Lay Judge. HS Teacher with degrees in Math and Philosophy and a background in theatre.

LD:

I do not like spread. I take copious notes and need to follow what you say.

My hearing is fine. Don't yell to make your point. This is distracting.

Diction is important. Speak clearly please.

Evidence is good, but do not cite statistics ad nauseam.

Hello!

I am a new judge and I am excited to participate as a judge in my first event!

I respectfully request during the debates:

Please speak at a conversational rate and avoid using the "spreading" (speed reading) tactic as I may not be able to follow the arguments presented.

Thank you and I hope everyone truly enjoys this event! :)

Stacy Kline

Speaking Style:

• I prioritize clarity and organization over speed. Spreading (speaking too quickly) will not benefit you in my round. If I can’t understand your arguments, I won’t flow them. Please speak at a conversational pace, enunciate clearly, and make your points easy to follow.

Argumentation:

• I appreciate well-structured cases that are easy to follow. Your value and criterion should be clear from the start, and each contention should be clearly linked to your framework. I prefer quality over quantity—fewer, well-developed arguments will be more effective than a long list of underdeveloped points.

Evidence:

• Evidence is important, but I also care about how well you explain it and how it supports your arguments. Don’t just drop facts; explain why they matter and how they tie into your overall case.

Weighing and Impact Calculus:

• I value clear weighing of arguments and impact analysis. Tell me why your impacts are more significant or relevant than your opponent’s. Make sure to explain how your value and criterion weigh against your opponent’s framework.

Rebuttals and Clash:

• I expect direct engagement with your opponent’s arguments. Organized rebuttals that address each key point or contention are important. Avoid dropping key points—if your opponent raises a significant argument, make sure you address it clearly and explain why your case still stands.

Cross-Examination:

• I value focused and clear questioning. Be aggressive as needed but don't be rude. This is your opportunity to clarify your opponent’s arguments or expose weaknesses in their case. Use this time to set up later arguments in the round.

Final Focus:

• In your final speeches, crystallize the round by clearly summarizing why your framework, arguments, and impacts outweigh your opponent’s. I appreciate when debaters explain how the round should be judged based on what was discussed and weighed throughout.

Miscellaneous:

• Organization is key! The more organized and clear you are, the easier it will be for me to flow and understand your case.

In summary, keep it clear, organized, and easy to follow. I appreciate strong argumentation, but I care just as much about how you present your ideas.