National Christian Forensics and Communications Association “…addressing life issues from a biblical worldview in a manner that glorifies God…” Welcome To Judge Orientation for NCFCA Speech Events

Thank You for Coming  We appreciate your time!  You are making an investment in the lives of our students.  You are helping young people across the country to learn communication skills.  We appreciate your time!  You are making an investment in the lives of our students.  You are helping young people across the country to learn communication skills.

You are Qualified to Judge  This is a communication activity. It is the student’s job to communicate with you.  You have already been judging communication.  We will give you the tools to evaluate the students.

In This Orientation  What kinds of speeches you will hear  What to expect in the competition room  The role of the judge  How to rank the students  How to fill out the ballots

Speech Categories  Platform Speeches  Limited Preparation Speeches  Interpretations  Platform Speeches  Limited Preparation Speeches  Interpretations

Platform Speeches what you often think of when you hear “speech”  After Dinner Speaking  Illustrated Oratory  Informative  Persuasive

Limited Preparation Speeches  Apologetics  Extemporaneous  Impromptu

Interpretations bringing literature to life…  Duo Interpretation  Humorous Interpretation  Open Interpretation  Thematic Interpretation

What to Expect  There will be three judges per room.  All judges need to be in the room before you begin.  Students will take turns presenting speeches.  You will rank the students from first to last.  You will give students written feedback.

Keeping Time  Each speech has a time limit.  How you weigh a student’s speaking time into your ranking is up to you.  A tournament timekeeper and/or timepiece will be provided in the round.  In some speech events, the tournament timekeeper will give hand signals.

What do I do when the speaker is speaking?  Look at the speaker as much as possible.  Listen attentively.  Respond appropriately.  Evaluate the performance.  Look at the speaker as much as possible.  Listen attentively.  Respond appropriately.  Evaluate the performance.

Judge Worksheet The top sheet of your ballot packet is the Judge Worksheet.

Judge Worksheet: Event Rules Please read the Event Rules at the top of the Judge Worksheet.

Judging the Speeches As a judge, you have two primary responsibilities:  Ranking  Writing

Judge Worksheet How to rank the speakers  Rank in between speeches

Judge Worksheet: Ranking the Speakers

Speakers might not speak in the same order as listed on your Judge Worksheet.

Judge Worksheet: Ranking the Speakers

Judging the Speeches Remember, as a judge, you have two primary responsibilities:  Ranking  Writing

The Ballot The remaining pages in your packet are the students’ ballots.

The Ballot Here is where you write feedback to the students.

The Ballot  Complete box in upper right corner 9:48 Greg  Record speech topic during speech  Timekeeper will tell you the length of the speech Football

The Ballot Well done! Needs work Great! Take 1-2 minutes between speakers to jot a few notes. Greg 2A206 9:48 Football John Doe

The Ballot Well done! Needs work Great!  Circle one asterisk on each line.  Complete ballots in Judge Area after the round. Greg 2A206 9:48 Football John Doe Well done! Great! O O O O

The Ballot Well done! Needs work Great!  Some violations require a penalty.  Here is the penalty section.  Some violations require a penalty.  Here is the penalty section. Greg 2A206 Football John Doe O O O O 9:48

Judge Worksheet: Ranking the Speakers If any of the speakers have a violation requiring a penalty, please take the entire ballot pack to the Ballot Return staff to assist you with the re- ranking at the end of the round.

Judge Worksheet: Ranking the Speakers If there are no violations, transfer the Original Rank into the Final Rank column.

Rank Speakers  Final rank is taken from the Judge Worksheet  Check the corresponding rank on each ballot

Please Do  Ask a tournament official for help if you are unable to start for any reason  Keep the round moving.  Monitor distractions in the competition room.  During the 1-2 minutes between speeches, rank speakers and jot down pertinent notes.  Stay in the room until all students have presented.

Please Don’t  Don’t use your phone during the round.  Don’t interrupt or question speakers during or after speeches.  Don’t rank speakers based upon personal bias.  Don’t confer with other judges.  Don’t discuss your ballot with anyone except a tournament official.

When the round is over…  Immediately following the round, take your ballots to the designated Judge Area for completion.  Submit completed ballots to Ballot Return as soon as possible.  Immediately following the round, take your ballots to the designated Judge Area for completion.  Submit completed ballots to Ballot Return as soon as possible.

Questions?  If you have questions, please see a member of the Judge Orientation staff.  Please do not consult anyone else about your decision or rankings.  Please keep your decisions confidential throughout the tournament.

Please enjoy the Judges’ refreshments. Thank you! We appreciate your time!