Congress Paradigm:

I have judged congress for over two decades, even before it became a National standardized qualifying event and have advocated for it all that time because I believe it to be the best overall, well-rounded event that we offer in forensic competition.

It encompasses the benefits of acting because you are playing a role as a representative and the more you understand the motivation of your position, the greater the performance. It is one of the purest of speaking events, because a great representative is a great orator, in life and in your chamber. The writing and interpretation of legislation is at the core of the event and illustrating your deep understanding of that legislation is paramount in your performance. Lastly, but most importantly, it is a debate event, where civil clash is necessary.

All that being said, to understand how I view the event holistically, there are specific standards I prefer.

I do believe that in a three to four minute speech the speaker should get our attention in a creative way and give us a clear call for action and preview of their arguments, coming back to that AGD at the end, time permitting. Preparing us for what you are about to argue is important. There is no actual grace, so 3:08 is abusing the time of the next speaker. I prefer fewer, well developed arguments, than many blipped ones. Sources are important and both the quantity and quality of such sources, Q2, are vital. Representatives do not just rely on periodicals, but government reports, experts in the field, think-tanks, etc. These considerations are important, not just the number of sources. Consideration and knowledge of how our government actually works and the type of legislation at hand is also vital. We are debating issues present in the real world, so take that into consideration and consider what are the real-world implications to your constituents? Know and use parliamentary procedure to benefit the progress of debate; do not abuse it.

PO's are a vital part to any chamber and I look for a strong understanding of parliamentary procedure and efficiency and fairness are of utmost importance. If you have not read "Robert's Rules." it behooves you to do so, then be aware of all NSDA guidelines in adapting them. A good PO should run an efficient chamber and be pro-active in enforcing a fair chamber. Any perception of recognizing speakers unfairly will be penalized. Make sure you are clear with your procedures from the start and follow them consistently.

Overall, consider the above standards in your performance and you will do well. Remember, you are not just speaking for yourself; you are truly representing your school, your state, and your nation. We need good role models.

Policy Debate CX Paradigm:

I have judge policy for almost three decades and prefer traditional policy making focused debates with well weighed impacts.

That being said, I can handle speed, but clarity and articulation are key. I will not say clear, so if I put down my pen and you don't adjust, it is on you. If I don't flow it, it's not on the flow; I will not just read your files. This is an oral exercise in debate, so if it's important, make sure I get it.

My teams also have had great success with progressive arguments and K's, so I'm fine with it if you really know the literature and have clear links. I don't like K's, so make sure the story, links, and alternative are clear. All types of arguments are fine, as long as you know how to run them and they are relevant to your debate. I don't vote on T often, but it must be ran and answered correctly, not "they aren't topical, or "yeah, we are topical", and there should be clear in-round abuse.

Make sure there is direct clash and not just random generic arguments with weak links and no direct weighing. I love those debating actually debating case, so don't ignore it.

Probability and meaningful impacts are a must.

Be civil and debate well and every round will be fulfilling.

Kinkaid ‘23 Georgetown ‘27

Hi, I am Alexander Farahbod, I debated for The Kinkaid School in Houston for 3 years competing primarily in WSD, and am currently a disruptor in the tech industry. I specialize in allowing AI to dominate the agricultural sector. I'm currently researching the role that the nutcracker played in the formation of the Tibetan plateau through the collision of two tectonic plates: the Indian Plate and Eurasian Plate.

General Paradigm

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1. Absolutely NO use of technology in the debate room.

This applies to your 4th and 5th debaters too. Everyone should be engaged in the round and paying attention, no exceptions unless you want an autoloss. Obviously not a requirement for online debate.

2. Weigh

I think this is really important in rounds but really hard to implore successfully. My role model explained it to me like this:

I begged you,

But

You didn’t,

And you

Lost

—A. R. S.

3. I ♥️ Style

4. DO NOT turn off your timer with your middle or pinky fingers. It's bad taste. Use the other three.

5. Stick to the basics

Oftentimes, people get lost in the weeds of debate land and forget the basic style of argumentation.

6. BE COMPARATIVE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE...please?

Remember to do the comparative. It's not enough that your world is good; it needs to be better than the other team's world. Explaining this clearly is such an essential part of good debates; this needs to be a priority in all speeches.

7. Speed

This is not a formula one race; you are not Max Verstappen; please slow down (pretend you're Alpine this season).

8. Clash

I'm a level 15 king tower in clash royale with the max (9000) trophies every season. I consistently reach legendary arena (arena 23) in the ladder and ultimate champion (league 10) in the path of legends. I'm in a clan with my aunt, my friend, and my fourth cousin twice removed's neighbor's pet turtle (who only plays with the firecracker and has a super annoying deck). We are currently ranked number 5 in Madagascar. Now onto the debate clash. Do it. It's never fun to watch a debate over the framework where whatever interpretation I buy automatically wins the round. Attempt to resolve framework disputes early to get to the content/heart of the debate as quickly as possible.

I consider adding speaks if you tell me something non debate that’s on my paradigm…

9. General Argumentation

I highly value different types of principles or arguments that aren't necessarily “common” but instead are creative enough that they make the round different and interesting. Please be creative—pretend this is your final project of your art major—you need creativity.

10. Have Fun

As a debater, I used to have a visceral reaction when I read “have fun!” in paradigms because hey, debate is only fun if you win.

WSD Specific

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Content

Worlds is supposed to be a conversational activity, and in conversation, people will not be flowing your arguments. Please do your best to re-emphasize your arguments in new ways as you extend your case in later rounds to make sure they've made it on my flow.

I will vote on the least mitigated claim warrant data and impact that is extended down the bench.

One thing I have noticed in worlds is that debaters tend to agree with impacts like climate change being necessary and just completely concede the impact level so they can fight over the link level. With that being said, fighting over the impact level is something you should be doing frequently and something I will reward as a judge.

I value organized speeches!!! Messy speeches = sad Farahbod = under 68 speaks. Ways to make sure your speech is organized: first enumerate your responses; second signpost your arguments; and third condense into clash points.

I would MUCH rather vote on offensive over defensive arguments. Please have offense. I want to vote on your argument's impact!!!

Principle debates: If it becomes a practical v. principle debate, I'm expecting A LOT of weighing and why the principle outweighs practical or vice versa. I'm also in the camp that principle almost always needs some kind of impact (although it doesn't necessarily need to be utilitarian). For instance, if you're running a principle of democracy, your impact should be... democracy (surprise!—that Georgetown education pulling through). I love creative principles and creative impacts here.

Model debates: Both models and countermodels need to be characterized from the start. Teams should tell me how they're mechanized, what the incentives are for key actors, and how the model might interact with key stakeholders. Prop should fully articulate how they get offense from the model (this is where I usually see prop fail). Opp's countermodel should articulate how it's mutually exclusive from the prop model AND why it is preferable.

If the debate becomes when it is or isn't appropriate to have a model, teams need to establish first what in the wording of the motion grants you a model and second why the model is goldilocks for grounds to debate (why it's not too specific/narrow of a model and why it's not too broad). Regardless of what my thoughts are for what's the most strategic way to interpret the motion, I will defer to the arguments made in-round on this question.

Strategy

In my opinion, strategy breaks down into two things, First is team cohesion which is having a common theme and narrative throughout all 4 speeches. Being on the same page in terms of how you explain/extend arguments is also extremely underrated in WSD and makes your team appear significantly stronger. Second is smart collapses into the 3s and replies. Making sure you're identifying your strongest path to the ballot and capitalizing on it is also an essential part of team strategy.

Style

Style may be only 20 percent of the ballot officially, but in my heart, it's more than that. It is not merely a superficial aspect or a secondary consideration; it plays a significant role in shaping the overall experience and impact of a debate round. The joy that courses through my cerebral cortex from the influx of dopamine when I hear a funny one-liner or flowery rhetoric is unparalleled. I live for this hit of dopamine. Being so for real right now, content is given a little slide as long as you gaslight me enough. The dynamic interplay of content and style is what makes debating a truly engaging and memorable experience.

Simply put, if you sound good, you've already secured my admiration and, quite possibly, a favorable judgment. In the intricate dance between style and content, it's the former that often takes center stage, guiding the rhythm and leaving a lasting imprint on the cadence of the debate round.

The capacity to articulate ideas with flair and eloquence is a valuable asset in various facets of life, from professional settings to everyday conversations. Debaters who recognize and hone the significance of style are not only refining their abilities within the context of debate but also preparing themselves for success in diverse real-world scenarios.

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.