I've been judging various forms of speech and debate events on local, state and national levels since 2013. Head coach of St. John's School since 2020.

I have no event specific expectations on what should happen, I prefer everything to be spelled out in round. I do not like intervening.

Speaker points are a tie-breaker, so I am a bit more conservative with them, but that doesn't mean I'll tank your points unless you're unclear, have frequent speech errors, go over time, or if you're rude. Expect an average 27.5-29.5 range in PF/LD/CX and a range of 68-72 in Worlds and a 3-5 range in Congress. Perfect speaks reserved for those who truly exemplify great public speaking skills. Rudeness can also be a cause for a team losing.

Don't assume I know anything, explain as if you were talking to someone non-specialized in whatever subject matter you're speaking on.

Ask before round any further questions you might have.

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For WSD

I will be following the conventions and norms from the WSD mandatory judge training.

Heather Collins

Hello everyone!

As a Speech Coach - I love Speech! I think it's such a great way to grow and learn as an actor and speaker. As a Theatre Director for my school, I think speech is one of the best ways to hone your skills, develop your focus, and gain the ability to make creative choices on your own. I really enjoy judging Speech Acting Events: HI, DI, Duet and Duo. However I also like to judge Extemp., O.O., and other such similar events. I love to learn and hear different peoples perspectives on their own life or various topics. As a very moderate figure, I find persuasive speaking very important and feel a lot can be gained by a well phrased argument with solid research and concise delivery (although, further attention to detail and the other perspective is also important!)

Do your best and have fun!

When judging Acting events, I like when the students speak clearly, show me solid characters with clear variety. For Duet Acting I feel a scene is really solid when the two actors are clearly listening and responding to each other. "Interp" style can certainly have it's impact and it's highly fun and effective, but when it comes time for the scene to close, nothing in more needed than the honesty of the performance, and reacting in a way the audience can believe it. Focus is so important and commitment to what you are doing is key. Actors should also exhibit good audience etiquette when watching other performances. While we are here to complete, that doesn't mean we can't appreciate others.

When judging Debate events, I prefer the students don't rush when speaking, but rather speak in a natural and conversational rate. Your words are all you have. So you should to be sure not overwhelm the listener. If you do, they won't retain anything and will be impacted by nothing. If the students make a clean, concise argument and stick to the point, working to earn our attention, then they've done their job. Distracting the audience with off topic details is something I frown upon. Don't bring up a random point, just because it's a hot button issue or because you need to fill time. A good argument takes priority for me, but that doesn't mean you can't argue with a bit of style and with a savvy element. Being a good sport is important and even though we may need to discredit their points, there is a way to do that respectfully without being arrogant or snotty.

My pronouns are she / her / hers and if you ever need to refer to me just address me as Ms. Arianne or Ms. Esquivel. I am a college student who is a judge without formal debate training.

I will listen attentively to both sides with as little personal bias as possible and take notes. I will attend only to the arguments presented in the debate when deciding. Please keep your rate of delivery conversational and avoid jargon. Arguments should be clearly extended from speech to speech, with the last speech telling me what a ballot for your side looks like and why that is a better option than a ballot for your opponent.

I do not like it when students speak too fast (spreading) and when a student does not enunciate and project clearly. I need you to have passion in your voice and convince me that you are dedicated to the topic you are debating/speaking about. Avoid utilizing debate jargon I want to see you utilize layman's term to an average individual. Make sure you are timing yourself and note your own recording time. If you believe the material could be triggering or uncomfortable to myself or others please have a trigger warning and possibly read or state something else.

If you are disclosing, please add me to the email chain so I can follow along with the cases.

Lastly, please be kind and respectful to the people in the room to me and your opponents. I will not tolerate any discrimination of any kind.

If you ever have any questions please feel free to ask or email me at arianne.esqui@gmail.com

Have a good day.

When it comes to debate, please consider the delivery of your speech. Speed is a natural thing in a timed setting. I understand if you have to say your arguments at a quick pace. I'm just not comfortable with someone speaking as fast as super humanely possible. There is a line that you should consider. Quality arguments and weighing them are always stronger than listing countless cards without much weighing or explanation. Signposting is always welcome in your speeches as it helps with the flow of the debate. Consider time limits...going over grace periods could cost points. Usually don't disclose unless elimns.And most importantly...please be respectful during all events which includes speech, in between rounds and different speakers.

i did speech in high school (mainly oi, dabbled in some other speech events for fun, had a few toc bids) with very little experience in debate, so please be patient with me if i'm judging debate for you

let me know before hand if you want me to time

sign post as much as possible, and be very clear when you're making points that could win you the round (ie: the opponent just dropped this very important argument)

don't be overly aggressive, don't waste time, and please don't speak too fast

i love things like weighing and probability and such because they're things that common people (like me) can understand. don't throw these words around for the sake of the word, though

i don't usually like topicality, but if you use it well, it could win you the round

Please do not spread, I do not have much experience in judging so it’ll be harder for me to understand you; I am a lay judge. Other than that, good luck with your debates!

Please be respectful of other competitors. Have an intro, characters and be expressive!

English teacher at Clear Springs HS. New Assistant Coach this year.

Please don't spread. I have to be able to understand what your argument is in order to process it.

WSD: If you're not speaking, you don't hand anything to the one who is.

I can judge trad debate and prefer it; any other form besides LARP I probably won't understand.

Think of me as a good flay judge.

I am a parent judge without formal debate training. I will listen attentively to both sides with as little personal bias as possible and take notes. I will attend only to the arguments presented in the debate when making my decision. Please keep your rate of delivery conversational and avoid jargon. Arguments should be clearly extended from speech to speech, with the last speech telling me what a ballot for your side looks like and why that is a better option than a ballot for your opponent. Be kind and respectful to everyone in the room.

I’m looking for how you deliver your message. I’m looking for a great impact.

Speakers should speak clearly. I am not okay with spreading. I need to be able to understand your framework and I cannot do that if you spread!

In terms of LD, I will reward creativity in argument as opposed to one that I hear every round. Persuasion and clash are necessary. I will not evaluate non topical arguments. I expect all debaters to treat their opponents with respect.

I am a parent judge of a debater.

I prefer calm and logical debates with believable arguments.

Dont like over exaggeration to extinction

Dont really care about framework but you cab read it if you want.

Good luck and have fun!

Email: a@austinzhao.us

(Please include me on the email chain if there is one. And it will help me understand your points better if you prefer to send me your case before you start.)

TL;DR: Lay parent judge.

I am a lay parent judge and English is not my native language.

For debate, to reduce your risk of having me vote incorrectly, please speak slowly, clearly, and explain your points logically. No matter how many warrants/evidence you bring up and regardless what sophisticated language you use, at the end of the day if I cannot understand your arguments I cannot vote off them. Therefore, get to the point simply and straightforwardly.

For speaker points, I start at 28 and then adjust from there based on how well you spoke, your confidence, style, and presentation. You get higher if you do all these things well, you get lower if you do not. If you are offensive or rude, I will dock your speaker points.

Enjoy the process, relax, have fun with it :).