Last changed on
Mon July 1, 2024 at 9:22 PM EDT
PF - I like arguments that are clear and concise. I haven't researched this topic before, don't open your first speech by spreading and inferring I already know what's going on, help me out. Try to have some character in your speeches, I don't want to judge robots, I want to judge competitors. I truly appreciate a team that can explain their whole side and tell me why their side wins over the other team. As a World Schools Debate coach, I love their world vs. our world schemes.
Above all, be nice and have fun! I will dock points if you are unnecessarily rude to your competition. They're kids just like you, it's just a tournament!
Congress - In terms of speeches, I appreciate speeches that aren't clearly 100% prewritten (besides first speeches, obviously). Incorporate the other sides arguments into your speech, saying "As Rep./Sen. said..." will earn you respect on my end. Just like PF, however, I don't like spreading and I certainly don't like preachers. I don't want a speech full of rhetoric that mirrors Katniss Everdeen, I want a speech that has character, sure, but also a speech with numbers and facts.
In terms of questioning, give the person you're questioning time to answer, and don't talk over people. Make sure your questions actually add something to the debate and aren't just there to give yourself speaking points. Iwill add extra speaker points based on how you do in questioning (if you give a speech), so keep that in mind as you debate.
As I mentioned in my PF section, I care more that you have fun, so be nice to your fellow competitors, please! Being unnecessarily rude will dock points!