here - College of Arts & Sciences - Bethel University

Bates, Marlin
University of the Pacific
Background of the critic:
Coaching Parli for 12 years Judged 100 rounds this year Competed in CEDA as
undergrad
Approach of the critic to decision-making (for example, adherence to the trichotomy,
stock-issues, policymaker, tabula rasa, etc.):
Your job is to tell me what to think, where to put that thought, and how to weigh the
arguments in the round. Your job is to not let me think. At the point that I think, weird
things happen. This means that I will make my decision based solely on what happens in
the round. Is is a value resolution Okay, tell me why and how Is policy the best way to
decide values or facts Tell mw why and how. There is really no getting around the fact
that there are different TYPES of resolutions. How those resolutions are debated is really
up to the people involved in that debate.
Relative importance of presentation/communication skills to the critic in decision-making
:
These are two DIFFERENT issues. You need to communicate to me in order for me to
evaluate your arguments. If you look like a slob, well, I may not party with you, but I will
listen to your arguments. I am not going to change on the fact that you should dress for
success, this does not mean that I will ignore you or drop you because you have some
whack shoes.
Relative importance of on-case argumentation to the critic in decision-making:
As opposed to off-case I don't know. Did the debate shift to the off-case and on case got
left behind Well, I guess the case was relatively unimportant then. Did the debate focus
on the case proper Well, then I guess on-case arguments would be relatively important.
Openness to critical/performative styles of debating:
Critical arguments are dependent on how you link them to the round under discussion.
Again, the debaters need to tell me why there are/are not important. Performances are
better left elsewhere.
Have some fun with it and learn about the world around you. Engage. Discuss. Learn.
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