Last changed on
Sat January 6, 2024 at 4:20 AM CDT
Experience: I am an experienced debate judge and past competitor. I have judged > 7 tournaments, including State; I competed in State 2-speaker Novice and Open.
Speech Terminology & Speed Preferences: I am comfortable with either lay or technical terminology. I prefer articulated speaking; speak as fast as you want, but be sure your speech is understandable and appropriately expressed in terms of your speaking abilities. I appreciate argumentative and stylistic skills equally - a team must understand and be able to explain their arguments thoroughly. It is very important to understand what you are bringing to the debate. I highly value summaries of arguments at the end of speeches that connect the evidence and points together.
Flow: I keep a flow focusing on key arguments and sources. I value quick roadmaps (<10 sec) that list the order in which you address your points. Cross-Examination is not included in my consideration on the ballot, but a point in which teams can clarify points and/or raise questions for them to address in a proper speech.
Specific Decisive Critieria: Your overall understanding of the issues within the Debate, realistic implications, and defense/offense with the competing team aid in my decision of the round. I value Impact Calculus - Magnitude, Probability, Timeframe - in my decision. Stock Issues - Inherency, Solvency, Plan, Harms/Advantage - must be maintained by the Affirmative as per the Burden of Proof, just as the Negative must effectively argue against the Affirmative as per the Burden of Rejoinder.
Negative Strategy: I prefer that the Negative team, if they are inclined to run off-case, does so in the 1NC. With the priorities that Off-Case arguments uphold (i.e. Topicality, Disadvantages, Counter-plans, Kritiks), it is most appropriate for the Negative to run these arguments first, if at all.
Be kind to each other and value the education of debate and respect the discussions within. Understand that these are real-world issues and what the implications of your arguments are.