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Coppell Debate

Volunteer Judge Training

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Debate Events

  • Policy Debate (CX)
  • Lincoln Douglas Debate (LD)
  • Public Forum Debate (PF)
  • Congressional Debate (Congress)
  • World Schools Debate (WSD)

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Basics of Judging Debate

  • Check your biases at the door – focus on the debate
  • Everyone is qualified to judge
  • Debaters are responsible for the quality of their communication; Speaker points range 27.0 - 29.0
  • Complete all instructions on each ballot
  • A “Low Point Win” – when the losing team has higher speaker points
  • Write a Reason for Decision (RFD) – even if it’s brief
  • Be aware of “flighting” – 2 short rounds back-to-back

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Sample Debate Ballot (Top)

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Sample Debate Ballot (Bottom)

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Public Forum Debate

  • In Public Forum, teams will flip a coin before the round to determine who is which side (Pro/Con) and who speaks first/last
  • Do not record sides or speaking order until after the coin flip

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World Schools Debate

  • This event is new. Additional details will follow.
  • You may find a primer for judge WSD here:

http://docs.tabroom.com/Judging

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Tabroom.com

  • Visit www.tabroom.com & create an account

  • Enable Text & Email Notifications

  • Provide your registered email address to:
    • Tournament Tabulation Officials
    • The coach of the team for which you’re judging

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Tabroom.com

  • You will receive a text notification when assigned a ballot
  • Login to Tabroom and click your email address – your assigned ballot will appear at the top of the screen
  • Complete your ballot as you would on paper
  • You can edit the Reason for Decision after submitting the result, but only Tab can edit the actual result
  • TIP: You can visit Tabroom.com, click tournament on the calendar, click Live Updates, and follow an entry to receive notifications when that entry is paired

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Public Speaking Events

  • Extemporaneous Speaking – In this event, speakers draw 3 topics (current events), choose one, and have 30 minutes to prepare a memorized speech

  • Impromptu Speaking – Speakers draw topics and typically have 1-2 minutes to prepare a 5 minute speech

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Oral Interpretation Events

  • Humorous Interp (HI) – This is an individual category and humorous in nature. HI usually includes 2-6 characters which enables the actor to find different voices, positions, and characteristics for each.
  • Dramatic Interp (DI) – This is an individual category and dramatic in nature. DI usually consists with 1-2 (sometimes more) character(s).
  • Duo Interp (DUO) – This event is competed with a partner. The selection can be humorous, dramatic, or a combination of the two. In this event you may not touch each other nor look at each other.
  • Duet Acting (Duet) – This event, along with Duo, is competed with a partner. The selection can be humorous, dramatic, or a combination of the two. You may use two chairs in this event for set.
  • Original Oratory (OO) – This individual event consists of a self written speech concerning a current problem and solution. One must research the topic to be able to speak confidently and intelligently.

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Prose/Poetry

  • Prose (PR) – This is an individual event where the speaker utilizes a small black binder to read their piece out of. The piece may be either dramatic, humorous, or both. (7 min long)
  • Poetry (PO) – Same as Prose, but a poetic selection. (7 min long)

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How to Look Like a Pro

  • Don’t tell them its your first time to judge
  • Don’t ask the contestants where they are from
  • Don’t tell them how you are going to rank them
  • Don’t give them back the ballots in the round. They will receive them after their coach has seen them
  • Don’t ask the time limit of the event
  • Write during their performance instead of at the end of each performance. They are used to being critiqued by their coaches while they are presenting
  • Fill out ballots, sign them, and return them to the ballot table in a timely fashion

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