1. WELCOME!!
WFCA
JUDGES’ TRAINING

2. Signing up for tournaments…

3. How do I get there?

4. What to bring… Pen, pencil Stopwatch (phones MUST be on airplane mode)
Book (in case of long breaks)
Snacks, water

5. A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A FORENSICS JUDGE…

6. When you arrive… Find the judge’s lounge Find your head coach
Receive your paperwork:
- What category you’ll judge each round Those category rules (now is a good time to read these) What rooms you’re going to A map (find the TAB table, you’ll go there a lot!) Student speaker codes What time each round is supposed to start EVALUATION SHEETS and BALLOTS
Be in judges’ lounge for judges’ meeting

7. Round 1! (and 2, and 3) No student may enter the room before the judge
Know a speaker? Tell the TAB table asap!
Take attendance using speaker codes
Start the round on time – don’t wait for latecomers
Call up speakers in assigned order (unless DE or TE)
Start timing when speaker is ready (check rules)

8. Round 1! (and 2, and 3) - continued
Write critiques on EVALUATION SHEETS
Stop timing when they finish, record time
Applause welcome, but not necessary
Once all students perform, dismiss them
Complete the BALLOT
Go directly to the TAB table

9. DOs and DON’Ts
DO: -Write LEGIBLY -Be CONSTRUCTIVE -Leave the room as you found it - Smile, relax! You’re in charge.
DON’T: - Get too friendly with students
- Give oral critique
- Forget to silence your phone!

10. At the TAB table… You will turn in a few documents… EVALUATION SHEETS
Copied and delivered to coaches, students
Rank: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 5, 5…
A BALLOT
For tournament use only
Rank: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7…

11. After the first 3 rounds Join everyone in the judge’s lounge!
Lunch is provided
Get your POWER ROUND assignment
PLEASE WAIT to be released! (Thank you!)

12. Power Rounds Just like a preliminary round, but…
Evaluation sheets are small / nonexistent
Two other judges in the room
Round begins when all judges are present
There may be spectators

13. Awards ceremony!
You are welcome—but not required—to stay!

14. CATEGORY RULES

15. Rules are also provided at the tournament!
The WFCA handbook
Rules are also provided at the tournament!

16. New this year…
Moments in History topics… Either the 1940s or
Storytelling topics… 1. A Latin American story 2. A story about a holiday 3. A story about a quest 4. A story about a force of nature.
Special Occasion… A speech at a charity event A speech to the United Nations A speech at a self-help seminar A political victory or concession speech.

17. Irregular judging categories…
Demo: Start timer when they begin to set up Allowed an assistant
Extemp: Students enter room one at a time Students may ask for time signals / use their own stopwatch
OIL: Rounds alternate between Prose and Poetry

18. (… continued)
Radio: Both judge and speaker are seated Students enter room one at a time
Storytelling: You choose which story you’d like to hear

19. Yes, this is very subjective!
“Literary merit”
“Funny”
“Serious”
“Problematic”
“Tough round!”
“Appropriately dressed”
“Key Factor in Rank”
Imagine reading your critique
out loud to the student

20. PRACTICE ROUND

21. THANK YOU!!!