Welcome to Debate Provincials

2025

~North Trail High School

Judges’ Briefing

Provincial Debate Tournament

Welcome to 2025 Debate Provincials

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Thank you for volunteering your time.

Debate could not exist without your support.

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All questions will be answered at the

end of the this briefing.

Junior: Speeches for beginner teams will be 5 minutes long with a 3 minute reply. Speeches for open teams will be 6 minutes long with a 3 minute reply.

Senior: All speeches for both beginner and open teams will be 8 minutes long with a 4 minute reply.

Canadian National Style

1st Proposition Constructive Speech

• State the resolution
• Define the terms
• Simple, Layman’s terms ideal
• Should be obvious in reference to the topic
• Outline arguments/Pillars
• Usually 2
• Construct arguments with cited evidence
• Accept POIs (more information on this later)
• Burden of proof usually falls on side proposition

1st Opposition Constructive Speech

• Restate the resolution
• Respond to the definition of terms
• Most of the time, accepted
• Can challenge if prop’s terms are unreasonable for fair debate and redefinine with their own terms
• Clash
• Outline/Construct arguments
• Accept POIs

Second Speeches

• Clash with the opposing team

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• Rebuild if needed

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• Present constructive (typically one argument)

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Points of Information (POIs)

• Questions or statements posed during speeches by the other side
• Should be short (no more than 15 seconds)
• Cannot be given during first and last minute of speeches (protected time)
• Debaters do not have to take all POIs, but should take 1 or 2 per speech if they are offered

What Makes for Good Argumentation

• Relatively few assertions
• Tell you why something will happen and why you should care that it will happen
• What constitutes evidence?
• Examples are great
• Prepared topics should have examples
• Impromptu - should try to have some
• Don’t be surprised with the level on knowledge the debaters have
• Argumentation should rely on more on logic than emotion

The Role of a Judge

1. Observe and pay close attention to the round. Please take notes.

2. Decide the Winner (Proposition or Opposition)

This debate is not consensus. Each judge will submit one ballot

3. Give your ballot to the moderator

4. Provide constructive and kind feedback without revealing the winner

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How to Judge - Deciding the Winner (1)

1. Judge holistically. Do not judge solely on the number of examples, POIs, or arguments given by each team in the round. At the end of the round, decide who was the most persuasive.

2. Go into each debate with a blank slate and leave your own bias’ out. You can give a side a win, even if you disagree with team’s case. The team with the stronger case wins; providing stronger arguments than the other side.

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How to Judge - Deciding the Winner (2)

3. Adjudicate the round from the perspective of the average intelligent voter and/or global citizen. Analysis that is illogical (the ground makes rain) or blatantly false (Canada is in Africa) should be considered during your deliberation. However, if you happen to have expert knowledge on a certain subject (ie. a degree in culturomics), limit the influence of it. Decide the winner based on the reasoning provided by each speaker/team.

Ultimately, which team fully engaged with the topic and persuaded you more?

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The Scoring Range-Seniors Only

• 67-73
• Tournament average should be 70
• 67s and 73s are VERY rare (be prepared to justify these scores if you give them)
• The combined scores of the teams have to match their rankings
• Generally easiest to start with which side won the round, then decide speaker scores

If you’re confused, ask your chair!

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Speaker Scores (Sr.)

67: Atrocious speech.

68-69: Below average speech. Argumentation and refutation have significant flaws. Poor style and ineffective rhetoric is present.

70: Slightly average/above average speech. Some aspects are unclear; refutation and arguments are present and moderately successful.

71-72: A Speech with well-explained, believable arguments and good refutation. Minor mistakes are present. Expect this speaker to rank high at the tournament.

73: Exemplary speech with well-justified argumentation, eloquent style, and effective refutation and strategy. This debater will make Team Canada.

Speaker Scores-Juniors Only

What’s the QR Code for?

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*The QR Code saves A LOT of paper

* There you will find: Maps, Briefing, Equity Rules and Form, and

Draws for Junior Beginner, Open, Senior Beginner, Open

*Please look for your name-you may have to check more than one draw.

*After the rounds, remember it is closed adjudication-Do not tell the teams who won in your feedback.

*Return to the gym after each round.

Questions?

*Remember to check the linktree throughout the day for up-to-date schedules, draws, motions and locations

CREDITS: This presentation template was created by Slidesgo, and includes icons by Flaticon and infographics & images by Freepik

CREDITS: This presentation template was created by Slidesgo, and includes icons by Flaticon and infographics & images by Freepik