Last changed on
Thu January 4, 2024 at 4:30 AM EDT
LD-I am a very traditional judge. I like VALUE/VC debate. Your contentions should support and link to your value. If you are not the 1AC, you should be attacking/countering things said from the previous speech(es). Otherwise, what's the point of debate?
I AM NOT A PROGRESSIVE LD JUDGE. No K's, CP's, or anything that belongs in CX.
I am ok with speed. I believe debate should be understandable and not an opportunity to cram so much information into 6 minutes that is not understandable and too much for an opponent to attack. With that said, I do like some speed, I just don't feel most people have been taught how to spread well. If I can't understand you, it doesn't get weighed into the round.
I tend to vote on who upheld their value the best and who dropped arguments. I also tend to vote on clash and providing counter evidence. Evidence can be read quickly, slow on taglines. WIN THE FLOW!
PF- I am a traditional PF judge. I should be able to have NO debate experience and walk in and judge a PF round. Treat your round as such despite my experience. This is not LD or CX, don't treat it as such. Persuade me. (Read more below)
For ALL-
I am flowing your debates, so I am aware of what has been said or not said in a round.
Jargon does not impress me.
Speaker points:
Being kind is also a thing for me. I always tell me debaters to "win kindly". You will be docked speaker points if you are using foul language and/or obviously treating your opponent poorly.
Speaker points are important! I should be able to clearly understand you when you speak. Again, I am fine with speed, but most people do not spread well. This is where you will get docket. Practice recording yourself and see if your cousin can understand you word for word.
I do not weigh CX time into who wins the round, but it can/does affect speaker points. CX time is your time to clarify and gather info. Anything you want weighed into the round from CX must be brought up in your next speech.
About me:
I have coached debate since 2004 and run two successful programs qualifying students for state and nationals yearly. Multiple teams have placed in finals at the state level in various events: LD, CX, WSD, Extemp, PF.... My degree is in Speech Comm.
If you have specific questions before the round, ask me! (Just don't ask what my qualifications are, that's offensive.)