Winter KRL Tournament
2020 — Online, US
Policy Paradigm List
All Paradigms: Show HideDen (She/They)
Email:
• For chain, please use crossxnight@gmail.com
• For personal inquiries, contact at dnisecarmna@gmail.com
Background:
• Community Coach @Kelly College Prep (Chicago, IL)
⮩ Chicago Debates Community Coach of the Year (2024)
• 4 years of High School Policy Debate experience
• Judging Nat Circuit & UDL Tournaments since '19
Topic Comment(s)
1)Resident Assistant at the UH Honors Debate Workshop (HDW). Have assisted students outside of lab time with argumentation development so I have a fair share of knowledge on the IP Topic.
2) Co-taught the Middle School Varsity Lab (w/ Grey) at the Chicago Debate Summer Institute (CDSI).
Overview:
I'm experienced with both lay/circuit styles of policy debate. Nevertheless, I default towards a tech over truth style of judging unless said otherwise in-round. In terms of judging preferences, I have none. As evidenced by my judging record, I'm primarily preffed by k-oriented teams. I have judged k v k rounds. I have judged k v fw rounds. k v heg good. Judging these rounds have led me to think of debate in a broader capacity. Despite set preferences, I'm capable of being in back of the room judging stock issues debate.
Overall, I'll do my best to judge rounds fairly. I wholeheartedly appreciate the opportunity to judge. It allows me to better educate myself and teach my students on topic trends and/or strategy innovation.
Chicago/UDL: To answer a common question I get... I judge a multitude number of debates (~40) a year. The debaters I've coached win top speakers & break at locals. My proudest achievement is one of my debaters winning the City Championships! Therefore, I'm confident I'm qualified to judge your round. If you ever have any questions about your rounds, please CC: your coach.
What I enjoy:
Disadvantages-- Specific links to affirmatives recommended but generics are fine as long as it's still applicable. In terms of the politics disadvantage, evidence recency takes priority. However, how politicians act > what politicians verbally express. Uniqueness overwhelms the Link is a strong argument.
Kritiks-- Always have specific links to the affirmative. Links predicated off the topic itself doesn't lead to any meaningful educational debate specific to the case being ran. However, that doesn't mean I won't vote for Links of omission if the opposing team fails to answer them. If your strategy entails going for the links as impact turns to the affirmative, tell me explicitly to judge kick the alternative. If the negative has to win that the plan is a bad idea, don't let the alternative weigh the kritik down.
Counterplans-- CP debate is pretty awesome. Multiplank Counterplans are good. Planks that are supported by 1AC authors are even better. I don't have a disdain towards process counterplans. If your counterplan is not carded/supported by evidence in the 1NC, those rounds shape to be an uphill battle for the negative.
Topicality-- For the negative to win Topicality, they must [1] provide a model that best adheres to the topic, [2] exclaim why the affirmative fails to meet that model, [3] flesh out why the negative's model of debate is preferable, [4] evaluating the flow through competing interpretations is best. For the affirmative to beat Topicality, they must [1] explain why they meet the negative's model and/or [2] provide a counter-model that's better for the topic, which leads to [3] more educational and fair debates moving forward. [4] Frame the debate through reasonability.
T-USFG-- Prefer the debate to be framed similar to topicality (better model of debate). However, teams going for the impact turn(s) are welcome to do so. Affirmative teams running an advocacy statement tend to go for "the negative's model of debate is inherently worse, therefore by default the judge should vote for the affirmative's model". Definitely, the best approach when 1ACs are built to counter FW by embedding claims on the game of debate and how to best approach the topic. However, I have seen my fair share of critical affirmative's that.. could be read on any other topic. Negative teams, emphasize switch side debate. Provide TVA(s) under your model of debate. Explain the affirmative's burden and the negative's role in this game. Convince me that the negative should be the one reading all these different theory of powers against teams defending a policy. If they break structural rules such as going over speech time, call it out. Procedural fairness leads to better education. Don't rely too heavily on portable skills.
***If your arguments are descriptive in its explicit/graphic content, please provide a trigger warning pre-round. Let's avoid going to tab at all costs and/or having a procedural ran on you. I will stop the round if the other team deems the environment as uncomfortable.
Hall of Famers---
Rats: Kelly Lin, Lisa Gao, Ramon Rodriguez
Learned From: Armando Camargo, Juan Chavez, Jocelyn Aguirre, Leobardo Ramos, Scott Dodsworth
Northview '21
University of Illinois - Urbana Champaign '25
Debated LD in high school for 3 years and coached for 1 year, 10 career bids, cleared at TOC in 2020 and 2021
I've competed in Policy and PF as well - the below paradigm should be flexible enough across all debate divisions
Doc sharing is good for evidence ethics and accessibility, spreading or no spreading.
I prefer using Speech Drop for docs, its easier.
Email: sreyaash.das@gmail.com
Some quick notes and preferences:
1) I'll call clear/slow 3 times, so do be clear.
2) I like fast and efficient debates, so feel free to uplayer and spit out blippy analytics but make sure they're warranted arguments
3) Tech> Truth. Crazy args are fine, but the threshold for answers get lower. Higher level debates should always incorporate some level of truth behind arguments.
4) Non negotiable: speech times/rules, prep can be CX but CX can't be prep, compiling a doc is prep but flashing/emailing isn't, there's no "clarification time" before CX, clipping and ev ethics.
5) I'll disclose speaks. I think its a good norm to follow.
6) Don't let the type of debater you are facing affect your arguments. Exposure to different forms of argumentation on both sides is what spreads education within debate, regardless of experience; I wouldn’t have joined circuit LD if I hadn’t faced different progressive arguments at locals. Only condition is that you should be nice and reasonable: spread but send docs, be nice in cx, and your speaks will be boosted. Be sketchy and tricky just to get an easy ballot, and I'll nuke your speaks.
7) "If you are clearly better than your opponent and it is obvious that you are winning the round, please, dear lord, do not use all of your speech time just because you have the time- win the round and sit down so we can have a discussion and make it more educational than just you repeating conceded arguments for 13 minutes." ~ Stephen Scopa
8) I disclosed with good practices - open source with round reports and first/last 3. If your wiki is a model of what I believe to be good disclosure norms, show/tell me before the round and I'll bump up speaks.
9) Arguments and their truth level start at 0 and work their way up based on effective warranting. Conceded claims don't mean I automatically vote for them if they were originally unwarranted.
Prefs Overview
Note: Just because certain things are ranked low, DOESNT mean I won't vote off it, nor does it mean I don't enjoy it. I pride myself on trying to be as flex as possible, so feel free to run virtually anything. 1 = Most familiar/Best at judging this. 4 = Least Familiar/Worst at judging this
Policy/Larp -2
Kritiks - 2
Theory - 1
Phil -3
Tricks -2
I'm serious with these pref ranks - I'm comfortable with judging any form of argumentation
Policy/Larp:
Defaults: Judge Kick, ev > analytics
Be smart and do link analysis
Politics and process args are fine, higher bar for explanation tho
Zero risk is a thing
Explain cards - these debates are won with good analysis AND evidence
Ev comparison is key - don't make me spend 20 minutes reading through all the cards
1ARs - read theory vs CPs, low bar for case extensions if its simple
2NRs - answer theory vs CPs, please structure the collapse
Don't forget to kick out of things
Theory
Defaults: F/E are voters, drop the debater, competing interps, rvis
Standard weighing is dead - plz do it
Paragraph theory is fine
Be clear on standards so I at least have the standard name flowed
Terminal D on a shell is a thing even under competing interps, there has to be offense isolated at the end of the round.
Send interps/counter interps plz
Combo shells are cool, reasonability is persuasive versus them
Kritiks:
Dont be a doc bot the entire time
Link analysis contextualized to the aff is cool, it isn't enough to win your theory of power
Framework (weigh/cant weigh case) determines the result most of the time - win it
Buzzwords don't mean anything - just because the 1ar didn't explicitly say the words "Role of the ballot" doesnt mean there isn't defense on the kritik's theory of power
K Affs/T:
These Affs should have isolated a problem and proposed a method or model
Personal narratives hold little weight to me since the ballot isn't a referendum on one's identity
Reading a K aff isn't an excuse to not be technical, same for the 2NR on T
Fairness/Clash/Research is cool, do weighing if going for T
No preference in a K aff v. framework debate - I've been on both sides
Nuanced framework interps and warrants are cool (sabotage, passive voice, etc.)
Philosophy:
Defaults: epistemic confidence, comparative worlds
I'm cool with anything - the denser the phil the more explanation required
I think this type of debate still requires some level of interaction with actual offense
Spec phil affs are cool and I wish I saw more
Tricks:
Defaults: presumption negates unless the neg defends an advocacy, permissibility affirms
If it's gonna be a tricks round, delineate all arguments and dont be sketch in cx
Rebuttal extensions have to point me to what I am extending on the flow
Slow down on blips - flowability is key
Otherwise, I'll vote on anything explained.
Traditional:
I was a trad lad for a year, so you can have a traditional round, though I'd prefer otherwise.
Substance > V/VC debate
Frameworks are so arbitrary in lay debate, half the time theres no distinction between 2
I vote off the flow, ethos/pathos boosts speaks but won't just get you the ballot. Contrary to most beliefs, even traditional debate is based off of some level of technicality.
Speaker Points:
I think speaker points are based off of arguments made, and the strategies taken to attempt to win the round. As long as I understood you throughout the round, and you made sound strategic decisions in the round based off my paradigm, you'll get high speaks.
PREF SHORTLIST: Ks > Policy >>>>>> everything else and if ur a trad debater pls strike me thank u in advance
Disclaimer: writing this completely from scratch as of 9/26/22 bc the other one was long & outdated & I didn’t feel like updating it.
anyways hi I’m James, if you don’t know me call me J. SFA ’21 & UT Austin ’25. I debated in cx/ld for 5(ish) years total & competed locally/nationally for all of those
Other disclaimers:
- I start at a 28 & go up/down from there
- +0.2 speaks for pet reveals in the doc
- my verbal rfds are usually pretty long but please don't let me keep you, if you're hungry or if you have a team meeting or if you're competing in another event or if you literally just want to leave you're more than welcome to. everything actually important is written on the ballot anyway
In a nutshell:
- Yes chain: 27offlol@gmail.com
- Any pronouns
- Tech = truth
- speed is good
- theory is cool
- t-usfg is cringe & non-t affs are based (as long as they don't just lose to presumption)
- minus .2 speaks for each off in the 1nc that makes me use >6 sheets (LD) or >7 sheets (Policy)
- meme rounds are cool just make sure y’all are all in on it
- do not annoy me. Annoy me = nuked speaks. Things that annoy me:
o postrounding (please just email me after the round you can be as rude as you want just let me get food lol)
o being toxic to ur opponent
o not disclosing. New affs included. Brightline = if it requires a new tag then disclose that tag/cite. Idc about open-source but I will hack for any new theory in either cx or ld rebuttals regarding an arg that was presumably undisclosed for a strategic edge
o stealing prep. Yes I will notice
o reading things besides a k or policy, and this is the only categorical imperative I’m willing to entertain
- do not piss me off. Piss me off = L25 and I tell tab that you pissed me off. Things that piss me off:
o Being prejudiced/violent or reading args that attempt to justify it
o Evidence ethics violations
o Telling a group of people what to do when you don’t identify with said group of people (e.g. nonblack debaters who read afropess)
o Edelman. I don't have/want to elaborate further just don't lol
Questions? Comments? Smart-aleck remarks? Email me. K thanks glhf
SF Roosevelt '21 ೄྀ࿐ ˊˎ Wake Forest '25
Current Affiliations: New York Urban Debate League and Whitney Young
she/her (1A/2N)
luckettjazmyn@gmail.com
╰┈➤ Time yourself
If you are interested in debating for Wake Forest, don't hesitate to reach out about scholarships and debate opportunities.
Miscellaneous Notes:
- If you have a fun/silly strategy or file you have been waiting to break, please do it in front of me but please actually be funny if you try this
- If you feel more comfortable with a camera off instead of on during an online debate, that is fine
- I will vote on death good, spark, wipeout, Baudrillard, and most of the other arguments everyone hates and i actually enjoy seeing those debates
- I read almost exclusively settler colonialism and afropessimism in high school and college, but I coach policy style Lincoln Douglas and ['traditional"] Policy Debaters. I am also fairly well versed on current political issues, the status of the government, and potential global military conflicts/tensions but i am not good with acronyms. I do not have a strong side/debate frame that I will adjudicate under. Everything is up for debate.
- 1AR --> 2AR consistency is good, new 2AR arguments are bad
Other Thoughts:
I try my best to eliminate personal bias and offer both teams an equal opportunity to achieve the ballot, but here are a few thoughts that may be helpful:
- permutations should be explained, examples/what would the world look like? I won't vote on a perm that the 2NR literally concedes if the 2AR just says, "extend permutation do both, they dropped it... [insert argument not at all about the permutation here]"
- 2NR/2AR that sits on 3 arguments > 2NR/2AR that goes for 20 conceded arguments
- making an actual argument against what the other team said > spending time reading a bad theory block
- new 2NC CPs/DAs are interesting, if the aff suddenly links after the 2ac, go ahead. obvi this is incredibly situational.
- live to solve other team's impacts > future generations
- literally anything > 5/6 minute presumption 2NR
- claim -> warrant -> impact or it's not an argument
- Don't ask me for a 30
- I will never ask for a card doc, you should never ask me to look at a card. What if you just explained the card???? and made an argument?????? (If someone is like calling ev ethics or saying your ev says something super problematic then yes, I'll look)
- I tend to make decisions by pinpointing the negative's central offense and then deciding if the affirmative resolves it or if the affirmative solves to the point that the neg's argument doesn't matter, in every debate I will write a ballot for both teams then copy paste/vote for the one that makes the most sense into tabroom.
- If I give an RFD in less than 10 minutes, don't be offended. I already know how I'm voting 80% of the time within 2 minutes of the 2AR ending. Faster RFD=More time for you to eat and rest.
╔══《✧》══╗
Speaker Points:
[29.7+] --- CHAMP!!
[29.5+] --- late elims
[29.2+]--- mid elims
[29.0+] --- may clear
[28.7+] --- go even
[>28.7] --- other
╚══《✧》══╝
alexmojicadebate@gmail.com
utd 26'
email: rahulpenumetcha10@gmail.com
NDT x2
Top Level -
The debate should be up to the debaters and I will not intervene - any of my opinions discussed below will not affect my decision-making process if any argument in the debate is made over them.
A lot of this philosophy (and my beliefs in debate) will echo austin kiihnl, kevin hirn, and julian habermann's philosophies'.
There is almost always a risk of any argument, its a question of how the debaters do calc as to which risk matters more
I will vote on any argument that I disagree with or is not true if the argument is won at a technical level (doesn't apply to non-negotiables)
"Evidence quality influences technical debating and I value good evidence highly"
"I have a fairly strong preference for organized, technical debating, and not debating in this way will probably make it a lot harder than you'd like for me to adjudicate the debate." (From Austin)
Notes:
-Analytics need to be used more (esp vs less truthful args)
-I won't judge kick unless told to
-I don't lean a certain way on cp theory but 2ac blippiness means the neg block has a low threshold to meet. I'm better than most for theory to make it into the 1AR but still, every cp theory other than condo is probably a reason to reject the arg
-We meet on T is a yes/no question - generally T debates are my favorite when done well.
-“I will weigh the aff unless convinced otherwise. I enjoy alt debating far, far more than FW. Aff-specific link explanation will be rewarded highly. I am most likely to vote for a K if it uses its critical theory and explanatory power to directly diminish aff solvency rather than try to access a larger impact. If debated like a critical CP, DA, and case push, you will be rewarded.” (From Julian)
-I've spent a decent amount of time reading critical literature with the most time spent on Calvin Warren, Frank Wilderson, Christina Shrape, Arthur Kroker, and Douglas Kellner in that order. This means my threshold for your explanation might inevitably be higher, however aff specific contextualization and the explanation of the theory of power on the line by line should overcome any gap in understanding.
-I have a sweet spot for impact turn debates.
-My evaluation of K affs vs FW is best for the aff when there is either a firm impact turn strategy with some metric to evaluate aff case offense or a counter interp that focuses on establishing an inroads to 2nr offense while solving external impacts. I'm better for the negative when the strategy is either hard right fairness and providing a metric to view aff offense through or a strategy that revolves around clash/fairness and establishing ways FW can solve aff offense via a TVA/SSD. If it matters I've been on the neg side of these debates slightly more than the aff.
Non-negotiables
Do not be racist, sexist, homophobic, or misgender.
CX is binding
I will not vote on anything that did not happen in the round because that is not what a judge ought to do.
If the debate can be made safer, accessible etc. Please let me know.
Described by Isaac Chao as a "Gamesman" and apparently "very underestimated" by Eric Schwerdtfeger at Strake
My Judge Stats from Nelson Okunlola's script in like 2022: "Out of 202 rounds, you voted AFF 48.02% of the time and NEG 51.98% of the time. Out of being on 48 panels, you sat 6.25% of the time (3 total) (solid imo)"
Lindale '21 U of Houston '25
Tech > Truth to the fullest extent ethically possible
he/him/his
Quick Prefs:
Phil - 1/2
Theory - 2/3
Policy - 1
Tricks - Please just read policy, I'll evaluate it I guess but please don't make me ;(
K - 3
Paradigm Summary: I'm a third year out who's taught at TDC a couple of times, coached every type of student under the sun from a security K fiend to an extinction good lover to a policy head to a hyper technical theory gamesman to nerdy phil debaters and have judged more rounds than I can count. I can judge all styles of debate but fair warning I haven't judged actively in about a year so I am rusty.
History:
I am a junior at UH - I coached for DebateUS! in my freshmen year of college and taught at DebateDrills, TDC, and HUDL in the summer between freshmen and sophomore year of college. During sophomore year I slowly phased out of debate and I judged less often only coaching McNeil at a few tournaments. My only connection to debate now is helping out TDC in backend work.
I evaluate the debate through the easiest ballot route and absolutely adore judge instruction - please make your strategy crystal clear and write my RFD for me. The easiest way to get a 30 in front of me is to have the best strategy and make the round as clear as possible.
Phil
- Probably comfortable with whatever author you read
- Syllogism > Spammed independent reasons to prefer
- Dense framework debates should have good weighing and overviews to make them resolvable
- General Principle means nothing, just answer the counterplans
- default epistemic confidence
Kritiks
- I can evaluate K debates but I'm probably a mediocre judge for it - there are better judges than me at this and there are worse
- Specificity is always better - please don't read generic state/fiat/util/etc links
- Please stop being rude as part of your performance (e.g not answering questions for queer opacity or acting strange as part of baudrillard)
- Do not read nonblack afropess in front of me. I am not afraid to give you an L0 after the 1NC.
- Flex your knowledge! Pull out those historical examples, K debaters are at their best when they can really prove they've done their homework.
Policy Debate/"LARP"
- I've really grown to love policy debate and I think it's probably close to my favorite style. I've judged the best policy debaters in the last few years and really, really appreciate very in-depth topic knowledge.
- Weighing, weighing and more weighing
- Will evaluate your wacky impact turns
- Please do more case debate. I repeat, please do more case debate. No such thing as too much time on case - I mean that. The best 1NC, 99% of the time, is 0 off case.
- Perms are tests of competition not advocacies
T/Theory
- Don't think voters are needed (every standard can be impacted out independently and probably connects to both fairness and education)
- I think RVIs get a bad wrap - they can be very useful to deter bad theory (e.g an RVI against shoe theory)
- Will evaluate all theory but my bar for responses to non-argument related theory (e.g must wear a santa hat theory) is much, much lower than my bar for responses to argument related frivolous theory (spec status, afc, etc)
- Default on drop the debater, competing interps, yes rvis
T-Framework v K Affs
- Debate bad affs that don't offer some microcosm or "solution" are silly
- 1AR probably needs a counter interp/what debate looks like in the aff's world
- TVAs are overrated and usually don't solve the 1AR offense (unless specific to the aff, then maybe but still probably not)
- It's not enough to just say "SSD solves" you should explain why and how that's specific to the aff
- the 1AR should still do LBL and the 2NR should not be 3 minutes of an overview that can be summarized in "I think clash is cool"
Tricks
- If you don't have too, please don't.
Speaks
Good strategy -if you have a perfect strategy, you'll get perfect speaks.
Make me laugh- I've probably been judging a thousand rounds that day and could use entertaining rounds just have fun with it and don't take debate too seriously
I try to keep a 28.5 average but my friends make fun of me for being a speaks fairy or being too volatile with speaks
Just have a good time - we all do debate because we think it's fun so have fun with it and make sure your opponent is having a good time as well. If you're being kind to your opponent and we're all having a good time, it will be shown on the ballot.
You work hard to debate, and I promise I will work hard to judge you and give a decision that respects the worth of that.
My favorite debates that I've judged so far:
JWen v Max Perin @ Emory Quarters 2022
Daniel Xu v Miller Roberts @ TFA Prelims 2022 (Only ever double 30)
JWen v Anshul Reddy @ King RR 2022
update: 9/4/24: i am not as active coaching this year. UK is my first tournament on IPR, and I have only glanced over camp and team files. acronyms and topic "consensus" must be explained.
update 4/30/24: made paradigm shorter. a more detailed judging record (including arguments read) ishere, poached from David McDermott.
LD: familiar with trad, policy/larp, prog/K, not as much with phil or skep. theory is fine
must reads:
- joe, not judge. i'm not that old. yes, email chain. joerhee779@gmail.com
- email subject should be include tournament, round, teams, and codes. ex: 2021 TOC - Round 4 - Mitty AP (Aff) vs Little Rock GR (Neg)
- safety and integrity are prior. do not touch each other, me, or anyone's property, say slurs, misgender, etc. outside help is prohibited. each debater must give 1 constructive and 1 rebuttal, unless there's a maverick situation that has been pre-approved. speech times are non-negotiable. do not clip. clipping = misrepresenting evidence. if you skip a word on accident, don't worry. if you skip a sentence, several words, or even paragraphs, in more than one card, i will be less forgiving. these are an auto-L and lowest speaks possible.
- send out the 1AC and be ready to give it at start time. deleting analytics and excessive downtime between the email being sent out will incur prep.
- communication first. pausing for pen time, not spreading through blocks like they're cards, and being clear when reading cards is imperative. rehighlightings that explain warrants beyond the tag should be read.
me:
- little rock central '22, vanderbilt '26. human and organizational development major, minoring in data science and asian american studies. you can ask me about vandy if you want after a decision has been made or through email.
- read basically everything in high school as a 2A and 2N. did two tournaments in college. did the toc once. broke there. qualed twice. read about 55-60% K/45-40% policy args. I research more Ks and K answers than anything else.i judge about 40% policy v. policy, 35% policy v. K, and 25% K v. K debates (adjusted for varsity debates alone). i am probably ideal for an impact turn or policy v. K debate, but am confident i can evaluate anything.
- my judging opinions are very similar to Debnil Sur, Daniel Gallagher, and Texas DK.
argument evaluation:
- tech over truth. arguments must have a claim, warrant, and implication. i must be able to explain what i flowed to the other team, not agree with it. worse warrants should be (and are) easier to beat. yes, you can win death/war/warming good, no condo, racism outweighs T, fairness is an impact, etc. however, if i didn't hear/understand the argument (including clarity), i won't vote on it, so hide arguments at your own risk. explaining the importance of dropped arguments 1-3 is more important than extending dropped argument 4. if i can't resolve the debate using tech alone, something has gone horribly wrong.
- i will not judge personal character. i lack the resources and willpower to discuss debaters' personal lives. barring a debater saying we ought to openly hate entire groups of people online on a publicly accessible website (screenshots are not evidence), i am unwilling to vote on minors' actions. if someone says something that could be problematic, i will likely correct it after the fact, not drop the debater. you are free to make this a link argument or voting issue, but i will evaluate it like any other argument.
- evidence quality matters and is under-debated. a good analytic can beat a bad card, but no cards decreases the chance of a win. evidence comparison is underutilized, but if no one mentions it in the debate, i will not make it part of my decision, nor insert my personal opinion on the evidence unless someone only says "read it after the round" .
- i am very expressive. if i don't like an argument, it will show, but i have still voted for teams i made faces at.
- debaters work hard, so i will not give a lazy decision. if you disagree post-round, please explain why and i will walk through my reasoning with you.
specific arguments:
- Ks: i've read many, but won't fill in the blanks for you. framework is important, and i will only vote on an interp introduced in the debate. affs should either go for framework + case/impact turn outweighs or the perm/link turn. negs should go for a link that turns, outweighs, or brackets the case [with framework], or a mutually exclusive alt that solves an impact that outweighs. in K v. K debates, unsure why framework and impact calculus suddenly disappears and why "no perms in a method debate" is a truism.
- K affs: you can read them if you justify it. vs. T, choose either a counter interp or impact turn strategy. i am ok with fairness, clash, or education when actually explained. TVAs are usually meh unless the aff is close to the topic. SSD is slightly better but may link to DAs. impact turns like heg/cap/state good are fine.
- T: offense-defense. reasonability doesn't make sense without a counter-interp. thoughts on theory are essentially the same, except that because they lack evidence, most claims like aff and neg bias are usually unwarranted.
- CPs: not as fluent as the Michigan bros of the world, but my thoughts are. a. solvency deficits must be real, otherwise write a better aff. b. most theory objections would be better phrased as competition c. i've heard enough competition debates to know what's happening. not sure why people aren't reading more advantage counterplans.
while i generally agree that unlimited conditionality and counterplans that compete off of certainty are abusive, i agree more with negative defense that affirmative theory objections are difficult to define. - DAs/case: many DAs and affs are fake, especially the internal link. presumption/zero risk is possible, but is a high bar. 2As - during the 2AC please actually explain line-by-line warrants. half the time it is incomprehensible. 2Ns - exploit 2A posturing and bad evidence quality. read more than just impact d. impact and straight turns are fun, but stay organized.
speaks:
speaker point inflation is terrorism. i will use a wider range than the average judge.
below 27.0 - reserved for ethics violations.
27.0 - 0.0 percentile speaker at the tournament.
27.5 - 17th percentile speaker at the tournament.
28.0 - 33rd percentile speaker at the tournament.
28.5 - 50th percentile speaker at the tournament.
29.0 - 67th percentile speaker at the tournament.
29.5 - 83rd percentile speaker at the tournament.
30 - 100th percentile speaker at the tournament.
this is the baseline based on speeches. how to get higher or lower:
1. good CX. "tag team" cx is fine, but if one debater is taking every question, speaks will suffer. don't ask a bunch of questions like "what cards did you read" or "can you explain the aff". hard limit is 2 before speaks start dropping.
2. humor, kindness, and demeanor. don't have to be nice all the time because i get debate's competitive and tensions are high, but making a good joke, being generally respectful to others and making debate a better place are all great.
Tristan Rios (they/them)
BTW looking for teams to coach, feel free to reach out via email
Email - Trisrios6955@gmail.com - plz put me on the email chain
for organizational reasons please make the subject of the email chain "Tournament - Round # - Aff team v Neg team" or something similar
who on hell is Tristan?
I am currently debating at UT Dallas (2022-Present), I have been debating for 6 years prior - 2 years at Lopez Middle school (2016-2018) , and 4 years at Ronald Reagan High school (2018-2022)
last year i was an assistant coach at Coppell as well as a coach for a few individual cx and ld teams
I have done it all, from occult horror storytelling to trans theory to baudrillard, to the all foreboding framework makes the gamework, the kids i coach also go for a very wide variety of arguments from exclusive k teams to policy fascists. Both me and the kids I coach have gotten bids and been to the toc. I state this not as a flex but more so to state that even though I may seem very k leaning (and I admit it is the literature i read the most in my freetime) but I have successfully coached and am aware of a wide variety of argumentative styles which means you will do best if you do you, dont try to adapt. if I think an argument is bad that doesn't mean i dont evaluate it, it just means i have a higher expectation for the other team to answer it well.
Non-negotiables
- misgendering
- trigger warnings
- anysort of interpersonal "-isms" that is done from debater to debater
General Thoughts/Preferences
- generic links are fine as long as they are contextualized to the aff
- I want to be on the email chain, but I am not going to “read-along” during constructives. I may reference particular cards during cross-ex if they are being discussed, and I will probably read cards that are important or being contested in the final rebuttals. But it’s the job of the debaters to explain, contextualize, and impact the warrants in any piece of evidence. I will always try to frame my decision based on the explanations on the flow (or lack thereof).
- I default to viewing every speech in the debate as a rhetorical artifact IF not told otherwise. Teams can generate clash over questions of an argument’s substance, its theoretical legitimacy, or its intrinsic philosophical or ideological commitments.
- I think spin control is extremely important in debate rounds and compelling explanations will certainly be rewarded. And while quantity and quality are also not exclusive I would definitely prefer less cards and more story in any given debate as the round progresses. I also like seeing the major issues in the debate compartmentalized and key arguments flagged.
Speaks
if u send blocks during the debate +0.3 speaks
if u open source + 0.1 speaks
Note for LD:
i know alot of tech judges have a strange amount of distaste for evaluating traditional debate, but dont worry about that with me, i will happily judge the round regardless of your stylistic preferences
Most important:
2NR/2AR need judge instruction. Don’t read afropessimism/literature bases that make similar claims if neither partner is Black. More on the line-by-line than the overview. Yes chain, ask for my email. Don’t start until I give verbal or chat confirmation that I’m ready. Fewer, better developed off >>> 13 off blipstorm.
Policy affs/DAs:
I don't like vague plan texts and will be receptive to ASPEC if the aff does not specify when asked in 1AC cross-ex. Please debate the case. You have so much time in the block and there are so many good debates to be had on the case page(s).
CPs:
Object fiat and fiating a foreign government and the USfg are probably bad. Process CPs like ConCon, Lopez, and veto cheato should have specific evidence and affs should point out if there is a lack of this.
I don't understand judge kick but have no problem doing it if the neg wins that I should.
Theory:
Slow down. I am willing to vote on condo, 4-5 is probably pushing it.
Clarify what uncondo means – do you have to go for the page/the alt or can you go for theory?
Speaks will be docked for hidden ASPEC/other blips in the 1NC. This isn't LD.
Please clarify if “unconditional” means that you will go for the alt/all the planks or if you will not kick the position at all.
I will dock speaks if there is an ASPEC blip at the bottom of a different shell in the 1NC.
Ks on the neg:
Explain your theory of the world and advocacy in the context of your K instead of tagline extensions. The more specific/contextualized your links are, the better.
If you don’t go for an alt and extend links, I’ll evaluate them as disads to the aff.
You don’t have to solve the aff but it helps. The neg will get leeway if the aff doesn't explain their perm more than the name (as in not giving more detail than "perm do both" or "perm do each" until the 1AR and especially 2AR.
K affs:
Explain your theory of the world and advocacy in the context of your aff instead of tagline extensions.
FW/T:
Don’t use framework as an excuse to not engage the aff.
Everyone should clearly explain their model and its benefits. All else being equal, I will be more convinced by an affirmative team’s answers to framework if the affirmative advocacy allows for the negative to access topic generics and other negative topic ground. Neg teams have to win the violation and aff teams don’t need offense if they meet. No RVIs on T.
Misc:
Evidence quality is important for more than just policy arguments. Make sure cross-ex moments make it into speeches.
I really appreciate analytics in the doc and flexing topic/lit base knowledge. Either or both will help your speaks.
Caddo Magnet 22'
Tulane 26'
email chain: ryanw9700@gmail.com
I did policy debate in high school for all four years. I did Zoom debate for a while, if possible, please have cameras on.
Tech over truth
Speak as fast as you want
More clash = better debate
Please do impact calculus
Good Line by Line will win you the round
Evidence quality matter a lot. I do read evidence after the round, and I see too often debaters power tagging entire arguments and getting a way with it. If the argument is dumb call it out. If you want me to read certain pieces of evidence after the round say it in speeches.
I read a variety of K and Policy oriented arguments in high school. I'm familiar with most critical literature bases. I do not have a strong preference towards either argument style.
What I like to see:
1) collapsing down in the 2NR/ 2AR to the best points and explain warrants in details
2) Going away from blocks and engaging with the other teams arguments fully
3) Confidence, not arrogance, control the room/round
What I do not like:
1) Teams asking if X card was read or waiting absurd times for cut copies
2) Everyone knows you're stealing prep! So be slick about it
1) collapsing down in the 2NR/ 2AR to the best points and explain warrants in details
2) Going away from blocks and engaging with the other teams arguments fully
3) Confidence, not arrogance, control the room/round
What I do not like:
1) Teams asking if X card was read or waiting absurd times for cut copies
2) Everyone knows you're stealing prep! So be slick about it
Topicality - go for it. If you are 2n, it should be all 5 minutes of the 2nr.
After hearing a lot of T debates on the NATO topic, I do not wanna hear T in the 2NR. This is not my preferred negative argument on the topic. Please feel free to read it though
Kritks: I love a good K debate. Links to the affirmative are the most persuasive to me. Other links are fine if explained properly. If you are not going for the alternative, you should win framework. If the framework page gets too messy don't expect me to do the work for you. I have a base level understanding of most literature bases. I read a K aff my senior year of HS. If you know your K then there should be no problem winning.
Framework: Debate is a game, but that is up to interpretation. Fairness is an impact. Clash is more persuasive to me. I think affirmative teams should be creative when responding to FW. I am more open to different models of debate than most judges. The 2NR shouldn't be five minutes of fairness comes before their arguments. Answer what the other team is saying.
I like K v. K debates. I can't promise I will flow perfectly in these rounds, so rebuttal speeches that clearly clarify the role of judge and ballot are crucial.
CP: I love a good CP debate. I can be convinced by any theory here. Unless it's condo its most likely a reason to reject the arg not the team.
DA: The best of the debates are with good impact calculus and resolved with good impact cal. Yes on impact turns. Link debate work is nice.
Speaker Points:
I give higher speaks than average. 28.6 is what I expect out of most rounds. If you are unclear and give bad, uncreative arguments, your speaker points will reflect that.
LD
- I end up judging lots of LD rounds. I have never done LD only judged rounds on it. I am best suited for LARP and K args. Anything outside of that I am probably not the best judge for you. I can handle a theory debate, buture.
Read my policy paradigm
1) LARP
2) Kritiks
3) Phil
4) Theory
5) Trixs
RVIs are dumb. I don't like voting on them.
just do impact cal
PF
Based on my experience, this event is a pain to judge. Please do not paraphrase. Please engage with each others arguments. Please do not send out a card doc if its just a bunch of quotes from NYT and Vox.