Jonathan Kamdar - Judging Paradigm

Email: jonathankamdar@gmail.com

About me:

• Senior at Bob Jones Academy
• Captain of BJA Forensics
• Events I've competed in: Declamation, Lincoln Douglas Debate, World Schools Debate, Public Forum Debate, Extemporaneous Debate, Impromptu, Senate, House, Mock Trial
• NSDA Nationals x2
• Mock Trial Nationals x1
• W/L Record in LD: 65-21
• Hoping to go to Clemson or USC to major in economics
• Coached by the legends Chuck Nicholas, Gail Nicholas, Ryan Parimi, and Madigan Lawlor
• Debate nerd
• 4th year in Speech and Debate
• Brother to the myths Reece and Chase

General Stuff:

• I actually know all of the NSDA's evidence rules
• Stick within the time you are given
• Be respectful
• Be assertive not aggressive
• Remember debate is also about having fun/learning
• If you have any questions, just ask before the round
• I know how/what it feels like to be a competitor
• My personal opinions will not influence my decision
• I only weigh arguments given in the round

Preferences:

• I can flow spreading, but I don't prefer it

• Love quotes especially Martin Luther King Jr, Nelson Mandela, positive influential people...
• Who doesn't like well-developed arguments/claims/warrants/impacts/links/evidence
• Don't bull crap me on framework ... I will know
• Love practical arguments
• Love consequentialism/utilitarianism (everything else is also fine)
• Tell me why you win
• Persuade me, don't just talk at me

Conclusion:

My number one rule is that we should learn and have fun. Let's just have a great round and enjoy our time. It will be great getting to know you guys/the amazing skills you all have. I will try and give you helpful feedback to maximize your potential.

I’ve been debating for a considerable amount of time, participating in LD, PFD, World Schools, and Mock Trial. Out of all these formats, I prefer LD the most. My brother is Hayden (more well known as "Kamdar"). I enjoy reading books on political discourse/ economics. I had the wonderful opportunity to go to last year's SD nationals in Des Moines, Iowa.

LD (Lincoln-Douglas Debate):

• I appreciate a strong framework with solid contentions. My personal favorite framework is morality by consequentialism (I know, it might seem dull, but it gets the job done).
• I value respectful cross-examinations. This means that if a question is asked, the answer should be uninterrupted. It also means providing clear and concise answers to avoid wasting your opponent’s time.
• I’m not a fan of new arguments in the last speech. I will drop those arguments and might deduct speaker points as a penalty.

PFD (Public Forum Debate):

• I prefer if you have a framework, but it’s not mandatory.
• I understand that cross-examinations can get a bit chaotic with the back-and-forth questioning, but as long as everyone remains cordial, it’s fine.
• I appreciate arguments based on statistics or quotes, as well as logical arguments.

For All Debaters:

• Do not: Engage in ad hominem attacks (I will not tolerate personal attacks on your opponent).
• Do not: Spread (I will flow it, but it will cost you speaker points. If I can’t understand what you’re saying, I won’t flow it).
• Do not: Introduce new arguments in the final focus (I will not flow them).
• Do not:look at the opponent during cross (you're trying to convince me of your arguments, not your opponent!)
• Do not:Don't try to mislead me on your framework. I will know.
• Do: Present economic, ecological, welfare, and unintended consequences arguments (I enjoy these).
• Do: Use K, Theory, CP/P arguments (depending on the debate format; Ex: do not use CP/P for PFD).

Speaker Points:

• 30: Wow, this is one of the best speakers I have ever heard (unlikely).
• 29: This is a pretty good speaker.
• 28: This speaker was decent.
• 27: This speaker was okay.
• 26: This speaker needs improvement.

I hope to have fun judging you. I believe debate is not only a competition but also a learning experience for everyone involved. I look forward to seeing your unique perspectives and arguments. While I will not disclose the results, I will provide comments after the round is over to help you improve and grow as a debater. Let's have fun, while gaining some educational value from debate.

Thank you!

I have done speech for several years and then I have also done LD were I got third in the state. Since then I have done PF at districts and then world schools debate at nationals. As far as Judging I will almost purely Judge based of the flow. I will also take into account speaking ability as well as style and edict.

Spreading - I will tolerate spreading (speaking extremely fast) but what I can't understand I won't flow. Also If I get the sense that you are using it for the purpose of winning then I will probably mark you off. ie. If you speak so fast that no one can understand what you are saying and then in your next speech you tell me that your opponent dropped everything then I probably won't be super happy.

Framework. I am fairly well versed in philosophy so as far as understanding K's and Framework debates I quit frankly enjoy it. (LD please do not just drop this, Framework make LD...LD]

As far as debate goes as a whole I will be persuaded with evidence first and foremost. But if you can logically explain something to me then I will obviously take that into account.

I also try to come into the debate round tabula rasa ( a blank slate) I have most likely studied the topic and have previous information about it especially for this novice tournament. But assume I know nothing. I know what it like to have a judge debate the opponents case for them and I won't do it. I will take what you say to be fact as long as you have sufficient evidence

Also, I don't want new ARGUMENTS in FINAL FOUCS or 2AR. I WILL NOT FLOW THEM and I will mark off speaker points.

One other think that is important to me. Do not bring up a rules violation unless your absolutely sure about it.

Speakers Points

30 - Perfect

29 - almost perfect

28 - average

27 - needs improvement.

Have fun... be respectful and please feel free to ask me question before or after the debate.

I am a flay (a combination of flow and lay) judge who will flow the entire debate, yet still listen to the clarity and the straightforward manner of the arguments presented. You need to be able to connect with me, do not just throw words at me, because that is not the point of debate as you need to be able to convince me on why your side is better.

My Preferences:

• Speed: I can flow spreading, however, I highly frown upon it. So speak at a normal pace, where I can clearly understand what you are saying.
• Roadmaps: Before rebuttal, summary and final focus speeches, have clear roadmaps and organized frameworks, where each response goes line by line on the flow. I should be able to tell which argument you are responding to, so do not jump from one response to another, be clear.
• Cross Examinations: Do not spend an unreasonable time on just one question. Ask a question and once you get the response move on, because it gets frustrating when debaters keep going in circles. Cross can get aggressive and heated very quickly, however, be mindful and respectful. Do no be rude.
• Rebuttal: Be structured when giving rebuttal speeches, as I prefer organization and clarity when responding to arguments. Do not just read evidence to me, that will not convince me why your side wins. Explain how that evidence responds to the other side and proves them wrong, I highly recommend clear explanations and interpretations rather than a list of statistics and evidence to prove otherwise.
• Summary and Final Focus: I love, love, love weighing. Weighing your impacts using different weighting mechanisms, especially scope and magnitude will get you more points in my book. Part of the decision for round will be on how you weigh the impacts and how well you convince on why your side matters more.
• Time: Be mindful of time, so do not go overtime by more than a couple of seconds.

Debate is meant for you to learn new things but most importantly, have fun! You will progressively get better and better as you improve and reach your goals!

Flay judge

I am a student judge that has done speech, congress, public forum, and BQD.

Speech:

I will watch your clarity you pronounce something and how much into character you can go. Please distinguish characters and make your plot make sense. Please be below 10 min, i do know about the 30 sec grace period.

Debate:

I will flow your cases and focus on the arguments you have made.

LD:

Make sure VCD and VCP is clear and connects to case. Your contentions are weighed by your values. Speeches are clear and understood, under time.

PF:

Good partner chemistry and speeches are clear. Have evidence to weigh your contentions and weigh your arguments. I focus on your impacts because that is why I care. I will flow your cases and PFD is my main event.

Congress:

I have done congress before and I will focus on the clarity of your speeches as well as your time. Your questioning should succinctly answer the question and be prepared. Your speeches should be unique, no rehash. If you are PO then please have a good chamber and fast chamber.

Cross:

questions should not be long and you should be prepped for questions. I will see if you answer properly and weigh your arguments as well. Please do not be too agressive.

spreading is not prefferred but I can understand.