Debate Judges' Orientation

Debate Judges’ Orientation: 

Lincoln-Douglas & Public Forum 

Starting the round

• Set up the ballot carefully. Information should be at the beginning of the video.

• Refer to the resolution (https://www.speechanddebate.org/topics/)

• Empty your mind of any personal bias regarding the resolution.

Your judgment should come from speaker performance, not your personal feelings about the resolution. 

During the round 

• The next segment of the debate should start promptly following the previous segment. 

• Speakers may take prep time in segments (30 seconds, 1 minute, etc.) 

• In this format you are welcome to pause the video to take notes or even replay a section if you had a hard time hearing something.  We would ask, however, that you avoid replaying a section over and over if you can hear the words well, but the idea is not well communicated or their argument is confusing.  Don’t try to make sense of the debaters’ arguments for them - that’s their job.  DO note that on the ballot, however.

• A note on sportsmanship: Hold speakers to a high standard of professionalism and civil behavior. Rudeness, sarcasm, and browbeating – while rarely seen -- should not be tolerated. Unprofessional behavior can be penalized on the ballot. 

Criteria for judging 

• Your main criterion is: Which side was most convincing? 

• To win the round, a speaker must present a well-reasoned case, defend that case against the opponent, and successfully rebut the opponent’s case. 

• Speakers generally read a prepared “constructive” speech. Point deductions should not be made for using a prepared speech at the beginning of the round. 

• Common criteria include: 

o Burden of proof: Which side did the best job proving his/her side is more valid? 

o Organization of ideas: Which side did the best job presenting the case in a structured, coherent manner? 

o Argumentation: Which side has used the most logical reasoning backed by evidence? 

o Resolutionality: Which side did the better job answering the central question(s) of the resolution? 

(Note: Inexperienced debaters often end up arguing things unrelated to the resolution.) 

o Clash: Debate requires a clash of sides. Rebutting the opponent’s case is necessary to win a round. A speaker must also defend his/her case against the opponent’s rebuttal. 

(A Lincoln- Douglas debate should include clashes on the value structure as well.) 

o Delivery: Which side communicated in a more persuasive, clear, and professional manner? 

After the round 

• Fill out the online ballot as completely and thoroughly as you are able.

• If you run into an issue with the ballot after you have submitted (not sure if you did something correctly) or have a question when filling out please feel free to contact the tournament director.  (Contact information should be shared on the ballot.)

THE PUBLIC FORUM COIN TOSS 

Two questions must be answered before the round can begin: 

• Which team will be 1st & 3rd speakers, and which will be 2nd & 4th speakers? 

• Which team will be pro and which will be con? 

1. The debaters will conduct a coin toss. 

2. The winner of the toss gets to answer the question of their choice. 

3. The loser gets to answer the other question. 

4. Now you can set up the ballot......carefully! 

Lincoln-Douglas        round format 

Affirmative constructive speech- 6 min.

Negative cross-examination - 3 min.

Negative constructive speech - 7 min.

Affirmative cross-examination - 3 min.

1st Affirmative rebuttal - 4 min.     

Negative rebuttal - 6 min.                       

2nd Affirmative rebuttal - 3 min.           

Each debater gets 3 minutes of prep time. 

Public Forum round format 

1st Speaker, Team A - 4 mins.           

2nd Speaker, Team B - 4 mins.

Crossfire: Speakers 1 & 2 - 3 mins

3rd Speaker, Team A - 4 mins.       

4th Speaker, Team B - 4 mins

Crossfire: Speakers 3 & 4 - 3 mins

1st Speaker summary - 2 mins.     

2nd Speaker summary - 2 mins

Grand crossfire: All - 3 mins.        

3rd Speaker: final focus 2 mins      

4th Speaker: final focus 2 mins. 

Each team gets 2 minutes of prep time. 

Thank you for judging for the Shenandoah Valley Forensics League!