I am the coach of my club's extemp program. With that being said, debate is a prominent staple in my family. These are some of the things you should do if I am judging you.

1. Speak clearly, do not speed. If you are used to speeding then learn judge adaptation. If I can't get your arguments down and understand what you are saying, you have lost the round.

2. I like empirical evidence - you will not win the round by trying to win an emotional argument. Telling me that you are winning is not a strategy.

3. I like a well-thought-out/planned case that makes sense logically - I like to be able to connect the dots and follow on the flow.

4. Do not be rude. I can deal with assertiveness, but screaming, belittling opponents, eye rolling, head shaking and showing general contempt is not acceptable. You will absolutely lose for snarkiness. This is debate not arguing.

Hello, I am a former debater in the Carolinas and have participated in LD and Congress as my main events.

CONGRESS: Please(if needed) switch sides to ensure even splits.

Authorships/Sponsorships/First AFF: Focus on advocating the bill, refutations and counter arguments will and should come later in the cycle. This to me is a Framing speech focus on the legislation itself and how it will affect United States citizens. Impact! Impact Impact!

PO: I recommend online precedence and recency charts, so everyone can follow along! Just try to run the chamber quick as possible, go above and beyond as PO you will get a high rank for me.

Refutation Speeches: Shows you are adaptable but also needs to progress debate somewhat to get a high score from me.

Questions: Overall, my favorite part of Congress, people who question often but don't ask softball questions will most likely be in my top 5.

Speaking: Overall, have fun with speaking, Congress is one of the events where YOU can choose how to communicate and speak, show your own personality through your speaking style! If i can hear that above all else you are passionate with this event through speaking that will be a 1 in my ballot.

LD:

I will vote LD in the most basic fundamental way possible. I will vote on the framework that has the most support and that is defended the best in the round. I will then vote for the side that argued the best for how they uphold said framework.

I will give higher speaker points to the debater who I feel employs the best persuasion skills in the round. This will not factor into who I will mark as winning the round. I will vote on substance and who won the "exchange of ideas".

Argumentation: I always value arguments that have some evidence backing them up during the round higher than the ones that just employ a warrant.

I debated in the late 90's. I believe in the Value Premise and Criterion. I think there should be clash. Rounds should be in a conversational speed. If I am yelling clear, I am missing an argument. I will stop flowing. I am not a blank slate judge nor will I drop someone for dropping an unreasonable argument. The last speeches are for providing voters and writing my ballot. If there is no connection back to the VP/ your position, I feel there is no ground for me to vote. I do not vote for Kritiks. I do believe a discussion with a debater about the round is ok. I think understanding points of view helps with communicating your cases in later rounds. I will not switch my decision.