here - College of Arts & Sciences - Bethel University

Sietman, Dan
Cedarville University
Background of the critic:
I have never debated competitively nor have I had any formal training in debate per se,
although I did my undergraduate work in Political Comm, and therefore have training in
argumentation, persuasion, etc. I began judging Parli five years ago when my wife was
hired as the Cedarville University Debate Coach. As many of you can attest, my judging
philosophy has changed considerably over the years.
Approach of the critic to decision-making (for example, adherence to the trichotomy,
stock-issues, policymaker, tabula rasa, etc.):
I believe that Tabula-Rasa is a wonderful ideal, so I will try not to intervene in the round;
however as a human being I believe that it is an unattainable ideal, thus all I can do is
promise to try my best to vote only on that which is said in round. Having said that,
please recognize that I am not an idiot; just because something is said in round does not
mean that I am bound to accept it, regardless of whether the other side responds to it. I
believe in Tricot, so I probably won’t buy your Tricot-Bad press. I believe that in most
cases “normal means” covers stock issues adequately.
Relative importance of presentation/communication skills to the critic in decision-making
:
I believe that debate is a rhetorical exercise. It is important to me that you present your
arguments clearly such that a total stranger to the debate community could walk into the
room and be able to render a decision. Good delivery enhances your credibility. I have a
few pet peeves:
The Humpback: I dive into my flow, speak until I run out of breath, surface for air, and
spray the room with the spittle hanging off my lower lip. (For the love of all that is
holy…BREATHE.)
The Demon: There are fast talkers and then there’s SPEED. I can flow quickly, but if I
don’t like your speed, I will stop flowing, and I will adjudicate based on persuasion
alone. Oh yeah, and your speaker points will suck. (Someone call an exorcist.)
The Screamer: I am blissfully ignorant of ALL my surroundings, most notably the
acoustics in my room, and I scream at the judge from three feet away. (Someone get me a
cotton ball; my eardrums are bleeding.)
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