Rent,+John


 * Name ** : John Rent


 * Affiliation**: Mahtomedi High School; Mahtomedi, MN


 * Experience**: Judged at Minnesota LD invitational tournaments for the past 4 years

In order for judging to be consistent and meaningful, I follow NFL guidelines for what arguments and tactics are preferable in LD debate. While I will listen to any arguments intently, I will favor the “classic” LD approach. Some of the following is synthesized from NFL publications: · Lincoln Douglas Debate centers on a proposition of value, which concerns itself with what ought to be instead of what is. Neither side is permitted to offer a plan (a formalized, comprehensive proposal for implementation); rather, they should offer reasoning to support a general principle. Debaters may offer generalized, practical examples or solutions to illustrate how the general principle could guide decisions. · Burden of proof: Each debater has the equal burden to prove the validity of his/her side of the resolution as a general principle. As the resolution is a statement of value, there is no presumption for either side. I will favor the debater has proven his/her side of the resolution more valid as a general principle by the end of the round. No debater can realistically be expected to prove complete validity or invalidity of the resolution. I will prefer quality and depth of argumentation to mere quantity of argumentation. · Value structure – I will vote for the debater who better established a clear and cohesive relationship between the argumentation and the value structure. · Argumentation: Debaters are obligated to construct logical chains of reasoning which lead to the conclusion of the affirmative or negative position. The nature of proof may take a variety of forms (e.g., a student’s original analysis, application of philosophy, examples, analogies, statistics, expert opinion, etc.). Arguments should be presented in a cohesive manner that shows a clear relationship to the value structure. · Resolutionality –I will favor the debater who best addressed the central questions of the resolution. · Clash – I will favor the debater best shows the ability to both attack his/her opponent’s case and to defend his/her own.

A couple final points: · I will flow the entire debate round, no matter what. Making my job easier by providing a clear road maps and periodic sign-posting will be in your best interest. · Speed is OK so long as it is fully understandable. I will raise my hand if you are going too fast to be clear.  1) What out of the ordinary thing happened to Judge Taylor? (1 pt) 2) What happened to Helen Robinson? How does Link Deas help her? (2 pt) 3) Why does Heck Tate want to lie about Boo Radley killing Bob Ewell? (1 pt) 4) What does Scout get to do when she drops Boo off at home? (1 pt)
 * __TKAM: Chap. 27-31 Quiz Name__**