BCFL November Debate Tournament
2020 — NSDA Campus, BC/CA
Rising Star Public Forum Paradigm List
All Paradigms: Show HideHello! I’m debated in PF for 3 years on the nat circuit.
If you don’t have your cases preflowed and make me wait 10 minutes for you to preflow it during the round, I will dock your speaks and be upset at you.
I've been prepping/judging this topic since June – I probably won't pay attention to cross sorry. If I'm not typing, I promise I am listening to your case I just don't need to write everything down
TLDR:
tech judge, all standard rules apply. My email is erica.chen0328@gmail.comfor the chain.
Safety > everything else. If you make the round unsafe for anyone in the round, you will lose. Run trigger warnings with opt-outs for any argument that could possibly be triggering. Trigger warning theory is probably an auto-win. I will not evaluate responses as to why trigger warnings aren’t needed/are bad.
Card names aren’t warrants. If someone asks you a question in cross, saying “oh well our Smith card says this” is not an answer to WHY or HOW it happens. Similarly, please extend your argument, and don’t just “extend Jones”. I don’t flow card names, so I literally will not know what evidence you’re referring to.
If you are planning on reading/hitting a progressive argument, go down to that specific section below.
Please don’t call for endless pieces of evidence, it’s annoying. Prep time is 3 minutes.
More specific things in round that will make me happy:
Past 210-ish words per minute I’ll need a speech doc. I also don’t want to read speech docs. It’s your job to persuade me in the round, not send me your prep. This is to say: if I can’t hear it, then I guess you lose.
Signpost. If you don’t signpost, I might not understand where to flow your response, or what it is responding to. And then I might not understand what is terminal defense/whether you frontlined your case appropriately/where your offense is, which might make you lose.
How I look at a round:
Whichever argument has been ruled the most important in the round, I go there first. If you won it, you win! If no one did, then I go to the next important argument, and so forth.
Understandably then - please weigh :) I love weighing. I love smart weighing. I love comparative and meta-weighing. Pre-reqs and short circuits are awesome. Weighing makes me think you are smart and makes my job easier. You probably don’t want to let me unilaterally decide which argument is more important - because it might not be yours!
Speech Stuff:
Yes, you have to frontline any arguments you are going for. And turns. And weighing.
Collapsing is strategic. You should collapse. If you’re extending 3 arguments in final focus…why? Quality over quantity.
You need to extend your entire warrant, link, and impact for me to vote on an argument. This applies to turns too. If a turn does not have an impact, then it is not something I can vote on! (You don’t have to read an impact in rebuttal as long as you co-opt and extend your opponents’ impact in summary). The same extension needs to be in final focus. Same with defense - everything in final focus needs to be in summary. If you say something new in final focus, I will laugh at you for wasting time in your speech on something I will not evaluate. I especially hate this if you do it in 2nd final focus.
The best final focuses are the ones that slow down a bit and go bigger picture. After listening to it, I should be able to cast my ballot right there and repeat your final word for word as my RFD.
Progressive:
If you read a frivolous K/theory/trick in order to not have to debate a structural violence argument, I will auto-drop you, give you 27s, and give the opposing team 30s. Then, I will ask the opposing team if they would like to go out and get some snacks and talk about their day.
Similar sentiments on reading prog on novices/young debaters because you know you can bulldoze them.
Disclosure/paraphrasing – I cut cards and disclosed open source. I don’t actually care super much about either of these norms. So like, go have fun, but I am not a theory hack. If you’re running ‘card clipping theory’ or ‘they didn’t disclose good enough’ I will probably think you’re a clown. In that case, I will default to reasonability. I am a judge so I actually do get to intervene :) I also won’t vote for first-3-last-3 disclosure because that is fake disclosure and stupid.
I learned the basic of Ks and hit a couple in my career;not super experienced with K lit. I’m open to them and will vote for you, just slow down and explain it, please. I do have standards on what Ks I will evaluate.
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Identity/performances/talking about the debate space/explaining why the topic is bad = that’s all good.
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If you run ‘dadaism’ or ‘linguistics’ I will be upset that you have made me listen to that for 45 minutes, and I’ll be extra receptive to reasons why progressive arguments are bad for the debate space; you will definitely not get fantastic speaks even if I begrudgingly vote for you because you won the round.
Trix are for kids. If I hear the words “Roko’s Basilisk” I will literally stop the round and submit my ballot right there so I can walk away and think about the life choices that have led me here.
I do not believe that you should run identity arguments on other debaters of that same identity. People shouldn’t have to debate their own experiences. If another debater expresses discomfort because of this issue in round, I will stop the round and you will lose for making others unsafe.
Frameworks:
Couple notes:
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You need warrants as to why I should vote under the framework.
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I’m down with pre-fiat stuff (aka you just reading this argument is good) but you have to actually tell me why reading it is good/I want your discourse to go into more rounds, and extend that as a reason to vote for you independent of the substance layer of the round
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Being forced to respond in second constructive is stupid. If your opponents say you do, just respond with “lol no I don’t” and you’re good.
Crossfire:
Obviously, I’m not going to flow it. With that, I had lots of fun in crossfire as a debater. Be your snarkiest self and make me laugh! Some things:
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I know the difference between sarcasm and being mean. Be mean and your speaks will reflect that.
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My threshold for behavior in crossfire changes depending on both gender and age. For example: if you are a senior boy, and you’re cracking jokes against a sophomore girl, I probably won’t think you’re as funny as you think you are.
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If you bring up something in grand that was not in your summary, I will laugh at you for thinking that I will evaluate it in final focus. If your opponent does this and you call them out for it, I will think you’re cool.
Speaks:
Speaks are fake, you’ll all get good ones.
If you are racist/sexist/homophobic etc I WILL give you terrible speaks. Every judge says this but I don’t think it’s enforced enough. I will actually enforce this rule.
Other than being awesome at debate (which I’m sure you are) here are things you can do to get some extra points:
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debate well and have fun:))
I am a flow judge, I have done public forum before which means I am generally fine with speed. However, if you speak too fast or you are not being clear to the point where I can not understand your points, I will not consider it as a voter for the round. I do listen to crossfire, however, I do not flow crossfire. Therefore you need to tell me what happened in the crossfire that is important for your side in your speeches.
If you want me to vote for you, you need to extend your argument in both summary and final focus. Weighing is also really important, I would prefer all teams to weigh so that the round will be more clear. Evidence is important in the round, however, if it doesn't logically make sense, I will not vote of it. I would prefer signposting in your speeches as this is going to help me follow your case and ideas better.
Keep track of your time and your opponents time. I'll trust you on prep.
Don't go over time because it will impact your speaking score.
Hi my name is Sean and I have been debating for more than about 3 years right now. I mainly did public forum and cndf, thus I will flow every speech and base the victory mainly on flow and not on speaking style or the speed of the speech.
But to go a little bit in depth of what I base my rounds off.
1. If there is a direct clash between the two impacts (ex. Money vs Money or Lives vs Lives) this will be my top priority as to who wins the debate.
2. If there is not a direct clash between impacts or if both sides weigh on different aspects, then I will base my decision off the better warrant or link. (Whoever can explain how their impact is going to happen better)
Thats pretty much it...
i don't flow cross
time yourself
gl
Honestly just don't make me want to die during the round. You don't understand how many rounds I sit through wanting to die.
I am a UC Berkeley undergrad, debated british parli for a bit but mostly PF in HS for about 4-5 years. I haven’t judged in 3 years so be clear on all your args
There a few things to keep in mind:
I like:
- weighing
- sign post always
- be nice to ur opponents and me
- send me speech docs before (ahead) don't send me multiple files of your cards
- articulate very clearly, speak at a reasonable pace, don't spread but i can handle speed
- i don't know much about the topic so only say what is key and important to win your case
- If it’s not in summary, it won’t count in your final focus. Please weigh and use impact calculus (probability, magnitude, scope, timeframe, etc).
- tell me clearly where to vote and why. don't go for everything by the end. collapse.
- Tech > truth
- be respectful, nice, don't be rude. and i mean this.
- Announce when your prep time is starting/ending.
- Don’t just read author names for cards, remind me what the card said and why it matters.
- never lie of evidence: I expect all evidence to be fully carded, not just a link. I will call for cards if they may largely impact the vote or sound sketchy.
I do debate – 6 years experience, varsity pf
Instead of doing a coin flip, you should turn on your camera and do a backflip. If you land it, I'll let you choose first. Extra 0.4 speaker points if you turn on your camera at all.
If your prepared blocks are literal building blocks, you get an extra 0.2 speaker points. If you enjoy playing golf then I'm taking away 0.1 speaker points.
I allow swearing as long as you're not rude to your opponent or to me.
If you can make me laugh somehow, you're guaranteed at least 26.7
If you're cocky then I'm taking away 0.7 speaker point. Arrogance ain't cool
Experience
I have competed in varsity PF and have 4 years of experience. Additionally, I've done other debate formats like CNDF and BP. I have a couple of bids and have qualified to the TOC for 3 years. Add me to the email chain: Hannahxu0320@gmail.com
Stuff
- Will vote tech > truth (to some extent)
- Won't evaluate anything in crossfire unless brought up in a speech.
- Frontline in 2nd rebuttal.
- Won't call for evidence unless you tell me I should. Nevertheless, cite your cards, and don't use sketch evidence.
- I'm open to Ks but not a fan of theory. I’ll evaluate theory if there is an actual rule break, but no friv. I don't want to hear anything disclo related (I debated for a small school :)
- I will only vote on stuff extended in the summary and final focus.
- Weighing >
- Signpost, please.
- Don't go for everything. Collapse on something.
- I'm fine with speed, as long as you are audible.
- Warrant your arguments and extend your entire link chain.
- Time yourself. I will give 10 seconds of grace time, but anything beyond that, I will not flow it.
- If you are rude, I will not hesitate to dock your speaks.
1. Weighing and extending is important in my opinion so you should do that.
2. I don't flow cross so if something important comes up, make sure it's in your speech. :)
3. don't bring up new evidence or arguments in ff, please.
4. Give me a solid warranting.
5. Please time yourselves. (Preferably with a 1756 grandfather clock, but any device will suffice.)
6. Once you go over the time, I stop flowing so make sure to keep track.
7. Lastly, this goes without saying but be nice.
TLDR: I did PF in high school and did okay at TOC. I'm comfortable with any speed (unless you're an LD-level spreader, then send a speech doc) and argument you want to use (except K's, generally). If you really want, you can still run a K, but no guarantees I will evaluate it exactly how you want it to be evaluated.
More Shtuffs
- Tech > Truth. Run literally anything you want. Run human extinction caused by an alien invasion. It’s more fun.
- Grand cross is mostly pointless, but we still need to do it
- I do not flow crossfires. I don’t consider anything in crossfires. If it’s important, bring it up in a speech
- Anything not frontlined in second rebuttal is considered dropped
- Weigh. Please weigh. I’m begging you.
- I'm comfortable with theory, but not Ks. Just bear that in mind.
- Speed is fine. PF spreading is fine as long as you send a speech doc. I’m not comfortable with LD or Policy level spreading though.
- Everything in FF must be extended in summary. I refuse to extend anything for you. You need to extend the full link chain and impact
- When you and your opponent provide opposite warranting, give me a reason why I should prefer your's.
- I will only call for evidence after the round if you told me to do so explicitly
Send me evidence here: akirayoshiyama1@gmail.com
Hi, I'm Jessica!
I have experience competing in speech and debate tournaments.
Below is a summary of what I am looking for -- If you have any other questions, ask me!
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GENERAL: Debate and Speaks
- 2nd rebuttal should frontline turns.
- If dropped in the following speech, it's dropped. If not extended, it's not there. -- Summary and Final Focus speeches are important.
- Average in-division is 28 (it really can only go up or down from here). BONUS: If you sing Let It Go (before the round starts) I'll add 0.5.
- I don't like theory args.
- Tech > Truth
- I flow -- but treat me like a flay judge.
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IMPORTANT
- I've seen good spreading and bad spreading. If you aren't good at spreading, don't spread at all.
- WEIGH!
- I won't be timing the speeches/prep time used, so time yourselves and keep your opponents accountable.
- Add me to the email chain: jessicajzhang05@gmail.com
- Don't be rude to your opponents. If you are, I will doc your points to 26.
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I am okay with speed but don't go too fast
I weigh on the arguments that are strong and get cleanly extended
I won't weigh on some shady arguments without good evidence backing them up
Please state your taglines for each contention clearly.
I don't flow crossfire, so make sure you mention all your points/ideas during your speeches
I'll give extra points if u shut down your opponents but not in a bad/rude way