Judging Speech Coach: Diane Harrison West Broward High School

Speech/Interp/Debate Events I.E. events ▫Duo Interp ▫Humorous Interp ▫Dramatic Interp ▫Original Oratory ▫U.S. Extemp ▫Foreign Extemp ▫Prose ▫Poetry ▫Impromptu ▫Declamation Debate events Lincoln-Douglas Public Forum Congressional Debate

Basic Judging Tips Be sure you KNOW THE RULES of each event before you walk into the round Be sure you KNOW THE TIME LIMITS and GRACE PERIOD allowed before you walk into the round Be sure you know the RULES OF THE TOURNAMENT before you judge ▫Tournaments do not allow students to enter the room until the judge enters, etc. Be sure you KEEP TIME and GIVE TIME SIGNALS to the performers Cross-entries (xe) – students will be competing in several events at the same time We will have TWO rounds of PRELIMS, semis, finals Be sure you KNOW IF YOU WILL BE ON A PANEL OF JUDGES before you start a round! Be sure you are ALWAYS ON TIME to your round, or the entire tournament can run behind Be sure you TURN IN YOUR BALLOTS as soon as the round is over, or the tournament will run behind Be sure you do not share your ranks with the students OR the other judges in the room after the round Don’t be afraid to ASK QUESTIONS!

Basic Judging Tips Filling out a ballot ▫Fill out any/all incomplete information (ex. competitor’s name(s) and school code, Round #, Section #, as well as the performer’s TITLE, and their TIME after they have performed (not the time on the clock, but how long their piece ran- ex. 9:26) ▫You will also RANK the students by circling the number (1 st = best in the room, 6 th = 6 th best in the room) ▫There cannot be TIES ▫SIGN the ballot, and provide your school affiliation (West Broward) ▫Give both POSITIVE and NEGATIVE comments (things to fix, work on, decisions that did not make sense to you, etc.) ▫If you give a student a 5 or 6, be sure to explain your decision (lots of things to work on, tough competition, etc.) Don’t be afraid to ASK QUESTIONS!

Most ballots are pre-labeled with contestants name, code and round. You will need to write selection title, your name, school affiliation (West Broward) speaker’s time, comments, contestant rank, speaker points, and your signature.

Judging Interp Events In the Interp. events, you are looking for technique, preparation, and physical attributes, but also for vocal elements: how was their pitch, rate, tone, volume? Did they vary each successfully? Were the choices well- suited for each character? Or was their rate so fast that you could not understand them? How was their interpretation of what the AUTHOR meant to get across to the audience? Did they take too much liberty? Don’t necessarily go for the craziest or the saddest piece. Go for what you find funny, touching, skillful, etc. Things that make a GREAT performance ▫Tight/controlled/sharp blocking ▫Accuracy and fluency of accents/voices ▫Enunciation & Pronunciation ▫Differentiation of characters and their movements Selection preference ▫Did the piece have a plot line, could you understand the cutting? ▫Was the piece appropriate (no crude jokes, tasteless language/content just for a laugh) ▫Did the piece fit the student? ▫Was there a balance of the number of characters? ▫HI or Duo: Was the selection funny? Or did the performer make it funny? ▫DI or Duo: Was the selection dramatic? Or did the performers bring the drama?

Judging Interp Events Things that make a POOR performance ▫Sloppy or unclear blocking (which character am I looking at now?) ▫No blocking (stagnant characters) ▫Lines tend to run together ▫Humor or drama looks forced or unrealistic ▫Overdramatic performances (crying isn’t real, etc.) ▫Confusing characters Selection preference ▫The Intro didn’t set up the piece very well ▫Crude jokes, tasteless language/content just for a laugh ▫Cutting was hard to follow ▫The piece was too old, too young, too far reaching, etc. to fit the student ▫Confusing storyline

Judging Speech Events Impromptu is a public speaking event where students have seven total minutes to select a topic, brainstorm their ideas, outline the speech, and finally, deliver the speech. The speech is given without notes and uses an introduction, body, and conclusion. The speech can be light-hearted or serious. The speech can be based upon prompts that range from nursery rhymes, current events, celebrities, organizations, and more. 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. Original Oratory- speeches are 10 minutes, pre-written, and memorized before the tournament. Extemp – students draw topics at the tournament and choose one. They have 30 minutes to prepare a 5-7 min. speech. They will come to your room to perform their speech after their time in the prep room. They only have the prep materials they brought with them to the tournament for sources. Extemp is divided into two categories, U.S. (Domestic) and Foreign (International ). 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. TheEVENT 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.EVENT

Judging Speech Events All speeches should follow a basic structure: ▫I. Introduction ▫II. Body ▫III. Conclusion Speakers should then elaborate in each section The speech should be compelling, interesting and impactful to all audiences. Listen for the development of ideas, claims and stances, as well as evidence sources to back up their claims. Oratories should be persuasive and inspirational. There is not a limit on what topic may be chosen, but it should be appropriate for the audience. Oratory is prepared. Extemp should be an analysis of a question posed, and a position taken to answer the question. Extemp is unprepared, but should still be polished and organized, as if it were.

Judging Speech Events Extemp Key criteria: The speaker should provide an introduction that minimally includes a verbatim reading of the question chosen, establishes the significance of the issue, takes an unambiguous position on the question, and provides a clear preview of the main points in support of the chosen position. Main points should be independent, but interlocking, reasons to support the chosen position. Each main point should have clear analysis and adequate supporting evidence. The conclusion should summarize the main points, restate the question verbatim, reinforce the argued position and tie back to the opening attention getter. Oratory Key criteria: The introduction should establish that the topic is a significant one worth of our concern and attention and lay out the structure of the speech. The body of the speech should be clearly organized (typically a problem, cause, solution format). The speech should incorporate both sound reasoning and effective emotional appeals. The delivery of the speech should be fluent and assertive without becoming aggressive or strident. At the end of the speech you should feel that the speaker has presented a well developed speech motivated by clear convictions and an earnest effort to effect positive change.

Judging Speech Events When judging speech events, look to structure, but also composure, poise, and vocal & physical delivery style of the speaker. Their appearance, confidence and style can play a part in how your rank them, along with their speech structure and content. Speaker Style ▫VOCAL – look for good projection of volume, vocal inflection (a variance in pitch, tone, rate for effect and impact) ▫PHYSICAL – look for confident stance, smooth, fluid and purposeful movements, blocking and gestures.

Judging Debate Events When judging debate events, be sure to take notes (we call this “flowing” the round) so that you can keep track of the arguments and evidence. Try to listen for the most persuasive arguments IN YOUR OPINION, rather than allowing the debaters to tell you how to vote. Please be sure you are clear as to which debaters are on which side (especially PFD) so that you’re sure you’re vote is what you meant it to be. Speaker Style ▫VOCAL – look for good projection of volume, vocal inflection (a variance in pitch, tone, rate for effect and impact) ▫PHYSICAL – look for confident stance, smooth, fluid and purposeful movements, blocking and gestures. SPECIFIC RULES ARE IN YOUR JUDGING PACKET

Q & A ????? Mrs. Harrison’s cell: FOOD ( the best part for last) There is a Hospitality Lounge for judges and coaches (usually a media center) at each tournament. This is where judges will be called and where ballots are picked up. Each host school provides a variety of delicious foods and drinks throughout the day. You may want to bring something to read between rounds.