Judge Psychology JEFFREY MILLER MARIST SCHOOL 2015 GEORGIA DEBATE INSTITUTES

Part 1 DIFFERENCES BETWEEN DEBATERS AND JUDGES

Pre-Round Differences 1)Debaters get excited about the arguments they have, judges have usually been there, seen it. 2)Debaters have more topic knowledge, judges have more common knowledge. 3)Debaters are usually open minded about theory and substantive issues, judges typically have some preconceptions.

During the Round Differences 1)Students are emotionally invested in their rounds, your judges are not. 2)Debaters understand (or think they do) everything said in the debate, your judges do not. 3)Debaters want judges to be open book or blank slate, judges want to be active participants (they don’t want to be mindless)

During the Decision Differences 1)Debaters care about winning or losing the debate, judges typically don’t care (they always have to pick a winner and loser). 2)Debaters want checkboxes in the evaluation of debates, judges want coherence. 3)Debaters see some arguments as more important than others, judges evaluate all arguments equally. 4)Debaters expect judges to evaluate arguments thoroughly, judges expect debaters to communicate which arguments to evaluate

Part 2 THE FACTS OF JUDGING

Four Facts of Judging. 1)Judges are subjective. 2)Someone has to win and someone has to lose. 3)Judging is an argument. 4)Judging is always comparative.

Part 3 HOW TO GET JUDGES TO VOTE FOR YOU

The Rule of Five to get the Vote None of these will replace good argumentation, good execution and good debating. 1) Speak clearly. 2) Make connections. 3) Write a comparative ballot. 4) Remove jargon from the beginning of your speeches. 5) Understand concessions.

Part 4 HOW TO WATCH DEBATES

Debate is a Spectator Sport 1.Flow everything, including crossfire. 2.Think constantly during the debate – write notes down. 3.Listen to RFD’s