Judges Information

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Thank you for your participation as a judge.

Without your help, this activity would not be possible.

Forensics is a competitive speech program. Students compete in one of six categories: drama, prose, poetry, declamation, impromptu, and multiple reading. Meets are held on Saturday mornings four times a year, with additional novice and all-star meets.

Every effort is made to make this a positive experience for students; therefore, all judges should review this material.

Judges Instructions

The following is the procedure for completing the forensic ballot:

A sample of each ballot is attached below.

1. Have the students clearly print the needed information on the top of the ballot before the round begins.

2. Before each student begins, check over the ballot for completeness.

3. Print legibly your name and judges code on the ballot.

4. Orally review criteria with students in your room by reading areas from the ballot.

5. As the student is presenting his/her selection, jot down your comments on scrap paper.

6. When the student has completed his/her presentation, write the time on the ballot.

7. Each piece should have an appropriate introduction which names the title and the author of the piece and any pertinent setting information.

8. When a contestant has completed his/her presentation, tally the number of points he/she has achieved in the criteria areas.

9. Remember to write constructive comments on the ballots.

10. If you are in doubt as to a rule violation or need to address a negative action of the
contestant, please enclose a separate note to the moderator of the student using the school code.

11. Send the ballots to the ballot room in a sealed envelope with either the timekeeper or one of the runners stationed in the hall. Do not reveal any results to the students.

12. Do not leave the students unattended in the room. Judges must stay in the room with the speakers until the bell rings for the second round.

13. At no time during the rounds are judges to indicate the placement of the contestants, give oral comments, or ask what school students attend.

14. If you are a judge in training, do not share that information with the students. It only
serves to make them feel more anxious and question the results of the round. If you have any questions concerning the results of the procedure of the tournament, please contact one of the persons at the registration table prior to the tournament.

15. Any questions regarding selection must be addressed to the moderator. The student should not be penalized for category placement of selection.

Special Notes

Impromptu:

Impromptu speech allows the participant to creatively share original ideas and information regarding a chosen topic. The participant is permitted to list 50 words on a note card.

Presentations must be at least 2 minutes in time but not over 5 minutes. The presenter should demonstrate all the important qualities of a forensic speaker. Please see the Impromptu Speech Guidelines and the Impromptu Ballot for specifics.

Prose:

The selections should be conveyed through voice and facial expressions, not movement.

Accents and dialects are permissible but must be appropriate to the selection.

Poetry:

Rhythm is an important part of poetry however; it should not be conveyed in a "sing-song" manner. Accents and dialects are permissible but must be appropriate to the selection.

Multiple Reading:

Eye contact except for the narrator is made within the team and not with the judge or audience.

Drama:

Some movement is permissible in drama. Drama is the only category where memorization is permitted, however the selection does not have to be memorized.

Declamation:

The introduction on declamation should include where, when, and by whom the speech was given. Accents are not permitted, nor are physical movements. The presentation should not be an imitation of the original speech.

Criteria

Introduction:

The introduction should effectively introduce the piece, stating the title and author. The introduction should not exceed 60 seconds, but can be shorter.

Verbal Skills:

Look for proper pronunciation, enunciation, and projection. Everyone in the room should be
able to hear dearly the presentation.

Mood and Voice:

Look for volume variations where necessary. Look for the use of voices when appropriate to the
selection.

Pause and Pace:

The selection should be at an appropriate speed for presentation. The piece should not be
rushed, and the pace should be varied when necessary to convey the mood of the selection.

Presenters should make use of pause for dramatic effect.

Non-Verbal Communication Skills:

Look for eye contact and facial expressions. Hand motions generally should be reserved for the
drama category.

Poise:

The presenter should look at ease; with good posture. The script should be handled in a non-distracting manner.

General Effectiveness:

The speaker should demonstrate an understanding of the selection and convey the author's meaning and mood. The selection should stay within the time limit.

Suggested General Comments

Introduction

· You have developed good transition from your introduction to your selection.

· Your introduction needs work to adequately introduce your selection

Verbal Skills

· You express difficult words well.

· You need to work on the pronunciation of difficult words.

· You have appropriate volume changes

· You have good projection, inflection, or enunciation.

· You sometimes slur words.

· Your presentation could be louder. Some words were inaudible.

· You swallowed some words at the end of sentences.

· You used varied voices for dramatic effect.

Mood and Voice

· Your voice changes tone to express the mood.

· Your voice needs to change tone to express the mood.

· You differentiate the voices of characters

· You need to differentiate the voices of characters.

· From your voice, it is east to gauge the mood of the characters.

· You have interesting voice characterization.

· You made the audience fell what you felt.

· Your presentation needs to be louder in volume

Pause and Pace

· You need to speed up or slow down in appropriate places.

· Try pausing for dramatic effect.

· Your delivery was choppy.

· You made good use of dramatic pauses.

· You need to slow down your delivery.

· Your delivery did not sound natural.

Non Verbal Communication Skills

· You need to make eye contact with the audience.

· A smile will capture the audience.

· Look at all the members of the audience. (In multiple reading: look at the character you
are talking to.)

· Keep your body still as you present your selection.

· Try to make use of facial expression to convey the meaning and the mood of the
selection.

· You have expressive eye contact.

· Keep your papers still so they are not distracting.

Poise

· You look somewhat stiff.

· Hold your speech lower so that it is not in front of your mouth

· Try to hold your script still. .

· You have excellent posture while presenting your selection.

· Try not to sway or lean.

General Effectiveness

· You seem to enjoy your selection.

· What a powerful speech, well done.

· You caught the essence of the selection.

· You appeared comfortable with your selection.

· Your selection has potential. Keep practicing.

· You conveyed the mood of the selection

· You seemed to understand the selection.

· You look somewhat stiff.

· Hold your speech lower so that it is not in front of your mouth

· Try to hold your script still.

· You have excellent posture while presenting your selection.

· Try not to sway or lean.

v.1

Declamation_Ballot.pdf

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Edith Bishop,

Sep 18, 2011 7:58 AM

v.1

Drama_Ballot.pdf

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Edith Bishop,

Sep 18, 2011 7:58 AM

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Impromptu_Ballot.pdf

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Edith Bishop,

Sep 18, 2011 7:58 AM

v.1

Impromptu_Speech_Guidelines.pdf

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Edith Bishop,

Sep 7, 2009 12:07 PM

v.1

Judges_Instruction_Sheet.pdf

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Edith Bishop,

Sep 7, 2009 12:07 PM

v.1

Multiple_Reading_Ballot.pdf

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Edith Bishop,

Sep 18, 2011 7:59 AM

v.1

Poetry_ballot.pdf

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Edith Bishop,

Sep 18, 2011 7:59 AM

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Prose_ballot.pdf

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Edith Bishop,

Sep 18, 2011 7:59 AM