Pelletier,+Joe

Pelletier, Joe**1. What is your educational and/or professional background? //Twenty years coaching and judging, 25 years Social Studies teacher, currently teaching U.S. History and AP U.S. History //

2. Estimating, how many rounds of Public Forum or Student Congress would you say you have judged in the past?** //Probably four or five PF rounds in Maine//**; //just "invited" to judge 8 double-flighted rounds of PF at '09 Nationals in Alabama-- can't say I can even understand my notes after the first day of rounds. I understand SC, but haven't scored it in years.//

3. Estimating, how many rounds of LD and Policy would you say you have judged in the past? //Easily 20+ rounds of LD a year, when I wasn't in TAB -- competed in Policy in HS, coached many teams from 1990 on, and sat in many Policy Rounds when we had lots of them in Maine.//

4. How heavily do you consider "dropped" arguments? (Arguments that an opponent does not respond to.** **Feel free to comment****) //In Policy Debate, a dropped Aff argument can be a killer -- I'm a Prima Facia judge. In LD debate, a debater has to be selective in what is dropped and what are the best "voters" at the end of the round. While "they dropped my argument" should be pointed out, don't assume that will win you the round. In PF debate, I expect all valid points to be argued from the earliest possible point in the round. Use Final focus to give overview of why your side should be victorious. At that point, you can't be expected to hit everything, but hit the big ones.//

5.How important is evidence in your decision ? //Policy debate requires it, but I'll buy logical arguments if evidence is necessarily thin. (if your opponent is running a off-beat case, for instance)

LD debate, evidence and quotes are nice, but remember to stay in the "ought world" (see below)

PF should have evidence and logical points. While not required like in Policy, a well reasoned argument with common sense will only take you so far. Be prepared to cite basics of source, and be aware of who you are quoting.//

6. Do you prefer: Philosophy Only, Carded Evidence only, No Evidence, Or blends of cards and philosophical concepts? //In LD, I prefer a mix, with a slight edge to applying philosophy to the present resolution. Assume I know nothing about your philosopher, and just because "Kant says so", doesn't mean it is so. While I understand the move towards "impacts" in Maine LD circles, I still want the philosophical approach of "ought we do this"-- I may change my mind on this as the year progresses.//

PFers -- don't be afraid to use a bit of philosophy in your speeches as well.

7. What is your preferred speed of delivery(1 being Bill Clinton Slow, 10 being "spreading".** **Feel free to comment)**? //I've never met a good spreader that I didn't like! But you need to practice so that it is smooth. I especially hate spreading as a strategy, if you then finish your speech with two minutes to go.//

//Probably most importantly, debate is suppose to be fun! Be competitive, but don't be afraid to laugh during the round. That being said, keep sportsmanship in mind. Refer to your opponent as "my opponent" or by first name -- but don't be nasty in your comments. Keep the round organized -- sign post or tell me where you're going. Formal attire is nice, and is expected at the big meets of the year, but are not as important and formal posture during the round. Don't slouch, keep your hands out of your pockets, don't be smug.//
 * 8. On a scale of 1 to 10, how important are formalities for you? (How you refer to your opponent, organization, formal attire, etc.** **Feel free to comment.****)

9. At the end of the day how does a debater win your ballot? //A significant clash of ideas and carry the big arguments. Anticipate what your opponent might say, and be ready to attack them in rebuttal.//

10. Are you a former debater? If yes, what events did you compete in and for how long? //I competed in Policy Debate back in the 1970s for both Hermon HS and Lake Region HS.//

11. On a scale of 1 to 10, How important are the impacts of the debate to you? (1 being none, 10 being the most important aspect of round. Feel free to comment) //In Policy Debate, probably a nine (While Nuclear War is a fun impact, make other DAs have mainstream impacts) In Public Forum, about a six or seven -- evidence or logic to get you to believable impacts In Lincoln Douglas, a four -- I'll go with them if both debaters take me there, but still want to hear philosophical applications.//

12. Do you have any "pet peeves" when it comes to debate? If so, what are they? //Poor sportsmanship, gloating by an obviously superior debater in the round (assume nothing), purposefully misquoting your opponent -- I do flow Cross examination (sometimes debaters will make legitimate misquotes, but the obvious ones I hate)//

13. On a scale of 1 to 10, how detailed are your "flows"? (1 being that you don't flow/don't know what flowing is, 10 being that you are a former policy/lder) //About a 7 -- I know what the flow means, but couldn't recreate what you said verbatim. I'm also writing down my own thoughts, what I see as the most significant arguments of the round, and sometimes what arguments I expect the other side to make. (Not that I'd judge you on whether you bring those up or not)//

14. Do you have any preferences? Any things that you like debaters to do? If so, what are they?** //As I said, be good, be organized, be honest, but have fun while you are doing all of the above. If the round is extremely close (in a good way), I may have to decide the round on a small technicality -- but know that a good round is a round that I'll be talking about for a long time afterwards.//

//I've judged// //all events over the years, but prefer OO and EX//
 * 15. What speech events have you judged in the past?

16. What does the ideal speech look like for you? //Well organized, smooth transitions -- make me think and make me slightly uncomfortable.//

17. On a scale of 1 to 10 how important is eye contact during the speech? //Even in the reading events//, //eye contact// //is a must. In OO and EX, it makes you more convincing, and I've always thought you should look at everyone in the room during the course of your speech.//

18. How does a speaker get the 1 in the round?**

How do you get to Carnegie Hall? //practice, practice, practice.// Listen to your coach, read through the ballots, and always try to become more familiar with your piece. There is no "silver bullet" piece, so don't switch every week. Give yourself time to grow into the piece.