DEMOND ROBERTSON

Columbia University in the City of New York, MFA, Film

Carnegie Mellon University, BFA, Theater Arts

DEBATE EXPERIENCE

Winning high-school L-D Debater

3rd Place TFA State: Original Oratory

NSDA Semi-Finalist: 8th in Original Oratory

JUDGING PARADIGM or... What I'm looking for

I look for the best case and most winning arguments.

How you present your case is up to you. I evaluate what is spoken during the debate. I don't fill in blanks if there's a failure to shore up a point of contention.

I'm primarily a Flow Judge, but I do appreciate and expect adherence to the standard practices of traditional L-D Debate.

Haven't seen this a lot, but I don't go for spreading in values debate. I will ask you to stop or repeat something ONCE only. It's your responsibility to make sure you can be heard and understood.

Emotion is good and useful in debate, but don't rely to heavily upon it. If you're unprepared or have a weak case and think you can cover by over-emoting, spreading/reading fast...you're wrong.

I prefer legible, hard-copies of all evidence and proof of sources properly organized and readily available in case of questions, challenges or contestation of validity.

Bring the passion. Regardless of your feelings about the resolution/topic or even the strength of your case, argue with conviction.

EVERTHING ELSE...

Establish house-keeping things like tracking prep time before the debate starts so as not to lose momentum during the debate.

I have no hard and fast rules outside of the ballot criterion as to how I award Speaker Points.

I will, on occasion, personally review and read evidence and cited sources after a debate.

I do not provide verbal critiques post debate. If you have questions or need clarification about what's on the ballot I am open to limited discussions with your coach.