here - College of Arts & Sciences - Bethel University

speaker points are based on good arguments
don’t lie
I don’t read the news as much as you might assume
I don’t think capitalism is good, but will vote for it if I have to
I think the offense is key to winning (as opposed to defense, not kindness)
you should think about striking me… seriously
back to kritiks, you should have read the books/authors you talk about
I do not believe in objective truth, but some things are unjustifiable
if you have questions feel free to ask me…
http://toothpastefordinner.com/021308/conspiracy-chart-2008.gif
Hahner, Leslie
Truman State University
Background of the critic:
With over 11 years of involvement in competitive debate, I am a well-rounded critic. I
competed in NPDA, and NFA-LD. I coached both these forms of debate as well as
policy debate (NDT). In addition to my general knowledge of contemporary political and
policy-making concerns, I am well-versed in critical theory and reading strategies.
Approach of the critic to decision-making (for example, adherence to the trichotomy,
stock-issues, policymaker, tabula rasa, etc.):
For the most part, I am a judge who keeps a tight flow, and use that flow to adjudicate the
round. For me, this means the debaters must tell me how to weigh arguments on the
flow. Thus, I will typically take on the judging perspective advocated by the debaters, so
long as that advocacy is persuasive and maintained in round. Should the debaters fail to
make an advocacy, I typically default to policymaker or simply a critic of arguments
(who wins what in round).
Relative importance of presentation/communication skills to the critic in decision-making
:
Debaters should be able to cleanly and clearly articulate and sustain arguments. The
relative speed and/or style they chose to use in this process, for me, is irrelevant. If you
speak fast, fine. If you sit while you debate, fine. If you chose to stand and speak slowly
in order to make your advocacy, more power to you. But, please, make arguments,
articulate them well, and provide some warrants.
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