradigm List
All Paradigms: Show HideBackground
he/him
uw'23
add me to the chain if u want @ fageeriomar@gmail.com
Be Kind :)
First and foremost, debate is an activity where at the end of the day, you are debating topics that influence real living people so understanding the weight of what you're saying is something that should go without saying. This activity is meant to be a safe environment where you can grow as a debater but also be inclusive to those who do this activity with you. I will not tolerate anyone who discriminates, offends, or is abusive to their opponent regardless of whether it was to "prove a point". Anyone who does this will drop instantly with very very low speaks ❤️
Each and every one of you has something valuable to contribute and no one should have the opportunity to minimize those contributions :)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TLDR:
take risks, have fun, and try your best!
all events //
larp >> th >> k & lit >>
weighing mech
impact calc
cp // remind me what the status of the cp is throughout the round
condo good
very high speaks if you make me laugh
signpost! :)
tricks are fine --> your burden to get it on my flow
theory --> reasonability > competing interps
drop arg > drop debater
preferences:
LD PARADIGM
speed// slow down on tags but be realistic with speed. I am not going to tell you to slow down, you should be able to assume that you need to if I am not flowing what you are saying. Also, online debate means dealing with mics so let's acknowledge that. Also, acknowledge who is in your judge panel. When you have parents, volunteer judges, and people with no experience judging and you decide to default to prog, that is horrible. Adjust to lay and win that way. This activity should be accessible to all judge ballots not just the ones you think are more experienced.
roadmap// off-times are dope after constructives if you are gonna collapse to any t's , da's, etc. —otherwise no need—. Usually I can navigate fine without em so they wont matter on my ballot but people with them can expect high speaks for organization :P Dont run what you think I want to hear because I dont really care as long as you make it digestible (again online means i need it to be understandable. Run whatever you are most comfortable with.
K// do it if you want but structure is pretty important here (ie. on my end your goal should be to concretely outline for me what is epistemologically / ont. wrong bad/violent/evil/idc about their case or how they are presenting their case / addressing the resolution) I guess this is usually done in peoples link and impact but I think the K's I vote on or find value are the ones that 1. clearly frame the round under their K (ie. what should the ROB be given the impact behind what your opp did that you see as inherently bad) and 2. outline for me the extent to which the ballot is an alt how it addresses some of your impacts there. Also, your tags best be very slow when introducing all of that (link,imp, alt, rob) lol.
TLDR: I don't resonate too much with K's because I feel like most people deviate from the actual abuse they are arguing on but if you do, just be really clear with what I said earlier I guess ( practical args on case will make it easier to sway me nevertheless!)
T// These annoy me sometimes bc they get messy at least where I have seen them. Similar standard as above, give me a comprehensive interp of the resolution, the stand. they violated I guess and in voters why I should care. Especially with everything being online, imma need this to be digestible when you're reading it as well! I usually default to reasonability unless opp offers a c.i in which case I will default to competing interps
another note: rvi's are cool and on t debate, 1ar's that collapse to them will more often than not pick up. i buy that winning a c.i is enough to win the round and rvi's are the only drop the debater arg i will probs ever buy.
tech > truth.
dont deviate entirely from case debate. if you read the tldr, you know i like larp debaters largely because thats what most people can do well and more comprehensively in a way that I can evaluate. Impact calc is still vital and the side that does the best job of winning on case flow will more often than not be the side that picks up a ballot (all of this include exceptions those being obv what I have talked about earlier).
voters!!!
CX
Respect your opponent!! You don't have to pretend to love them but respect everything they have to say :) You can be aggressive but don't be abusive (... they are different!). Concessions in cross should be on top case in the 1NC and 1AR
PF PARADIGM
*first time judging this topic (12/11-12/12)
fw in pf is dope imo. otherwise just weigh and we'll be chillin
I will vote purely off the flow. stop trying to extend deadweight args and just collapse to the ones your winning on and weigh. that tends to be the best strat to get my ballot bc it saves you time and makes the debate a lot less messy on the flow. I rarely call for evidence because defaulting to cards on an rfd is wack but if it ends up being something thats carrying you on the flow prepare for that.
summary // make it clear what arguments still matter in this round, which ones you're winning, and which they're losing. i would much rather see you collapse to the ones your winning here as opposed to spend hella time defending the ones you know you're losing.
ff// spend these few minutes with an overview, why you solve for any weighing mech / fw, and which arguments I need to vote on to make my ballot.
I dont want to hear cards in your ff, at this pt you should be focusing on what links, straight / solv turns, etc you have already made and telling me what you're winning and why those are my cleanest voting issues in the round.
I feel like a lot of the time in PF, teams are really hung up on empirics with like zero internal links--> so have those.
Voters are really important here! (Only args fully extended through ff and summary will be considered)
^this doesnt mean you necessarily need defense on every arg to extend every arg to win a round. I vote on collapsed args a lot!
Give me a standard to vote on. This should be clearly established on top case in your first constructives and ff and tell me why you solve :)
I rarely see prog in PF but surprise me if you want!
CONGRESS PARADIGM
tldr: content 3/4 speaking 1/4 , rehash is dis cos tan, i hold authorships to a higher burden because they dont have an opportunity to refute (authorship cx is the most important cx on my ballot usually for every bill)
solid impact turns in congress are like an automatic top 3 for me
crystalization speeches are dope (overview --> flow --> weigh :))
Jokes are great!! if you make me laugh that makes it more tolerable for me and you will stand out :) Keep in mind we do have to sit there for 3 hours+
**This event is called congressional debate. As often as it appears that people who do get ranked are great speakers, I will weigh content more regardless of how pretty you sound. Clarity is obviously important, but it is more beneficial to have clarity AND a comprehensive case
po's // generally will get ranked top 6 unless you make tons of errors. best po's are the one's that make me as a parli feel as if I could leave the room and never come back and everything would still feel the same. own the room. cross check what rules (nsda , wsfa, etc.) you're using and make sure the statutes actually exist (ie. the "no three aff speeches in a row" is a tradition more than it is actually documented in any rule book).
rehash // will automatically place you in the bottom half of my ranks at best (w/ exception to crystalizing)
If you repeat an argument that was just run in the speech before you, I will flow everything you say under that speaker and assume you did not give that point. The reason congress is rarely seen as the debate is that a lot of competitors try to go the easy route without contributing to the debate. If you do not have a new point, crystalize, tell me the most important args, give me missing links, weigh, and clear up any messiness in the debate. That in my opinion can actually end up being a better speech than most constructive ones.
Unique arguments are preferable but don't give me bad efficacy arguments w/ no int. links. (in other words, I am not gonna believe your card if u dont have a warrant).
evidence //
This is your opportunity to pretend like your source is doper than it actually is. Look up who wrote it and how they came to their conclusion (that adds to your warrant and makes your case more substantive) . I should be able to fact check you with the citation I hear even though I probably will not lol. I don't just want to hear what your evidence is but also why it is important i hear it. If there is an area in your argument that can be quantified, I want to see empirics.
impact calc//
Just mentioning what someone says and reading a card after is not a refutation. If you cant explain why their argument is uniquely bad, that is not a refutation. Reference other senators in the room but also make sure you are giving me material reasons
cx//
WA circuit doesn't do direct cross but I still weigh it in my rankings. Also, tbh it seems like people suddenly lose their hearing when the round starts
ie. "I did not understand/hear your question"
I can tell when someone is trying to avoid the question and that doesn't reflect positively in your ranks. If you do not know the answer to the question, I would much rather see you try to explain why that question is irrelevant or how regardless of the answer your case wins bc ____. Also please don't answer with " I do not see how that is relevant to my speech". You are debating on the bill either in support / against, just because you didn't directly mention it in your speech does not mean you are not capable of answering the question (After-all you only get 3 minutes).
Those who know their cards well in questioning and can respond with comprehensive answers are those who will get ranked high regardless of speeches. The #1 pref is making cx valuable. If your question doesn't move clash forward.. dont ask it :)
I have been a coach since 1993. I have coached & judged Cross-X; L-D; and Public Forum. I have also worked with all of the individual events and Congress.
Here is the basic philosophy by which I judge the debate events:
For all debate events - you think about this information a lot, I don't. I'm an educator with over 25 years in schools. I like reasonable arguments and understanding your arguments and evidence.
C-X: I weigh the round based on the evidence given and explained. To simply read a card(s) with an author and expect that I know all about him/her, is not reasonable. You must explain why this is important and why this author has a superior analysis. Also, I won't intervene unless you give me no options. I flow - speed is not a problem. If I stop writing, you may want to slow down a little. Flashing is irritating, so keep it quick and clean. Technology problems are yours and I won't stop the round/prep/speech time if you are having tech problems.
L-D: I am old school. I look for a great value/criterion debate and a reason why your interpretation of the resolution and the evidence you provide is superior to your opponents.
P-F: I just want each team to explain why they have the superior position on the resolution. Be nice to each other, as I will deduct speaker points if you seem aggressive. I will only judge on a framework if and only if both teams agree to the framework. There is no room for rudeness.
Congress: I like to see the debate advanced. I don't want a lot of evidence, just a few pieces explained well. Civility - this is huge. I've found Congress in the 2019-20 season to be rude and unkind. This will play in my speech scores and rankings. You can be passionate, just don't be mean/rude/harsh in your tone. Be clear in your questions.
I have a strong preference for logical arguments based on facts, even if I personally disagree with your position. I expect debates to be civilized and speakers to be serious and courteous to each other. Relax and have fun.
Kamiak 22'
---------UPDATE 2021--------------------------------------------------
My knowledge about this topic is not as deep as the past years so please unpack your arguments :)
----------INFO------------------------------------------------------------
Add me on the email chain :) ---> elina1025.ec@gmail.com
Pronouns: she/her or they/them
Currently a 2N but was a 2A freshman year.
tldr; whatever arg you like I'm prob fine with it.
Write the ballot for me in the 2ar/nr -->super important and will increase your speaks a lot. It is also because I feel bad to intervene and make my decision that way :(
-------------below are some of my general thoughts-----------------
Tech over truth 99.9999 percent
Drop args count and I will vote on the stupidest arg but you need to tell me why it matters. I would say I have a lower threshold on buying dropped theory arg. you really just have to make it a voter.
Tag team cx ok, cx is binding, flashing/sending doesn't count as prep
Mostly do what you want, I will try to adapt.
Fairness is a internal link to education unless you tell me otherwise.
policy-
cp, da, t-- no one will not be fine with it so... idk what to say. offense is important.
case debates are sooo important! recuttings and indicts makes me happy
kritiks-
k- Most familiar with security, imperialism, gender, abolition etc. Bad k debates are the worst debate. If you don't know the lit then prob don't run it, it will probably tank ur speaks. Contextualize links plzz--> super important. I am not voting for you unless you can explain to me why the aff SPECIFICALLY links to the k. Saying "because they reform they link" is not a link for me. FW+link -->ok , I don't think that the negative (for most Ks) needs to win an alternative if they can prove that the aff sucks or that their structural analysis of the world is both preferable and incompatible with the 1ac.
k aff- unless you can run it well or else bad k aff debates makes me sad. I don't think I am qual to judge a k v k round so plss don't.
Public Forum / LD
I guess if for some reason I am forced to judge one of these rounds I will view the round solely on my flow and mostly on impact calc made in the last speeches
Speaks
I know speaks inflation gets kind of annoying sometimes but I still give relatively high speaks
cheating means auto loss and lowest speaks possible :(
-1 pt when you say "can I start prep?" or "Can I take a minute of prep" or "I'm speaking in 3, 2, 1.." or any variations. You are the one debating and you should be in charge of your own time and I don't need to know that.
Things that will increase your speaks:
1. look at me during cx
2. good case line by line/ good analysis
3. good impact calc in your last speeches
4. actively engage in the debate!
I usually give 28 or higher speaks
Lincoln Douglas Paradigm
Offer a value with more than just a common dictionary definition. Support the value with a workable criterion through which you can link your contentions. If you accept your opponent's framework, be clear about how your case works better within that framework.
Spread at your own risk. National champions don't do it and spreading often is an attempt to hide weak cases. If you must spread, make sure I flow your tag lines and any critical information you deem essential to winning the debate. You will be able to tell when I am confused or miss something. Respond accordingly.
I should not have to read your evidence to understand your case. Consequently, the only time I ask for evidence is if your opponent believes your evidence does not support or misrepresents your case.
Indulge in collegiate pyrotechnics at your own risk. If you go off-case, offer very clear definitions and impeccable logic.
Finally - be civil. If you are rude or disrespectful, you will lose my vote no matter how strong your case is. See the last paragraph under my PF paradigm.
For Public Forum I take the role of an educated citizen. Public Forum was meant to be heard by an educated public not necessarily trained the same way a policy judge would be trained. Consequently, I frown on debate jargon. If competitors use phrases like "framework", "extend the flow", "solvency", etc. without properly defining those terms, they will have trouble winning the debate.
Be clear and actually give speeches, much like you would for Oratory, rather than simply reading off a screen. This is not Policy or Lincoln Douglas. I should not have to work to understand your speech. Again, your audience are laypeople, not debate experts.
Source credibility is becoming a more central issue. Be careful with your sources.
Finally, I place great weight on closing speeches that crystallize the debate. Don't give me a laundry list of reasons why you think you won. Give me key reasons you think you won and why those particular contentions hold more weight than others.