Email for the chain: chapo.sophie@gmail.com

Junior at DSHS

TLDR:

Do what you do best - I'll do my best to judge the round fairly, as long as you're not racist/homophobic/sexist/etc. then I will be as unbiased as possible.

Tech>Truth

T:

Evidence quality matters, the cards should have an intent to define.

I'm fairly easily persuaded by a strong reasonability push by the aff, especially if the definitions are bad.

DAs:

Turn case analysis is really important for both sides - make it, and definitely respond to it.

Make sure to do good impact calc, just saying you outweigh isn't enough.

CPs:

Counterplans should probably be textually and functionally competitive, but I can be persuaded otherwise.

The aff should probably try to win a perm - that being said, just saying "perm do both" is not sufficient explanation.

Ks:

General - I've read k's on both sides (mostly fem and set col, but also cap and some others) and they're my favorite arguments. That being said, I will just as easily vote against a k if it isn't debated well, and I'll have a hard time voting for it if I don't understand it. If you have any doubts, opt for overexplaining.

Aff - You should probably have a link to the topic or at least an explanation for why you shouldn't need to. I don't really care how either side debates framework (if its in the debate at all), but just make sure to really articulate why the model of the aff is good/bad. Also a lot of the time the actual aff barely gets talked about - if I don't know what it does by the end of the round, regardless of the rest of the debate, I'll have a hard time voting on it.

Neg - Like with the aff, make sure to explain exactly what is happening with the k. I would prefer for there to be an alt, but that doesn't mean there necessarily needs to be one (that's different from kicking the alt and treating the k as a da, which is also fine for me). Try to have links as specific to the aff as possible, or at least some kind of explanation as to why generic links are good. I've found that framework debate usually just becomes a wash - take that as you will. Again, make sure to explain why your model is good and really articulate exactly how it is that the aff is harmful.

LASA '22

UT '26

Add me to the email chain: danielle.c.gu@gmail.com

Top level:

Do whatever you do well! I will do my best to judge your argument fairly, and I am glad to answer any questions you have about the RFD.

Tech > Truth. Dropped arguments must have a claim, warrant, and impact to matter, and the implications of the argument should still be explained.

General:

I give the highest speaks when debaters are clear, efficient, and resolve arguments in rebuttals. The most difficult debates to decide are ones where neither team identifies and prioritizes important arguments, or there is no comparative impact calculus.

Clarity > Speed. I am fine with spreading, but I would always prefer for you to slow down and speak clearly rather than go faster.

Framework:

I am more familiar with neg arguments for framework than aff answers, but I am still happy to judge a K aff.

For me to vote neg, the 2NR should go for a well-articulated impact and ideally have some way to access or turn the aff's primary offense. I am willing to hear any impact as long as it is explained, and I believe that fairness can be explained as either an impact or an internal link as the distinction is often not large in terms of impact calculus.

For me to vote aff, the strategy should center around either a reasonable counter-interpretation or an impact turn. The counter-interpretation should definitely solve the aff's own offense and likely access some amount of neg offense in order to be effective. I find it difficult to be persuaded by arguments about why debate in general is bad, and I think that the aff should be able to present a differing vision for why debate is valuable and how they access that.

K v K:

I am least familiar with these debates, so explicit judge instruction and lots of comparative explanation will be the most beneficial.

K v Plan:

I believe that framework is very important to how these debates are evaluated and will prioritize it in my decision accordingly. The way that the K interacts with the aff should be clearly explained, whether that is impact calculus, link turns case, or something else.

Winning perm do both/most other perms must be the logical result of winning offense and link defense.

Topicality

Evidence quality and author qualifications matter for the interpretation and counter-interpretation. Good interpretation cards should probably have an intent to define, and absent this, a strong aff push on reasonability and substance crowd-out is persuasive.

Counterplans:

Counterplans should probably be functionally and textually competitive, but I am pretty willing to go with a different model of competition, if debated well. For theory, topic-specific arguments as to why certain CPs should be theoretically legitimate are the most persuasive.

I default to judge kick.

Sufficiency framing is often very beneficial to the neg because I find that affs set poorly defined internal link thresholds and struggle to outline an impact to solvency deficits. For the aff, this means that I should be able to explain the difference in solvency between the plan and CP and why that matters (i.e. impact). For the neg, you should explain sufficiency framing as specifically as possible – instead of making vague solvency claims, set a specific solvency threshold that the CP needs to meet to resolve a given advantage.

Disads:

Turns case arguments are important to make and respond to. If turns case is dropped, it can shift disad calculus in favor of the negative even if there is well-explained defense on other parts of the flow. Higher level turns case arguments are usually more persuasive, and similarly, higher level defense to a DA (above impact defense) should be prioritized.

Case:

Good case debating is always a plus! Rehighlighting of 1AC evidence to support neg positions or case defense is especially great.

Theory:

I lean neg on most questions, but am open to a debate.

Condo (within reason) is generally good, and it is probably the only theoretical reason to reject the team instead of the argument. Case-specific PICs are almost always good and will be rewarded.

Harvard update (2/12/2024)

Not great for the K, except for maybe K's of language/rhetoric. In Policy v K rounds, I vote aff for the perm quite a bit. Not sure I have ever evaluated a K v K debate. In K aff v T-framework debates, I usually vote neg. Fairness and clash are pretty persuasive to me. I have voted for a non-topical aff a few times, but it's probably an uphill battle.

You should probably go slower than you would like in front of me, but I can usually keep up. If you really want me to keep up, I'd recommend leaving analytics in the doc.

I expect everyone to be nice and respectful to each other. Please be mindful of pronouns. Ask your opponents if you don't know.

I err neg on most counterplan theory questions, but I can definitely be persuaded that conditionality is a reason to reject a team, especially if there are more than 2 conditional worlds. Process CPs are kind of a gray area for me. I like them, but I could be convinced that they are bad.

Yes, I want to be on the email chain (davy.holmes@dsisdtx.us).

Some info about me:

Policy Debater from 1996-1998 for Gregory-Portland HS (Texas)

Assistant Policy Debate Coach from 1998-2002 for Gregory-Portland HS (Texas)

Debate Coach/Teacher at Sinton HS (Texas) from 2002-2003

Debate Coach/Teacher at Hebron HS (Texas) from 2003-2007

Debate Coach/Teacher at San Marcos HS (Texas) from 2014-2017

Debate Coach/Teacher at Dripping Springs HS (Texas) from 2017-present

Updated 1/3/2024

Top level observations for all debate events:

-You should not assume what your opponents' pronouns are. Ask if you don't know, and then make every effort to use them. When in doubt, referring to your opponents as "the aff" or "the neg" is probably a good idea.

-Slowing down and explaining things clearly is usually a good idea, especially in rebuttals.

-Perms that aren't explained aren't arguments.

-If a timer isn't running you shouldn't be prepping.

-I can't vote for something that I didn't flow or understand. I won't feel bad or embarrassed about saying I just didn't understand your argument.

Policy: My favorite event, but I am getting old. I am okay with speed, but clarity is important. I'm definitely more comfortable with plan-focused debate. If I was still a debater, I would probably be reading a small, soft-left aff, and my preferred 2NR would include a counterplan and the politics DA. For the most part, I think debate is a game. The negative should have access to predictable, topic-based ground. While fairness is likely an internal link to other impacts, it is also an impact in and of itself. Affirmatives that don't defend topical, hypothetical action by the resolutional actor will have a tough time getting me to vote for them. Neg kritiks require a lot of explanation and contextualization. I do not just assume that every K links. I have found that I am much more persuaded by links to a team's rhetoric or representations than other types of links. "They use the state and the state has always been bad in the past" won't usually beat a permutation. I am pretty bad for alts rooted in pessimism or alts that seemingly require an infinite amount of fiat. More than 2 conditional cps and/or alts dramatically increases the persuasiveness of condo theory.

Worlds: I tend to judge Worlds more than other debate events these days. I try to judge rounds holistically. My decision on who won the debate will be made before assigning points on my ballot. Line-by-line refutation is not an expectation. Debaters should focus on core topic arguments and major areas of clash. When appropriate, I enjoy detailed explanations and comparisons of models. Speakers 1-3 should take at least 1 POI.

LD: Even though I dislike this term as applied to debate, I am probably best for LARP and/or util frameworks. Not great for the K. Probably terrible for tricks or phil. Even though I think disclosure is good, there is less than a 1% chance that I'll vote on disclosure theory.

PF: I don't think PF judges should have paradigms. Unless your opponents are ignoring the resolution, I will not vote on theory in PF. #makepublicforumpublicagain

Congress: I pretty much never judge Congress. Students who expect to rank highly should make good arguments, clash with other representatives as much as possible, and participate fully throughout the session.

PREP TIME ENDS WHEN THE DOC IS SENT. THIS IS A REMINDER TO INCORPORATE DOC SENDING INTO YOUR PRACTICE AND DRILLS. IF I SEE YOU FUMBLING WITH YOUR COMPUTER 10 SECONDS AFTER YOU STOP PREP, I'M STARTING PREP RIGHT BACK UP. IF YOU'RE OUT OF PREP THEN I'M STARTING YOUR SPEECH TIME.

I EXPECT ROUNDS TO START EXACTLY AT (MAYBE EVEN EARLIER THAN) THE DESIGNATED START TIME. IF YOU START THE CHAIN AND SEND THE 1AC ~2 MINUTES PRIOR TO THE START TIME WE'LL BE GOOD.

THERE IS NO EXCUSE FOR FLIGHT 2 DEBATES STARTING LATE BECAUSE OF DEBATERS. YOU HAD AN HOUR EXTRA TO PREPARE/START THE EMAIL CHAIN/PRE-FLOW.

IF A TIMER IS NOT RUNNING (speech, cx, prep time) YOU SHOULD NOT BE PREPPING (looking at docs, typing, writing) THAT IS STEALING PREP

Okay enough yelling. Sorry I'm getting old and grumpy.

Email: okunlolanelson@gmail.com [Add me to the chain]

About me: I debated in Texas mostly in LD and did a little Policy. Had a short stint for Northwestern debate (GO CATS). If you're reading quickly before a round, read the bold.

General/Short version:

- Tech > Truth

- Judge instruction is axiomatic. The best final speeches start and end with judge instruction.

- Assume I know very little about the topic, your author, the norms, the meta e.t.c. This means (for the most part) you do you, extend and explain your position and I'll do my best to objectively evaluate it

- If its a Policy throwdown, please slow down a bit in those final speeches. Remember I'm probably not familiar with the topic. This is mostly for LD since shorter speeches/rounds means less time to explain those [internal] links.

- I'm not flowing of the doc - I believe that judges flowing off the doc incentivizes HORRIBLE clarity and rhetorical practices. Won't even glance at the document unless absolutely needed (1/10 debates). It is YOUR job to extend and explain your evidence, not my job to read it and explain it for you. Clarity is axiomatic.

- PLEASE FOR THE LOVE OF GOD SLOW DOWN on analytics, tags, interpretations, plan/cp text, theory. You can go as fast as you want on the card body. Remember speed can be a gift or a curse.

- Debate whatever and however you want. Go all out and do your thing, just DO NOT be violent or make the space unsafe.

- Frame your impacts and weigh your impacts. No one wins their framework anymore. Its a shame. It would make debates atleast 37% easier to decide.

- Errr on the side of explanation and slow down a bit for dense [analytic] philosophical debates. I do not have a PhD in philosophy.

- Bad theory debates get more annoying as I get older. I promise you no one is thrilled to decide on a debate on "evaluate the debate after the 1AC" be forreal. You still have to respond to bad theory arguments though (shouldn't be terribly hard)

- You will auto-lose if you clip cards or falsely accuse. You will auto-lose for evidence ethics violations

- A good speech consists of judge instruction, overview, line by line, and crystallization (and obviously strategy). Good speeches = good speaks. Rhetoric and Persuasion is important.

- I don't care how far away or how close to the topic you are but you must justify your practice. This is your activity not mine. I'm simply here to give feedback, decide a winner, and enjoy the free food from the judges lounge. If you think fairness is an impact, defend it. If you think skills matter, defend it. If you think defending USFG action causes psychological violence, defend it.

- One thing to note for "non-T" affs vs T, I need you to account for/interact with your opponents impact. If I am simply left with a fairness/skills impact vs the impact turns and no interaction between the 2 and no Top Level framing issues, I will be forced to intervene. (This is bad for affirmatives because I think that fairness is *probably* a good thing)

- If there's an important CX concession, please flag it and/or get my attention in case I have zoned out.

- If i'm judging Policy debate, just don't assume I know some jargon, norm, or innovative strategy and err on the side of explanation.

- I won't kick the CP for you unless you tell me to *AND justify* why I should.

- No you cannot "Insert re-highlighting." Are you serious? Why is this even a thing? If its not read, its not on my flow.

- Don't get too **graphic** on descriptions of antiblack violence (or any violence for that matter). Trigger warnings are welcomed and encouraged.

- Referencing college teams or other teams doesn't really get you anywhere, "our models allows for Michigan vs Berkeley debates" I simply do not know or care about these teams

- If you need to know something specifically ask before the round.

• Good luck, do your thing, and have fun!

• This is the second time that I've judged this event.
• I'm a volunteer and I'm new to judging.
• Please keep your delivery slow and clear.
• No spreading.
• No acronyms (say Green New Deal, not GND).
• I appreciate clear analysis of why you should win in the final rebuttals.
• My pronouns are she/hers

send email chains to dalilaramirez@utexas.edu

TLDR

• I operate on an offense-defense paradigm.
• Make my life easy please and keep a clear flow and speech. Messiness makes me sad.
• Keep speed 70%
• Send your analytics in the doc. Otherwise, I can't promise I'll hear them - especially if you dont signpost.
• Tech comes first -> quality of argumentation.
• Depth/Breadth
• CX is binding
• Absurd arguments = absurd responses = absurd ballots and decisions
• Send me evidence you’ve flagged
• Have fun!
• Don't be mean in spirit or bigoted.
• I can't maintain a poker face even if I wanted to, so take my face as a good indicator of how you're doing.

You can generally do what you want in round- these are just some of my thoughts on certain practices and dynamics within arguments.

Some niche pet-peeves

• dont randomly introduce theory in the middle of a debate then kick out of it. Generally, make every argument, even your time-sucks, have a purpose.
• "For my roadmap I'm gonna go aff then neg" = ;( (give me a proper roadmap)

K

I love K debates. Don't assume I'm familiar with your literature. I have a high standard for solvency and links on Ks. It'll be hard to convince me on a nebulous intangible alt or a link to the entirety of the squo given someone calls you out on it. I also hold aff to a higher standard of response than just screaming "pragmatism."

PIKs are annoying and border on abusive

T

Nothing much to say here- don't forget about them. Keep the clash alive or just kick out of it.

DA's

Start the framing and impact calc early in the debate. Engaging purposefully with every piece of the argument here is a lot more fun to listen to than just skating by each other analytically. Evidentiary text debate is my fav- debate the text of the evidence, not just the tags.

CPs

Unwarranted Condo final speeches are boring. Do them if needed, of course. Be reasonable in your decision to run it.

A 1nc that's 70% counterplans is also annoying- again. Do what you want at the end of the day, these are just my thoughts.