2026 AFA-NST�Judge Training
Adapted from the 2022 AFA-NST judge training created by the University of Nebraska—Lincoln’s coaching staff and judge training created by Berry College’s coaching staff.
The purpose of our activity is first and foremost education. We encourage you to write comments which help speakers improve their skills and abilities.
Remember your role is one of both adjudicator and educator.
GOALS OF JUDGE TRAINING:
1. ORIENTATION TO E-BALLOTS
New to SpeechWire e-ballots? Please Watch:
USING SPEECHWIRE E-BALLOTS
USING SPEECHWIRE E-BALLOTS
This action tells tournament staff that you understand your judging responsibility, you have found your ballots, and you will begin the round on time.�
USING SPEECHWIRE E-BALLOTS
Click Edit comments next to each competitor’s name to include written comments during their performance.�
When the round is complete, submit your rankings (1-5 for preliminary rounds) & ratings (25-1) ASAP.
USING SPEECHWIRE E-BALLOTS
Rank, rate, and submit your ballots as quickly as you can.
You can continue to complete written comments after you submit your rankings and ratings, but it’s best to include comments sooner rather than later to ensure tournament staff don’t flag your ballots as blank. Attempt to complete all written comments before you begin a new round of judging.
2. WRITING INCLUSIVE AND CONSTRUCTIVE E-BALLOTS
�WRITING CONSTRUCTIVE e-BALLOTS:�LANGUAGE & INCLUSION�
You should use inclusive language on all written comments.
Avoid making assumptions about students and/or their backgrounds, identities, or lived experiences.
�WRITING CONSTRUCTIVE e-BALLOTS:�ABLEISM & INCLUSION�
We know forensics can be an ableist activity, so we must work to avoid ableist behaviors in our judging.
Before writing a comment, ask yourself “did this change the quality of the performance?” and “would I expect this change of anyone?”
�WRITING CONSTRUCTIVE e-BALLOTS:�BLANK BALLOT POLICY�
Blank ballots are NOT acceptable.
If you are unable to judge or complete your written feedback for any reason, please notify tournament staff immediately.
3. REMINDERS OF AFA-NST RULES AND REGULATIONS
AFA-NST BYLAWS REMINDERS:�JUDGE STANDARDS (IX.H.8)
1. “…judges shall not include on ballots any comments which alienates, marginalizes, attacks, threatens, or insults a person or group on the basis of national origin, ethnicity, color, religion, creed, class, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, or disability.”
3. “Judges should remain impartial regarding students’ appearance; physical, environmental, or attire. Judges should never comment on a student's appearance.”
4. “Judges must be committed to remaining impartial and employ the highest ethical standards when evaluating students.”
AFA-NST BYLAWS REMINDERS:�ACCOMODATIONS (IX.H.8)
2. “Competitors with disabilities may not be able to adhere to performance conventions and may require practical adjustments of time requirements or other event requirements in order to compete. In such cases, a judge shall not a) critique or rank a student based upon their disability, b) object to the notification of a physical limitation by the competitor or their coach, or c) refuse to make adaptations in order to accommodate the student’s limitations.”
AFA-NST BYLAWS REMINDERS:�TIMING (IV.2.10)
“The AFA-NST Committee recommends that minor time infractions should not be a major criterion in judge rankings or ratings.
Judges may use their own discretion in determining whether or not audience reaction was influential in the time limit violation.
Coaches and students should consider audience reaction in preparing the event.”
AFA-NST BYLAWS REMINDERS:�ETHICAL CONCERNS (II.E.-F.)
“Individual judges should not make ethical judgments when ranking/rating contestants. If an ethical question arises, the judge should contact the Tournament Director to explain his/her concern. The Tournament Director will then call the matter of the ethical concern to the attention of the NST Chair for disposition of the matter by the NST Committee.
�To assist the NST Committee in accurately assessing ethical disputes, the AFA-NST recommends that coaches keep a file of student speeches and interpretation programs used at NST for one year after the NST in which it is performed.”
AFA-NST REGULATIONS:�AUTHORSHIP IN INTERPRETATION EVENTS
It is not a requirement that literature be published.
Self-written literature is acceptable and legitimate.
Whether or not a piece is published or self-written should not be factored into the judging of an event.
AFA-NST REGULATIONS:�USE OF VISUAL AIDS
Visual aids are optional and not required in any event.
Before telling a competitor to add visual aids, ask yourself what would be gained by the addition of visual aids and whether this is a reasonable request.
The presence or absence of visual aids may factor into your judging but should not be the basis of your decision.
AFA-NST REGULATIONS:�JUDGING LOGISTICS
There will be 2 judges in every preliminary round.
There will be 5 judges in every outround.
Do not start any round until all judges have arrived.
If you don’t have a round assigned, go to the designated location for standby judges.
Remember: Always hit Pick up ballots on your e-Ballots at least 10 minutes prior to beginning the round.
AFA-NST REGULATIONS:�FAILING TO MEET JUDGING OBLIGATIONS
Failure to follow AFA-NST bylaws, rules, and/or regulations included above may result, at minimum, in the following:�
4. EVENT-SPECIFIC REMINDERS
EXTEMPORANEOUS SPEAKING
AFA-NST rules allow for students to use notes while competing in extemporaneous speaking.
Speakers may use notepads, paper, or cards.
The use, type, or absence of notes should not factor into the judging of this event.
IMPROMPTU SPEAKING
Students have 15 seconds of reading time prior to the official 7-minute time. Students should not write during this time, or they forfeit all remaining reading time. You should notify them verbally when the allotted reading time has passed (e.g., “Official time begins”).
Students may be seated or standing while they prepare.
Checklist and Further Action Required
CHECKLIST
ACTIONS STILL REQUIRED