EvANDER Virtual Extravaganza
2022 — NSDA Campus, WY/US
Congressional Debate
Event Description:
This text will appear on all judge ballots for Congressional Debate:
Description of event: In Congressional Debate, judges preside over a room of students as they simulate a session of Congress. A typical Congress session lasts longer than rounds for other speech and debate events. As students debate proposed bills and resolutions, judges evaluate each speech that is given during the round.
Congressional Debate uses parliamentary procedure, which most competitors will be familiar with. However, you don’t need to be an expert to judge Congressional Debate! At the beginning of each session, each house will elect a Presiding Officer (PO,) a.k.a. the “chair.” This competitor who will abstain from speaking in order to orchestrate the proceedings. The PO will do things like keep time, call for speakers, count votes, etc. Because the PO does not give any speeches, judges are given a special ballot to evaluate the PO.
In Congressional Debate each person will be ranked in the room based on one or more 3 minute speeches that they give. Additionally, each speech is given points on a scale from 3 (poor speech) to 8 (exceptional speech.) The PO is ranked on their ability to maintain the room. As a judge, your sole responsibility is to rank contestants on the quality of their speeches; the PO should take care of the running of the event.
When judging, keep your eyes out for:
-
Speech fluidity
-
Speech organization (intro, main points, conclusion)
-
Use of evidence to back up points
-
Unique points (not just rephrasing others’ speeches)
- Excellent questioning and/or responses to questions
- Aids for speaking (e.g. computer, paper) should be limited, but it is allowed
At the end of the session, judges should rank the top 8 chamber members as 1-8—with no ties—then compile all their ballots and return them to the ballot table.
This appears on all P.O. ballots:
At the beginning of each session, each house will elect a Presiding Officer (PO,) a.k.a. the “chair.” The PO will do things like keep time, call for speakers, count votes, etc. Because the PO does not give any speeches, judges are given this special ballot to evaluate the PO. Due to the unique duties and responsibilities of the PO (and also because he or she has no opportunity to give a speech,) he or she should be ranked in the top 5. It is possible that the P.O. receives the highest rank in the round if he or she did an exceptional job and/or there is no clear “top speaker."