Summer 2025

NSCTA/NSAA Speech Judges Workshop

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Updates from the NSAA

Summer 2025

NSCTA/NSAA Speech Judges Workshop

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The Ballot

• Judging what is in front of you always.
• “I saw this piece done five years ago and…”
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Summer 2025

NSCTA/NSAA Speech Judges Workshop

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I challenge you to assume the following:

• There are no gotchas. They don’t exist.
• Costuming? Assume they aren’t.
• What is the intention?
• The intention is a prop.
• Speech etiquette. Control your room.

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Summer 2025

NSCTA/NSAA Speech Judges Workshop

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Personal Development Inventory

• Videos do not need to be rewatched each year.
• Highly recommend watching Implicit Bias
• Continue to be active by attending workshops, judging
• Since this area is new, our office will continue to develop this portion of your online judge portal.

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Summer 2025

NSCTA/NSAA Speech Judges Workshop

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Judge Feedback Program

• New initiative
• Will send information out in the fall.
• Double blind panel
• Goal: growth

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One more thing for coaches

• Partnering with Andrew Moffitt for additional extemp resources.
• Will be in addition to the monthly NFHS questions
• Packets x 3 times per year.
• Sign up for weekly questions. Will send out info in the fall.

Understanding The Ballot: �Judging Criteria Explained

2025 NSCTA/NSAA Summer

Speech Judges Workshop

Approaches & Techniques for Meaningful Critiques for All Levels of Judges

Overview:

Summer 2025

NSCTA/NSAA Speech Judges Workshop

Interpretation Events: �(Humorous, Serious, Program of Oral Interpretation, Oral Interpretation of Drama, Duo Interpretation, Duet Acting)

Selection

Presentation/Physical Responsiveness/Understanding

Characterization/Vocal Qualities

Ensemble Effect/Presentation

Overall Effectiveness

Disqualifications

4.

Public Address Events:�(Persuasive, Entertainment, Extemporaneous, Informative)

Thesis/Analysis of Topic

Organization

Content

Style & Language

Delivery

Disqualifications

3.

Q&A

5.

2.

Critiquing with Kindness

1.

Embracing Our Role & the ART of Judging

Meet the Lead Judge

NSCTA/NSAA Speech Judges Workshop

Summer 2025

Peggy

Belt

As judges, we serve an integral role in elevating the art of competitive forensics.

Summer 2025

NSCTA/NSAA Speech Judges Workshop

Travis

Grafe-Cline

Jessica

Schlichtemeier

Dan

Jensen

Meet the Judge Panelists

Summer 2025

NSCTA/NSAA Speech Judges Workshop

JoAnn

Koontz

Harold

Scott

Jael

Johnson

Meet the Judge Panelists

Summer 2025

NSCTA/NSAA Speech Judges Workshop

Embracing Our Role

• Analytical & Educational - We provide constructive feedback that facilitates both understanding and growth.
• Administrative Elements - We help keep the tournament running smoothly.
• Reflective and engaged spectators - We model proper audience behavior and get treated to awe-inspiring performances.

Summer 2025

NSCTA/NSAA Speech Judges Workshop

The ART of Judging

• Reflect on the elements of good writing when critiquing: specific ideas, organization, voice, word choice, etc. all help build a powerful ballot and useful coaching tool.
• Seek to craft ballots that are both unique and memorable while also very specific to the performance. Is your ballot a “keeper”? Have you helped this competitor elevate his/her/their performance at the next tournament?
• Take time to reconnect with WHY you chose to judge. You serve as an integral component to the strength of this activity. You are actively shaping the future of speech!

Summer 2025

NSCTA/NSAA Speech Judges Workshop

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Are you stepping into the round as a judge for the first time?

Are you returning to the round as a seasoned judge?

If you answered “yes” to either, this is for you!!

We are here to share fresh tools and straightforward strategies to help you provide clear, consistent, and meaningful feedback.

Summer 2025

At the end of the day, there is no “one-size-fits-all” for speech judging…

NSCTA/NSAA Speech Judges Workshop

…each speech judge brings their own style and perspective.

Take what you can from this session and adapt it to fit your own style and experience. Use these tools as a foundation, then make them your own. Take what works for you, leave what doesn’t, and create your own approach to speech judging.

Summer 2025

NSCTA/NSAA Speech Judges Workshop

Critiquing with Kindness

The power of words: How ballot comments can build up or break down a performer.

Kindness extends beyond students: Importance of respect toward judges and coaches.

Why kindness matters: Feedback shapes confidence, growth, and supportive community.

Summer 2025

NSCTA/NSAA Speech Judges Workshop

Public Address Events

Thesis/

Analysis of Topic

Dan

Style & Language

Jael

Delivery

All

Disqualifications

Travis & Jessica

Organization

JoAnn

Content

Harold

NSCTA/NSAA Speech Judges Workshop

Public Address

Events

Summer 2025

Thesis/Analysis of Topic

• Dan

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Summer 2025

NSCTA/NSAA Speech Judges Workshop

Summer 2025

NSCTA/NSAA Speech Judges Workshop

Holistic approach

Systematic approach

Why do we have ballot criteria?

Rationale

Guides us beyond placing a premium on the elements that are more appealing to us personally

5 ballot criteria

50 rating points

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Coincidence?

“Taking into account all relevant factors and how they interact, rather than isolating specific elements”

Ballot criteria gives us a basis for valid rationale when making our decision

Helps us make difficult decisions in a close round

NSCTA/NSAA Speech Judges Workshop

Summer 2025

Where are we going with this?

The speaker should let us know his/her purpose early in the speech so we can apply the subsequent content to that goal.

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Persuasive

“The speaker should not be expected to solve any of the great problems of the day. Rather, s/he should discuss intelligently, with a degree of originality, in an interesting manner, and with some profit to his/her audience the topic he/she has chosen. “ NSAA Judge Manual

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Clearly stated thesis that is appropriate for this event

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NSCTA/NSAA Speech Judges Workshop

Summer 2025

Valid

Reasonable

Relevant

Summer 2025

NSCTA/NSAA Speech Judges Workshop

Relevance and personal bias

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What is relevant to a 16 year old may be different than what is relevant to an adult with three kids and a mortgage.

Genuine and Creative

NSCTA/NSAA Speech Judges Workshop

Summer 2025

Are there really any “new” topic ideas out there or are there just new and creative approaches to “old” topics?

Summer 2025

NSCTA/NSAA Speech Judges Workshop

Clear thesis statement

Bias beware!

Extemp… More than just a smooth delivery

Depth to analysis

Keep your personal or political bias out of your decision.

If the speaker has taken a stand, discussed the topic intelligently with logical evidence and analysis, to support that position then the speaker has done his/her job.

State the Q&A in the introduction so we know where we are headed.

Look for multiple reasons and examples to support the thesis.

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A shallow, superficial overview does little to convince the judge that you know what you are talking about.

To what extent should the National Guard be used to quell instances of domestic unrest in the United States?

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Stick to the general and exact purpose of the topic and answer the question

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NSCTA/NSAA Speech Judges Workshop

What discussion topics support this question?

Summer 2025

NSCTA/NSAA Speech Judges Workshop

Public Address

Events

Summer 2025

Organization

• JoAnn

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Summer 2025

NSCTA/NSAA Speech Judges Workshop

NSCTA/NSAA Speech Judges Workshop

Summer 2025

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NSCTA/NSAA Speech Judges Workshop

Communication objectives

Business objectives

How we’ll measure the success of this project

Marketing objectives

A brief description of the key performance indicator (KPI)

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Goal: 00%

A brief description of the key performance indicator (KPI)

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Goal: 00%

A brief description of the key performance indicator (KPI)

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Goal: 00%

A brief description of the key performance indicator (KPI)

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Goal: 00%

A brief description of the key performance indicator (KPI)

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Goal: 00%

A brief description of the key performance indicator (KPI)

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Goal: 00%

NSCTA/NSAA Speech Judges Workshop

Public Address

Events

Summer 2025

Content

• Harold

Summer 2025

NSCTA/NSAA Speech Judges Workshop

NSCTA/NSAA Speech Judges Workshop

Summer 2025

NSCTA/NSAA Speech Judges Workshop

Public Address

Events

Summer 2025

Style & Language

• Jael

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NSCTA/NSAA Speech Judges Workshop

Judging Lens

-how we interpret & prioritize & apply the ballot in real time

Summer 2025

“Without a lens, you react.

With a lens, you evaluate.”

What do you look/listen for?

How do you stay anchored in the ballot?

• What does ________ look like in this performance?
• What evidence am I using for this rank?
• Would this feedback help the student improve?

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NSCTA/NSAA Speech Judges Workshop

Judging Lens

WHY it matters:

Summer 2025

“Evaluate with purpose,

not just reaction.”

• Focus attention
• Recognize performance choices
• Evaluate based on criteria
• Communicate feedback clearly

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1. Stay anchored in fairness
2. Be consistent across performances
3. Avoid bias & focus on the criteria
4. Write comments that help students grow

NSCTA/NSAA Speech Judges Workshop

Judging Lens

Summer 2025

Am I reacting to something not on the ballot?

https://nfhslearn.com/courses/implicit-bias

• You might prefer a different style — �but does that align with the criteria?�
• You might not like a topic — �but did the student handle it well?

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Summer 2025

NSCTA/NSAA Speech Judges Workshop

NSCTA/NSAA Speech Judges Workshop

Summer 2025

Comments

Persuasive

Sample Feedback Language:

Extemporaneous

Entertainment

What to look/listen for

Additional thoughts/�questions

NSCTA/NSAA Speech Judges Workshop

Summer 2025

• Purposeful repetition vs filler repetition
• Word choice enhance message vs distract from it

“Work on pronouncing their name=it’s tricky. Even if you don’t say it correctly, just own it & be confident with saying it vs stumbling over ;)”

“Keep working on your transitional phrases/words - more than “so”? ;) Especially as this seems like a language filler for you?”

“Magical….be sure to really make it feel magical both verbally & nonverbally! ;)”

• Is the speaker using words that match the tone of the topic?
• Do the speaker’s word choices feel natural and confident in delivery?

• Can I see, hear, or feel what the speaker is describing?
• Does the sentence variety help the performance flow or does it fall flat?

• Names are words that carry weight and meaning
• Mispronunciation or hesitance can break audience trust or weaken the speaker’s credibility

• Bringing the language to life
• Crafting language that evokes strong, memorable visuals and feelings

• Did the speaker pronounce key names or terms clearly and confidently (especially if repeated throughout speech) - or did it feel uncertain or rushed?

NSCTA/NSAA Speech Judges Workshop

Public Address

Events

Summer 2025

Delivery

• All

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Summer 2025

NSCTA/NSAA Speech Judges Workshop

NSCTA/NSAA Speech Judges Workshop

Summer 2025

Comments

Informative

Sample Feedback Language:

Entertainment

Persuasive

What to look/listen for

Additional thoughts/�questions

NSCTA/NSAA Speech Judges Workshop

Summer 2025

• Should feel like a confident, knowledgeable speaker, not overly scripted
• Gestures that align with and emphasize key points

“Be mindful of pacing — some moments felt rushed, and a well-placed pause could help your punchlines land more effectively.”

“Delivery felt informed and intentional — your voice carried confidence and purpose throughout.”�

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“Strong presence and command of the room - you maintained strong eye contact that created a connection.”

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• Does the speaker sound like they understand what they’re saying, or are they just repeating memorized material?
• Are their movements and gestures helping me understand the message?

• Are their tone and body language aligned with the urgency or importance of the topic?
• Are pauses used to allow impactful points to land, or is it rushed?

• Effective comedic timing - intentional pauses, beats, and punchline delivery
• The tone sounds natural, not memorized or robotic

• Effective eye contact that is sincere and engaging, builds audience trust
• Vocal variety that shifts in pitch, tone, and pace to emphasize key arguments

• Is there a rhythm to their delivery that supports the humor?
• How do they recover if a joke doesn’t land or they lose their place?

NSCTA/NSAA Speech Judges Workshop

Public Address

Events

Summer 2025

Disqualifications

• Travis & Jessica

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Things To Remember

Events don’t have the same rules, and thus don't have the same disqualification criteria.

Speakers who are overtime are not disqualified, simply dropped rank (NSAA) or cannot get first (common for bid tournament). Make sure you ask the TD what criteria is being used.

NSCTA/NSAA Speech Judges Workshop

Summer 2025

Extemp Prep Violations

Pre-written Extemporaneous speeches, handbooks, briefs, or outlines are prohibited from the prep room, whether stored electronically or present in hard copy form, and are grounds for disqualification.

Computers or other electronic devices may not be used to receive information for competitive advantage from non-competitors (coaches, assistant coaches, other students) in the form of email, text, or instant message from inside or outside of the room in which the competition occurs.

Penalty: Contestants found to have violated the provisions above will be disqualified. In case of a serious dispute or critical question, the designated NSAA Official may be contacted for a ruling.

Students seen using ChatGPT in any capacity during Extemp prep will be immediately disqualified from the event by the tournament director for violating Extemp prep room guidelines.

Summer 2025

NSCTA/NSAA Speech Judges Workshop

Interpretation Events

Selection

Dan

Ensemble Effect/

Presentation

Jael

Overall

Effectiveness

All

Disqualifications

Travis & Jessica

Presentation/

Physical Responsiveness/

Understanding

JoAnn

Characterization/

Vocal Qualities

Harold

NSCTA/NSAA Speech Judges Workshop

Interpretation Events

Summer 2025

Selection

• Dan

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Summer 2025

NSCTA/NSAA Speech Judges Workshop

Summer 2025

NSCTA/NSAA Speech Judges Workshop

NSCTA/NSAA Speech Judges Workshop

Summer 2025

Challenging

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Is the material suitably challenging for the talent and personality of the performer?

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Event appropriate

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Elements of physical and verbal humor

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Realistic and relatable plot & characters

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Quality literature

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Plot

Character development

Variety in mood

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Choice of material

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NSCTA/NSAA Speech Judges Workshop

Performer should be able to make a personal connection with the script to set up a realistic, memorable performance

Summer 2025

Summer 2025

NSCTA/NSAA Speech Judges Workshop

Does the story develop in a manner that you can follow and understand?

Cutting choices

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• Plot
• Climax
• Manageable story line

Introduction

&

Transitions

Summer 2025

NSCTA/NSAA Speech Judges Workshop

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• Title & Author
• Set the stage
• Effective & unobtrusive transitions
• Establishes mood

Introduction

POI & Poetry

Theme

Cutting/splicing

NSCTA/NSAA Speech Judges Workshop

Summer 2025

Selections should cohesively develop a topic. The best ones also tell an overarching story

• Set the stage
• Establish performance choices if necessary
• Titles/authors
• Make theme clearly evident

Does the material flow, yet allow critical elements to stand out?

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Are transitional elements unobtrusive and meaningful?

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• Is the material suitably challenging for the talent and personalities of the performers?
• Does it fit the size of the cast (balance)?
• Do the roles fit the performers?
• Is there literary structure that you can follow?
• Is there a suitable introduction?

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Duet and OID

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NSCTA/NSAA Speech Judges Workshop

Summer 2025

NSCTA/NSAA Speech Judges Workshop

Interpretation Events

Summer 2025

Presentation/Physical Responsiveness/Understanding

• JoAnn

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Summer 2025

NSCTA/NSAA Speech Judges Workshop

Summer 2025

NSCTA/NSAA Speech Judges Workshop

NSCTA/NSAA Speech Judges Workshop

Summer 2025

NSCTA/NSAA Speech Judges Workshop

Interpretation Events

Summer 2025

Characterization/Vocal Qualities

• Harold

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Summer 2025

NSCTA/NSAA Speech Judges Workshop

Summer 2025

NSCTA/NSAA Speech Judges Workshop

NSCTA/NSAA Speech Judges Workshop

Summer 2025

NSCTA/NSAA Speech Judges Workshop

Interpretation Events

Summer 2025

Ensemble Effect/Presentation

• Jael

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NSCTA/NSAA Speech Judges Workshop

Judging Lens

Summer 2025

“What we write matters -

it’s about noticing,

👂 Stay present: Listen to the student, not your bias.�

📋 Stick to the ballot: Judge the criteria given.�

✍️ Say what you saw: Be specific and constructive.�

💬 Add value: Imagine the student reading your comments — are they helpful?

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evaluating, and

encouraging growth.”

NSCTA/NSAA Speech Judges Workshop

Judging Lens

-how we interpret & prioritize & apply the ballot in real time

Summer 2025

“The most powerful

feedback speaks to both

When you write your feedback:

1. Start with what you noticed
2. Connect it to the ballot language
3. Offer a tip or question to guide growth

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the moment and

the future.”

NSCTA/NSAA Speech Judges Workshop

Judging Lens

Summer 2025

Am I reacting to something not on the ballot?

https://nfhslearn.com/courses/implicit-bias

• You might prefer a different style — �but does that align with the criteria?�
• You might not like a topic — �but did the student handle it well?

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Summer 2025

NSCTA/NSAA Speech Judges Workshop

Summer 2025

NSCTA/NSAA Speech Judges Workshop

NSCTA/NSAA Speech Judges Workshop

Summer 2025

Comments

Humorous

Sample Feedback Language:

OID

POI

What to look/listen for

Additional thoughts/�questions

NSCTA/NSAA Speech Judges Workshop

Summer 2025

• Humor that comes from character and timing, not just volume or physicality
• Performers who are in control of the room and their delivery

“Watch out for lip syncing one another’s lines, slight yet still there! ;) make sure that you are reacting in character, especially nonverbally! ;) maintain your character voice! ;)”

“Your creepy kiddo…you’ve got the right idea & I feel like you could totally play this character over-the-top nonverbally…as in make sure they are reacting with poise/posture & facial expressions longer than other characters before give line? ;) Have fun with it! :)”

“You’ve got the energy, just be sure to control the chaos of the situation…overall, your emotions are expressed via energy! :)”

• Was I able to follow the story while enjoying the humor?
• Did I feel connected to the performance - or just entertained by random antics?

• Do shifts in tone feel well-executed - or jarring and confusing?
• Is the emotion conveyed through voice, face, and body in a way that feels real?

• See if performers stay fully in character, even when they’re not speaking/delivering a line
• Observe whether each performer trusts the timing and pacing, or if they’re trying to control it

• Acknowledge how the speaker is communicating mood and tone, connecting to believability
• There’s expressive energy, but it needs direction to avoid becoming confusing or overwhelming

• Are their movements and transitions clean, coordinated, and deliberate?
• Do performers respond to each other in real time - facially, vocally, or physically?

NSCTA/NSAA Speech Judges Workshop

Interpretation Events

Summer 2025

Overall Effectiveness

• All

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Summer 2025

NSCTA/NSAA Speech Judges Workshop

Summer 2025

NSCTA/NSAA Speech Judges Workshop

NSCTA/NSAA Speech Judges Workshop

Summer 2025

Comments

Serious

Sample Feedback Language:

OID

Duo Interpretation

What to look/listen for

Additional thoughts/�questions

NSCTA/NSAA Speech Judges Workshop

Summer 2025

• Suggestion with powerful meaning or emotion implied through delivery, not forced or over-explained
• Emotional tone remains focused and deliberate, enhancing the story’s progression.

“There’s strong potential here — look for more connection between characters to increase impact.”

“Look for opportunities to express emotion through subtle shifts in tone, pacing, facial expression, etc. - not just louder delivery.”

“You’ve built strong individual characters — now focus on building the connection between them.”

• Did the performance feel honest and emotionally present?
• Was there consistency in the emotional tone of the performance?

• Did I clearly understand what the story was about and what it was trying to say?
• Did the duo “build” to something meaningful, or did the energy remain flat?

• A clear emotional arc or journey that builds tension, connects emotionally, and lands meaningfully
• Interpretive choices shaped a believable world that pulled the audience into the performance

• Balance of roles where dynamic feels natural and collaborative, not competitive or disconnected
• The mood of the piece is clearly established and sustained

• Did the delivery feel natural and connected — or disjointed or uneven?
• Were all performers equally engaged, or did a few dominate while others faded?

NSCTA/NSAA Speech Judges Workshop

Summer 2025

Disqualifications

• Travis & Jessica

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NSCTA/NSAA Speech Judges Workshop

Summer 2025

So you have to DQ a kid… what’s next?

1

2

3

Inform the TD. Some tournaments will not follow DQ criteria for early season meets. Always check first!

TD should inform the coach. You may be asked to stay and talk to the coach, too.

Tab staff should follow the directions for putting a DQ into Speechwire.

Summer 2025

NSCTA/NSAA Speech Judges Workshop

Workshop for Professional Development

Now

Pass It On

Between Now

& Season’s Start

Judge with Purpose

Speech

Season

Make It Count

Key touchpoint in ensuring speech judges are equipped with up-to-date knowledge, consistent expectation, and shared understanding ahead of the upcoming season.

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Continue the conversation - share insights with colleagues, mentor new judges, and promote consistent practices statewide.

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Be consistent, thoughtful, and encouraging - use your training to make every round an opportunity to support students, model fairness, and elevate the experience. Your presence matters - make it count.

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We’re here!

What questions haven’t we answered today?

NSCTA/NSAA Speech Judges Workshop

Summer 2025

Summer 2025

NSCTA/NSAA Speech Judges Workshop

Please Remember

Every ballot you write, every comment you leave, every rank you assign — it echoes far beyond the round. Your words have the power to shape a student’s confidence, sharpen their skills, and ignite a lifelong passion for embracing the power of competitive speech.

In this highly subjective activity, it's easy to forget that behind every performance is a teenager who is brave enough to stand up and speak. They’re looking to you not just for scores, but for insight, encouragement, and direction.

So as you head into each round, I challenge you to remember your why.�Why you became a judge. Why this activity is important. Why your voice can be just as impactful as theirs.

Because when you write with intention — with empathy, clarity, and kindness — you’re not just judging a round. You’re helping build the next generation of analytical thinkers, leaders, and changemakers.

Their words matter. So do yours!

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Thank you!