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- Event Rules: If you are unfamiliar with the ballot for the event you are judging, take a moment before the round to familiarize yourself with the rules on the ballot. If you would like to see the ballots now, they are available on the categories/events page.
- Speaker Order: Except for Extemp, draw for speaker order unless otherwise instructed.
- Comments: Write constructive comments on each ballot. At least write what the speakers need to work on (pacing, diction, voice projection, emotional build, character analysis, character credibility, character distinction, dialect authenticity, dialect consistency, vocal variety, emotional variety or levels, emotional control or restraint, meaningful eye contact, comprehensive eye contact, etc.). Time permitting, write supportive comments on what the speakers did well.
- Legibility: Please try to write clearly so the speakers may read your critique.
- No Oral Comments: Do NOT give oral critiques or praises at any time during a competition. Write it down.
- Observing: Look directly at the speaker and look interested. When you frown you deflate the spirit of the speaker and hurt the performance. If you must frown, put your frown in writing instead.
- Stopwatch: If you have a stopwatch, bring it to tournaments to time the speakers. If you do not have a stopwatch to time with, go easy on assigning overtime penalties.
- Grace Period: A speaker who goes over the grace period of 30 seconds cannot be awarded 1st place. No other penalty is required.
- Minimum Time Limit: There is no minimum time limit in any event. However, a good longer performance is harder to sustain than a good shorter one and therefore should be given more credit with all other things being equal.
- After the Round: Return the ballots to the tab room immediately after the round. If you wish to write many comments and need more time, go to the tab room, report the rankings and points, and then complete your comments. Do not do this if you will be late for your next round. And do not forget to turn them in or the speakers will not receive your comments.
- Points: Assign points according to your own standards of excellence and not by comparitive ranking. You may have no one in a round who deserves above a 90 or no one in a round who deserves under a 90. Generally, do not score below a 70.
- Personal Preferences: Your position on an issue, your personal values or your literary taste should not be a factor in ranking a speaker.
- Speaker Anonymity: Do not ask any speaker for the name of their school. There is space on the ballots for the name of the speaker to provide a check against their code.
- When Not Judging: When not assigned to a round, stay in the judge's lounge. You may be needed unexpectedly. If you must leave the building during the tournament, please notify the tab room.
- Understand What Speakers Have To Keep In Mind: Not only do speakers have to know their speech, piece, or topic, they also need to know the ballot for their category. In addition, they must also worry about many other things including dress, etiquette, and the quality of pizza at lunch. Take a look at the Speaking Tips for some of these concerns.
- Problems, Questions: When in doubt during a tournament, seek answers in the tab room.
If you have any questions or you have a tip you would like added to the list, please contact us.
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