Hello Speech and Debate enthusiasts -

I am a parent judge and have been judging Speech (primarily) and Debate events for the past 4+ years.

Summary:: When judging any event, my philosophy for ranking students high or low is subject to the rules / guidelines that are relevant to that event. Aside from that I am listening to your flow, observing your body language and most importantly your attitude towards fellow competitors, judge and audience.

Debate:

• Throughout the debate, you should aim for pinpointing weak arguments. Make it easy for me to flow arguments and be specific. Refer to the flow when covering your opponent's case in rebuttals.
• During rebuttal speeches, do not bring the earlier points, bring something fresh to the debate.
• I prefer to listen to the debate framework and evaluate your warrants and evidence.
• I am not too big on “spreading” (fast speaking), it is hard enough to process your arguments so make sure to slow down and enunciate. I will stop if I fail to understand you.
• A key element of judging debate for me is how you differentiate yourself from the opponent.
• Providing a roadmap will help as well.
• It helps if you tell me how I should weigh the round and explain which key arguments I should vote for.

My judging experience is mostly within speech and when judging debate, my preference is quality over quantity.

Speech:

For Speech, I am looking and hearing you as a Speaker not only as a judge but also as a member of the audience. As an audience member, you do not connect to me, then your speech lacked a certain element - this could vary. So in order to connect, you need to have Clarity, Pace, Organization and Engagement.

Delivery--I am evaluating you on content, delivery, speed of delivery, diction, and speed of delivery. As a speaker, I want to evaluate if you demonstrate poise and effective body language that fits well with your speech. It helps if you are able to relate to the mood and the emotions of the topic, character.

Overall, I want you to have fun and know that you will rank higher if you follow rules, are able to keep me engaged through your delivery and are respectful of everyone.

Do speak clearly (speed is okay, but you must be understandable)

Do enjoy your debates. make it fun

A few well-developed arguments prove more persuasive than a larger quantity of arguments.

Communication, eye contact!

be polite, be confident, be persuasive

There is a first time for everything. This is my first time participating in a speech and debate competition as a judge. As a judge for speech and debate competitions, my primary goal is to create a fair and supportive environment where young students can develop their communication and critical thinking skills. Here's an overview of my judging paradigm:

1. Fairness: Fairness is paramount in any competition. I will evaluate each participant objectively, considering their performance against the established criteria for the event. I will not show favoritism or bias towards any participant or school.

2. Clarity and Organization: I value speeches and debates that are clear, well-organized, and easy to follow. I will pay attention to the structure of speeches and debates, as well as the coherence of the arguments presented.

3. Content and Argumentation: Substance matters. I will look for persuasive arguments that are backed by facts and logic.

4. Delivery and Presentation: Effective communication involves more than just the words spoken; it also encompasses delivery and presentation. I will evaluate participants on their vocal delivery and overall presentation.

5. Respect and Sportsmanship: Respect for fellow competitors, judges, and audience members is non-negotiable. I expect all participants to demonstrate good sportsmanship throughout the competition, whether they win or lose. Disrespectful behavior towards others will not be tolerated.

6. Feedback: Feedback is essential for growth. I will provide constructive feedback to participants, highlighting their strengths and offering suggestions for improvement. I aim to help students develop their skills and become better communicators and debaters.

7. Learning Opportunity: Above all, I see speech and debate competitions as valuable learning opportunities for students. Regardless of the outcome, participation in these events helps students build confidence, critical thinking skills, and the ability to articulate their ideas effectively. My role as a judge is to facilitate this learning process in a supportive and encouraging environment.

Overall, I approach judging with a commitment to fairness, respect, and the educational value of speech and debate activities. I look forward to watching students showcase their talents and grow as communicators and thinkers.

I'm a parent judge, and I'd appreciate it if you could share any materials to help me follow along and understand the debate context. It would also be helpful to maintain a reasonable pace during the debate. Thank you !

• As a judge I prioritize clear communication, effective persuasion, and logical argumentation.

• I evaluate the performances based on well researched arguments, evidence based, keep it clear and simple, and logical.

• Speak clearly and concisely, if you are reading too fast, I will not understand your argument.

• I will give you verbal communication if there are any technical issues during online tournament for example: Audio and video issues, if you are not audible to me.

• I am a good listener and taking notes through out the round.

• Looking for respectful behavior towards opponents.

• I will base my decision on the strengths and validation of your arguments you presented.

• I believe in time management.

• Have fun, to learn something new is exciting, learning is a never ending process.

I like to hear that the students have a connection with their contentions/topics and want to be persuaded and pulled in. Speed talking outside Construction in PF isn't preferred because it is much harder to connect with your points and have a thorough flow. The same is true for me in other events. I don't give extra points for talking faster and find it often makes the content more jumbled for the speaker as well unless they have a firm grasp of the content. I love to see full connection with your body and voice to the purpose of your statements. Variance of tone, speed, volume help keep engagement.

I am a parent judge. Have judged for the past two year, so have some experience.

Please speak slow and clear for online events.

I will look for your quality of evidence, your flow, how you respond to your opponent explaining your arguments clearly. They matter to me.

I will vote on a clear summarization of contentions, evidence and impact.

I am the parent judge and this is my 2nd year judging speech. I value well-structured cases, clear arguments, and explicit weighing. I like empirical evidence rather than emotion. I like a well thought out/planned case that makes sense logically - I like to connect the dots.

I am a parent judge. I participated in Speech and Debate when I was in high school so I am familiar with the events (although many things have changed since I was in high school!).

I am looking for:

• structured speech/debate with sign posting if relevant
• strong and logical arguments with strong evidence/supporting data where applicable. I prefer conciseness rather verbosity
• clear and smooth delivery; loud enough (but not shouting) and confident (but not aggressive)
• Important: do not speed talk at such a fast pace that you are not understandable or the pace doesn't allow you to emphasize key points. If I don't understand you or your key points get lost, it will be to your disadvantage. I'm not a fan of spreading. I prefer a few strong points which are clearly articulated, delivered at an understandable pace and strongly supported with evidence.