Spears,+Paul

MIFA Judge Philosophy and Paradigm Information Judge's Name: Spears, Paul High School Graduation Date: 2010 Judge's e-mail: spearspa@msu.edu Experience: - Coach a team - High School debater - Frequently Judge Rounds Judged this topic: 30 Judge Paradigm: Tabula Rasa Rate of Delivery: 4 Moderately fast Quantity of Arguments: 3 A moderate number Topicality: 2 Moderately often Counterplans: 2 usually acceptable Generic Disadvantages: 2 usually acceptable Conditional Negative Positions: 3 sometimes acceptable Debate Theory Arguments: 2 usually acceptable Kritik arguments: 2 usually acceptable Overall judging paradigm: I am willing to vote on whatever argument is presented. I will vote where you tell me to as long as you say why I should vote there and win that that argument is the most important in relation to the other team's arguments. Tag teaming in cross ex is allowed, as long as it is not excessive. I want to know that both debaters understand what is occurring, but it is more important to have the correct answer. In regards to timing prep, I will run my timer as long as you are prepping. That would include the combining of speeches on your own computers, but would not include the time it takes to transfer the finished speech document from your computer to the viewing computer. With viewing computers, if a team is not paperless then it is the responsibility of the paperless team to provide a way for the paper team to view their evidence, whether with a viewing computer or provision of their personal computers during prep time and opposing speeches. Debate is a place for education. Lack of respect for the other team or your partner will result in lower speaker points. With regard to evidence citations, author date is sufficient unless a question of credentials is brought up in the round. In general, I am making my decision based on what occurs in the round. This includes arguments from the round but does not include arguments not made. Do not assume that I will make an argument for you or understand what argument you are trying to make. If you don’t give an explanation for a position then there is no substance for me to make a decision on, which will make me less likely to accept your argument.