BURDENS & JUDGING Speaker’s Development, Week 7 Karolien Michiels

Following the Burden  Both sides of a debate can necessarily make good arguments (otherwise the motion is bad)  So it is not just about making arguments, it is about making arguments that matter  The ‘burden’ of a debate = what you need to proof in order to win  Following the shifting burden throughout the debate is also the task of a judge

Judging  Following the shifting burden throughout the debate is also the task of a judge  So we are going to practice this twice  First by discussing the set-up of a debate here  Secondly by judging the main debate tonight in group

Judging Guidelines  Be comparative  Follow the burden  Judge the positives, not the negatives  The best team does not necessarily win

How to come to a judging opinion  Everyone has a different method, this is mine  Write down briefly what everyone has contributed to the debate  This will tell you what burdens have been fulfilled and which ones have not  Focus on the arguments that matter, not every argument is equal  Be comparative  Do not go with your instinct: it tends to reward fancy words, male speakers, deep voices, native accents, your own opinion…

How to lead a judging discussion  If there is a clear hierarchy in your judges, ask novice judges’ opinion first (so that they dare to disagree)  If there is no clear hierarchy, give your call first (otherwise whoever speaks first thinks they are more right because they spoke first – weird, but true)  Focus your attention on the contentious lines (= comparisons between two teams)  Finish one line before you come to another (to prevent the discussion going in circles)

How to lead a judging discussion II  People are allowed to give new arguments in their response in a judging conversation; do not allow them to go in circles because they still don’t disagree – keep the conversation productive  When a wing acquiesces to a decision, double- check they understand and/or agree  Continued disagreements should be rare, because you are rationalizing about the debates and the normal rules of logic apply (i.e. it is reasoned judging, not personal preferences)

How to lead a judging discussion III  If you agree to disagree – you both accept there are two reasonable calls – you can vote. Chair has casting vote  This is optional, but I think it is worth doing: try to think of one point of improvement for each speaker at their level and one thing they did well  Be nice & be in charge & be nice  Listen to understand, not to reply