How to Judge a Debate

[Manish S]

How to Judge a Debate Performance

Judging a debate is not an easy task. It requires neutrality and a commitment to rules. During a presidential debate, all of us are judges. During a school or church debate, we are judges too, even though in those cases, there are assigned judges. Since debating is an art, here is how you can judge whenever you happen to witness a debate

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• 1 WATCH OUT FOR CONTENT

  Is the debater using too much empty jargon or are they really talking sense? You must be able to say 'yes' when someone else says to you, 'What did he say?'. Any debater worth their salt must leave you with, at least, a tangible idea.

• 2

  WATCH OUT FOR CONFIDENCE

  A debater is supposed to talk to you with confidence. A lack of confidence betrays a lack of preparation. You cannot really trust someone who is unprepared, can you?

• 3

  WATCH OUT FOR CONFUSION

  Some debaters contradict themselves in the same sentence. If it occurs once, it might be a mistake. Repeat occurrences call for alarm: the debater is simply not ready. You cannot comprehend whatever they are saying anyway.

• 4

  WATCH OUT FOR CONVICTION

  Passion reveals the genuineness in the debater's argument. A blase performance tells a lot. The verdict is this; if the debater is bored by his/her own topics, how does he/she expect you to be excited about it? Delivery is a plus in debating.

• 5

  WATCH OUT FOR CONVERSATIONALITY

  Is the debater talking to you or at you? Are you being read to or being spoken to? One of a debater's goals is to convince you to come over to their side. If you felt like you were never asked, how can you consider?



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Rules for How to Judge Debates

In order to correctly score a debate competition, a judge must know and follow several important rules. Judges have to be good and impartial listeners who determine which side has done the best research and presented the clearest argument. Here are some details on the duties of a debate judge.

1. Following Rules

   • Judges award points based on each competitor's ability to follow the specific rules of the debate rules. There are different rules for debates based on where it takes place and what the purpose is. Some rules might relate to each side getting a certain amount of argument time, or to the language used during the debate. Other rules might specify what topics can be debated, who can bring up which points, and what type of demeanor should be expressed.

   Research

   • Judges determine which side of the debate has done the best and most appropriate research for its particular case. Teams must take the time to research the history of the issue they are debating. They must also have research to show potential outcomes of the side they have taken, as well as research to show what might happen if the other side was to win the debate.

   Best Argument

   • Judges must make a final decision based on which side has made the best argument for the case it is trying to prove. Some factors judges need to use to make this decision include who has provided answers to the questions the other side has posted, who has conclusions that are strong and make sense according to their argument, and who has presented their arguments in the most concise manner. They should not choose the side they personally agree with.

   Judges Behavior

   • Judges should not speak during a debate, other than to give instructions before the debate begins, or to call time at the end of the debate. After the debate is finished, judges will make decisions and give the results to the competitors in writing.

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DEBATE JUDGE INSTRUCTIONS

I. GENERAL:

 A. You are providing these students with an invaluable service.  Without you, this activity could not happen.  Thus, you should never feel "unworthy" or "unqualified" if you do not understand a particular argument.  Debaters are communicators; it is their obligation to be clear.  If an educated, intelligent adult cannot understand a debater, the fault lies with the debater.

 B. As judge you have power. For once, an adolescent will be vitally concerned with ALL of your reactions.  Therefore, SAY NOTHING AT ALL THROUGHOUT THE DEBATE.  Since they know they are being evaluated in a very subjective manner, the students will be PARANOIC.  They will translate all of your mannerisms negatively.  Thus, try to be as neutral as possible, say nothing except a greeting, take notes, and appear interested and sympathetic.

 C. Other than time limits, there ARE NO RULES in debate.  Do not get drawn into a "rules argument" by the debaters.  Of course, the students must be civil to you and to each other, but if there is any question of rules, tell the students you will check with the officers and continue the debate.

 D. Never reveal your decision, never give oral critiques, never ask the school of the debaters.  Merely greet the students, but SAY NOTHING ELSE.

 E. What constitutes a "win?"  This is a difficult question, but there are two general approaches.  The first is "strict logic."  It holds that if a debater wins one crucial argument, that constitutes a win.  The other view is more "holistic."  It holds that the debater who does the better job establishing a position and refuting that of the opponent should win the debate.  Generally, Lincoln-Douglas favors the latter.

 F. Unique position of a debate judge: unlike a judge in a law case, the debate judge has no objective criterion such as a law to fall back on.  Instead, a good debate judge allows the debaters to dictate the important issues of the debate.  For example, a student may advance an argument that appears foolish to the judge.  If the opponent fails to pick it up and show that the argument is poor, it STANDS.  In fact, it is probably worse NOT to attack a weak argument than to make one in the first place.  The judge is an on-looker, taking note of what is being said by each debater, noting when arguments are "dropped," and evaluating which debater is making more sense when there is true clash.

 G. Finally, there are no "burdens": both the Aff. and Neg. are obliged to prove their position and refute that of their opponent.
 

II. SPECIFICS:

 A. Make sure that you know your code.  If you have not received a judge code, check with the person in charge from your school.

 B. As soon as they are posted, check all schedules to see where you are judging in Rnd. I (varsity, intermediate, and novice).  You will also be able to tell the code number of the Affirmative and the Negative.  Make sure you have a ballot, and proceed to the room.

 C. When the debaters arrive, they will usually write their code and name on the board.  Copy this information onto your ballot (REMEMBER: do NOT ask for their school).  Next explain how you are going to show them the passage of time.  It is recommended that you always show them "2 down."
Tell them that they may finish a sentence when time is up, but no more.  If they continue, simply stop taking notes.  Be assured that they will stop talking very quickly when you do that.

 D. At this time, the debate can begin.  The Affirmative reads a 6-minute "Constructive" speech on the topic (AC).  You should take notes ("flow"-- see "E").  After this speech the Neg. will question for 3 min.  Then the Neg. will give a 7 min. "Constructive" speech (NC).  This is usually divided into two parts.  The first (often called the Neg. Philosophy) directly attacks the resolution for about 3-4 min.  The second attacks the points that the Aff. presented.  Next, the Aff. questions for 3 min.  The Aff. (1AR) then has a 4 min. rebuttal, followed by a 6 min. Neg. rebuttal (NR).  Finally the Aff. has a 3-min. rebuttal (2AR).  In general, no new arguments should be introduced in the Rebuttal period.  This is a very tricky idea.  Certainly, new information (data, quotes, etc.) can be used.  In addition, arguments can be EXTENDED and developed (or else the debaters would be reduced to mere repetition).  However, a TOTALLY new idea should not be offered.  A simple way of looking at it is as follows: the 1AR should refute the Neg. Con.; the NR should refute the 1AR, and the 2AR should refute the NR.

 E. Now turn to the "flow" sheet.  On it, you can see the structure of the debate at a glance.  Notice how each speech is given a column.  Copy as much of each speech as possible onto the flow, placing opposing arguments next one another.  That way you can see who "drops" an argument and who misinterprets another's argument; you can also check when a debater claims the opponent did not attack an argument -- just look at the flow sheet.

 F. Now turn to the ballot.  Notice the large blocks of space in the middle.  One is on the left (for the Affirmative); the other is on the right (for the Negative).  During prep time (see "H"), write criticisms of the debaters.  At the end of the debate, determine the winner (Aff or Neg).  Fill in the appropriate space, listing the winner's code and circling "Aff" or "Neg."  Then assign points -- the winner receives more than the loser.  No more than 30, no less than 18.  Finally fill out the bottom: reasons for decision.  Try to say something substantive, NOT "one was more persuasive," or "one spoke better."  Try to list the winning or losing arguments.

 G. If you have to take more time to write criticisms, do the following: indicate the winner and the points, tear off the white sheet, and turn it in to the office IMMEDIATELY.  During the rest of the day, complete the criticisms and turn in the pink and yellow forms into the office.  Please be circumspect with your written comments: be professional at all times.

 H. Prep time: each debater has 5 min. in which to PREPARE before speaking.  You should keep record of this and inform the debater of the amount used/left.  "Charge" it to the debater as follows: BEFORE the debater speaks, it is that person's prep time.  For the Neg: before the Neg. cross question, before the Neg. Con., before the Neg. Reb.  For the Aff: before the Aff. Cross question, before the !AR, before the 2AR. (This is a good time to write out your ballot).  If you have warned the debater that prep time has expired, and if the debater continues using prep time, deduct that amount of time from the debater's next rebuttal time.

FINALLY: WHENEVER YOU HAVE A PROBLEM, SAY NOTHING.   CONTINUE THE DEBATE IF POSSIBLE.  SEE THE OFFICERS WHEN YOU TURN IN YOUR BALLOT.
 

WHAT IS A GOOD DEBATE JUDGE?  One who SAYS NOTHING, fills out the ballot correctly, and turns in the ballot quickly.

--
Manish.