General Procedures:
1.
Have
the students fill out the top portion of the ballot (their code, title, and
author) while reviewing the rules for the event you are assigned to judge. Please remind the students to turn off cell phones and beepers
during the round! Close the door before
beginning the round and remind the students to be quiet and respectful during
presentations.
2.
Be
sure you have filled out the cover sheet for each round.
3.
Try to write at least 6
comments on the back of the student’s ballot.
a.
Three
positive comments
b.
Three
constructive comments on what could be done to improve.
c.
Record
the time for each presentation on the student’s ballot
4.
As
the students complete their performance please put the critique sheets in order
from best speaker to worst at that point (score
of 1 is awarded to the best speaker) When all the students have performed
you can check to see if you agree before you write the ranks on the ballots and
cover sheet.
5.
The
only penalty for a student running over the 30 second grace period is that
he/she cannot be awarded first place in the round.
6.
Complete the cover sheet
with rankings (a score of 1 is awarded to the best speaker) as quickly as
possible and return that along with all completed ballots as soon as you can.
You may have to judge another round.
7.
Do
not discuss ranks or comments with competitors. Use the ballot to communicate
with the student and his or her coach.
Write your comments while the student is performing.
8.
Contact
the tab room immediately should you have any concerns.
********Specific Events: Please read over the ballots carefully!********
Extemporaneous Speaking: Student speaking on some topic of current events.
1.
Students have a 30
minute “prep” time before speaking. These rounds may have a delay until the
first competitor arrives. Check with the prep room if you have questions.
2.
Speakers have a 7 minute time limit (30 second grace
period). Competitors rely heavily on time signals
by the judge. Use hand signals from 5 minutes, 4 minutes, 3
minutes…etc. A fist indicates to the student that 7 minutes have expired.
Continue timing until the student is done. Record the time on the ballot.
3.
Students
should hand you a copy of the question they have been assigned along with their
code.
4.
The student is
judged on how thoroughly they answer the question (not if you agree with the
position or not) and the style in which he/she speaks. He/She MUST present
citations or evidence from current newspapers, magazines, or other literature
to support their answer to the question.
5.
The student may
NOT have notes in any form while speaking.
Original Oratory: A student presents a speech which he/she has written
on any topic.
1.
Students have a 10 minute (30 second grace period)
2.
Student has
written and memorized (no scripts) a speech about any topic of their choice.
3.
The purpose of the
speech may be to inspire, to persuade, to eulogize, or to inform. There can be
an overlapping of these styles within the oration.
4.
The judge should
not allow their personal bias to influence their decision.
5.
Critique both the
speech (how it conveys the message) and the style of the speaker-use of voice
tone, emotional tenor, change in voice, use of gestures, eye contact, etc.
Oratorical Declamation: (Limited to Frosh and Sophs) A student presents a
memorized speech written by another orator.
1.
Students have a 10
minute (30 second grace period)
2.
An introduction is
memorized and must contain information about the author and original setting
for the speech. It lasts no longer than 60 seconds.
3.
The student has
chosen a speech previously given by another person and memorized it. The
competitor’s presentation is an interpretation of the meaning of the message of
the original speech.
4.
The judge should
critique the delivery of the speech not its content.
Oral Interpretation of Literature: A student presents both a poetry or prose selection
of their choice.
1.
Students have a 10
minute (30 second grace period)
2.
An introduction is
memorized and not lasting
more than 60 seconds.
3.
POETRY ROUND—The
student has chosen one or several poems all united by a connecting theme;
he/she will be reading from a script with an emphasis on interpreting
the meaning of each piece.
4.
PROSE ROUND—The
student has chosen a short story or cutting from prose writing; he/she will be reading
from a script with an emphasis on character development and climax in the
selection.
5.
The student should
maintain a balance of eye contact between the script and the audience.
Dramatic Performance: A student performs a portion of a published play or
movie.
1.
Students have a 10
minute (30 second grace period)
2.
An introduction is
memorized and not lasting
more than 60 seconds. (Students may choose to begin their presentation then
interject the introduction. This is known as a teaser.) It MUST be made obvious
when the teaser stops and the introduction begins!
3.
The student shall
have selected a scene (or scenes) from a published play and have it memorized.
There may be multiple characters. The performance is judged on character
distinction, and development of the scene to a climax.
4.
Changes from
character to character within the presentation should be clean and crisp.
5.
Singing is
restricted to 30 seconds or less.
Duo Interpretation of Literature: Two students perform a portion of a published piece of
literature.
1.
Students have a 10
minute (30 second grace period)
2.
An introduction is
memorized and not lasting more than 60 seconds. (Students may choose to begin
their presentation then interject the introduction. This is known as a teaser.)
It MUST be made obvious when the teaser stops and the introduction begins!
3.
This event is made
up of a two person team. They each may do multiple characters. The same ranking
is given to both students.
4.
Selections can be
from a story, play, or cutting from a novel that has each student cast as
different characters. A narrator should not dominate the cutting.
5.
The students should have the cutting memorized and NOT
have a script. The
illusion of actions should be seen but not acting out their parts.
6.
The students
should not have eye contact with each other during the selection and physical
movement should be restricted to pivoting from side to side, turning around
completely, moving around each other, or switching places. Students may NOT
touch during the presentation.
7.
Singing is
restricted to 30 seconds or less.
----------------AUXILIARY
EVENTS – DO NOT LEAD TO NATIONALS!--------------------
Impromptu: Student speaking on
a quote drawn during the round.
Children’s
Literature:
A student presents poetry or prose selection for children.