Speed

I'm completely okay with speed. Be sure to articulate and be persuasive regardless of the speed of your speech. I understand the need to read quickly, but in the end, debate is about interaction and clashing with your opponent. If your speed affects this, the debate and your speaker points will suffer.

Style

As far as case writing, I've always loved interesting, philosophical approaches to debate topics. I firmly believe that philosophy and debate go hand in hand.

More technical approaches to debate are also appreciated and interesting to see.

You will not be disregarded for running stock cases.

I’ll vote on what becomes a voting issue in the round or major arguments. I don’t want to intervene and guess what was important. Show me through clear argumentation what points were key and why you win them.

Rebuttals and Crystallization should be given as the debater moves down the flow. Be an organized debater and it will be much easier to judge you.

The use of jargon and technical language is completely fine.

Evidence is necessary to back up case and arguments.

Final rebuttals should at the least include voters, analysing and crystallizing the round in the rebuttals is fine too.

Kritiks

Run whatever you want, running a K isn’t going to make me vote you down. As mentioned above, I love abstract and technical approaches. Be sure you can provide everything you need and that you aren’t just running a K to throw your opponent off.

How I Decide

I’ll vote off a number of things (in this order):

1. Importance of Arguments Won as laid out in debate. This may include voting issues, abuse issues, topicality issues, impacts, K issues, etc.

2. Relevance of case in regards to the round/topic. (Is your case topical? Does it hold up throughout the round?)

3. Ability to argue key points (Did the debater adequately defend and attack where needed?)

4. Number of Arguments Won (This isn’t always as important. Quality always over quantity)

I do my best to flow as detailed as possible and I’ll write as much on the ballot as I can.

I have taught and coached at Round Rock Christian, TX, for 15 years across events. I am passionate about this activity and its value for competitors to 'find their voice' in their events. Please ask if you have any questions about my paradigm.

In Round Conduct

I have zero tolerance for bullying and disrespect directed toward anyone in the competition space. I have and will stop rounds if it is taking place. If you are competing against someone who is less experienced, please be gracious to them. We are a community and with that comes certain expectations of how we interact with others.

Time use

Across events, your strategy for time use will be noted on the ballot.

Overall thoughts

I favor bold, energetic, engaged debaters who best represent what the event they are competing in asks of a competitor. Teach me something new. I believe each debate event has something unique about it and do not consider events to be interchangeable.

As a communication activity, in my opinion, spreading does not enhance the education space. If you choose to spread, please sure to signpost effectively. Avoid it in rebuttal speeches. I refuse to yell out things like clear, as if you have any question about whether I understand, you need to adapt your delivery. While some jargon is warranted, the over use of it is not effective communication or an argumentation strategy.

I will weigh first on framework, then the contention level debate. Theory arguments will be dealt with secondarily.

Please note, linking everything to nuclear war without proper warrants is not effective. I am looking to see how your argumentation speaks to the resolution and what it asks of each position in the debate.

Giving voters allows you to narrate the round for me. If you cannot articulate why you won the round, you likely did not.

Lincoln Douglas Debate

I favor a traditional style with lower speeds and attention to the value/criterion, but I can adapt to more progressive style of argumentation. This event is not policy debate for one. If you spread, please sign post effectively.

Public Forum

My paradigm is convince me. I strongly dislike the Negative team going first and I recommend that you do not.

Congress

Delivery: this is a competition and delivery style will be a factor in ranking. Please exhibit the expected decorum in a Congress chamber because I do drop ranks for behavior that is unbecoming, including being rude or yelling.

Speeches: I expect a balance between preparation and the ability to navigate through the arguments so far in the round. Crystallize. I am looking for more than a surface understanding of legislation and its impacts. Questioning: use questioning as an opportunity to showcase your knowledge on legislation and your ability to expose issues on the opposition. Avoid: wasting chamber time with irrelevant questions, unnecessary motions, being dramatic about taking a first speech, or ignoring Presiding Officer gavel taps. Being gaveled down is not a flex.

I expect competitors to come prepared on legislation and yes, I am listening when the chamber is planning the docket.

For the Presiding Officer, I expect a fair and efficient chamber. A strong PO will rank high, but it is not an automatic 1st place.

Interpretation

My paradigm for interp events is whether you are believable or not as your character(s). Do you have advocacy in events that traditionally expect it? What about your time use? I will be looking at your introductions that they are carefully put together. I am looking for a polished performance that demonstrates a fine attention to detail. Your performance across events should have layers, demonstrating nuance and complexity in characters. We don't like music played with just one note, don't perform any piece with no vocal, emotional, or pacing variety.

Artistic plagiarism: as a coach of those in the interpretation events, I take this seriously. If you are performing a piece that has been on the national stage, make it yours, not a duplicate of the performance.

Platform Speaking

Whether you are in oratory, info, impromptu, or one of the extemporaneous speaking events, try to stand out by not sounding canned. Teach me something new. Humor, well used, is always appreciated. Like debate, your use of time will be reflected in the comments.