Review with:

• TIMERS
• Filling out Timer’s Sheet
• Test the timing equipment
• Contestant speaking order (if known at the time)

• COUNTERS
• Filling out Counter’s Tally Sheet
• Ballot collection process
• Contestant speaking order (if known at the time)

• TIE-BREAKING JUDGE (include in briefing with all judges to maintain secrecy)
• Meet privately before or after judges briefing to review specifics about the tie-breaking ballot
  • They must rank all contestants (first to last)
  • They must sign ballot form
  • Arrange to collect tie-breaker’s ballot while all other ballots are being collected

• JUDGES
• Review the judging ballot form (a category such as CONTENT is 50%, etc.)
• Know your personal bias (mark ballot form as objectively as possible)
• Review common bias (such as 1st / last speaker syndrome, underdog, halo, etc.)
• Ignore timing
• Judge against model speaker
• Fold sheet (right to left) to minimize comparisons
• Scoring from bottom-to-top of form, subtracting instead of adding, etc.
• Avoid total scoring until end of contest
• Review criteria / ethics on back of judge’s form
• Sign ballot form now!! Tear off bottom part
• Rank 1st, 2nd, 3rd (ignore the points on the side) (if four or more contestants, ballots must have three names, but only three names)
• No ties!!
• If need more than allotted time to complete ballot, leave the room
• Judges to be distributed throughout contest room
• Instruct them on what to do to protest (only regarding originality; write note on ballot)
• Protest(s): basis - Not different, or Originality - by whom, to whom
• Disqualification(s):basis - Not different from District / Regional speech, or Protest on originality
  • Not different:Qualifying Judges (Regional and International only) - three or more
  • Protest (if lodged):Majority of judges

 JUDGES, TIMERS, COUNTER BRIEFING CHECKLIST

• SUPPLIES TO BE PROVIDED BY THE CHIEF JUDGE
• "Judges Guide and Ballot" (at least one per judge, with envelopes)
• "The Tiebreaking Judge’s Guide and Ballot" (one with envelope - suggest marking TB on outside)
• "Speech Contest Time Record Sheet and Instructions For Timers" (at least two)
• "Counter’s Tally Sheet" (two each)
• Speech Timer with Lights (two) - suggest backup lights and / or colored paper, also ext. cord
• "Contest Results Form" (to be given to the Contest Chair when the results are official)
• Stop Watch (at least two)
• List of contestants (at least one for each member of the judging team)
• "Contest Rules" #1171 (at least one for each judge)
   
• The following are required for the Regional and International Contests (only):
• copies of the completed "Speaker’s Certification of Eligibility and Originality" (#1183, five)
• "Qualifying Judge’s Sheet" (#1186, five)
• "Contestant’s Previous Speech Outline" (#1185, five)

Download Judges Briefing information