National Speech and Debate Tournament

2025 — Des Moines, IA/US

Cris Vega Paradigm

Lincoln-Douglas
Lincoln Douglas Debate Judge Philosophy

Your experience with LD Debate (check all that apply)

Current LD coach

How many years have you judged LD debate?

2

How many LD rounds have you judged this year?

11-20

What is your preferred rate of delivery?

6/91 = Slow conversational style
9 = Rapid conversation speed
 

Does the rate of delivery weigh heavily in your decision?

Y
 

Will you vote against a student solely for exceeding your preferred speed?

N

How important is the criterion in making your decision?

It is a major factor in my evaluation
 

Do you feel that a value and criterion are required elements of a case?

Y

Rebuttals and Crystallization

 

Voting issues should be given:

At the end of the speech
 

The use of jargon or technical language ("extend", "cross-apply", "turn", etc.) during rebuttals:

Is acceptable
 

Final rebuttals should include:

Voting issues
 

Voting issues are:

Not necessary

How do you decide the winner of the round?

I decide who is the winner of the most arguments in the round

How necessary do you feel the use of evidence (both analytical and empirical) is in the round?

9/91 = Not necessary
9 = Always necessary

Please describe your personal note-taking during the round

I keep detailed notes throughout the round
Additional remarks: I cannot hear soft spoken voices. Unintelligible "spreading" is not appreciated. Fast speech is ok as long as you are clear in your wording. I appreciate sound logic, link chains, that tie to the value criterion. I appreciate "sign posting" and "writing the ballot for the judge" approaches. I first evaluate the framework debate. I then use the winning framework as the criteria to judge the cases of both sides. I usually can decide who wins based on these two steps. Do not collapse down to the main clash if you haven't yet refuted the entire case of your opponent. I will count drops against you.

Note: if you wish for your pronouns to appear the debaters you judge on text/email blasts, log into Tabroom, click Profile at top, and add them in the Pronouns field.