Judging Calibration

High School = Learning Mindset → improvement-focused, teen-appropriate, inclusive language

Learn About / Refresh Your Understanding → the category you’re assigned to judge & key “look fors”...we make it easy! No Googling required – see resources section

Reflect & Check Your Biases → judge performances, not people

Choose pro / con, rank speakers, assign points.

Review your choices.

Don't take points from things students' can't control (tech issues, appearance, unanticipated walk-ins, etc.) or perceptions that may stem from implicit bias.

Review again.

Be confident in your choices.

Paper Ballots = Turn in to Tab or Student Helpers; Online = Push the Button

Must Do: Reason for Decision → What were you looking for? What won the round for you, and why?

Can Do: Oral Feedback. Constructive comments for individual teams and / or speakers. Revise.

Timeline: Ballot comments can be entered until the end of the tournament.

Please do not hold up the entire tournament putting in comments before submitting your points.