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Speech & Debate Foundation

 

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Judging IE Speeches

Step 3: How should I rank and rate the speakers?

RATE EACH SPEAKER

Typically, you should rate each speaker immediately after each speaks.

Rating scales in IE Speeches are typically 1-25, sometimes 1-30.

Avoid giving any scores below 20, doing so could be considered “mean” and “too harsh.”

If a speaker went overtime—you can lower their rating; you definitely should note it as it often affects the ranking.

at the end of the round, rank the speakers

Look at the ratings you gave for each speaker.

Give the speaker you rated highest, the 1 (best speaker); the speaker you rated second highest, the 2 (second best speaker. Often, the lowest ranking you can give is a 4 or 5, so you give all of the remaining speakers that lowest ranking allowed.

If a speaker went overtime—typically by at least 30 seconds—you can rank them lower by 1 or more rankings (e.g. give that speaker a 3 instead of a 2—moving the 3rd speaker into 2nd.)

What happens if you have speakers with the same rating—how do you rank them? Some good ways to distinguish these speakers:

--how significant/important was the speaker’s speech?

--how engaging/entertaining was the speaker’s speech?

--how well organized was the speaker’s speech?

--how well supported/documented was the speaker’s speech?

 

CAN I INTERJECT MY OPINION INTO MY evaluation of the speakers?

Avoid it. You should not rate nor rank based solely on your beliefs. For example, it would be wrong to rate a speaker poorly simply because you didn't like that speaker’s viewpoint. DO NOT MAKE ARGUMENTS AGAINST A SPEAKER. Make your decisions based on the quality of presentation that the speaker delivered.

But the argument key to the speaker’s speech was really bad! Well, if it wasn’t convincing or it was not persuasive, you can note that BUT give students presenting ideas and arguments different from yours a chance to be heard. Unless, someone is engaged in hateful attacks on individuals, judging speeches is not about your opinion—it is about the speaker’s communication of ideas. Don’t make your rankings/ratings based exclusively on your own opinion of the issue—make it based on the arguments, delivery, and organization of the speakers. That is the point of IE Speeches—it is for the speakers, not the judges, to argue and for judges, as neutrally as possible, to evaluate the speakers.

CAN I PRESENT MY COMMENTS ORALLY TO THE SPEAKERS

--Typically, this is not done but it can be an educational moment. If it is okay with the tournament, you can offer speakers comments to improve. As much as is possible—send in your ballot BEFORE you give your oral comments so that you keep the tournament on schedule—including taking the speakers with you to the ballot table—return the ballot and then talk to the speakers.

BE SURE TO TURN IN YOUR BALLOT BY THE TIME EXPECTED IN THE SCHEDULE.

 

Go to Step 4: Example Ballots

 

 

 

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