Lighthouse Forensics Snowflake Async
2025 — Online, US
Speech Events Paradigm List
All Paradigms: Show HideHello, my name is John Phebe Ifeoluwa. I am an experienced judge with over 3 years of expertise in evaluating debates across various formats, including British Parliamentary, Asian Parliamentary, World Schools Debating Format, Public Forum Debates, Lincoln Douglas, and Speech Formats. My passion for debate stems from my active participation in multicultural debate tournaments, such as the Intervarsity Agricultural Debate Summit, which has broadened my perspective and refined my judging skills.
As a judge, I prioritize logical reasoning, ideological consistency with the motion, and the ability of speakers to uphold truism within the debate room. I value debates where speakers fulfill their designated roles effectively and constructively engage with their opponents through clear, well-thought-out rebuttals.
I pride myself on being an unbiased adjudicator who ensures fairness and equity within the debate environment. I also emphasize the importance of speakers and participants adhering to tournament briefings and guidelines, as this fosters a more structured and engaging competition.
I excel in providing detailed, actionable feedback to students, helping them grow as debaters and critical thinkers. My judging philosophy revolves around ensuring that every speaker is assessed objectively, with attention to their ability to prioritize key arguments, utilize advanced techniques like counterfactuals and fiats, and maintain time discipline during rounds.
Additionally, I appreciate whip and summary speeches where speakers highlight comparisons, emphasize their team's key arguments, and demonstrate why they prevail in the debate without introducing unnecessary extensions. Maintaining camera presence in online tournaments, unless unavoidable, is another practice I encourage to ensure seamless engagement.
In conclusion, my experience, attention to detail, and dedication to fostering fair and enriching debate rounds make me a reliable and insightful judge. I look forward to contributing to tournaments by encouraging speakers to reach their highest potential.
General Expectations of Me (Considerations for Your Attention)
I typically operate at a "flay" level on average and "flow" level on good days. Here are things you shouldn't expect from me:
1. Assumptions About My Knowledge: Always explain things fully as I may not be familiar with what you know.
2. Post-round Feedback: You're welcome to post-round me, and I'm open to feedback, but it won't necessarily change my decision. All influencing factors must occur during the debate.
3. Regarding Disclosures/Decisions:I'll disclose in elimination rounds unless instructed otherwise. In prelims, disclosure is not expected unless explicitly stated.
4. Clarity Over Speed: I flow on paper, so speaking too quickly may cause me to miss points. Remember, defense isn't sticky in PF; coverage and clarity matter.
5. Debate Philosophy: I prioritize technical arguments over truth by a narrow margin. I aim to identify the debate's winner based on the participants' performance.
Public Forum / Lincoln Douglas Paradigm
Speaker Points:
- I judge on the standard tabroom scale. Clarity, fluidity, confidence, and decorum are crucial.
- Avoid yelling at opponents during cross and maintain proper decorum throughout the round.
Structure/Organization:
- Signposting is essential for clarity and coherence. Lack of signposting can lead to confusion.
Framework (FW):
- In PF, I default to Cost-Benefit Analysis unless specified otherwise. In LD, a clear Value and Value Criterion are necessary.
Regarding the Decision (RFD):
- I judge tabula rasa, relying only on what I hear in the round. Dropped points and extensions are crucial but must be clearly articulated.
SPEED:
- I'm a paper flow judge and don't flow on a computer. Avoid spreading or speed reading; clarity in communication is vital.
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Should other considerations arise, I'll update this list accordingly
Active debater, public speaker and judge(2019–present)
He/Him pronouns
Always add me to your email chain olamilekanoderanti@gmail.com
I love PF so much and judge it more often.
FLOWING
I view myself as a flow judge, but the clarity and strength of your advocacy narrative is crucial. If you present in an organized, concise, and articulate manner, while also extending compelling arguments, you'll excel. A distinct and coherent advocacy narrative on the flow is invaluable. Such a narrative aids in shaping your responses and in constructing a comparative world, essential for analyzing and weighing the round during the Final Focus.
EXTENSIONS
Proper use and cutting of proofs is very crucial to me, while debate may be seen as a game, it takes place in the real world with real consequences. It matters that we properly represent what's happening in the world around us. Please, follow all pertinent tournament rules and guidelines - violations are grounds for a low-point-win or a loss. Rules for NSDA tournaments can be found at https://www.speechanddebate.org/high-school-unified-manual/.
SPEECH AND PACE
- I can’t follow everything in PF if you speak at a high pace. Your main goal should be clarity. Articulate your points so your opponent and myself comprehends you. Your efficiency and eloquence in subsequent speeches will shape your scores.
- Everyone should maintain civility and politeness. If situations escalate, it's everyone's duty to calm things down. Avoid shouting. Recognize your privileges and use them to uplift and respect others.
- Please provide trigger warnings when appropriate.
- I'm not particularly fond of theory becoming a standard in PF, especially disclosure theory. If there's a significant violation and theory is the only recourse, I might accept it, but expect reduced scores. Ideally, address the issue in a manner more aligned with traditional PF standards.
BREAKDOWN OF SPEAKER POINTS
30: Excellent job, you demonstrate stand-out organizational skills and speaking abilities. Ability to use creative analytical skills and humor to simplify and clarify the round.
29: Very strong ability. Good eloquence, analysis, and organization. A couple minor stumbles or drops.
28: Above average. Good speaking ability. May have made a larger drop or flaw in argumentation but speaking skills compensate. Or, very strong analysis but weaker speaking skills.
27: About average. Ability to function well in the round, however analysis may be lacking. Some errors made.
26: Is struggling to function efficiently within the round. Either lacking speaking skills or analytical skills. May have made a more important error.
25: Having difficulties following the round. May have a hard time filling the time for speeches. Large error.
Below: Extreme difficulty functioning. Very large difficulty filling time or offensive or rude behavior.
DECLAMATION
I’ve just judged a round of this and I’m so much in love with it. Be authentic with your topic, appeal to your audience’s emotions, be eloquent, use a good lighting so I can properly judge your gestures and body movements, have a good cutting, introduction and conclusion and you’ll be good to go. I’ll most likely give you a 100 if you prove yourself worthy of it.
I as well judge other formats like Lincoln Douglas, speeches, World schools and parliamentary debates. Before you conclude I can’t judge a format, KINDLY REACH OUT TO ME as I’ve got a good knowledge of numerous formats and I’m only hoping to judge them pretty soon. I hope to work with you soonest.
Hi there,
My name is Oyewumi Emmanuel Oluwatobi, I am a student at the University of Ilorin, Nigeria. I am a seasoned debater, public speaker and judge, with over 2 years involvement in debating. I am 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), Public Forum (PF), WSDC, Congress, CX, LD, Extemp, Impromptu, and Declamation
Email address: oyewumioluwatobi2@gmail.com
Conflicts: I do not have any.
PERSONAL NOTE
I think of debate as a way to share ideas on different matters and make those ideas stronger by pointing out flaws and loopholes in them. I also see it as a game of arguments and whoever's argument that has the least flaws, provides accommodations for those flaws or prove why their arguments regardless of those flaws matter wins.
I have experience in British Parliamentary and public forum debate format, both speaking and judging. Though I prefer speaking. I am an ESL speaker, so I would also like people to know that, so it's not hard to understand you when you're speaking.
Lastly, I'm a nice person, and I like every debater in any round I am judging to be nice to one another and learn from each other. So, there is no need to be rude to each other in a debate round.
It's my belief that in every round, even if one loses, there is always something to learn, something to improve on.
Looking forward to working together. Thank you