1. BFL Judge Training Presented by
Athena Lao, Fulbright ETA in Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria and BFL Co-Founder
Claire Sagstuen, Fulbright ETA in Lovech, Bulgaria and BFL Co-Founder

2. Duo Interpretation
Two people perform a piece from a published play, novel, short story, or musical for NFL (USA) guidelines
Cannot touch or make eye contact, except in the introduction!
Cannot move more than a few steps in each direction
No use of props or costumes are allowed
Includes an introduction after the “teaser,” or the first minute or so of the opening, giving the author and title of the piece
Time limit is 10 minutes with a 30 second grace period
They will be evaluated on poise, use of voice, inflections, physical expression, and their ability to interpret characters correctly and consistently

3. Prose Interpretation
Individual performance with selections drawn from novels, short stories, plays, movies, or TV shows
Includes an introduction after the “teaser,” or the first minute or so of the opening, giving the author and title of the piece
Can only move a few steps in each direction
No use of props or costumes allowed
Time limit is 7 minutes with a 30 second grace period
They will be evaluated on poise, use of voice, inflections, physical expression, and their ability to interpret characters correctly and consistently

4. Poetry
Can use classic or contemporary pieces of poetry that are already published.
Main point: should connect to the audience!
Can only move a few steps in each direction
No use of props or costumes allowed
Style should stem from the author and the interpreter to convey the message to the audience
Typically, they create an argument with the pieces of poetry they choose
Includes an introduction after the “teaser,” or the first minute or so of the opening, giving the author and title of the piece
BFL time limit is 7 minutes with a 30 second grace period

5. Oratory
Oratory deals with a current problem in society and proposes a solution. Example: we need to not sweat the small stuff. Bad example: Love is important. There should be a focus on an argument!
It is about alerting the audience to a danger, discussing the causes and creative solutions using evidence throughout, such as newspapers, journals, books, etc.
Time limit is 10 minutes with a 30 second grace period
Typical format is introduction, 2 problems, 2 causes, 2-3 solutions, conclusion
Cannot use props

6. Overall Rules For Speech Events
No excessive vulgar language is to be used and should be penalized on your ballot
No use of props in any event
Must only use a few steps for movement to symbolize their stage
Memorization is required only in Duo. In other events, it is up to you to decide role of memorization in deciding score.
Time signals are not given during speech events
Trust yourself. If you like a piece, then give it a good score!

7. Ballot Completion: Speech
Write in the student’s name and have them tell you the title and author of their piece
Look on the ballot for some specific things to look for during the performance
Give at least 3 positive comments and 3 comments for constructive criticism.
Each student/team MUST receive a different ranks and different speaker points!
Speaker points: How well did the speaker perform? Look on the bottom of the ballot for a quick guide on points. Usually you do not go below 80 points.

8. Karl Popper Debate
A debate has two teams, an affirmative side (arguing FOR the topic) and a negative side (arguing AGAINST the topic)
The topic is only given at the beginning of the round. It must not be shared until then!
Students are given 15 minutes of prep time after being given the resolution to make their cases
They are allowed to use pre-prepared evidence and laptops or tablets. However, they cannot use the Internet (e.g. through smart phones).
Students may use notes during speeches.

9. What Are The Roles? Affirmative Negative
They are responsible for defining the terms of the debate
They must tell you how to judge the round based on the value they chose
Ex. Freedom, Health, Life
They must give usually 2-3 arguments in favour of the resolution
May argue that the Affirmative’s arguments do not support the resolution
May provide a counter value, saying that we should value something else
In the first Negative speech, they must give you their own case, typically 2-3 arguments against the resolution

10. Debate Structure
There are six speakers in a debate, three on each side
Each speaker will give one speech
The first and last speakers will participate in “cross examination,” where they ask questions to try and poke holes in the speaker’s arguments
Judge will vote on which team proved their value to be the most important and who attacked the arguments better

11. Typical Structure
Affirmative Opening, Speaker 1 (A1): 6 minutes Negative Cross Examination Speaker 3 (N3): 3 minutes Negative Opening, Speaker 1 (N1): 6 minutes Affirmative Cross Examination, Speaker 3 (A3): 3 minutes Affirmative Speech, Speaker 2 (A2): 5 minutes Negative Cross Examination, Speaker 1 (N1): 3 minutes Negative Speech, Speaker 2 (N2): 5 minutes Affirmative Cross Examination, Speaker 1 (A1): 3 minutes Affirmative Closing, Speaker 3 (A3): 5 minutes Negative Closing, Speaker 3 (N3): 5 minutes

12. So…Who Does What? First Affirmative (A1) First Negative (N1)
Sets out the case for the Affirmative
Defines the resolution
Sets up a value for the judge to weigh a round
They will give 2-4 ways the resolution is true
Agrees or Disagrees with the definitions—Are they abusive?
Agree with the value A1 provided or give a counter- value
Respond to all of A1’s arguments
Give you 2-3 reasons to support their side of the resolution

13. Second Affirmative (A2)
Second Speakers
Second Affirmative (A2)
Second Negative (N2)
This speech will reiterate the Affirmative team’s case and also will respond to the arguments put forth by the opposition.  
This speech will also reiterate the Opposition team’s arguments and respond to the Affirmative team’s arguments

14. Third Speakers Third Affirmative Third Negative
Will summarize the main reasons why the Affirmative team should win
May respond to any arguments made N2 in their speech
No new arguments may be presented
Will summarize the main reasons why the Negative team should win
No new arguments may be presented

15. Timing The Round And Prep Time
You must keep track of all time used by each debater in the round
Debaters are given hand signals telling them how much time they have left to speak. Hold up your hand for the number of minutes left
Ex. If a speech is six minutes and they have spoken for two minutes, hold up four fingers
Debaters have a total of 8 minutes of prep time that can be used anytime between speeches until it is all gone.
Ex. N1 can use three minutes of prep time to organize their speech following A1’s presentation. Then they have five minutes left to use later.

16. Ballot Completion: Debate
Do not let your personal bias get in the way of your decision.
Which team won the debate and why? Explain your Reason For Decision (RFD).
Tell teams both what they did well and what they can improve on your ballots. Remember, use constructive feedback.
There will be NO oral feedback at this tournament!
Independently of who won the debate, you need to assign each debater speaker points based on their communication and argumentation skills displayed in the round.
Scores are out of 30 and it is possible to be the better speakers and still lose a debate
Penalize debaters in their speaker points for rude, bullying, or otherwise abusive behavior.

17. Judging No-Nos!
NO oral feedback after any speeches. Use your ballots! Time is limited.
Be conscious of how you appear to the students. Be mindful of your own facial expressions or other possible indications of personal bias.
Do not let students go against the rules. They cannot use chairs, run around the room, or touch anything in the room…including people (yes this has happened).
No cruel comments on ballots. Never tell a student they aren’t good enough to be at the tournament or that they look stupid, etc. We want them to leave here with feedback that is constructive and makes them want to do better.

18. Tournament Day Expectations
Always report the ballot table ten minutes before every round begins, even if you aren’t scheduled
Return your ballots promptly after the round is over
Please tell the staff if you have any trouble with students, accommodation, etc. We want you to have a good experience!
Do not leave the building during the tournament. We have students runners if you want food from a local restaurant
If students are Double Entered (DE) in Debate and Duo, they MUST go to Duo first. They will come to the debate round after. Be patient!