here - College of Arts & Sciences - Bethel University

say I'm tabula rasa, but I'm not sure any one truly is -- I do know things, but I vote on
where you tell me to -- within the realm of reality.
Relative importance of presentation/communication skills to the critic in decision-making
:
I believe that for me to cast a meaningful vote I must understand and be persuaded by
your argumentation. To that end, you need to be articulate -- don't mumble, or try to
speed me out of comprehension. I flow what I hear -- so make sure I hear what you think
is important. Humor is always appreciated -- meanness or rudeness (including profanity)
is not appreciated.
Relative importance of on-case argumentation to the critic in decision-making:
On case argumentation is vital to win my vote. Taking me down rabbit trails is to be
avoided. Avoiding the case proper is to be avoided, not upholding the resolution (gov) is
to be avoided, get what I'm saying You however, tell me what the voters are, and
hopefully, you've made a strong enough case for me to vote for you.
Openness to critical/performative styles of debating:
Critical -- within the realm of reason...I'm not a big fan of running a "pet K" to avoid the
topic -- and Kritiks out of pm seem ridiculous to me. Performative debate is never a good
idea in front of me...I don't have a poet's soul -- leave that to interp rounds.
Any additional comments:
I love parliamentary debate -- I don't love a lot of the changes that I see happening (read
comments above). I feel that most of us are in this event to enhance our speaking skills
and make us better critical thinkers -- if you are in it because it's a game -- I'm probably
not the critic for you. Have some fun, make some good arguments, make me think ...this
is what I tell my team -- be brilliant, don't suck.
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