Judging/Online Balloting

Here are some general guidelines for judging at state:

Here are some videos that I made to help to facilitate training for judges on how to use online ballots:

How to create a Tabroom account: https://youtu.be/DyTqMwhRJpo

How to complete a debate ballot online: https://youtu.be/-SrO56i4M1I

How to complete a speech ballot online: https://youtu.be/prCyYf-KbM0

How to complete a congress ballot online: https://youtu.be/FkvC6qQNbxc

Judge FAQ 

What is a ballot?

It is a score sheet that is filled out with the winner and looser of a round. Ballots are done online using, www.tabroom.com.

What is an online ballot?

Ballots can be submitted online by creating an account and submitting the results thorough www.tabroom.com

How long do I have to stay?

You must stay one round past when your schools team gets eliminated. If you are unable to stay for the entire tournament let your coach know and they will adjust your commitment.

What events are there?

Debate: Policy, Public Forum, Lincoln Douglas, and Congress

IE (Individual Speech Events): Impromptu, Extemporaneous, and Oratory

You can find information on how to judge these events at: https://www.speechanddebate.org/judge-training/

Can I be paid to judge?

Yes, please speak with your coaches regarding the allotted budget to pay judges at state.

Is there an area where I can take a break and fill out ballots?

Each tournament will have a designated judges room for you to take breaks, get food, and have a quiet space to fill out ballots.

What if I have a problem or I don’t know what to do?

Please speak with your coaches first and then the tabulation room if necessary.

What is a flight?

Within each round of Public Forum and Lincoln-Douglas debate, there are two debates taking place in each room. Two entries will debate in the room first, and another pair of entries will debate after the first debate. That means that you’ll be judging TWO debates each round.

What is a "Resolution"?

The Resolution is the topic being argued at the tournament.  It’s a statement that the affirmative team argues in favor of, and the negative team argues against. 

How do I choose a winner?

There is no single way to decide who wins a debate. That being said, there are a few important factors to keep in mind:

§  Use of evidence – Does a team cite statistics, authors, or historical examples to support their position?

§  Topicality – Are their claims related to the topic, or resolution?

§  Magnitude – What is the actual impact of the arguments made in round? (For example, a famine in China is probably a bigger deal than a stubbed toe)

§  Probability – Do the debaters show how likely/unlikely an argument is to actually happen?

Should speaking ability be a factor in my decision?

You should be selecting the winner of the debate based solely upon the arguments presented by the debaters. Speaking abilities can be a factor in your assignment of Speaker Points to each debater, but the winner of the round should be the team who made better arguments.

What if a debater makes a claim I know is false?

Remember, you’re not judging the validity of arguments, you’re choosing the winner of a debate. That means your own personal opinions and knowledge shouldn’t affect your decision. If a debater can prove that water isn’t wet and their opponent doesn’t refute the claim, then in the context of the round, water really isn’t wet.

How should I assign speaker points?

Speaker points serve as a tie-breaker to determine who advances to elimination rounds.

Technically speaking, debaters should be scored on a scale from 20 to 30. In practice, however, judges rarely award below 25. Generally, 27 is considered an average debater.

You can assign speaker points based on any number of factors. These can include:

§  Speaking Ability

§  Use of Evidence

§  Clarity of arguments

§  In-round etiquette

§  Humor

§  General Persuasiveness

Debaters are asking me for a paradigm. What does that mean?

A paradigm is simply what you would like to see in the round, and how you’ll choose a winner.

What is a Framework?

A framework is how debaters answer the question, ‘What is the resolution asking us to debate?’ Generally, debaters offer a framework to you, as the judge, so you know how to choose a winner. Sometimes, a framework can be as simple as weighing the costs and benefits of the resolution. Other times, a framework is offered to prioritize certain impacts within a round. You should use the framework that is better defended by the debater in the round to choose a winner. Note: just because you choose one debaters framework, does not mean they automatically win. It’s simply the weighing mechanism you, as a judge, use to determine which debater made better arguments.

Should I take notes?

            Yes. Take lots of notes.

Can I disclose the winner of the debate at the end of the round, or offer critiques?

            It isn’t required, but you can if you want.

Can I interrupt a debate if I don’t like what is being said?

NO. NO YOU CANNOT. You are not a moderator; merely a judge. Unless someone is going to be emotionally or physically scarred, write comments on the online ballot and allow the debate to continue uninterrupted.