Speech Judging Instructions

Thank you for judging for the Episcopal School of Acadiana. Your volunteer judging helps enable our kids to compete and the tournaments to flow smoothly. Even if you have never judged a speech and debate round before, the kids will appreciate your opinion and feedback. Below I have identified the things to bring, to watch, and to complete while judging.

To bring with you to the round:

• A phone with a stopwatch

• A pen or pencil

• Your paper ballot, with printed room number (ballots are distributed at the judges’ table 30 minutes before the start of the round to which you are assigned. The judges’ table is located in an easily recognized location on campus)

Things to watch:

• A typical round will include five-seven different contestants, although this number can fluctuate depending on how many students are signed up. You will watch the entirety of the round, which typically lasts for about one hour.

• Have a cell phone or stopwatch with you so you can time each speech. The amount of time set for each speech or drama event is printed at the top of your ballot along with additional judging instructions.

• When you reach the time the round is supposed to begin, ask the first speaker who is listed on your ballot to begin their speech. Competitors will speak in the order listed on your ballot. (Double check the name of each kid against your ballot to ensure that student is in the correct room)!

• After each speech, simply thank the competitor, make note of the amount of time each speech lasted, and invite the next speaker to begin. (Be sure to record this time on each competitor’s ballot). When the last speaker has finished their speech, thank all of the competitors and dismiss them from the room.

Things to complete:

• Each speech event has a time limit and a 30-second grace period. If a student’s speech goes beyond the time limit and 30-second grace period, that student cannot be ranked first place. There is no further penalty for going over time, and there is no penalty for being under time.

• Take notes during each speech. Write down anything that stood out to you about each speech—the best moments, the parts of the speech that could be improved, and ideas for how the student can make their speech better.

• After the round has finished, rank the students from best to worst in the round. The best performance will receive a ranking of 1, the second best will receive a ranking of 2, and so on.

• In the comment section on the ballot, record your thoughts about each performance, suggestions for improvement, and general feedback for the performer. The students and their coaches receive this feedback at the end of the tournament and use it to improve!

• After the rankings are complete, judges should return their ballots to the tournament organizer in person (located at the judges’ table)

Important Note:

• In speech, it is common for competitors to enter in more than one event at the tournament; this is called being cross-entered.

• Students who are cross-entered may ask to speak out of order because they have another event to attend. They may also ask to leave the room after their performance because they have been cross-entered.

• You may also notice that you do not have all of your competitors in the room when the round is supposed to start. This is often because a student that is competing in your room is cross-entered and has gone to speak in a different room first.

Possible Events you could judge during a Speech Round:

Humorous Interpretation (HI) -

Using a play, short story, or other published work, students perform a selection of one or more portions of a piece up to ten minutes in length. Humorous Interpretation (HI) is designed to test a student’s comedic skills through script analysis, delivery, timing, and character development. Competitors may portray one or multiple characters. No props or costumes may be used. Performances can also include an introduction written by the student to contextualize the performance and state the title and author.

Dramatic Interpretation (DI) -

Using a play, short story, or other published work, students perform a selection of one or more portions of a piece up to ten minutes in length. With a spotlight on character development and depth, Dramatic Interpretation (DI) focuses on a student’s ability to convey emotion through the use of a dramatic text. Competitors may portray one or multiple characters. No props or costumes may be used. Performances may also include an introduction written by the student to contextualize the performance and state the title and author.

Program Oral Interpretation (POI) -

Using a combination of prose, poetry, and drama, students construct a program up to 10 minutes in length using at least two out of the three genres: prose, poetry, and drama (plays). With a spotlight on argumentation and performative range, Program Oral Interpretation (POI) focuses on a student’s ability to combine multiple genres of literature centered around a single theme. Competitors are expected to portray multiple characters. No props or costumes may be used except for the manuscript.

Extemporaneous Speaking (EXT) -

Extemporaneous Speaking, typically called Extemp, is a speech on current events with limited preparation time. A student’s understanding of important political, economic, and cultural issues is assessed along with critical thinking and analytical skills. Students report to a draw room (often referred to as Extemp prep) where all of the extempers gather at tables, set out their files, and await their turn to draw topics. A staff member in the prep room calls out student codes based upon a pre-assigned speaker order. When a student’s code is called, the student will approach the draw table and select one of three available prompts. The student will then prepare for thirty minutes to deliver a speech answering the chosen topic. When prep time is up, the student reports to the competition room to deliver a seven minute speech.

Original Oratory (OO) -

Students deliver a self-written, ten-minute speech on a topic of their choosing. Limited in their ability to quote words directly, Original Oratory (OO) competitors craft an argument using evidence, logic, and emotional appeals. Topics range widely, and may be informative or persuasive in nature. The speech is delivered from memory

Informative Speaking (INF) -

Students deliver a self-written, ten-minute speech on a topic of their choosing. Limited in their ability to quote words directly, Informative Speaking competitors craft a speech using evidence, logic, and optional visual aids. All topics must be informative in nature; the goal is to educate, not to advocate. The speech is delivered from memory

Impromptu (IMP) -

Impromptu (IMP) is a public speaking event where students have seven minutes (total) to select a topic, brainstorm their ideas, outline, and deliver a speech. The speech is given without notes and uses an introduction, body, and conclusion. The speech can be lighthearted or serious. It can be based upon prompts that range from nursery rhymes, current events, celebrities, organizations, and more. Your ballot will come with an envelope full of topics from which the competitors will select their topic.

Declamation (DEC) -

Declamation requires students to select a speech that was delivered in public and perform an excerpt of that speech to an audience. Speeches are up to 10 minutes in length. As a result, students typically shorten the text of the speech to meet time requirements. The event is not designed for students to mimic the original author of the speech. Instead, speakers are to develop an oration that delivers the message of the author in an original and engaging manner.