Thompson,+Nathan

Nathan Thompson Norman High 14 University of Oklahoma 18 Updated 15 Oct 2015

Background
I debated for Norman High School (OK) for four years, graduating in 2014. I qualified to NSDA Nationals my junior and senior year, breaking twice and placing 24th my junior year. I primarily debated in Oklahoma and did not have the resources to travel. I worked at the UTNIF LD camp as an instructor in 2015 and am currently a novice policy debater at the University of Oklahoma.

(PF Paradigm for St. Marks)
- faster than conversational speaking speed is preferred - evidence is good. evidence comparison is better. - I am more interested in substance than style - I prefer you stand while speaking but don't really care - I don't care where you sit - I've not judged much PF before, but if you make arguments and compare them you'll do fine

Speaking Preferences

 * Speed is fine. I will clear you once if I cannot understand you.
 * Indicate where your cards and arguments begin and end and slow down for authors and tags.

Framework

 * Value and criterion are not necessary so long as you give me a way to decide the ballot.
 * Label your framework arguments as what they are - I don't like tricky preempts or prestandards that become more than what they were in the constructive.

Theory

 * I default to competing interps.
 * You must have absolute clarity on what your interpretation is, especially if the text that you give your opponent is different than the one you read in round.
 * I lean towards Education outweighing Fairness or at least controlling the value of it, but please do your own weighing on voters and I will listen to arguments otherwise.
 * I will listen to potential abuse as an argument.

RVIs

 * I will evaluate RVIs like anything else.
 * I will evaluate 2AR RVIs in response to new 2NR theory.
 * The RVI needs offense back to a counter-interp.

CX

 * CX is binding.
 * Don't lie or intentionally obscure your answers.
 * I don't care whether you sit or stand, but be engaged.
 * Flex prep is fine.

Kritiks

 * Have clear tags.
 * Your K should still link to an ethical framework.

Extension Evidence

 * New evidence should only respond directly to an objection to the original argument - do not post-date the original card and do not read new offense.

Weighing

 * Weighing is the difference between bad debate and decent debate. Please do it early and often. Explain your clash and interactions with their arguments.
 * Give overviews in 2NR and 2AR that frame the round.

How to Get Good Speaks

 * Weigh early and often through the round. Demonstrate how your arguments interact with others on the flow.
 * Demonstrate a clear strategy and understanding of the importance of arguments on the flow. Don't just go for everything or straight down the flow.
 * Be clear in CX. Good strategies needn't be disguised.

If you are clear, I will probably give between a 28 (borderline) and 30 (perfect, you've done something laudable, or I learned something). If you are not clear, I will probably give you between a 26 and a 27.5. Any points lower than 26 will be for punitive reasons (overt aggression or rudeness, problematic, etc).

Closing
I love debate and hope you do too. Ask me questions after round if you want.