2024 Cypress Falls TFA Tournament
2024 — Houston, TX/US
WSD Paradigm List
All Paradigms: Show Hidehey everyone, I'm ebenezer and hopefully I get the chance to judge you if you're reading my paradigm. I go by he/him pronouns and come from a pure debate background (sorry to any performers I may judge)
Things that make my job hard:
- Debating on margins (restrictive definitions, abusive framing)
- Not being comparative and charitable to your opponents
- Not proving your arguments (not enough to give a basic claim to something - reasons must be explicit and proven to a point where they met some burden(s) of proof)
In framing debates, I expect warranted reasons for why I should prefer one interpretation over another. If the debate comes down to two ships sailing in the night I can't resolve it without intervening. For the sake of a clean round and the least intervening decision possible, I highly recommend you do this
In debates where things are not explicitly proven, I'll assume the most relevant arguments for both sides are true and make the comparison of what argument wins (pre-requisite, scale of impact, duration of impact, etc.)
Things that make my job easy:
- Identifying the clashing material of the debate and weighing between and within those areas.
- Weighing the framing of arguments and clash on a meta-level (things independent of rebuttal e.g. the role of the argument, why I should prefer a specific type of argument as opposed to another)
- Weigh the mechs/warrants behind the argument - tell me why your reasons matter more and are more likely than your opposition, especially in debates where there are shared impacts which tends to happen a lot
- Weigh impacts if they are differentiated. Note that weighing at the impact lvl must concede the warrant lvl (so the argument does happen) and instead engage in the end result of the argument. Rarely do I see impact weighing or even link/warrant lvl weighing, instead I tend to see rebuttal on the warrant lvl (often not sufficient enough rebuttal) and neglect for the impact lvl.
- Be strategic. I'd likely caution against extending an unwarranted framing debate for example especially when there are far better ways to allocate time in terms of forwarding arguments, making good weighing, even-if statements, or just biting the bullet and engaging. More times than not if the framing is that left field, I'll buy the ref as soon as it is introduced in the round - doesn't matter if your opponent sticks to a bad framework if I not leaning toward it. Don't overcompensate! Good judge direction and being explicit from the onset will be more than enough to sway me in favor of your side
- General rule of thumb: always fill in gaps for why and how something happens. don’t tell me X happens in a vacuum and immediately expect me to believe that it’s true, I must know why that claim is true, why it is exclusive to your side, and quantifiably why that thing is good or bad or morally why that thing is good or bad.
A combination of the aforementioned stuff is the best way to get a decision you agree with. A lack of these things will result in a level of intervention that we all never like but necessary if the work isn't done in round
I'm not at all authoritarian when it comes to style. I had stylistic challenges of my own so I understand why a heavy focus on style can have an unattended effect of discrediting good debating. If I can flow it and you signpost you'll do fine. arg quality > rhetoric. ideally, the best speeches have all 3 but my pivot is more towards content and strategy.
Principled args are fun to see but they need to be both extended and weighed against the practical otherwise I’ll have a spot on my flow of a principle that was well established but poorly leveraged against other arguments. all and all, trust yourself, debate well, and have fun
if you have questions you can reach me at ebenezer.g.appiah@gmail.com or eappiah@regis.edu
General Paradigms:
-My greatest emphasis in a debate round is impact (what are we debating, if not the topic's impact on people/society as a whole?)
-I place great weight on logical progression of ideas, and the closer your links line up, the better off you will be
-Be cautious when using jargon since I only have limited debate experience
-Speak slowly and clearly. It does not matter how good your argument is if I can't understand it. DO NOT SPREAD. Whatever speed you believe is not spreading, slow down an additional 50%.
-As someone with extensive speech experience through choir, theatre, and voice acting, I am always listening for speaking quality as well as arguments, and a good presentation can take you a long way.
Event Specific Paradigms:
-IE Events: always make sure that any modulation in your performance is motivated. Emphasis, speed, and volume are all well and good but they do nothing if their placement doesn't make any sense
- PF/LD: always be sure to keep track of your arguments. If you make a claim about your opponent's argument that is not true, it illustrates that you are simply reading off a pre-prepared script without actually properly engaging in the debate.
Worlds School's Debate
This is the event I am most comfortable with, as I competed in this event for 4 years and spend a considerable amount of time judging/coaching WSD.
I will vote for the team that best proved their argument was true. For practical arguments, this means establishing characterizations, giving me multiple (preferably independent) mechanisms/links, and giving me clear impacts. For principle arguments, that means establishing that the principle is true and explaining to me why/how you fulfill the principle and why your opponents violate it. All arguments should be comparative (!), don't just critique your opponents world, actively/offensively tell me why your world is better. And of course, weigh your arguments (!) whether that be impact weighing, mechanism weighing, or metaweighing. Metaweighing is an easy way to get multiple paths to the ballot and score some strategy points.
It is not enough to prove to me that your world is "good" or that your opponents world is "bad", you must prove to me that your world is comparatively preferable to your opponents.
I very much prioritize content over style, as far as style goes all that matters is that you're speaking at a reasonable rate, your speech is easy to follow, and that you are not just reading off the paper but rather genuinely giving a speech. Can def score some extra points for good rhetoric/structure tho
PF/LD
I have judged PF/LD a decent amount 2 years, and will vote for the team with the least mitigated link chain and most strongly weighed impact, just debate good
If you ever have any questions or would like further feedback, you can reach out to me at diegocastilloo@icloud.com
If you get me as your judge in any event outside of these three, I am so sorry
Would prefer not spreading, but if you do then please send me a document.
IE:
Extemp- The biggest thing I’m looking for is whether or not you’re answering the question and how you break down your response. Formatting in a way where it’s clear for me to understand the roadmap of your points is important. Points should flow together but be distinct enough to stand on their own. Content is more important for me because this is an event where presentation is usually the least difficult part and is something most people in the room have down. Lastly, being about to connect with your “audience” is something I rank higher for, for example, if it’s a question on economics and you’re able to break down terms, I value that more. If you can explain something, you’re clearly well-versed on it and a more reputable speaker, as opposed to just quoting an article.
Interp/Public-Speaking- presentation is so important, having energy in your voice and sounding like you want to be here/have passion for what you're performing goes a long way. The more likely I am to be entranced by your performance, the higher I am ranking you.
Debate:
WSD- I follow my flow so unless you directly say in argument, I’m not going to make the connection that PROP’s point A is a rebuttal to OPP point B. So if you decide to talk fast, do that at your own peril. Content and structure is important for flow for not just me but your team. How your team argues, whether as individuals or as a team, is something else I consider. Speaking is important but also that’s a default skill so with expectation that both sides are good speakers, content is most important. Bonus points for summary speeches that tie everything together and that are able to condense the round into three clashes but even more points if you weigh, (which should be given but just in case).
Speech - Organized arguments, credible sources, practical solutions, relatability is probably the biggest thing for me. I love speeches where personalities show through and I can see how you are as a person.
Interp - Relatable pieces with big, distinguishable characters.
WSD - I want a conversational round with a crystallization of points at the end. Clear voters are always the way to go. POIs should be addressed consistently however not everyone needs to be taken.
Debate, Public Speaking and Interp Coach
In debate I like organized speeches, direct clash, weighing of arguments, strong practical and principle arguments. Style is important, so don’t spread…if I can’t flow, it makes it difficult to judge those arguments. Be respectful of your opponents and enjoy the opportunity to compete!
Background
I am a debate coach and familiar with all formats of debate. Primary focus is now World Schools Debate. I have coached teams and competed on the international level with those teams so I am well versed in WSD. Embrace the format of this special debate. I don't enjoy seeing a PF attempt in this format-make the adjustment and be true to the form as intended for it to be.
Judging Paradigm
I'm a policy-maker at heart. Decisions will be flow-based focusing on impact calculus stemming from the question of the resolution.
If I'm not flowing, I'm either not buying your current argument or not appreciating your speaking style.
Play offense and defense; I should have a reason to vote FOR you, not just a reason to vote AGAINST your opponents.
WSD-Show me what the world looks like on your side of the motion-stay true to the heart of the motion
Style:
Manners
Yes, manners. Good debate is not rude or snarky. Do not let your primal need to savagely destroy your opponent cost you the round. Win with style and grace or find yourself on the wrong side of the ballot. You've been warned.
WSD- I love the passion and big picture
Speed
Speed is not a problem with me, it's probably more of a problem with you. Public Forum is not "Policy-lite" and should not be treated as such as far as speaking style goes. The beauty of PF should not get lost in trying to cram in arguments. Many times spreading in PF just tells me you need work in word economy and style. Feel free to speak at an elevated conversational rate displaying a rapid clarity that enhances the argument.
WSD-Don't even think about speed!
Organization
Speeches should follow the predetermined road map and should be signposted along the way. If you want an argument on the flow, you should tell me exactly where to flow it. If I have to make that decision for you, I may not flow it at all. I prefer your arguments and your refutation clearly enumerated; "We have 3 answers to this..."
Framework and Definitions
The framework (and definitions debate) should be an umbrella of fairness to both sides. The framework debate is important but should not be over-limiting to your opponents. I will not say "impossible" here, but winning the round without winning your framework is highly improbable. I am open to interpretation of the resolution, but if that interpretation is overtly abusive by design, I will not vote for your framework. That said, I caution your use of abuse stories. Most abuse arguments come off like whining, and nobody likes that. If a framework and accompanying definition is harmful to the debate, clearly spell out the impacts in those terms. Otherwise, provide the necessary (and much welcomed) clash. Most definition debates are extremely boring and a waste of time.
Final Focus
Your FF should effectively write the RFD for me. Anything less is leaving it up to my interpretation.
Good luck, and thank you for being a debater.
In LD I am a tabula rossa traditional judge that decides on values, criterion, solid contentions, and warranting. Spreading and aggressiveness will lose speaker points.
In WSD, I am a tabula rossa judge in terms of reasoning. Spreading and aggressiveness will lose style points. RFDs are based on principle and practical substantives, reasoning, examples, evidence (where appropriate), models (where appropriate), burdens, weighing and clash.
In PF, I am a tabula rossa judge that decides on contentions that are brought through the round and contentions that are dropped (You have to argue whether they are critical or not). Rounds are based on reasoning and relevance of the evidence presented.