National Speech and Debate Tournament
2024 — Des Moines, IA/US
Michael Pulver Paradigm
Policy
Policy Debate Judge Philosophy
Your experience with Policy Debate (check all that apply)
Coach of a teamPolicy debater in high school
Frequently judge Policy Debate
Occasionally judge Policy Debate
How many Policy rounds have you judged this year?
41+Which best describes your approach to judging Policy Debate?
Games-playingRATE OF DELIVERY
7/91 = slow and deliberate9 = very rapid
QUANTITY OF ARGUMENTS
3/91 = a few well-developed arguments9 = the more arguments the better
COMMUNICATION AND ISSUES
5/91 = communication skills most important9 = resolving substantive issues most important
TOPICALITY: I am willing to vote on topicality:
2/91 = often9 = rarely
COUNTERPLANS
2/91 = acceptable9 = unacceptable
GENERIC DISADVANTAGES
7/91 = acceptable9 = unacceptable
CONDITIONAL NEGATIVE POSITIONS
2/91 = acceptable9 = unacceptable
DEBATE THEORY ARGUMENTS
5/91 = acceptable9 = unacceptable
CRITIQUE (KRITIK) ARGUMENTS
2/91 = acceptable9 = unacceptable
Additional remarks:
I have judged on every major circuit in the world. I’ve coached multiple nationally ranked teams with many students now attending Ivy League institutions. I enjoy judging University Interscholastic League circuit debates. I also enjoy judging Tournament of Champions cross-examination debate. I’ve coached both sides. Competed on both sides. Did well in both. I’m old enough to remember when the University of Texas National Institute of Forensics focused on technicalities with their camp. I teach debate at the Texas Speech and Debate Camp. I’ve been fortunate enough to judge the national champions of this event, along with judging many nationally ranked teams. I think I get preferred by those who know what debate is and not by those who wish for it to be “policy debate”. Take that for what you will. More information on my paradigm can be found on Tabroom.com, by searching “Michael, Pulver".
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