Harvard National Speech and Debate Tournament
2025 — Cambridge, MA/US
Congress (MS-Online) Paradigm List
All Paradigms: Show HideHello there,
My name is Hassana I am a regular debater and public speaker currently employing my vast speaking and judging experience to judge speech and debate. I have gathered ample experience judging different speech and debate formats including British Parliamentary (BP), Asian Parliamentary (AP), World Schools Debate Championship (WSDC), Canadian National Debate Format (CNDF), Public Forum (PF), Congress, CX, LD, Extemp, Impromptu.
Email address: rahmatmaimako09@gmail.com
Conflicts: I do not have any.
PERSONAL NOTE:
When you encounter me in a room, please note that I hold in high regard, positive, fair, equitable and proper engagements during discussions and cross engagements. I appreciate debaters who check out all the boxes of expectations including role fulfillment, efficient engagements of debate burdens, contentions and clashes and equitable and effective engagements to confrontations
Speed: I do a fast format. I'm okay with spreading in formats where it is standard practice (Policy and prog LD). I'll call "clear" or "slow" if you are being unclear or I can't keep up, which doesn't happen too often. If you spread, I appreciate it if you make it clear when one card ends and a new one begins (eg saying NEXT or AND between each card, going slower on tags, etc).
In formats were spreading isn't standard practice, I don't have a problem people who talk faster than they would in a normal conversation, as long as a lay person could understand your rate of delivery.
Impact stuff: Like most judges, I love it when the debaters in all formats do impact calculus and explain why their impacts matter more under their framework. When this doesn't happen, I default to weighing probability over magnitude and scoop and using reversibility and timeframe as tiebreakers. I’m open to voting on impact turns.
• I admire it when competitors respect, value, and have a deep sense of mutual understanding for each other during rounds. This means I totally detest irritable attitudes such as rudeness, hostility, and intolerance. Kindly be on your best behaviour and be very conscious of how you interact with your co - competitors.
Best of luck.
Dear Debating Community,
With over a decade of experience as a debater, judge, and coach, I'm excited to share insights aimed at improving the quality of debates and fostering analytical skills. My expertise spans various debate formats, including Parliamentary, World Schools Debating Championship (WSDC), Lincoln-Douglas (LD), Public Forum (PF), and policy debates.
Effective Debating Strategies:
Kritiks: Enhancing Persuasion
- Ensure kritiks align with the debate context.
- Clearly explain links, impacts, and alternatives.
- Connect the kritik to the broader debate narrative.
- Maintain clarity in delivery pace.
- Use real-world examples for accessibility.
- Anticipate and address counterarguments.
- Adhere to format rules.
- Engage in dialogue during cross-examination.
**Policy: Strategic Approaches**
- Conduct thorough research.
- Utilize evidence effectively.
- Organize arguments logically.
- Adapt strategies based on opponents' responses.
- Master cross-examination techniques.
Strategic Relevance: Stay Focused
- Prioritize arguments of strategic importance.
- Emphasize clarity over speed.
- Focus on quality over quantity.
- Aim for substantive contributions.
- Use evidence judiciously.
- Employ re-highlighting strategically.
Judge's Perspective: Valued Qualities
- Practice active listening.
- Evaluate arguments objectively.
- Strive for excellence while enjoying the process.
- Maintain an inquisitive mindset.
- Apply open-mindedness and critical thinking.
- Exhibit confidence in arguments and delivery.
Impact Weighing: Guiding Evaluation
- Explain why your impacts outweigh your opponent's.
- Master impact weighing for persuasive arguments.
In conclusion, regular practice, feedback-seeking, and a commitment to improvement are essential for success in debating. Best wishes in your debating endeavors!
Warm regards
Email: temini532@gmail.com
Conflicts: None
Introduction:
Hello, I'm Bukunmi Babatunde, a graduate from the University of Ilorin. As a debate judge, my mission is to foster fairness and promote learning. Here's a summary of my judging approach:
Conflicts: None
Email address: bukunmi5176@gmail.com
Expectations:
When you encounter me in a debate, I prioritize fairness and active engagement. I value debaters who fulfill their roles, engage with the debate's burdens, and respectfully address opposing arguments.
Open-mindedness:
Even if you don't agree with the framing or the argument, I encourage you to engage with the other team's case. This demonstrates a comprehensive understanding and helps foster a constructive dialogue.
Clashes and Focus:
To have clashes in the debate, it's crucial to pinpoint and compare the warrants behind arguments. Examples, precedents, and empirics don't clash unless the warrants are addressed. Summaries should focus on key points, warrants, and reasons for winning, without reviving untouched arguments.
Equity and Timekeeping:
Following equity rules is essential for a fair debate environment. Please keep track of time, as it helps maintain a well-organized and efficient debate.
Special Considerations:
In virtual debate tournaments, if feasible, keeping your camera on is encouraged. Technical issues with wifi or connection are understandable. Additionally, please ensure your speeches are clear and intelligible, delivering at a medium pace for effective communication.
Other Remarks:
As a judge, I prioritize neutrality and impartiality. I appreciate well-structured arguments supported by evidence and logical reasoning. Clear articulation, persuasive language, and a logical flow in speeches are valued. Respectful conduct, adaptability, and effective rebuttals are important.
Evaluation and Feedback:
At the end of the debate, I evaluate each debater's overall performance based on the strength of their arguments, critical analysis, presentation skills, and engagement with the opponent's case. Constructive feedback will be provided to facilitate growth and improvement.
Conclusion:
My goal as a debate judge is to create a fair and intellectually stimulating environment. I evaluate arguments impartially, emphasizing logic, evidence, and adaptability. Through valuable feedback, I aim to contribute to the growth and development of all debaters involved.
I evaluate debaters based on the quality of their arguments, delivery, and overall persuasiveness. Some of the things that i prioritize the most are:
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- Substance: Strong cases with clear warrants, well-defined impacts, and sound evidence (facts, statistics, expert opinions) are key.
- Style: Clear, concise, and engaging delivery is important. Effective use of rebuttals and logical flow of arguments are valued.
- Evidence: Credible and relevant evidence from reputable sources is preferred. While emotional appeals can be used, they should be supported by logic and evidence.
- Speak clearly, i don't mind if you speed as long as you are being clear on what are you saying. If I can’t get your arguments down and understand what are you saying then you will have an issue at the moment of convincing me about your case.
Hi, there.
I'm Qareebat Ibrahim, a versatile debater, and adjudicator with vast experience in judging speeches and debate tournaments. This means I very much understand the need to create a very empowering learning experience for participants and provide them with useful feedback. I am confident that I will impactful to your judging pool.
Pronouns: She/her
Email: dedoyinibrahim@gmail.com
Personal conflicts: I do not have any.
Here are a few things to note:
-Debate is educational and inclusive as well as speeches, attack arguments not the person.
-You don't have to change your style of speaking for me, I can follow fast speeches but not extremely fast ones.
-Help me get organized, I handwrite in the process of judging, I like roadmaps, it also helps me give specific feedback and actionable feedback. Also, paraphrasing evidence is alright, but make sure to explain its meaning and relevance.
-I understand you have a lot to say, be time-conscious.
-Read briefings and manuals for the tournament, I do the same.
-I give weight to arguments with good analysis and impact and my basic evaluation criteria are content, style, and strategy, and in debate, always fulfill your roles.
-I like civility. I respect speakers and I expect speakers to be respectful. I'll confirm your audibility and visibility.
Thank you for trusting me to be your judge!
Hello there
My name is Sofia, and my judging career which spans for over four years has seen me muster up a significant amount of experience in a wide range of debate formats/styles such as; the British Parliamentary Format, World Schools Format, World Scholars Format, Public Forum, Lincoln-Douglas, Asian Parliamentary, Big question and Speech Events.
Judging Pattern:
I always approach any debate I'm about to judge as a globally informed citizen, whilst making sure I toss any conceivable personal biases I may have about a topic aside. This means that to convince me in a debate room you must make sure your arguments are credibly realistic and persuasive within the scope of the debate. A couple of things to bear in mind about my judging pattern -
• State your contentions/arguments clearly and back them up with enough analysis to prove your case.
• Make sure you're creating a fair means of engagement towards your opposition. This means that I do not expect you to just present your contentions in a vacuum and expect them to win - I also expect that you challenge the contentions of the opposition and create comparatives to show why your contentions are superior.
• Ensure you highlight your arguments in a well-organized structure - I do not expect that in the middle of contention A, you then transition to contention B abruptly. Take your time to fully explain your contentions while also being time-conscious.
• Role fulfilment is also important. So make sure you fulfil your roles perfectly.
• For Speech Events - I appreciate absolute creativity during your presentation. I expect that you use all that is within your means to execute whichever role you're taking on in whatever speech event I am judging you in. I take notes of your eye contact, body language, energy, and expressions while speaking.
Side Notes:
• I have a slight preference for medium-paced speeches. This does not however mean that if you're naturally a pacy speaker, you're automatically disadvantaged when I'm judging you. I would give your speech equal attention and assessment on a meritocratic basis regardless of how fast you speak, but if you can, just take deep breaths as you present your speech rather than zapping through.
• I admire it when competitors respect, value, and have a deep sense of mutual understanding for each other during rounds. This means I totally detest irritable attitudes such as rudeness, hostility, and intolerance. Kindly be on your best behaviour and be very conscious of how you interact with your co - competitors.
Whenever you come across me in a debate room, I can guarantee you quality judging and the most accurate feedback (either written or orally) , I also hope that in my little way, I contribute towards the growth of your speaking journey.
For me, Speaking is a hobby and I love listening to various speeches too. I’m a flat judge with experience in judging PF, LD and a few other speech events. He/Him pronouns.
Hey there
My name is Olowookere Ganiyat (she/her). I am an undergraduate of University of Ilorin, Nigeria. Ihave experience in speaking and adjudicating at national, regional, and international levels in British Parliamentary, World Schools, Public Forum, LD, Asian Parliamentary, NSDA speech and debates, amongst other formats. I also have some experiences as a trainer and coach. So I very much understand the need to create a very empowering learning experience for participants and provide them with useful feedback. I am confident that I will be a good and impactful addition to your team of judges and educators.
Email address: olowookereganiyat15@gmail.com
Conflicts: I don't have any
As a judge and educator, I prioritize creating an empowering learning environment for participants while providing valuable feedback. I value fairness, equity, and respectful engagement during discussions, and I encourage debaters to present their arguments thoughtfully and engage with opposing viewpoints respectfully.
SPECIAL CONSIDERATION FOR ONLINE SETTINGS
In virtual debate settings, I emphasize clear and audible communication, I urge participants to ensure their microphone works well and to maintain an appropriate speaking pace.I understand that speakers often times have a lot of ideas to share during their speeches in a short stipulated time but please, don't speak excessively fast. Just as much as I would pay very close attention to speakers, I am most comfortable with audible and medium paced speeches.
Best wishes
My experiences in Public Forum and Congressional debating may not be wide enough, I do possess a wide variety of experiences in British Parliamentary and World Schools debate styles that has provided me with skills in discernment and of course, listening techniques to establish comparative, objective and fair judgement, as well as feedback to speakers - which I believe, all hold similar principles to PF and congress styles. Below are some of my criteria for judging in terms of my expectation for speakers during rounds;
- Cross-Examination (CX): I don't flow CX. Use it for clarification and identifying clash. If something arises, bring it up in your or your team’s next speech.
- Progressive Debate while not an expert, I've picked up some progressive tech over time. On Ks, if well-structured and clear why it's prioritized over the case, I'm open. If not, I'll judge on the case. Avoid CPs in PF and minimize in LD. Theory is beyond my judging capacity; don't run it.
RFD in Public Forum: I vote based on well-defined, linked impacts. All must be extended across the flow. If your Summary drops an impact, I won't consider it in Final Focus. Framework and weighing can influence impact importance, but I don’t vote off Framework.
- RFD in Lincoln-Douglas**: Framework is crucial for impact weighting. I evaluate how each side fulfills the FW and its impacts, similar to PF but with more emphasis on competing FWs.
- Speed and flow: I'm a paper flow judge. Speaking too quickly increases the chance of missing points. No spreading; it's disrespectful and lacks value in communication.
As a judge, my goal is to provide constructive and fair feedback that will help debaters improve their skills. I believe that all debaters should be treated with respect and should feel free to express their opinions without fear of judgment. I also believe that debate should be fun and enjoyable for all participants. With this in mind, here are some things you can expect from me as a judge:
- I will listen carefully to your arguments and give them the consideration they deserve
- I will evaluate the arguments based on their merits, not based on my personal beliefs or opinions
- I will give clear and concise feedback that will help you to learn and grow
- However, I am not a fan to fast speaking. While I understand that you may feel pressured to speak fast, I ask that you slow down and speak clearly so I can better understand you and for the sake of your arguments
- And lastly I want you to know that I am here to support you and help you improve.
Thank you for trusting me to be your judge.