Newark Catholic Forensics League
Excellence in New Jersey Speech and Debate Since 1950

INSTRUCTIONS FOR SPEECH JUDGES

I. GENERAL:

 A.  First and foremost, thank-you for taking the time out of your daily life to come and judge for us today.  Without you, this activity could not and would not exist!  We truly appreciate your time and effort, and graciously accept whatever decisions you render.  We recognize that this is a highly subjective event, and what appeals to one person, may not to another.

 B.   A good judge is a quiet judge.  SAY NOTHING TO ANY STUDENT other than a greeting that you extend to all the speakers.  Do not verbally give special praise, or helpful suggestions, there will be time to do that in written format on a critique sheet.  Communication with students other than words such as, "Good Morning", or "Next Speaker" leads to paranoia on their part at best. . Do not ask the school of a student.

 C.  A good judge is an efficient judge.  Make your decisions quickly, fill out the ballot correctly, and get it to the Tab Room quickly.

II. BEFORE THE CONTEST:

 A.  Report to the judges' lounge and check in with the moderator from your school. The moderator will then be able to check you in and give you your judging code for the day.

 B. Please stay in the judges' lounge so that we can find you if we need you. 

 C.  When you determine where you are judging in Round I, make sure you take ONE color-coded ballot/critique packet for the first event that you will be judging.  The packet contains one ballot and eight critique sheets. You will judge between five and seven students per round.  Feel free to use the extra paper as scrap paper.

 D.  Read the critique sheet for each event carefully.  It contains the rules and procedures for each event.

 E. Report to your first round with your ballot/critique packet in hand.

III. JUDGING:

 A.  When you get to your Round I room, you should find between five and seven competitors waiting.  At this time, the students will put their name, code, and title of speech on the board.  You should copy any non pre-printed information onto your critique sheets in the proper spaces. Students should speak in the order that they are listed on your print out.

 B.  Next, ask for the first speaker.  Before the speakers begin, ask they if and how they would like you to show them the passage of time.  If the speaker does not wish it to be shown, you nevertheless keep time -- just don't show it.  The speaker may ask you to show the amount of time remaining.  Try to accommodate all speakers' requests for timing, this is particularly crucial in extemp.  (Time limits are on the ballot; note that the time for Extemp is different from that of the other events. If you time incorrectly, please do not penalize students for a judge mistake.).

 C. While each contestant is speaking make comments on the critique sheet for that speaker. DO NOT WRITE THE CRITIQUES AFTER EACH SPEECH OR AFTER THE ROUND.   Don't worry the students are accustomed to having people write while they talk.   On the critique sheets give constructive criticism/praise on how the speaker can improve/has done well.  Do not simply say "good" or weak."   Instead, explain HOW or WHY a student is doing well or poorly.  For example, "Your rate of speed was so fast that some words were difficult to understand", or "Your pauses really gave a great dramatic build up."

 D. After all the speakers are finished, thank them.  They should leave the room.  At this time, complete the ballot.  Determine the best, second best, etc. and rank them accordingly.  The best in the room receives a rank of "1," the second best a "2," etc.  NO TIES.  Be sure to transfer this rank onto the student's critique sheet after you have completed the ballot.   Return the ballot to the Tab Room immediately. DO NOT HOLD ON TO IT. NEVER INDICATE THE RESULTS TO ANY STUDENT AT ANY TIME.

 E. At the Tab Room, you will receive a ballot/critique packet for Round II.  This round follows at the time posted.   Follow the same above procedure for round II and then round III. After Round III, report to the judges' room for lunch.

F.  After lunch, the officials will announce the finalists; some judges will be asked to judge the Final Rounds.  Do not leave until after the Final Round judges have been announced.  If you have not completed your critique sheets, you can do them at this time.  Turn them in to the Tab Room when you are finished.
 

***If there is a question at any time regarding rules, procedures, etc.  Please consult with the tab room staff.  In general it is best to continue a round and then bring any matters of concern to the tab room staff when you turn in your critique sheets.
 

Sample Ballots and Critique Sheets

This page was last updated  09/18/2007