Judging debate
Judge training and certification
Looking for Judging Opportunities?
Join our Facebook Group!The WDCA is using a judge training program in order to help judges understand the rules of debate and the different formats available at the Wisconsin State Debate Tournament. Judges with less than two years of experience in debate (judging, competing, or coaching) must complete the assessments provided in order to be eligible to judge at the Wisconsin State Debate Tournament.
Judges are also required to have a paradigm specific to the division they are judging. This document provides some background.
Step 1: Take the training
Judge Training SlideshowStep 2: Get certified!
Take the Certification TestStep 3: Write your paradigm
Policy Paradigm templatePolicy Debate
Policy debate is a team format debate in which the Affirmative team presents a plan to solve for a resolution, and the Negative argues against that plan. The resolution changes yearly.
2023-24 Topic
Resolved: The United States federal government should substantially increase fiscal redistribution in the United States by adopting a federal jobs guarantee, expanding Social Security, and/or providing a basic income.
Novice Policy Packet
The WDCA provides a packet for first year debaters to help them become familiar with policy debate. Download the packet here.
Step 1: Take the training
Judge Training SlideshowStep 2: Get certified!
Take the Certification TestStep 3: Write your paradigm
Lincoln-Douglas Paradigm TemplateLincoln-Douglas Debate
Lincoln-Douglas Debate is a one on one form of debate in which students are tasked to approach a resolution through a philisophical lens. Often resolutions ask questions of whether we “ought to” do a resolution. The resolution changes every two months.
November/December 2023 Topic
Resolved: The United States ought to prohibit the extraction of fossil fuels from federal public lands and waters.
Step 1: Take the training
Judge Training SlideshowStep 2: Get certified!
Take the Certification TestStep 3: Write your paradigm!
Public forum paradigm templatePublic Forum Debate
Public Forum debate is a team format of debate in which students either stand in affirmation or negation of a resolution. Resolutions are often related to current affairs, whether national or international. This format of debate is meant to be accessible to any judge. The resolution in Wisconsin changes every two months.
November/December 2023 Topic
Resolved: The United States federal government should forgive all federal student loan debt.
Other Available Training
NFHS Cultural Competence
This course can help judges provide feedback that allows all students to feel included in the speech and debate space. This training is not provided by the Wisconsin Debate Association and is only information of additional resources.
NFHS Protecting Students From Abuse
This course, provided by the NFHS, helps judges identify abusive behaviors and misconduct in a round. This training is not provided by the Wisconsin Debate Association and is only information of additional resources.
Accommodations in the Debate Space
The WDCA has many resources on how you can help make debate a more inclusive space.