1. Debate Judges Orientation

2. Volunteers make it Happen!
We can’t do this without you.
YOU are making an investment.
YOU are performing a teaching role in the lives of our students.
YOU make it possible for young people to learn these skills
Thank You!

3. You Are Qualified to Judge
You already participate in communication activities.
It is the speaker’s job to communicate with you.
It is not your job to be a debate expert before coming.
Our goal is for our students to speak to
“the thinking man and woman on the street”
That’s YOU!

4. What is Debate? Two opposing teams argue an idea (The resolution)
Affirmative (upholds the resolution)
Negative (refutes Affirmative position)
Debaters alternate sides during the course of the tournament

5. 2015-2016 Debate Resolutions Team Policy Debate Lincoln Douglas Debate
Resolved: The United States Federal Government should substantially reform its trade policy with one or more of the following nations: China, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan
Lincoln Douglas Debate
Resolved: In formal education liberal arts ought to be valued above practical skills.
Resolved: Developing countries ought to prioritize economic growth over environmental protection.

6. Role of the Judge Listen to the debate.
Decide which team best supports their position.
Cast a vote for the team that best supports
their position.
Provide written feedback.

7. Role of the Judge DON’T:
Request or accept written material offered by debaters before or during the round.
Interrupt or question the debaters.
Leave the room or take phone calls during the round.
Extend a debater’s speaking time.

8. Debater’s Role
The debaters are responsible for making their ideas clear to the judge, including:
Debate Theory
Organization of the Round
Details of the Topic

9. What to Expect Number of judges: 1 in preliminary rounds
Possibly more in elimination rounds
- Always an odd number.
Timekeeper
To give verbal signals during prep time & hand signals during speaking time. (Sometimes the debaters will time.)
Greeting
Debaters will introduce themselves
May ask your judging philosophy

10. Before the Round Begins
Check to make sure:
You have not judged either of these teams in this event at this tournament
Find the room number
Make sure the tournament knows which ballot you have
Fill in your name (if needed)

11. Before the Round Begins
The ballot has space for the four names of the debaters:
If these are already filled in, verify the speaker positions
If these are not filled in, write them in before the round starts! (Debaters will be happy to help.)
Now, the debate may begin and you are ready to listen and take notes.

12. Constructive vs. Rebuttal
Constructive speeches are for building arguments. - This is where new arguments are presented. Rebuttals are for refuting arguments that have been presented. - Answering arguments. - Strengthening a position with deeper analysis. - May present new evidence, analysis, & responses to existing lines of argumentation. - No new lines of argumentation.

13. Cross-Examination Three minutes Follows each constructive speech
Only direct interaction in the round
One-on-one question and answer
Debaters face you

14. Flowing Flowing: The right note-taking system allows you to:
Organizes the ideas in a round
Use flow sheet or plain paper
Just a tool to help you
Not to be turned in
The right note-taking system allows you to:
Absorb the presentation
Reach a conclusion and cast a vote
Give the debaters written feedback

15. TP – Round Structure 1AC 1NC 2AC 2NC 1NR 1AR 2NR 2AR
First Affirmative Constructive
1NC
First Negative Constructive
2AC
Second Affirmative Constructive
2NC
Second Negative Constructive
1NR
First Negative Rebuttal
1AR
First Affirmative Rebuttal
2NR
Second Negative Rebuttal
2AR
Second Affirmative Rebuttal
Cats are better than dogs.
Cats are adorable & soft.
Dogs are superior to cats.
Cats scratch a lot.
Dogs are loyal.
Dogs protect people.
Dogs scratch too & bite.
Dogs run away.

16. LD – Round Structure AC NC 1AR NR 2AR (Affirmative Constructive)
(Negative Constructive)
1AR
(First Affirmative Rebuttal) NR
(Negative Rebuttal)
2AR
(Second Affirmative Rebuttal)

17. Other Key Considerations
Time Limits
Once the time is expired at the end of a speech, a debater may complete a sentence, but should not start a new thought.
Once time has expired, judges are free to discard additional comments or speech content when evaluating the round.
Debater Communication
Debaters may communicate and pass notes discretely at the
table.
Debater Prep time
Each team may use preparation time between speeches.
Prep time is 5 minutes in team policy & 3 minutes in Lincoln Douglas.
The timekeeper should state start and end of this prep time, and any
time remaining.

18. When the Round is Over
You may request to review evidence for clarification or accuracy.
Please return any evidence you review before leaving the room.
Do not ask the debaters for clarification of evidence or arguments.
Do not disclose your decision!
Do not solicit opinions about the round from other observers or judges in the room.
Immediately following the round, take your ballots to the designated area for completion.
Put positive before negative

19. Filling Out the Ballot Two Independent Decisions:
Decide which team wins the round
Reward individual speaking ability
Set aside personal bias/opinion

20. Helpful Terms for Team Policy
You might hear some of these terms as the debaters argue the resolution.
Topicality – are we on the topic?
Significance (Harms) – asks is the problem significant enough to require action?
Inherency – Does the Affirmative plan exist right now? If not, why doesn’t it?
Solvency – will the plan work?
Advantages – benefits of the Affirmative plan.
Disadvantages – undesirable affects of the affirmative plan.

21. Helpful Terms for Lincoln Douglas
Values – Universally recognized principles
Criteria - Achieves, measures, or limits the value
Analysis – Interpretation of the resolution
Contention - Examples used to support a position
Inherency asks, Is this Plan needed

22. LD vs TP Ballot

23. The Student Ballot Vote AFF or NEG Evaluate the Speakers:
Circle and total the Speaker Points
Rank the Speakers
Write comments

24. The Ballot - Speaker Rank
Circle a number for each criteria then total.
Speaker points determine rank.
Speaker points may be tied, break ties with rank.
Lower speaker points may win round.

25. The Speed Ballot
This form is for early handoff to TAB, no RFD or comments please!
Vote AFF or NEG
Provide speaker points
Rank speakers
Instructions are on the bottom half of this ballot
Turn in this ballot within minutes after you return

26. The Student Ballot
AFTER you have turned in your Speed Ballot, you are encouraged to write additional comments on the Student Ballot.

27. The Ballot: Reason For Decision
Provide Written Feedback to the DEBATERS!
Your investment in and encouragement for our students
Set aside your personal bias/opinion
Judge round based upon issues discussed in the round
Decide based on how well each side argues for their position
Be prepared to vote for a position you do not personally hold
Double Loss = disciplinary only
The purposes of the ballot: To encourage the students, whenever possible tell the losing team what they could have done to earn your ballot.

28. Rules - Judge Orientation Staff Available
If you have questions concerning the round or your ballot, staff will be available to answer your questions.
Written Rules Available
The written rules will be available to you in the judge’s area.

29. Event Judging Record (Dance Card)
Please fill in competitors whom you:
judge
time
or watch
Let’ s Dance

30. Thank You