Speech Contest Judges Training

Sharon Tu, ACS-ALSDistrict 83 Chief

Judge&

Brian Lin, DTM PDG

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Purpose of ContestsProvides competitive speaking

experienceProvides educational programs for

members and publicProvides audience an opportunity to

learn by observing proficient speakers

NetworkingFun 2

Contest Season - Fall

What?Humorous Speech or Tall Tales (2015)Table Topics

When?Club - AugustArea - SeptemberDivision - OctoberDistrict – November (District Fall

Conference) 3

Contest Season - Spring What?

International SpeechEvaluation

When?Club - FebruaryArea - MarchDivision - AprilDistrict – May (District Spring Conference) International – August (TI convention)

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Judges Eligibility Be a member in good standing Area, Division, District level contests

Be a member in good standing for minimum of 6 months Completed a minimum of 6 speech projects in

Competent Communication All judges shall remain anonymous, when practical Judges are not eligible to compete in this contest cycle for

this type of contest. Judges are not from contestants' clubs or all contestants'

clubs are equally represented Preferred Judge List

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Judging vs EvaluatingJudges select the speaker who has

given the best speech on that day

Judges decisions are confidential with no explanation of their decision or can discuss with any contestant how to improve

Your job is to pick the winners6

Barriers to Objectivity

Eliminate Bias . . . Be Fair V #5A

• Speaker Order or PositionPay close attention to each contestant; too easy to

remember the first or last speaker

• Champion for the UnderdogUse only the criteria on the judge’s guide and ballot

to select winners; don’t let feelings influence your judging

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Barriers to Objectivity

Eliminate Bias . . . Be Fair V #5A

• Halo EffectFocus on each contestant’s performance against

the criteria provided; resist giving speakers high marks for anything else

• Reverse Halo EffectAvoid tendency to disapprove of a person’s actions,

work, etc. because of anything unrelated; resist downgrading a score in any area because you are not happy with their performance in another

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Barriers to Objectivity

Eliminate Bias . . . Be Fair V #5A

• Second time around / Prior EncountersJudge as if this is the first time you are hearing a

contestant speak; do not compare an individual’s current performance or delivery to a previous presentation.

• Not the normDo not impose your beliefs of what may be normal

protocol when it does not relate directly to the judges standards (i.e. everyone stands behind a podium)

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Barriers to Objectivity

Eliminate Bias . . . Be Fair V #5A

• Prejudices and personal preferencesSubjective process not objective; it is impossible for

everyone to be totally objective and not bring in their likes and dislikes; use the guidelines and remain fair

High Impact Statement / PropDo not be swayed by contestants' one or two high-impact

statements, unusual props, or one trick wonder. Judge the speech as a whole based on all judging criteria

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Protests

Limited to Judges and Contestants only, prior to announcement of results

Bases of Protest Eligibility Originality

All decisions of the voting judges and qualifying judges are FINAL

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Speech Originality All speakers must certify originality using the

Speaker’s Certification of Eligibility and Originality form (item 1183) International, Humorous and Tall Tales

25% or less may be devoted to quoting, paraphrasing, or referencing another person’s content. Any quoted, paraphrased, or referenced material must be so identified during the speech presentation.

Handling of originality protest12

Judge’s Guide and BallotTwo sections to each form

Top portion is your guide to help you select winnersDO NOT turn it inNever leave it at the contest siteTake it home and destroy it there

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Judge’s Guide and BallotTwo sections to each form

(continued)Bottom portion is the official ballot

This is give to the ballot counterThree different contestants are listed for

first-, second-, and third-placeNo ties are allowed

The judge has signed the ballot and print his / her name legibly.

Judges must attend briefing (except one particular judge)

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Tie Breaking Judge / BallotTie Breaking ballot is slightly

different Instead of picking only the top 3

winners, tie breaker judge will fill out every place on his / her ballot

The tie breaking ballot will be handed over to chief judge only, not to ballot counters

The tie breaking judge does not attend judges briefing 15

Methods / Uses

Use point values suggested for each rating

Use other points available in the rangeIf “excellent” is 20 points, you can

assign fewer points if the speaker did not meet that criteria

Use a system of pluses or minuses to rate speakers 16

Methods / Uses

Put the name of first contestant at the far right column; mark the ballot; fold column under; judge the next speaker; fold that column under; continue You will not be influenced by your

previous ratings.

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Review Judging Ballots

Example: International Speech

Content (50 points)Delivery (30 points)Language (20 points)

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Timing

Timing of speech is not your concernResponsibility of Timers

Do not time speeches on your ownDo not THINK or CONSIDER time;

focus on your responsibility

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Judging Exercise

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General Discussion

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Rules Review1. Can a speaker be disqualified?2. What if we have only 4 judges?3. What happens if 1 judge does not identify a third

place winner?4. What is the appropriate action if a contestant

approaches a contest official and asks to see the points awarded?

5. Protest: Who, what, and when?6. Can a judge disqualify a contestant for moving

outside the speaking area?7. Can ballots be recounted and/or results be

overturned?22

Thank You!

Acknowledgements of host and helpers

Please leave your forms with me or on the table

Your name will be added to the list of preferred Judges

Good luck!Have fun!

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