A Step-By-Step Guide
1.) Sign In.
When you arrive at the school, there will be a table near the entrance where
you will check in to let us know you have arrived.
2.) Scan the Pairing.
Before the first round, pairings will be distributed, indicating where each
team is debating, on what side, and with what judge. Scan the pairing for
your name; if you are listed as a judge , advance immediately to step 3.
If not, please stand-by near the Tab Room Table; you may be needed to replace
someone else.
3.) Pick Up Your Ballot.
Go to the Tab Room Table (always located centrally) to pick up your ballot
and have your name checked off the pairing by the Tab Room Table supervisor.
4.) Go to Your Round.
Find the room number in which you are listed to judge.
5.) Fill in the Top Portion of the Ballot.
Ask the debaters for their names and fill them in on the appropriate lines.
6.) Declare Your Judging Preferences.
In no more than 3-5 minutes, tell the four debaters whatever you feel they
may need to know about the particular way you conceive this activity, especially
your stylistic preferences (clarity and volume, speed, explanation of evidence,
etc.).
7.) Begin the Debate.
When all four debaters are in the room and ready, and when you are ready with
flow paper, a pen, a timer, and the ballot's top-portion filled out, tell
the debaters to begin the debate.
8.) Flow and Time.
As the debate proceeds, fulfill your duty of flowing and timing the debate.
9.) Render a Decision.
At the conclusion of the debate, reflect briefly on the arguments by reviewing
your flow sheet. Then make a decision for the affirmative or the negative,
and fill in the verdict on the ballot, with speaker points and ranks.
10.) TURN IN YOUR BALLOT.
Detach the top, white copy of the ballot, and bring it immediately to the Tab
Room Table, where your name will once again be checked off. You can fill
out your comments on the yellow and pink sheets and return them later.
11.) Provide an Oral Critique.
Return to you room and give constructive comments to each debater. However,
don't tell the teams who won. They find out at the end of the tournament.
12.) Repeat Steps 2 - 11.
These steps are taken for each debate round in the tournament. After all the
rounds as finished, it will be followed by an awards ceremony and the tournament
will be finished.
