Vestavia Novice
2023 — Vestavia Hills, AL/US
Public Forum Paradigm List
All Paradigms: Show HideHello! I’m Sydney An, and I’m a junior at LAMP High school. I’ve been debating in PF for around two years now.
I can deal with pretty fast talking speeds, but I recommend you to not spread, especially since this is a novice tournament. I'd rather you be slow and articulate than fast and incomprehensible.
Please be respectful; I will not tolerate any unsportsmanlike behavior or rude comments.
Maintain decorum in cross. I won't stop you if you ask more than one question in a row, but please keep in mind that each team is technically limited to one question before the opposing team can ask.
Make sure to bring up all of your important arguments in summary and continue to frontline in FF. If you drop something in FF/add a whole new argument, I won't take it into account.
Signposting is very convenient, so make sure to let me know where in your opponent's case you are rebutting. (Eg. In response to their Contention 1, Subpoint A, etc.)
I don't really care for offtime roadmaps, so it isn't necessary (for me, at least). Bonus points if you do, though.
Collapse onto your most significant arguments! It's not required, but I definitely encourage you to drop any weak arguments.
Impact weighing is crucial so please don't forget! It makes my life a lot easier.
Have fun! While debate is super stressful (and the first tournament is always the most rough), it does get better as you gain more experience. Let's make this a great tourney! :]
Thomas Bazemore art mine name
Judging debate art my game
Speak like this the entire round
The speaker points shalt be profound
Should thou waver from the rhyme
Thy speaker points shalt drop by nine
A pencil shalt not enter my sight
If it does, I shall leave in spite
Though thy first time it shall be
An amazing debate I hope to see
For novices, while thou art new
Still must abide by NSDA Rule
You shall respect the other side
Lest you lose arguments that coincide
You shall not use profane words
Lest your disqualification be heard
Thou shalt always bring thy case
Improvising is quite the waste
Lastly I shall state MY rules
Lest you argue like a fool
Make sure thou art speaking clearly
flows and impacts I love dearly
Frameworks shalt not be necessary
But they truly help against thine adversary
Make sure thine time is within bounds
Lest I cut you off with a frown
'Tis art mine own Paradigm
Good luck Debaters! 'Tis nearly time!
Hey everyone!!
I have been debating for 3 years in Public Forum and Congressional debate.
I will flow the round and judge you on how well you weigh the arguments. If you want to be judged on an argument, you need to bring it back up in every speech. Do not expect that I know an argument was wrong, tell me it is wrong and why.
If you are disrespectful to me or your opponents you will get low speaks and your confidence matters!
Have fun!
Homero Castillo | (He/Him) | PF Debater & PFJudge | 11th Grader at JCIB High School |
Hi everyone! I'm a debater at JCIB High School, and I'm excited to see you guys compete! I don't mind if you guys spread in your arguments, as long as you speak clearly and articulate! Here's a couple of lists that I've made that will help me to decide who will win my ballot!
Thing's I'll do:
- I will not consider cross, only if it is mentioned in the speech coming after cross.
- I will believe all arguments of the opposing team until they are rebutted. If you tell me that Ariana Grande is going to rule Germany, with Lady Gaga (and as they give their speech Billy Joel is playing in the background), but the other team doesn't rebut the point. I will consider that point if outweighed well.
- I could run a timer on my end, but I'd prefer you guys to keep track of your own time.
Do's:
- SIGNPOST and Off-time roadmaps! Signposting is important in debate because it helps me as a judge keep track
- Don't forget to weigh! Whether it's on scope, magnitude, probability or qualitative, weigh your arguments! Quick Tip: Start weighing in your summary, and carry it onto the final focus to get my ballot!
- Sound confident! Although it may seem scary at first, confidence it key and you want to make it seem as if your arguments are stronger than the other team's.
- Make eye contact. Although you may want to just stare at your papers. Make eye contact with the judge to show your confidence!
- Use all of your time! It's important to use all the time you have to add more impacts to your arguments or even rebut your opponent's impacts. If the opponents don't have any questions during cross, use that to your advantage!
- Don't forget about your 3 minutes of prep-time too!
Don'ts:
- I will NOT tollerate any racist, sexist, homophobic and transphobic comments.
- Don't get into arguments at cross. Although debate can get heated sometimes, in no means is it ok to have an argument.
- Do not attack the other speaker. Criticize the arguments and not the speaker.
Most importantly,Have Fun!
Debate isn't all about competing, but most importantly it's about having fun! My email is homerojrc0912@gmail.com if you have any questions following the debate or if you just want it for the chain! If you reach out, I could also give you some tips on how to improve as a debater! Don't forget to have fun!
If you're going to spread send your case before the round. I want clear link chains and you should win my vote through good impacts and rebuttals. At the end of the round your focus should to be have more quality evidence standing than your opponent. I will consider each speech when writing my ballot and it's not over until it's over. I want clear and easy to follow speeches so signposting will go a long way. I will not consider arguments made in cross ex unless you bring it up in another speech. Keep track of your own preptime and inform me every time that you used it how much you used. I want a respectful debate at all times. Any racist, sexist, homophobic, etc comments will be taken note of and reported and will cost you the round. Debate is hard so I applaud everyone that is competing. Good luck and do your best.
Because you are novices, any feedback I give will be to make you better debaters. It might come off as harsh sometimes, but I promise that is not my intention. I do not care whether you stand or sit for whatever speech, just do what makes you comfortable (although I’d definitely advise to stand).
From my personal experience , I’ve been doing PF for 6 years. I know the ins and outs of debate, so don't be afraid about anything.
Constructive: Speed is fine, but make sure you emphasize your impacts, as they are the most integral part to the round in my opinion. I should also add that I personally feel that the US should not expand military presence in the arctic, but don’t let that discourage you at all from choosing to affirm. For each speech, I will let you go 15 seconds over. Overall, I’ll be judging on how well your case links to your impacts.
PS. This shouldn't need to be said, but no bigotry, please.
Hey there! My name is Kileigh Dickinson and I am a Junior and a third year debater at LAMP High School.
Some notes
-Please be respectful to your opponents! I expect you to talk to each other as equals!
-I am fine with speed, but no spreading. If I can't understand you I won't flow you.
-Remember! Public forum is called public forum because someone from the public should be able to walk in and understand what is going on! Make it that way!
How to win on my ballot
-I love off-time roadmaps, signposting, and arguments about framework, definitions and burdens!
-Explain your impacts! I can't expand on them for you, explain the relevance of your argument and why I should vote for it!
-consistently weigh against your opponents points!
-I vote off of your argument in the context of the resolution!
Carson Douglas (He/Him) | Varsity PF Debater & PF Judge
I’m pretty open to anything as a judge! Feel free to ask me questions or run things by me, preferably before the debate starts. In 6 words, Have fun! Be nice! Weigh impacts!
Things to keep in mind:
- Most importantly, please respect both the other team & me as a judge. Decorum is very important to me. This is High School debate! We’re here to have fun!
- Confidence is key.
- You have 3 minutes of prep time- use it!!
- Try to keep your own time! Having a timer to tell you how much time you have left can be super helpful so you can get your best arguments in
How you’ll win my ballot:
- Weighing is super important! Please weigh! I generally prefer this in the final focus when all arguments against your impact have been made, but I don’t mind weighing throughout the debate either
- Collapsing. In other words, quality over quantity. If you feel that one of your arguments has been made useless by the other team, feel free to tell me that you’re collapsing on that point, and full focus/defend your other argument(s).
- I cannot stress this enough: focus on attacking the other team’s arguments rather than the team itself.
How you’ll lose my ballot:
- Spreading. I’m good with speed (use your time wisely!) but if you’re talking so fast I can’t understand you, I likely will miss some of your points and details. I prefer clarity to speed every. single. time.
- Discriminatory or hateful arguments and comments. Making any sort of sexist/racist/etc comments will automatically dock speaker points, and could possibly lose you the round. You’re smart. You have better arguments than an attack on someone.
Name: Ian Farley
Years of debate: 2
Dog's name: Margot
Your mission: Amaze me with your debate skills
As a heads up, I'm hard of hearing (deaf in my right ear), so I'd appreciate if you didn't spread during your rounds.
He/him pronouns if that's something you care about knowing.
Also, go MAXC.
I’m a high schooler who’s done debate since middle school :)
Respect others; any discriminatory comments will result in an auto drop and I'll contact tab
Please be nice. Debates are not fun at all to judge when people are being rude/condescending in cross and I will give you the L if you're too mean.
I'll disclose only if everyone in the round is comfortable with it. I really hate how competitive debate is, so if you don't want to hear the results, power to you and just say so!
Try to speak for the whole speech time and weigh (tell me why to prefer your impacts over your opponents') and I'll be happy
Please extend arguments!! Tell me the reasons why something happens not just that it happens, and I’m so so much more likely to vote for you. Basically, just warrant what you’re saying and extend arguments properly
Give an off-time roadmap, like "neg, aff"
I think it's my job to adapt to how y'all are debating and that's what I'll try to be doing. As long as you're erring on the side of over-explaining things which aren't problematic in any way, I'd love to vote for you! Please just debate the way you debate best in front of me
My email is Wphahn05@gmail.com if you have any questions after/before round or want to add me to the email chain
Please ask me any questions before round if you have any, and don't aggressively post-round me!
Most importantly, HAVE FUN!!!
Hello debaters!
I am a varsity debater in my junior year at Vestavia Hills High School. This is my third year in Public Forum Debate. If you need anything, contact me at wh.jackson@icloud.com.
General Rules:
The most important thing to remember at a debate tournament is to behave yourselves and be respectful. Have good etiquette and act kindly towards your opponents, partner, and judge.
Something that I’ll be looking for (especially at Novice Tournament), is the demonstration of good debate practices. Both teams in a round should be keeping their time, flowing, standing to speak, staying quiet during the opponent’s speech, giving an off-time roadmap, signposting, and going down the flow during rebuttal and summary.
When speaking:
Try not to spread (talking at an excessively fast rate). The goal of debate is to convince the judge that your ballot is the better choice, and a judge has a harder time deciding in your favor if they didn’t understand what you said or didn’t flow an argument you made. Also try to avoid filler words such as 'umm', 'uh', and 'like'.
In round:
Make no new arguments after 1st Summary. If you make a new argument, I will not judge on it. You alsomust weigh in summary and final focus. If you do not weigh, I can almost guarantee that I will not vote for your side. I also require that you give a reiteration of your link-chain in summary and final focus. This can be brief, but you need to extend your link chain to access your impacts. --> Always reiterate and accentuate your impacts!
I will be judging based on my flow, but I will give feedback on as much of the round as I can. If you have any further questions, ask me before the round.
- Henry Jackson
Hi everyone! I'm a debater at Auburn High School and am a pf debater.
Just a few comments about things I like and don't like:
- Don't be rude. Any racist, sexist, homophobic, etc. comments will lose you the round and tank your speaks.
- Please signpost and give an off-time road map so I know where you are on the flow.
- If you talk quickly, please be clear and articulate well.
- Try your very best to fill all of your speech time.
- Make sure you extend your points and weigh!
- No K's, counterplans, etc. (theory is ok if and only if your opponents are absolutely outrageous)
Overall, be nice, have fun, and good luck! If you have any questions, feel free to email me. emilyjiang133@gmail.com
Please don't do annoying things like spreading or being rude to other people.
Remember to weigh in round and tell me why you’ve won.
The most important thing is just to have fun and enjoy your debates :)
Hi! I'm Emma Lawley! Debate is one of m most favorite things and I am super excited to be back in it!
Debate is something that I have fun with, and I want you to have fun as well. These rounds should be enjoyable, experimental, and educational! You win some, you lose some, but you always have fun and try your best!
Things I love:
-Learning! Ask me any questions you have and learn from your opponents. Adjusting your debate style as you go is the key to developing how you work best.
-Weighing! I want to know that you understand the impacts of your resolution. You have the ability to make your resolution marketable, and I want you to showcase that!
-Sportsmanship! I am such a stickler for respect and sportsmanship in debate. Anything that I deem disrespectful or misconduct in a round will have a serious effect on how I vote.
-Enjoyment! I want you to walk away having enjoyed debate and being motivated to keep going despite the outcome.
Things I Hate:
-Nitpicking! I understand the need for questions during crossfire and connections during speeches, however I do not understand the need to pick apart every detail of your opponents argument without cause. Speculation with little to no solvency is a huge no-go for me.
-Lack of time use! Every minute of every speech counts for something in the grand scheme of debate. Use your time wisely and use as much as you possibly can! All of it is best!
DO YOUR BEST! TRY YOUR HARDEST! BE BRAVE! BE BOLD!
"You'll never do a whole lot unless you're brave enough to try." -Dolly Parton
Hello!
Email for email chains: timothyli1331@gmail.com
I am a seasoned PF debater, and I can't wait to watch y'all debate (probably since you're reading my paradigm).
Weighing - During your debate, I must hear weighing. If you don't weigh or at least make some comparison between the impacts, I will not be voting your side. I accept all types of weighing, but it needs to make sense.
Signposting - I would love some signposting. It would greatly help me organize my stuff and keep me from having to flip my paper every five seconds trying to find what you're arguing against. Please tell me where you're going during the speech and before the speech (off time road map).
Clarity - Clarity is always over speed. I don't want to hear mumbling, and please speak loudly. I will not flow down something I can't hear.
Timing - I'll try to remember to time, but you should time yourself.
NO RACISM, HARRASMENT, SEXISM, OR ANY OF THE SORT
Anyways, have fun, and don't stress out!!????
Hey! Hope it's going well! I'm Reva. I've competed in Public Forum for three years and have also done Congress and various Speech events.
Tech>Truth
Speed is fine but make sure to enunciate well
Please please signpost and have a off-time roadmap
I will flow anything as long as it is not homophobic, racist, or sexist
Collapse, Extend, AND Weigh!!!!
If it wasn't in summary then it shouldn't be in final focus
Please give me a reason why I need to be voting for your side
If you have any questions please ask before the round!
I don't flow cross but I expect that you are respectful during it
BQ
I mainly compete/judge PF but I have knowledge of BQ and the topic
Same preferences for PF
I like definition battles
GOOD LUCK AND HAVE FUN!!!!!
Here is my email reva.lingala1@gmail.com for evidence sharing or if you have any questions
Hello!
I am a current high school PF debater and this is my third year of deabte.
General: Be nice to everyone you debate against, show respect to each other. Any form of discriminatory language will result in an auto drop and a report to tab.
Tech > Truth(if you provide evidence that the sky turns purple tomorrow but your opponent doesn't refute, I'll flow that across)
Please give an offtime roadmap before your speech and sign-post during your speech.
I'll disclose the round as long as both sides are comfortable.
Most importantly, have fun!!!
Constructive:
1. Speak loudly and clearly
2. Time yourself, I will also be timing you just in case
Rebuttal:
1. Quality > Quantity
2. Fill up your time as much as possible
3. WEIGH(you have to weigh in second rebuttal)
Summary:
1. Only first summary can bring up new evidence
2. Collapse, extend, weigh
Final Focus:
1. You can only bring up things brought up in summary
2. Please don't re-read cards
Hi! I'm Leigh I’ve been debating for all years of high school,. I just Graduated, and i’ll be doing debate in college at the university of alabama, starting fall 2024 .
The things I Vote On:
EVIDENCE! - this is Very important! please have full cards and citations, if it sounds fake i will ask to see the card!
Weighing- tell me WHY you win! If weighing is not brought up in summary i will not flow, it through in final focus.
Impacts!!! - why your points either hurt or benefit your reasoning and case.
Speaker points:
Off time road map please! Tell me where you are going.
Project your voice, if i can’t hear you, I can’t flow you. Any rude, homophobic, racist or sexist comments will not be tolerated.
Extra Information:
Speed- im good with speed, if spreading, send me a speech doc. ldmacon109@gmail.com
try to convince ME, not your opponent, you will not change your opponent's mind, you can only change mine. Be confident, if you’re confident you sound more convincing.
Be nice!You got this!Have fun! Debate is fun!
tech>truth
Defense is sticky.
I don't flow crossfire.
email for chains: amahatsente@gmail.com
-please do not spam
Betty Gun
PF
This is meant to be a learning opportunity. Try to take up all of your time and-most importantly- have fun.
LD
This is meant to be a learning opportunity. Try to take up all of your time and-most importantly- have fun.
I am fine with progressive debate, just Warrant Everything. The more progressive you make the round, the more you need to explain it to me. I prefer detailed analysis over blippy extensions and warranting any day of the week. No frivolous theory and no abusive roles of the ballot.
Hello! My name is Nikita, I go to Auburn High School and this is my 2nd year debating.
Some advice for round
-be nice to your opponents (and me please)
-don’t say anything that is bigoted (racism, homophobia, transphobia, xenophobia will not be tolerated)
-try and use up all your time!
-WEIGH! And pull your impacts through!
I believe in y’all you’ll do great!
Keinora Iman JCIB Highschool 2025!
One "bad" debate doesn't make a bad debater!
3 yrs competing
Speed fine but speak clearly.
Signpost pls tell me order of speech
I don't flow cross but you can bring up something that happened (although even then ppl exxagerate what happens in cross). Don't go way over cross time.
Weighing has to be in summary for it to be in final.
Defense is not sticky, u have to extend all pieces of defense through summary if u want me to evaluate it.
If you run out of time for a speech, I'll let you finish your sentence, won't flow anything after that.
don't steal prep
27.5 speaks means you did mid, I'll plus/minus depending on each person
Don't be rude.
On theory and k's: I barely understand either so run at your own risk. I don't think either should be a part of PF. Ik not disclosing/paraphrasing evidence is unfair but I will adjust accordingly for evidence ethics violations (not evaluating it + low speaks). Also i just don't buy disclo.
Ask for more prefs in round but this is basically all.
- Be respectful
- No spreading please :)
- Keep your own time
- I know it's your first time debating so don't stress, just have fun!
Hey guys, I'm Archana! I'm a senior and varsity on the Vestavia Hills High School PF Debate Team. I've been doing debate for three years, and am currently captain!
For the Vestavia Novice tourney:
- debating for the first few times can be scary, don't freak out or be stressed. we all make mistakes, everyone is a novice and are learning, just focus on giving it your best!
- take everything with a grain of salt, and use this tournament as a learning experience for you to build up on your experience and skills
- any feedback i give is constructive criticism, to give advice/help you improve
GOOD LUCK! :))
Here are some gen things to take note of in round:
- NO derogatory, discriminatory or offensive comments of any kind!!
- tech > truth, ill flow any arg as long as it is throughly warranted
- i usually adapt myself to your debating style
- try to use all of your speech time pls
- speak loud and clear
- extend args
- signpost during speechs so i'm not lost, give me an off time roadmap
- weigh, weigh, weigh! i wanna hear why your impacts are better than your opponents
- collapse
- ok w/speed but if you spread send me your speech doc
- i don't flow cross so if your opponent mentions something important bring it back up in one of your speechs for me to flow it through the round
- be nice to your opponents in cross!
- i strongly prefer for you to keep your own time, but i will be too just incase
- i'll disclose if everyone is ok with it
PF:
- i don't flow through new arguments that are brought up after summary
- start weighing early on in the round
- frontline
- pls dont cause chaos/yell over each other in grandcross :))
- not as accustomed with theory/prog args but go ahead, just explain it well
l
- i've seen enough LD rounds to gauge what's going on and know how it works
- i'm g with trad debates (focus on weighing and fw); i will say i'm open to but definitely not experienced with anything prog -- such as theory, K's, DA's, plans, tricks etc -- but i'll do my best to understand if explained throughly
- weigh framework properly
- im ok with speed but if you spread send speech doc
feel free to add me to the email chain: archanaraja.nkl@gmail.com
if you have any questions pre/post round, reach out to me and i'll be happy to answer
don't stress, have fun with debate, and make the best out of it. you're gonna do great, i believe in you GOOD LUCK!!! :)
Hey guys! My name is Reena and I'm a senior at Vestavia Hills High School. I am a varsity PF debater and I have been on the team for 3 years.
Below are some of the key factors I will be voting off of during the round:)
please signpost (let me know where on the flow you are) before every speech. I expect you to time your own speeches and especially your own prep time.
Case: Make sure your case has impacts. It is hard for me to vote on an argument that doesn't tell me how or which population is affected by their impacts. However, make sure you also have warrants. Even if your case has big numbers, I will not evaluate any of your impacts if you don't give me any explanations as to how you get there. Don't worry if your case does not get to 4 minutes; I still evaluate all arguments presented in that timeframe.
Speaking: Speak clearly. For me, you can go a little bit fast and I will still be able to understand your argument. However, I will ask you to slow down if you are going too fast. The same goes for speaking too quietly. Send speech docs if you plan on spreading. Email is reenamramani@gmail.com
Rebuttal: Prioritize offense over defense. In 1st rebuttal, try not to go back to your case unless it is an absolute necessity and you believe you have no other way to fill the 4 minutes. Weighing is not a necessity in 1st rebuttal but it would be good if you started weighing early in round. Weighing should be in 2nd rebuttal. 2nd rebuttal must respond to all offense that 1st rebuttal brings. 2nd rebuttal would be good to collapse but it is not required for me. Defense is not sticky.
Weighing: WEIGHING IS NECESSARY, with mechanisms. I must know why your argument is more important than theirs to be able to vote for you. Additionally, weighing can't be one-sided. You must weigh COMPARING your impact to theirs as opposed to just restating their impact. It can start in rebuttal but IT MUST START IN SUMMARY.
Summary: Summary should respond to all offense presented on ALL of their contentions. Summary must also have clean extensions of their case and turns (from previous speeches) in order for them to stay on my flow. 2nd summary is largely a reactive speech that must respond to the points brought up by 1st summary. As a NSDA rule, 2nd summary CANNOT bring up new arguments or evidence into the round.
Final Focus: Largely resembles summary. NO NEW INFORMATION IN FINAL FOCUSES. Lay out the reasons why I should vote for YOUR SIDE. Weighing, case extensions and turn extensions must be present.
Have fun with this activity. It gives back what you give it. You make connections the more you stay in the activity. This all might seem overwhelming ad scary but I promise you'll be fine!
YOU'RE GONNA KILL IT!!!!
hello, i'm Alexia! i go to Auburn High School and this is my 2nd year debating.
i'm usually pretty chill and jokes are appreciated :) just don't do anything hurtful and please be respectful to everyone in the room!
criteria:
- i vote based off my flow, if i do not see you pull your impact(s) all the way through, i will likely discount it.
- speaker points:i will not tolerate bigotry; if i hear any belittling of opponents and/or other people, i will dock your speaks to a 25 or below. be nice during cross, don't be too aggressive, but still be assertive. please speak clearly and loudly-if i cannot hear it, i will not flow it! be confident!
- weighing: weigh and do it clearly. tell me why you won. i will likely vote based off weighing, so this is very important. weigh and do it effectively!!
- time: please keep your time! i will also keep time, but i will not do it for you. keep time for speeches and prep and tell me how much prep you've used. if you go 10secs over time during a speech, i will tell you to stop and i won't flow anything you say over time, even if you get a 10sec leeway. use up all your time as well!
- lastly, remember to have fun when debating! don't be too disheartened if you've lost a round, i promise it's not the end of the world! just have as much fun as you can!! :))
here's my email if you have any questions: ahrgcr107@gmail.com
my insta too if you have questions: @alexia._jade_
I've been debating at Mountain Brook since Junior year (now a senior), mostly doing PF.
Please be respectful during the round. Being mean to opponents is not cool and could make you lose.
Do your best to tell me where you are in the flow, so I know what you're talking about, and try to address opponents arguments, it makes for a better debate.
Make sure to weigh, so I know why to vote for you.
Also, I'll favor tech over truth, so even if a card/argument seems dumb, make sure you respond to it, so it doesn't flow through for the other team.
Have fun!
Amya Rucker | she/her | 11th grade
Hello, I'm a debater from JCIB Highschool. Be respectful and have fun!
I just finished my sixth year debating at Mountain Brook High School
Top Level Stuff
-Add me to the email chain and email me with any questions after the round: jacksonrshort@gmail.com
-Debate is a game; win the game
-Debate needs to be a fun activity; if you make me laugh you'll get an extra speaker point
Policy
-I'm good with pretty much any type of argumentation, as long as you convince me why you win
-I'm good with speed, and I will look at speech docs, but if I can't understand you, I won't flow
-Ask me any specific questions before round if you have them
PF
-I am comfortable with speed, but don't spread, it's PF, if you want to spread do a different event
-I'm ok with pretty much all kinds of progressive argumentation, but if I don't understand it, I can't vote off of it, so make sure you explain it well
-I generally think theory is a good thing (especially paraphrasing), but it really bothers me when teams read it simply as a cop-out. Only read theory if your opponent is doing something that merits it. That said, if your opponent is reading theory just to try to win the round and not address an actual issue, then call it out; I am very open to voting on a friv theory arg. Also, if you're not comfortable with it, don't read it; there are plenty of other ways to win the round.
LD
-I'm comfortable with speed, but if you spread send a speech doc
-Please please please implicate the round through your value and criterion; if you don't, I don't know what to vote on
-Generally comfortable with progressive debate
-If you read tricks or super philosophical arguments, explain them well. If I don't understand it I won't vote on it.
I'm Sid Spear. I have been competitively debating PF for 2 years. No racism, homophobia, sexism, or yelling. any of that will deduct your speaker points. I vote on weighing and how well your case is defended. I award points based on how well you pronunciate and your pacing. DO NOT SPREAD. have fun
Hey everyone! I'm a competitive debater that can handle speed and complexity.
My judging style; I give speaks for delivery and I vote off the flow. I vote based solely on your analysis in final focus. You can build a 10/10 point, but if you don't extend it in final speech I haven't been told why it matters.
Its good to have arguments. It's great to tell my why your impacts matter more.
I don't judge cross- but if you expose flaws in cross and bring it up in the following speech It becomes part of the round and part of my judgement.
I buy ALL arguments unless the opponent disproves them.
If you say pufferfish death leads to the sun exploding and the opponent doesn't respond... I'm flowing sun explosion impacts through.
Don't be abusive, but I'll boost your speaks for competitive edge.
"Believe in your flyness... conquer your shyness" -Kanye West.
Hey everyone!! This is my second year debating at Auburn High School.
First things first: any discriminatory comments will automatically lose you the round and get your speaker points tanked. Don’t be rude!
Definitely weigh and extend your impacts so I know what to vote on. Off time road maps and signposting are very much appreciated!
If everyone in round is okay with speed, I am too, but make sure you check with each other before. If someone isn’t comfortable with speed, don’t do it. Be considerate!
I’ll be keeping time, (and if you go too much over time, I’ll stop you), but I’d recommend that you keep your own time so you don’t have to rely on me!
I enjoy a good back and forth in cross, but don’t be overaggressive and mean. I really don’t want to just watch two people yell at each other for three minutes.
And that’s it! Just have fun! Debate can and should be fun! :)
If you have any questions or just want to talk about the round, please please please don’t hesitate to reach out! My email is lilyttao@gmail.com
hey guys!! im elizabeth (she/her) and im a varsity debater at auburn. i think debate should be dictated by the debaters, not me, so i try and keep things pretty chill.
tech>truth, tabula rasa and all that stuff
some things i like and don't like:
- fill your speech time! i know it can be scary when you run out of things to say, but the more you say, the more reasons you are giving me to vote for you
- extend- bring up your best arguments in your last few speeches
- i loveeeee off time road maps.
- no spreading or prog in novice
- weigh so I know why to prefer your case over your opponent’s
- being homophobic, sexist, racist, etc. will lose you the round, debate should always be inclusive
- jokes are appreciated :)
dm me at @elizabeth_thurow or email me at elthurow4@gmail.com if you have any questions
(or just follow my insta for funsies)
Respect your oppenents, and don't make fun of how they speak, or their arguementation. Also follow basic NSDA rules. Escpecially bringing up a new card in Final Focus or 2nd Summary, don't do it.
Hey guys
I really only know how to judge PF debate because that's where my experience mainly comes from so I'm going to flow and go with the flow.
PGS stands for "pretty good stuff"
THINGS I WANT TO SEE IN A ROUND:
I'm tech over truth. Idk everything so it's your job to defend your argument to me.
Please learn when it is appropriate to respond and when it is not. This means frontline in second rebuttal or first summary. Don't introduce new cards starting in second summary. I'm not going to flow it.
Narrow all your arguments down to one and concede to everything else in second rebuttal or first summary, which means frontline to what you are collapsing on AND use comparative weighing ("Millions of people in poverty is scope" is NOT weighing, "Millions of people dying outweighs my opponents' argument on poverty because lives are irreversible while the economy isn't" IS comparative weighing)
Your final focus has to include everything in summary. Please don't go for your contention 1 in summary and then your contention 2 in final focus and then weigh on something completely different in your FF from what was in summary. Don't make me guess on what I'm voting for.
Give clear warrants. Don't just say "Arctic mining is good for power projection" as a response and not give any reasoning.
Idc about cross
Time yourselves and keep up with your prep time
EXTRA STUFF:
Idc if you sit or stand, just make your voice clear that I can hear you
Don't spread. Idc what tournament this is. Idc if you send your opponents and me a speech doc. The purpose of debate is to have better public speaking and oral communication skills to get your point across. Spreading defeats the entire purpose of this.
Don't run theory in the Alabama circuit. Chances are you're competing against a team that rarely competes in the nat circ. If we're in nat circ, I would strongly prefer if you didn't run theory unless there's an actual violation. I'm not a fan of disclosure theory
Don't run Ks. I don't understand them and would rather vote on the topic.
Don't trust my facial expressions lol
Hello PFers! My name is Cleo Washington and I am entering my third and unfortunately final year in Public Forum.
Let’s get some basics out of the way:
I am fine with speed as long as you enunciate clearly. If my understanding becomes an issue, I will no longer continue to flow.
Please act with respect towards myself, your partner, opponents, and anyone else who may observe the round. No racism, sexism, homophobia, or any type of bigotry will be accepted.
Please signpost and use off-time roadmaps!
No new evidence in Final Focus!! Nothing should be mentioned in Final Focus that was not mentioned in Summary!
I will, just like you all, keep time during the round so please do not mislead me about the amount of time that has passed.
Speaking of time, use all of it in round! It will be awkward for the both of us if you stop speaking well before time is up.
Please remember to impact weigh and give me voters! Weigh all the way down my ballot. It will make my decision making process much easier.
Finally, relax yourself before the round begins. No matter how prepared or unprepared you feel, the moment is here. You will only be a novice once in your life so please make the most of this opportunity! I can only imagine how far you will go in your PF career here in the Mockingbird District!
i'm a junior and a varisty debater at Vestavia! i've been debating for 3 years now
**please be respectful to your opponents and judges. do not make any hateful (homophobic, racist, sexist, etc.) comments, you'll be reported and have an automatic loss
topshelf:
disclosure depends on 1) vibe of the round and 2) if i'm allowed to disclose
tech > truth (ex: if you read a card saying pigs will fly, i'll believe it until it's properly disproven)
speed is fine --> if you spread, pls send me the case doc
try to time yourself for your speeches and prep time (i'll also try to time you)
preferences:
pls provide off time roadmaps before your speech (ex: aff then neg)
try to signpost during your speech (tells me where you are on the flow)
i don't flow cross so if something important happens --> bring it up in your speech!
please extend!!. make sure you extend important args and why you win them (warrants) along withyour impacts throughout the round
weigh, weigh, weigh!!! tell me how your impacts are bigger/better than your opponents
anything said in final focus needs to have been said in summ. no new evidence after 1st summ --> i won't flow it through (per NSDA rules)
-----
be confident, you got this :)
HAVE FUN AND GOOD LUCK!!!
for email chains or questions: mwhitener017@gmail.com
Hey, I'm Anton Yang, a sophomore at Montgomery Academy. This is my second year competitively debating PF
If you are going to read fast, I recommend emailing me your case so I can keep up while you talk my email is anton_yang@montgomeryacademy.org
Read whatever (egregiously untrue) argument you want; I try to be flexible. If your opponent doesn't talk about it, I'll flow it. (basically I buy all arguments unless the opponent disproves them.)
If you say the US increasing military presence in the Arctic leads to the monkeys taking over the world and the opponent never responds, I'm flowing it
obviously dont say anything discriminatory/hateful
Please dont spread, this is a novice tournament
WEIGH/tell me why your impacts matter more. (very important, every judge is gonna say this)
I don't flow on cross but if you expose flaws in cross and bring it up later it becomes part of the round
PF Debate for 3 years
Add me to email chain: bzhang757@gmail.com
I'm fine with talking fast, but please make sure you are speaking loud and clearly. If I can't understand you, I'll stop flowing
Please signpost at the beginning of every speech (except your constructive)
Make sure to weigh (you will most likely lose if you don't)
I won't flow cross, but if you want me to flow something mentioned in crossfire, mention it in your speech
Make sure that you're following all of the rules (ex. no new arguments in 2nd sum and ff, don't steal prep time, don't go more than 5-10 secs over time, etc.)
I am Tech > Truth
Be respectful - if you're rude you will lose speaker points and possibly the round
If you have any more questions you can email me or ask me before a round
Debate can be stressful but just try your best and try to have fun