How to Judge a Debate Performance

Debates may be one-on-one or pit teams against one another.

Debates are not only an alternating exchange of information. They are a dynamic flow of arguments in which passion, information, refutation and conviction play a large role in swaying an audience and convincing others of the validity of a person's viewpoint. As a judge you must take into account the way in which debaters respond to one another, understand their opponent's arguments and develop cohesive statements that help prove a point. You also need to take note of the time restrictions and rules, making sure all debaters adhere to the same guidelines.

Things You'll Need

• Ability to critique
• Willingness to hear all arguments, including the ones you disagree with

Instructions

1. Consider the time restraints and rules of the debate. Before you begin to hear any arguments, familiarize yourself with the appropriate parameters for each debater. Most debates have a specific time limit for each speaker and a particular order in which people must speak.

2. Reserve your judgments and responses until the end of the debate, in which you reveal your judgments and declare a winner. Debaters will be actively watching you throughout the debate. Don't want to sway their opinion or damage their confidence by making facial expressions or nodding your head. By reserving your judgments you can be unbiased and fair.

3. Listen to both the argument and the way in which the argument is presented. Award points to those who present logical and cohesive arguments but also take into account those who present a well-articulated, creative or eloquent speech. Make both the logicality of the argument and the way in which it is stated part of your final decision.

4. Take note of the audience. The audience might respond with guttural noises, applause, nodding or heckling, all of which are signs of a person's ability to captivate and convince a group of people. You don't want to base your judgment solely on the crowd but be aware of how others are receiving a debater's arguments.

5. Observe the flexibility of debaters and their ability to respond to others' arguments. A large component of debate is being put on the spot, in which a person must construct a rebuttal in a short amount of time. Pay attention to the debaters' ability to think on their feet.

References

• Idaho High School Activities Association; Debate Judging Manual; John Billetz, et al.; 2010
• Long Island Forensics Association: Debate Judge Instructions
• The Middle School Public Debate Program; Judging Debates; February 2004