Coppell Debate��

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Volunteer Judge Training

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)

Sample Debate Ballot (Bottom)

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

Tabroom.com

• Visit www.tabroom.com & create an account

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• Enable Text & Email Notifications

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• 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

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

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• 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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