Free Pre NSDA Tournament
2023 — Online, US
Speech Paradigm List
All Paradigms: Show HideI'm Tyler Crivella, current freshman at UTD and former Seven Lakes High School ('24) competitor. I have competed in every event TFA offers except POI and DUO. Slay all day.
PFBC: Logistics first: you should do the following. Respect tab pronouns, show up on time, don't paraphrase, send speech docs quickly after prep time stopping, don't be agro in CX, warrant your extensions/turns/voters in back half because I will not vote just off a card saying it happens-- why tho? Flip and send email chain to both these emails (crivelladebate(at)gmail(dot)com and tcrivella(at)me(dot)com) by posted round time, with or without me in the room. The second speaking team has four minutes to reply with their constructive. We start first speech by 35 minutes after posted round time at latest. Failing to do so will make me sad and risk the coveted speaker points... Consider also using your 30 minutes to like,,, ask me questions... or not, it's your round.
I’m going to be one of the more traditional judges you have this week. I’m a former interper/extemper with policy experience. That means that running a K, while I can handle it and will vote for it, likely isn’t the best move for you because— well, I want to be able to give you the best advice and I can’t really help there as I have limited K experience in PF. That being said, if you want to test it on a less exposed judge, I’m down. I’m pretty down to handle theory though but please wait fully until we hit round six or so so that we can have full substance rounds first.
I don’t think you should read any more than three contentions. If you spread and your articulation is bad or you read two words off a card, I probably won’t flow it and it’ll have been a loss of your time. I understand that you might be tired after all these rounds, but I am really a fan of dedication/enthusiasm: teams that are willing to work to improve will likely get speak bumps and a better learning experience. I know this is PF but you need to cite a warrant on your offense if you want it to be a voter in back half of the round. Obviously, please weigh. I will only use the metrics provided in the round and use as minimal judge intervention as possible. Tech over truth but the less truthful you are, the less the burden for responses.
Please ask questions. I’m here to help you.
Loud sounds, eating, chewing gum, sniffling, gaveling, and other sounds will down you. I have hearing disabilities and your articulation and reasonable (but not overbearing) projection are crucial to my participation. If I put headphones on, do not adjust to speak louder, it means you are too loud and you should likely adjust.
Extemp: I have a modern view on how extemp should be run but still a pretty basic rubric in most rounds. For 90% of all speeches, I don’t think the question gets answered enough. I care more for answering it than giving me a good, narrative impact or something. Focus on that and you will do good. For higher level extemp, I prefer speeches to be both comedic and dramatic: doing both in a speech is a lot more skillful than just one. No layered analysis unless you really, really think it'll work. Priorities are as follows:
1. Answering the Question
2. Quality of the Points
3. Quality of Analysis (Including background)
4. Stucture and Fluency
5. Presentation
6. Number and Quality of Sources
Debate: Email chain, please: crivelladebate(at)gmail(dot)com and tcrivella(at)me(dot)com. Not the best at handling spreading online. Talk to me before round if you want me to say clear or something of that matter. I evaluate the round based on only arguments in the round. Your evidence means nothing to me without methodology or application. The warrant debate is something that I value more than most judges; still impact weigh but don't drop your delinks in the back half. I'm more than happy to vote for a K if the link is clear. You do you-- I'll vote for whatever you tell me.
Congress: If you PO, do not expect a free break. In a round of great speakers, you will be ranked under them even with perfect PO'ing. Do not gavel as PO or I will straight up kick you out of the room. POs should run the room: asking for splits if needed, moving things along rather than a representative. I prefer two point speeches but I can ride with one argument speeches too. Refutation is a must if you are not giving the first three speeches and even those one should have some. Questioning is not a screaming match. More speeches ≠ better speaker. The "PO" and "two speech" meta is bad. I would rather the round hit four bills with good, short, and dense debate than a prolonged, dead round after twelve speeches on each bill. AGDs, fluency, stance, and general speech skills do actually matter; it's not just the flow. Amendments are a dead medium that should make a resurgence. Bryce Piotrowski is a mentor that has a lot of ideas on this event that I agree with.
Speech: Don't adapt your speech for me unless it's a concern of volume/sounds, in which case that is existential to your placement. I will do time signals and if I mess them up, you will not receive any retribution or penalty. I suggest you ask me about how time signals will be given and about how the structure of the round will go if you aren't sure. Be a good spectator; no phones and no leaving during speeches.
Hi! I am Ryan, I am a college student and coach my alma mater's S+D team. I did Speech in HS for 3 years and had success on the local level (qualled for States/NCFLS).
I highly prefer email chains, just send here- rynocu24@gmail.com.
TLDR; I can judge trad/prog rounds, but don't be too pushy with prog. I am fine with speed, but don't do so without checking w opponents. Tech over truth, but don't abuse that to the highest limits!
DISCLAIMER- I am hard of hearing, so I will need you to speak loud and clear. This is just to let you know in advance if you wonder why I ask you to repeat something. I am fine with speed, just PLEASE send me your case in advance. Also, if I cannot hear/understand you, I will say a verbal/nonverbal clear (either comes down as to what you prefer).
Accommodation Note: PLEASE disclose to your opponents about anything, whether you are more of a prog/trad debater, if you spread, etc. It makes things easier, especially if you go against someone who has a disability. Debate is an educational activity, and should be accessible for everyone :)
For all events- Make me laugh!!! I love it when students crack jokes during speeches, even for debate.
- I notice that some students feel a bit limited in their creative aspects-- go wild. I love seeing students going beyond the limits of speech and debate.
- Feel free to ask me stuff about continuing speech and debate outside of HS!! I've been involved in nonprofit work regarding this activity, in addition to judging, assisting with research, etc. I would rather assist you than to remain silent and not say anything about resources/materials!
PF and LD:
Consider me as a prog/lay judge. I love hearing debates that are more of so on the tech/prog side but note that I started coaching/learning debate, in general, less than 2 years ago. I still love traditional debate just as much, also because it's the most familiar I am with when I was on the team and now. However, I am fine with whatever you run (obviously not something that's just blatantly wrong or ignorant, as well as tricks).
I am fine with speed (as mentioned before), but let your opponents know before round. It makes me frown like this :( when varsity debaters spread/run progressive args without checking in with those beforehand or novices
Tech > Truth, but please for the love of god, don't abuse that. There are limits I will look at where there's absurd arguments (similar to what I said before about tricks)
Weigh weigh weigh. It helps me to see your arguments and to know WHY I should be voting for you.
Let me know where you are at during the round via signposting!!! This way I know where you are, and I don't have to worry about that. I want to at least hear your tags so I'm not lost where I am at.
Be concise with your refutations. I want you to focus on the points that you know your opponent will likely carry over/collapse towards the end of the round. I do not want to hear you say the same thing when your opponents contentions/turns/anything go unheard and now you’ve left it for them to bring those up
Same thing with off time roadmaps, that'll help me a lot, but don't go on and on, just summarize.
I do flow most of the debate, including cross-ex, just keep that in mind. I've been flowing either on computer or paper, which I’ve had a love/hate relationship with both.
Congress:
I have realized that my preference for Congressional Debate may be different than others, so I wanted to list down some stuff I like to see in a chamber/round:
- Be clear and precise in your speech. Quality will outweigh quantity in my eyes. Even if you have 1-2 points in your speech, you have enough time to state your data, analysis, and more within each of them.
- Parliamentary procedure is key! I want to know that your performance is on point not just through your speeches, but your delivery of motions before/during/after.
- I have seen more walking in speeches the last year or so. I like it, but don't be too excessive.
- Clash clash clash.
Presiding Officer- I commend students who have taken on this role. It is not an easy feat, and can be screwed over during rounds. I will always start my PO within the Top 3-4 rankings of the chamber.
- However, you are going to have to be consistent with your recency/overall charts. Take control of the round and stand your ground if needed.
- If you are doing an online tournament, I would highly recommend using index cards when giving time signals. There are references you can find on YouTube where previous PO's at nat circuit tournaments have used them.
Speech:
There's really nothing I have specific in terms of preferences for Speech, since it is typically obvious with the rules under each event.
- But, I will say that I am not a huge fan of excessive walking (as said before with Congress). I did Oratory, so I have seen and judged numerous speeches where this happens.
- In interp events, I really like technical use of the room/binder/piece. It can be hard sometimes, but note that this is a strong factor I take into account when judging.
If there are any specific questions you have before or after a round, just lmk. Any form of discrimination during rounds will result in an automatic drop. Debate is supposed to be an enjoyable space where you are able to delve into the world of argumentation and research.
Hey y'all! I'm Valor (they/them), a varsity extemper who's participated in DI, Commentary, and Impromptu (though I've coached Oratory and Informative)! I know speech paradigms are rare, but here's my words of wisdom:
-PLEASE SPECIFY YOUR TIME SIGNALS! Even if you don't, I will most likely ask anyway.
-I'm more well versed in limited prep events, so I am biased towards natural speakers that don't sound rehearsed :) even if it's a memorized speech, make it your own!
-If you're in a limited prep event, make sure to utilize the space both with your movement and eye contact- we should be graduating past the 'stare at a spot in the back of the room'
-I care less about you messing up than how you choose to recover, don't let one little slip-up throw off your message. Trust me, it's not as noticeable as you think it is :)
-Delivery > content > organization, though all are important
-Short speeches will be ranked low (I don't enforce grace period super strictly unless it's like way over), though if you have a well-timed organization that doesn't feel rushed, I'll understand
-If you're in an interp event, take big risks! If I see you're playing it safe, I'll rank you lower than someone who's not afraid to throw themselves into the character (yes, yes, I'm a theatre kid)
-Don't feel like you have to appeal to me by picking a specific point of view; judges are meant to be subjective and I want to hear your genuine take on the issue.
-Be confident and own the stage!! You've got this :)
Hey, I'm Aidan! I competed in Public Forum and Extemp at Benilde-St. Margaret's School from 2019-2023, primarily on the MN local circuit. I am studying Philosophy, Politics and Economics at Davidson College in NC.
Paradigm for Spring Break Special: NA :)
Hi! My name is Ece and I used compete in Extemp at LHP
I've judged every speech event, but here is mainly what I look for.
For Extemp:
Structure Structure Structure. You should lay out a clear roadmap of your speech and I want to see warrants for every claim. Having a solid understanding of substructure is going to be ranked higher than snake charming. I like seeing credible sources, but adding in think tanks and varied authors will definitely strengthen your argument. Please do not use canned AGDs or On Tops.
Structure > Content > Delivery
I'd much rather see a well thought out nuanced speech that I can follow over a used car salesman.
For Prepared Events:
Strong organization and few memory slips are definitely critical. I always love seeing interesting takes, but a well road mapped speech is going to automatically stand out for me. Hand gestures and well utilized expressions are also really important to me in these events.
Overall, I don't mind a couple flubs in delivery if the passion, thought, and content of the speech was there. Be confident! You guys are all going to achieve great things.