here - College of Arts & Sciences - Bethel University
here - College of Arts & Sciences - Bethel University
here - College of Arts & Sciences - Bethel University
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Wyman, Jim<br />
Moorpark <strong>College</strong><br />
Background <strong>of</strong> the critic:<br />
I have been involved in debate for over 46 years. I debated for 4 years in High School<br />
and 4 years on the National Debate Circuit. I have coached and judged for the last 36<br />
years. Until 11 years ago I coached only in traditional, policy debate. I taught for the first<br />
13 years at the Arizona Debate Institute. 11 years ago I discovered Parliamentary Debate<br />
and it rejuvenated me as a Coach.<br />
Approach <strong>of</strong> the critic to decision-making (for example, ad<strong>here</strong>nce to the trichotomy,<br />
stock-issues, policymaker, tabula rasa, etc.):<br />
I don’t like speed debate; and I want real world arguments. I do not intervene, but I will<br />
weigh the credibility <strong>of</strong> arguments: thus, if an argument is not responded to, but it has no<br />
credibility or weight, I will ignore it. I won’t issue Points <strong>of</strong> Order sua sponte (the same<br />
is true <strong>of</strong> introducing my own arguments for a decision). I believe t<strong>here</strong> are three types<br />
<strong>of</strong> resolutions. I have always described my paradigm as using a judicial model (I am a<br />
non-practicing attorney).<br />
Relative importance <strong>of</strong> presentation/communication skills to the critic in decision-making<br />
:<br />
As long as I can understand what is being said, the presentation and communication skills<br />
would be reflected in speaker points rather than in the decision-making process.<br />
Relative importance <strong>of</strong> on-case argumentation to the critic in decision-making:<br />
While I would vote on <strong>of</strong>f-case arguments if they overwhelm the government case, I<br />
prefer clash and the willingness <strong>of</strong> the opposition to engage the government on their<br />
ground. To an extent I prefer the stock issues as the focus.<br />
Openness to critical/performative styles <strong>of</strong> debating:<br />
· I will listen to any arguments that are legitimately presented. In other words, I will<br />
listen to topicality/resolutionality; and I do believe it is a voting issue. I don’t really like<br />
Kritiks (or however it is spelled), but I will listen to the argument<br />
· I like well structured arguments<br />
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