WELCOME - General Information

 

          First of all, thank you for judging!  Our speech and debate team appreciates all of your help.  We are required to bring one judge for every four students entered, and your presence is therefore greatly valued.  Here is the schedule you can expect for the day:

 

          7:30-8:30  REGISTRATION

       8:30        IE’s Round I

       10:00              Debate Round I

       11:30              IE’s Round 2

       1:00        Debate Round 2

       2:30        IE’s Final and Semi-final Rounds

       4:00        Debate Final Round

       6:00        AWARDS

 

          You will be expected to judge, time, or standby for three of these rounds – either the first three at 8:30, 10:00, and 11:30 or the second three at 1:00, 2:30, and 4:00.  However, the tournament sometimes runs late so times are subject to fluctuation.  Timing for a round also counts as judging a round and is just as important, especially in debate.  If you are inexperienced as a judge you may request to time so that you may become acquainted with the rules and flow of competition.

 

          When you enter the room to judge there are several things you might need to know:

·        If you are judging LD, there will usually be two debates (or four students) scheduled for that round. The second set of students are not allowed in the room while the first set are debating.  The students will sit in the front of the room next to one another and may use the lectern if it is available.  Please see the attached LD information sheet for more details.

·        For Team Debate, there will be only one debate scheduled since it is much longer.  The seating format is otherwise the same as in LD, though the actual debate is very different.  Please see attached Team Debate judging instructions for more information.

·        If you are judging any other IE, except Impromptu or Extemp, there are different rules.  All of the students, usually five to seven, are to enter the classroom with you.  A competitor may not ask for the room to be cleared during their speech.  You should first call roll to see if all of the students are present and make sure that you are not judging students that you know.  If you know a competitor, you must at once go to the judges’ room, as it is against the rules to judge your own team or someone you know.

·        If some of the competitors are not present it is a good idea to wait only a few minutes before starting the round because the absent students may be double entered (in two events) and will be coming to the round late.  A student who is double entered may ask if they may go first so as to get to their other round.  This is up to your discretion, but is the only reason the order of speakers may be changed.  Specific details about each event are attached.

·        If you are judging Impromptu or Extemp, the students will enter the classroom one at a time to give their speeches.  In impromptu the student will enter, draw a topic from you, have two minutes to prepare, and give a speech no longer than five minutes.  In Extemp, the student will already have their topic. They will enter the room, give you their topic slip, and proceed immediately to speak for they have already had 30 minutes to prepare.  Further instructions are attached.

 

In general, you should try to encourage the competitors with your attitude and attentiveness.  Many are participating in Speech and Debate to have speaking experience, rather than to win a trophy, so please set the tone for an easy, friendly environment for them.

          Thanks again for judging!  We hope you find it enjoyable.  If for any reason you have questions, please feel free to call Mrs. Prichard, our coach, at home (780-5734) or at school (786-8676 ext. 5157)

 

 

Emily Robins

Class of 2000