Instructions for ALL debate judges

IF YOU ARE NEW TO JUDGING DEBATE

We urge you to look at the instructional material on the RESOURCES FOR NEW DEBATE JUDGES web page (here), especially (1) Introduction to judging Public Forum Debate, and (2) How to enter a ballot in Tabroom.

KEY THINGS TO REMEMBER ABOUT JUDGING

You have three jobs:

(1) Decide who won the round - Judge based on *what you hear in the round*.  As much as possible, set aside your opinions and outside knowledge so that neither team is debating *you* implicitly.  Also - if a team does not respond to an opponent's argument, then they have *conceded* that argument.  Note - During the round, please do not engage in substantive discussion of the arguments with the debaters - e.g., you may not ask them questions about their arguments.  Only after you enter your ballot (see below) may you discuss the arguments. 

(2) Award each speaker in the round speaker points ranging from 25 to 30 by 0.1 increments.  Consult the scale on the right side of the ballot (scroll down a bit) for a guidelines.  

(3) Provide written feedback on the ballot, focusing on why you voted for one team over the other.  Which argument or arguments were most important?  Why did you find the opponent's responses to those arguments uncompelling?  Or - Perhaps both sides had good main points, but one side's arguments were more "weighty" than the other side's.  Please be sure to provide *WRITTEN* feedback on the ballot, even if you also provide oral comments after the round.  That way, coaches can see what happened (and the kids won't forget what you said).  YOU CAN GO BACK AND EDIT COMMENTS UNTIL THE END OF THE TOURNAMENT.

Note - the speech sequence and durations appear on the right side of the ballot - scroll down a bit.  

TECHNICAL PROBLEMS?

(1) Come back to the judge lounge.  The link is on this page (here).

(2) If you can't do that (cannot connect to the judge lounge zoom room link), email Josh Cohen at jcohen1964@gmail.com.  

JUDGING LOGISTICS

(1) Watch your texts AND emails when the next round is due out (see round posting times here). 

(2) If you do not get a message saying you have a round, please come to the judge lounge (find the zoom link here).  We might need you to adjudicate a round if another judge does not show.

(3) When you get an assignment, you will see a green START button at the top of your Tabroom screen (click on your username in the upper right to see if  you have an assignment).  Click the START button as soon as you see it!  That way, *we* know that *you* know that you have a round assignment.  When you click START, your ballot will appear.

(4) Within a few minutes of getting your assignment, click on the blue camera icon in the upper left corner of the page displaying your ballot.  That will take you to your debate video room.  

Note - you now have (at least) two tabs in your browser open.  One has your ballot, and one has the debate video conferencing room.

(5-PF) FOR SIDES AND SPEAKING ORDER in PUBLIC FORUM - The coin flip occurs by computer, automatically.  When your debaters appear in the video conferencing room, you can check to be sure your ballot is displaying correctly.  Refresh your ballot by reloading that web page.  You will see the listing for each of the two teams you are judging toward the top of the ballot.  The side they are defending (PRO or CON) will appear to the left of their listing.  The first team listed will speak first.  Confer with the debaters and make sure that their understanding of the side and speaking order for the round is consistent with what you see on your ballot.  If it is not, reload the ballot.

(5-LD) FOR SIDES AND SPEAKING ORDER FOR LINCOLN DOUGLAS - The tab staff specifies who is AFF and NEG.  AFF always speaks first.  Just double check with the debaters that what you see on your ballot is what they think is going on.

(6) Enter your decision when the round concludes - BEFORE speaking to the debaters and BEFORE entering your written comments on the ballot (that's step 7).

(6a) Select the winning team from the drop-down at the bottom of the ballot and by clicking on the radio button indicating their side of the resolution. 

(6b) Enter points for each speaker (remember - 25 to 30, by 0.1 increments - see guide at right on ballot).  

(6c) Click the SUBMIT button at the bottom, right corner of the ballot.

(6d) Remember to click the big, green CONFIRM button after checking that your entries are correct.

(7) Enter your written comments in the REASON FOR DECISION box and, if you have specific comments for either team, in the other comment boxes.  You may do so through the end of the tournament - although we advise you not to wait too long because you may not remember the details from the round.