Personal Stuff

I'm John

Currently a Senior at Montgomery Academy.

I'd prefer if you sent me case; add me to the chain: john_alford@montgomeryacademy.org

If you have any questions about me, my background, or my paradigm- I'll be happy to answer them at any time.

I'll gladly answer any questions you have in-round as long as it doesn't give either side a competitive advantage.

Notes for the novice tournament:

All of the above and below apply. With that being said, I expect traditional rounds with hopefully some policy scattered about. Remember that your opponent is also a novice so they'll be just as nervous as you are. Most of all, remember that your JUDGE knows that you are a novice and totally understands if you slip up, stutter, forget an argument, or don't know how to respond to your opponent's arg. Try to have fun bc this is a learning experience.

Traditional debates are won almost entirely on weighing. Weigh the framework properly, and implicate magnitude, probability, and time frame for contention level arguments.

If you don’t understand the below information, that’s totally okay.

General (in round) Important Stuff

TECH>TRUTH. I love weird arguments and will evaluate LITERALLY ANYTHING--BUT the weirder the argument the lower the threshold for responses.

If it isn't extended/isn't on my flow-->it doesn't exist.

If you don't respond to your opponent's claim-->it is true

I think speaker points are stupid. Obviously I'll give the better speaker more speaks. However, I'll boost or lower your speaks based on attitude, sportsmanship, and general debate decorum. If you make me laugh, I'll boost your speaks.

I'll be honest with my RFD. That being said, any criticism I give you is constructive :)

Don't post round me, I find it cringe. Also, I flow weird. My flow is usually really messy/hard to follow, so I wouldn't ask to inspect it with the intention to prove my decision wrong. I'm not the one you are debating LOL

Judging Preference (In order from most to least preferred):

~Note that my preferences have no effect on my decision and REMEMBER... I like everything~

1) LARP- I find it pretty middle of the pack in terms of how much I enjoy evaluating it. However, I probably have the best grasp of it considering I've used it a lot in the past. Framework is big. I'll basically evaluate the round however I'm told (given proper evidence and warrants). Otherwise, I'll just default to magnitude, probability, and timeframe (assuming framework or other influencers of my ballot are absent).

2) Trix- I enjoy trix the most. (I've run them quite a bit at national tournaments). However the more hyper-specific/ frivolous the trix are, the less likely I'll be to expect a well-fleshed-out response from your opponent. Trix aren't typically warranted so your opponent's response doesn't have to be warranted. They are super abusive, so if you read trix aginst a novice ur speaks will be trashed.

3) K/Critques- I love K debate. The reason I put it below LARP is because I wish I had more experience going against it. That being said, I understand ROJ/ROBs really well and Cap Ks are my bread and butter (if you run cap I'll probably give you good speaks). I want to see a well-fleshed-out identity K (Considering I decide whether or not you succeed, I don't default to debate being racist, homophobic, etc.). Have a clear ballot story..

4) Trad- I have no problem with trad but I enjoy it the least because it's boring. I don't think values have almost any function in debate so please don't spend a minute and a half on morality vs. justice. I need clear weighing and value criterion clash and probably err on the side of over-explanation in traditional debates.

5) Phil- I also have no problem with philosophical arguments. The reason it is ranked last is because I have NO experience with phil debate. However I will evaluate it fairly. I have a friend in love with phil so I sorta know what to expect. I've just never run it or competed against it.

General Notes About Debate Sub-Styles (in no specific order).

1) Speed- Speed's okay. Go as fast as you want but slow down on any analytics not in the doc. I'll say clear if you're too fast.

2) Prep time- Use it however you want, flex prep is cool as long as your opponent is fine with it.

3) Topicality - I love T. I evaluate the T flow before I evaluate anything else. I lean towards reasonability on T since there isn't an objective limit on the topic -> language is arbitrary.

4) Theory - I default to competing interps, no RVI's, DTD on shells against entire advocacy, drop the argument for everything else.

5) Disads - read them. Not a huge fan of 2 card DA's with UQ and an internal link in the same card but I'll still vote for it. I have a pretty high threshold for PTX DA's because I think they are especially egregious.

6) CP's - yes. default to 1-2 condo good unless convinced otherwise. PIC's probably fine if you can handle the perm debate.

Hey guys! My name is Sanea (suh-nae) and i go to Auburn High School.This is my second year in debate, and i understand this may be hard especially when its your first time, but you got this!! Be confident and stick to your argument!! Heres some ways that you can add additional support to your speaking points/ to help you win:

1. I base the win on my flow. If you are saying something after time, it will not be flowed. I also do not flow cross, so if your opponent says something contradictive to their case, bring it up in your next speech.
2. I take points off if i cannot hear you. Please be confident in your voice (let your voice bounce off the wall). I also take points off if you’re aggressive to your opponent, you will automatically lose speaks.
3. I DO NOT TOLERATE PREJUDICE!! Discrimination of any kind during the round will result to automatic loss.
4. Im very traditional when it comes to cases
5. I want you all to do your best, debate is a game to win and fun to play. Don't be so hard on yourself, this is a learning experience and i hope one day i can debate against you too!!

Jordan Berry - Loveless Academic Magnet Program High School

Hello!

I have been a coach and judge since 2015. Most debaters over the years categorize me as a traditional L/D judge. My chief weighing mechanism is usually framework (my undergraduate degree is in philosophy), but I can be persuaded to the contrary. I have no value hierarchy. I strive to keep personal views and ballot intervention away from my RFD. I will evaluate only those arguments brought up by the debaters.

Speed is an issue for me. This is primarily an education and communication activity. I highly doubt either Lincoln or Douglas themselves were spreading, and I've never seen spreading in any real-life situation aside from episodes of "Storage Wars." I do flow the round (though not cross), but "winning the flow" isn't the same as winning the round in some cases; this event is supposed to be persuasive and accessible, not a checklist of responses and replies. Thus, I always roll my eyes when one of my own debaters complains about "lay" judges: in crafting a case/round, they should receive as much consideration as that ex-policy debater.

Other issues for me: do be respectful. Do engage meaningfully with the resolution. Do be honest. Do have fun.

Break a leg!

jordan.berry@mps.k12.al.us

Hello,

I have judged Speech and Debate for 1 year now. This is my first year as a Coach and I look forward to watching you compete!

While judging Lincoln-Douglas I keep personal views and opinions separate from judging, so I will judge purely off your framework. While I understand the personal benefits to spreading, I do not find speaking extremely fast to be in the spirit of true debate. As long as you speak clearly and it is comprehendible, I am fine with your choice of speed throughout the round. I will flow the round to ensure I understand each contention and how it relates to your value/value criterion. Please remain respectful and have a great time debating!

All the best!

andrew.faithring@gmail.com

Hey y'all, I'm Andrew and I'm a 3rd year debater in BQ and LD at LAMP HIgh School. I'm sure you're nervous for your first tournament, so I'm happy to help you with any questions or issues you may have.

LD:

Tech>Truth

Novices: your VC is the most important part of the round for me!!! If I think you lose on Framework then you are very likely to lose my vote. The converse is also true. Make sure you signpost as much as possible because my vote will be more reliable when the flow is clean.Yall are novices so please don't spread.

Hi guys! My name is Hope, and I am a senior at Vestavia Hills High School. I am a third year varsity in debate. I have a lot of experience in Big Questions, Congress, Lincoln Douglas, and Public Forum, and I have competed in World Schools as well. Just a few preferences:

Win on the flow. tech > truth

Keep track of your own time.

I don't mind fast speaking or spreading, but make sure you emphasize major taglines, points, statistics, and author names. If I don't hear the tagline, the argument/card will not flow in the round. If you are going to spread, send your doc.

Make sure to signpost and give an off-time road-map.

I do not flow cross-ex, so if you want something to be incorporated into the ballot from cross, make sure to bring it up in another speech.

I like framework debate, theory debate, and substance debate.

I am not as familiar with Ks and tricks, but I do know what they are. Speak slowly and really explain during more progressive arguments so I know how to evaluate them.

Don't forget to weigh.

My email is hopeajohnson07@gmail.com for evidence and case chains.

Don't be rude and have fun! Good luck!

Hey I'm Armaan (him)

don't really care what you call me ; armaan, Judge, whatever you want

Top Level - don't be sexist, racist, homophobic etc. - seriously not cool

Please respect your opponent - whether it be pronouns, cross x, etc. -- I won't vote you down unless it's severe but your speaks will certainly reflect your behavior in round -- seriously be nice!!!!!!

If you're nice in round you'll get good speaks!! (and vice versa!)

Good with any speed just send the doc if you're going fast

If there's an email chain - add me armaanslalani@gmail.com

TLDR: Policy = Theory/T > K > Light Phil > Tricks > Dense Phil

For Novice Tournament

1) Y'all this is a novice tournament. DO NOT be exclusionary. I don't care if you know what Baudrillard is or what Skep is, but novice is not the place for it. Please read inclusionary arguments, even if it means that you have to be super trad when you don't want to.

2) Don't be nervous. As a judge, I get that y'all are novices, and we were all at that point once in our careers. Literally NO ONE cares in a year about who won a novice round, like actually no one. It's fine if you stutter, slip up, forget things, stop, or just don't know how to answer something. That's alright because you are all novices. Try to have fun though!! This should be a fun learning experience, and a fun competition experience,

3) I'll probably have a good amount of thoughts after the round (during the RFD). All criticism is constructive, and imo some of the stuff I've ever learned comes in that period of time. It's to make y'all better, NOT MAKE you feel bad.

4) I'll be more than happy to answer any questions as long as it doesn't skew the round

Hey I’m Leah (she/her), I am currently at Auburn High School and a third year LD debater.

I think progressive debate is fun, but that being said there is a time and a place for those arguments. A Novice tournament is not the time nor place; arguments of that kind will not be weighed and there is a good chance I’ll vote you down.

I can comprehend any speed, so speak at whatever you are comfortable with, but don’t spread at a novice tournament

Don’t be racist/ homophobic/ transphobic/ sexist/ etc. in round you will be dropped

Framework is an important part of LD, try to use it throughout and in weighing

Try to fill your speech times it will only help you out! I would recommend keeping your own time but I’ll keep y’all’s time as well

Speak up, confidence goes a long way as a novice

Mistakes are ok, try not to be too hard on yourself, this is a learning experience

Jokes are appreciated :)

And most importantly have fun!

Feel free to contact me if you have any questions!

Email- lmlethander@gmail.com

oh and follow the Insta :) - leahlethander

Remember, use the tools at hand, blockfiles, even your own case

BE KIND, any disrespect will lead to a reduction of speaker points

I will not be flowing cross, but cross is consistently considered the most important 9 minutes of a round

Always tech over truth, if you say that the world is gonna end because we're doing debate its true if they don't respond to it. Any claims given without a card will concede to an evidence backed arg unless it is objectively true (For example there is no need for a card explaining mutually assured destruction if you're opponents have a card saying otherwise I am not listening to them.)

Any argument more complicated than a counter plan will result in an automatic vote down (For Novice LD)

Remember this is a novice tournament

"Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence" -Helen Keller (fictional character)

hey! hope it's going well! 

I'll save you some time so you can spend less time looking at my paradigm and more time prepping, so here's a really quick rundown: 

• I'm comfortable with basically any speed, just send a speech doc
• Tech > Truth ; but amazing speaking will be reflected in your speaker points
• I will be fine evaluating any argument, so run whatever you think is best. (LARP = Trad > T/Theory > Phil = Kritiks > trix)
• I will be very happy if you make the round easy for me to decide (collapsing, weighing, extending offense, etc.) 
• Don't worry about me as a judge I will definitely do my best and give advice to help you get better
• best of luck, you got this!
• don't stress about how you're doing - I get that everyone wants to win and I definitely felt like that too when I was at the novice tournament, but at the end of the day it's probably your first ever debate tournament so just treat this as a way to learn and HAVE FUN! (who knows maybe we'll debate each other in the future)

--------------------------

Eddy Pang | Vestavia 24' | eddypang2018@gmail.com 

Hey I'm Yash

I am a junior at LAMP High School and I have been doing LD ever since freshman year.

Before round starts, send me your case at my email: yashhparam@gmail.com

If you have any questions about me or my paradigm, feel free to ask me before round.

Debate Preferences

tech > truth

DO NOT be racist, homophobic, sexist, or discriminatory in any terms or else you will be voted down.

If you are going to spread, create an email chain with me and your opp

I don't care what you run (so you can run prog args), just know what you are running and how to deal with them. For instance, if you do not know how to defend your k, I advise you not to run ks. Btw I might just fall asleep if you run heavy Phil.

Weighing mechs are really important. (esp with clashing frameworks)

In order to win a round, you must extend your case.

Speak LOUD AND CLEAR or else I can't flow.

SIGNPOST as you go through your speech. (ex. contention 1 is ....)

Collapse the debate and really focus on the major points that I should vote on.

Explain your warrants.

Hey guys im Monsi Parekh!

Top Level - don't be sexist, racist, homophobic etc. - seriously not cool

-Please respect your opponent - whether it be pronouns, cross x, etc.

-Good with any speed just send the doc if you're going fast

If there's an email chain - add me mjparekh06@gmail.com

For Vestavia Novice

1) this is a novice tournament. DO NOT be exclusionary, novice is not the place for it. Please read inclusionary arguments, even if it means that you have to be super trad when you don't want to.

2) Don't be nervous. It's fine if you stutter, slip up, forget things, stop, or just don't know how to answer something. That's alright because you are all novices. Try to have fun though!! THIS IS A LEARNING EXPERIENCE

3) All criticism is constructive, and imo some of the stuff I've ever learned comes in that period of time. It's to make y'all better, NOT MAKE you feel bad.

4) I'll be more than happy to answer any questions as long as it doesn't skew the round

Weigh!!!!!! extend stuff!!!!!! collapse!!!

I am a Senior at Vestavia Hills High School in my fourth year of debate.

Tech > Truth (helps to have quality author credentials for evidence weighing)

my debate prefs:

1. policy,th
2. msv, trix
3. phil, Ks
4. anything else not on this list

Framework- I am familiar with Util, Structural Violence, and Kant in that order. If the framing debate is a wash I will default to cost benefit analysis.

Do NOT be X-phobic, racist, sexist, etc.

If there is an email chain, please add me, my email is 00thomaspatton00@gmail.com

I am fine with speed as long as you send the doc to me and your opponent. Speak clearly, otherwise it will be harder for me to flow your args and harder for me to vote you up.

Please be polite to your fellow debater.

Extend your args, signpost, and weigh in rebuttals.

Give an off time road map before each speech.

For Novice

Don't stress, this is your first LD tournament so just use this as a learning experience and remember, to have fun!

hi, im Rhea (she/her)! a bit about me: 4 years of ld at lamp, novice and jv state champ, 3x NSDA Nats qualifier, 1 bid to TOC

If there is an email chain, add me: rhearastogi2@gmail.com

Feel free to email me post-round with any questions!!

TOP LEVEL (for Novice LD):

be kind. any form of racism, sexism, homophobia, exclusionary tactics, etc. and you will be dropped immediately

tech > truth, but passionate speaking will be rewarded through high speaks

good with any speed, but if you will be spreading, please send docs

fine evaluating any arg, but make sure it is explained clearly (LARP = Trad > T/Theory > Phil = Kritiks > trix)

i like debaters that write the RFD for me -- this means WEIGH your impacts/do impact calc (probability, magnitude, timeframe)

do NOT forget to extend case/offense

framework debate is REALLY important if you and your opponent have differing frameworks

PLEASE signpost. if you don't know what that is, ask me before round.

be CLEAR and confident. if i can't hear you, it's not going on my flow, and it's not getting evaluated as a part of my RFD

Non-negotiable: speech times/rules, prep can be CX but CX can't be prep, compiling a doc is prep but flashing/emailing isn't, clipping and ev ethics will get you auto loss

Take a deep breath, have fun, and treat this as a LEARNING experience. Best of luck! :)

hi im arav

three years of ld at vestavia

dont be mean or exclusionary

have fun and be nice

i try to eval any arg except horrendous ones / uneducational ones

explain warrants

collapse

please dont make any arguments about personal things

im a slightly below average flower please dont blitz through 1ars and 2ars

slow down in your 1ar's if its not on the doc. if you send analytics your speaks will be great!

--

i lean fw vs k, not big fan of rob/fw heavy 2nr

k lit thats cool w me - cap, setcol, disability, psycho, weheliye -- anything else overexplain please

policy is good

please do the lbl on cp or da 2nr, not a big fan of giant overviews that implicitly answer everything

phil is good but explain skep/permiss triggers properly please

t/theory is good

tricks are ok - some tricks such as paradoxes are ok but any silly ones such as eval after x speech are probably bad for debate

--

everything in pf is chill do whatever

Background:

Junior @ The Altamont School

I've been doing national circuit policy debate for 4 years, but I also have experience in PF and LD.

Paradigm:

1) Tell me the order / roadmap of your speech before you start. For example: "I will start on my case, then go onto my opponent's case."

2) Do impact comparison. I decide the winner based on who accesses the most significant impact at the end of the round, so I need you to explain why your impact outweighs your opponent’s impact during your rebuttal speeches.

3) Speak as fast as you want (as long as you enunciate)

4) Relax. I know I'm going to be judging novice PFers and LDers, so I just want y'all to know that I understand debate can be scary. I'll try my best to make the debate environment less intimidating for everyone - feel free to ask me any questions if you are confused before, during, or after the debate.

Also, if you have any questions about the round or about debate in general, I encourage you to email me at any time with questions! My email is: stumpffj25@altamontschool.org

Hi, my name is Harleigh Walker, my pronouns are she/her and I am Co-LD Captain at Auburn High School where I am a junior. This is my second year debating and I'm so excited to be judging you all!

A few things:

tech>truth

1. Framework- is very important and a key component to Lincoln Douglas debate. If you and your opponent have different frameworks I expect a framework debate or comparison if you have the same framework
2. Weighing/voters-In your last speech tell me why you win the round This is really important in the round because it is what I use to determine my ballot and what I vote on.
3. Speaker points/things I do not tolerate- Please speak loudly and confidently and I should give you high speaker points. I will not tolerate any kind of misogyny, homophobia, transphobia, racism, or any kind of hate speech as I will immediately dock your speaks down to a 25 or lower and vote you down.
4. Arguments-I am a blank slate so any argument you or your opponent reads I will flow and you should respond to.
5. Cross-I enjoy an assertive cross and love some back and fourth bickering but cross is not a time for unwanted aggressiveness and rudeness. I do not flow cross so if anything important happens please mention it in your speeches.
6. Speed/Progressive Arguments- This is a novice tournament so I highly discourage progressive arguments as it is abusive especially at this kind of tournament. If you do this I will tank your speaks and be more inclined to vote you down. I can comprehend any speed, whatever you are comfortable with.
7. Timing/ signpost I will be keeping time throughout the round but I do recommend keeping your own time as well. Also please give an off time roadmap before your speech and signpost throughout you speech so I know where you are on the flow.
8. Have fun!-Remember debate is all about having fun! Don't be scared as the activity is meant to be about education, making new friends and trying out new experiences. Jokes are appreciated:))

Have any questions?

• Email: harleighawalker@gmail.com
• Instagram (follow/dm me!): @harleighawalker

My pronouns are she/her.

- I've engaged well enough with most arguments to become familiar with them, but that doesn't mean you should avoid basic argument structures. I'll judge the round based on how you tell me I should.

- Collapse!! Make sure you weigh impacts and answer framework!! :)

- I don't care if you stand, sit, or whatever in round. I am good with most speeds, but if I need you to slow down I'll just keep saying slow down until you're at a level I can flow.

- If you're planning to spread, it would be significantly easier for me to flow if you could add me to an email chain (hollandw0620@gmail.com). I keep a flow but please don't assume I instantly know which card you're talking about unless you slightly explain it (or its a big factor in the round).

- I believe debate is a training field-- it has a competitive nature as a game, but should remain ethical and truthful as an educational activity.

FOR VESTAVIA NOVICE:

This is a novice tournament. I will vote down spreading and vote down progressive arguments & frameworks. Please be respectful of each other. I'd appreciate being added to an email chain (hollandw0620@gmail.com).