1. SPEECH CONTEST JUDGES TRAINING
Sunil Kottarathil, DTM,
District Director, District 105

2. OPPORTUNITY
EMPOWER

3. Page 4

4. RESPONSIBILITY
ENTRUST

5. Page 4

6. OBJECTIVES
Pick up Winners

7. SELECTING BEST SPEAKER DURING CLUB MEETINGS
Page 4

8. Judging Evaluation Selects a Winner Speech Appraisal & Advice
Uses Judging Criteria
Uses Speech Objectives
Does not Evaluate
Measures performance against purpose
No Suggestions or Explanations
Offers Suggestions for Improvement
Page 4

9. FAMILIARIZE WITH BALLOT SHEET

10. JUDGES BALLOT – TOP PORTION
Judging Guide: Helps pick a winner
Be Familiar with the Judging Items & Suggested Points.
No “Single” way of marking the ballots.
Take Notes during the Speech.
Focus on the Speech, not the ballot.
Sum the totals at the end.
Break your own Tie!
Follow the Judging criteria, not the overall impression!
Page 4

11. These are just some Techniques, not Exhaustive!
JUDGING TECHNIQUES
Perfect Role Model
Measuring against your ideal
First Speaker Model
Working with First speaker as reference
Add + or – based on comparison
Baseline Model
Select base score
Add + or – based on performance
These are just some Techniques, not Exhaustive!
Each one to his own!
Page 4

12. Must Rank All Contestants
JUDGES BALLOT – BOTTOM PORTION
Official Ballot: To be returned to Tally Counters
Must Rank
1st, 2nd & 3rd
Sign…Sign…
Sunil Kottarathil
Page 4
Must Rank All Contestants
Sign…Sign…
Sunil Kottarathil

13. Language is the Vehicle!
JUDGING CRITERIA
Category
International
Humorous
Table Topics
Content 50 55
Content is King!
Delivery 30
Delivery is Key!
Language 20 15
Language is the Vehicle!
TOTAL
100
Evaluation Contest
Analytical Quality
Recommendations
Technique
Summation
TOTAL 40 30 15
100
Evaluation Contest is different from others!
Look out for a good evaluation, rather than a good speech!
Page 4

14. CONTENT IS KING Quality of Speaker’s Message International Humorous
Development (Int, Hum, TT)
Structured around a “Purpose”
Opening, Body & Conclusion
Examples, Illustrations, Facts & Figures
Smooth transitions, present unified whole!
Effectiveness (Int., Hum, TT)
Judgement of how Speech came across.
Was the “Purpose” Clear? Was the contents aligned?
Was the audience interested in the topic?
Value (Int., Hum.)
Value to the audience, contribute to their thinking.
Did the speaker say something original?
Important ideas, though humor is not precluded.
Response (Hum.)
Reaction of the Audience to the Speech.
Did they understand and laugh?
Beware: Manufactured response!
International
Humorous
Table Topics
Page 4

15. DELIVERY IS KEY Quality of Speaker’s Delivery International Humorous
Physical
Appearance reinforcing message whether profound, sad or humorous.
Gestures, Expressions & Body Positioning.
Effective use of Speaking area.
Voice
Flexible voice, with pitch variations for emphasis.
Variety of rate and volume, not monotonous.
Clear Audibility and understanding.
Manner
Enthusiasm and Assurance.
Show interest in the audience
Does speaker believe in the message?
Confidence in reactions from the Audience.
International
Humorous
Table Topics
Page 4

16. LANGUAGE IS THE VEHICLE
Quality of Speaker’s Language
Appropriateness
Choice of words, in relation to the purpose & audience.
Fits the occasion
Promotes understanding of the speech.
Visual Scripting
Correctness
Focus on what the speaker said – excellent selection of words.
Proper use of Grammar.
Correct Pronunciation.
International
Humorous
Table Topics
Page 4

17. EVALUATION CONTEST JUDGING
Quality of Analysis and Recommendations
Not a Speech Contest!
Analysis, Recommendation, Technique.
Keep away “Clichés”.
Specifics!
Analytical Quality
Clear, Focused, Logical
Analysis of Strengths & Weakness
Identifying “Specifics”
Recommendations
Positive, Helpful, Practical
Identifying “Specifics”
Enable Speaker to Improve!
Technique
Sympathetic, Sensitive, Motivational
Feelings and Needs of speaker
Yet, no “Whitewash”
Summation
Concise Summary of Analysis & Recommendations
Positive & Encouraging
Not Abrupt
Page 4

18. HOW TO BE A GOOD JUDGE

19. Toastmasters International
UNDERSTAND YOUR OBLIGATION
Contestants
Toastmasters International
Audience
Page 4
Themselves

20. WHAT MAKES A GOOD JUDGE Fair Accurate Trustworthy Knowledgeable
Completely Impartial
Set aside Friendship, Age, Race, Gender.
Not even disapproval of speech topic should affect your judgment
Accurate
DEDICATED to making correct decisions
Fill out judges forms correctly
Adding points carefully
Trustworthy
Contestants are counting on you
Contest Officials are counting on you
Toastmasters International is counting on you
Knowledgeable
Page 4
Know contest rules
Be familiar with judging form
Good Listener
Listen carefully
Do not daydream
Do not get distracted

21. PRACTICE
Page 4

22. BARRIERS TO OBJECTIVITY

23. BARRIER 1 : SPEAKER POSITION
People tend to remember First and Last!
Hence, they may hold a slight advantage!
Page 4

24. BARRIER 2 : UNDERDOG
Give a break to someone with a handicap or has overcome a hardship
As a Judge, you DO NOT!
WRONG!!
Page 4

25. BARRIER 3 : HALO EFFECT
Attributing a favorable trait because of another trait!
Example1: Jack’s delivery is dynamic, so his content is really good.
Example 2: Cool Hairstyle.. He is definitely good in Humorous.
Example 3: He has done it in the past, he has to be good!
Page 4

26. BARRIER 4 : REVERSE HALO EFFECT
Attributing a non-favorable trait to another trait.
Example: Abid has questionable grammar, therefore his speech is weak”
Page 4

27. BARRIER 5 : SECOND TIME AROUND
Longer you are in Toastmasters,
the more likely you are to see a speaker more than once.
Imagine you are hearing the speaker for the first time!
Division
Contest
Area
District
Conference
2011, 2012,
2013, 2014
2015….
Club
Page 4

28. BARRIER 6 : NOT THE NORM Social behaviors that are not common to you
Behaviors differ from club to club
SPEAKER WITHOUT TIE??? I WON’T GIVE MARK !!!
CASUALS ARE NOT ALLOWED IN OUR CLUB..
Page 4

29. BARRIER 7 : PERSONAL LIKES & PREJUDICE
Page 4

30. BARRIER 8 : GIVE SOMEONE ELSE A CHANCE
This old man have won three years in a row,
Let’s give the girl a chance this year
Never let past performance effect your decision
2013
2014
2015
2016
Page 4

31. COMMON MISCONCEPTS Misconception Truth
Serious speeches are better when it come to International Contest.
Contestants CAN use humor in any contest!
International speeches must be motivational or inspirational.
Contestants CAN give any kind of speech. Even a pure entertaining speech can be given in International Contest
Use of Props, visual aids or music is not preferred.
Contestants CAN use props, visual aids or music.
As long as they are in good taste
Must place them on the stage and clean up right after the speech
Page 4

32. DISQUALIFICATION PROTESTS ELIGIBILITY TIMING ORIGINALITY
TO THE CHIEF JUDGE OR CONTEST CHAIR
GATHER JUDGES TO DISCUSS SPEECH
CALL IN SPEAKER TO DISCUSS ALLEGATIONS
VOTE
MAJORITY OF VOTING JUDGES MUST CONCUR IN THE DECISION TO DISQUALIFY
Page 4

33. RESOURCES
Page 4

34. JUDGING EXPERIENCE FOCUS ON YOUR SELECTED ROLE,
GIVE CHANCE TO OWN CLUB MEMBERS
ANY GOOD STANDING MEMBER CAN BE A JUDGE AT THE CLUB CONTEST
LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITY
FOCUS ON YOUR SELECTED ROLE,
TO GAIN MAXIMUM BENEFIT

35. A WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITY
ANNUAL CLUB CONTEST –
A WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITY

36. WHEN YOU ARE A CHIEF JUDGE

37. PREPARE Read the “Rule Book”!!! Arrive Early at the venue.
Ensure Venue Arrangements.
Liaise with Contest Chair:
Speaking Area
Eligibility & Originality certificates
Protest procedure
Selection of Judges:
Quality: Experience, especially at higher levels
Quantity: Based on the level of contest
Qualification: Contest, Club/Area representation

38. JUDGES BRIEFING – POINTS TO COVER
Judges Certification of Eligibility & Code of Ethics
Confidentiality
Encourage to refresh Criteria on Judges Ballots
Print “Full Name”, Contact Details and Sign
Sit close to the contest area
No to Timing, Evaluation! Not to Play God!
Consider only “Today’s” Performance!
Rank 1st, 2nd and 3rd Winners
Handover ballot to Tally Counter

39. BRIEFING – ROLE PLAYERS
Tie-Breaking Judge:
All aspects of Judges Briefing applies
Maintain Confidentiality (may skip briefing)
Rank ALL Speakers (NOT just the first three)
Handover ballot only to Chief Judge
Ballot will be used only in case of a Tie!
Sergeant At Arms:
“Strong Room” for Evaluation & Table Topics
Evaluation Notes
Clip Mike SAA: Position, Ladies, Audio Test
Entry & Exit to the Venue

40. BRIEFING – ROLE PLAYERS
Confidentiality
Timers:
At least 2 Timers
Timing Device: Position & Working Condition
Stopwatches (Mobiles to be on Airplane Mode)
Backup Equipment
Start of Timing: First Verbal or Non-Verbal Communication
Minute of Silence
Identify Disqualifications
Tally Counters:
At least 3 Counters
Collection of Ballots
Capture Judges, Contestant Names if available

41. IF SOMETHING IS NOT RIGHT,
DURING THE CONTEST
Ensure Fairness to all Contestants
One Minute of Silence between Contestants
Evaluation: Target Speaker & Contestant Notes
Monitor the Venue
Entry & Exit of Guests
Mobile Phones & Other Distractions
Recording or Proceedings
Contest Chair introductions
Contest Chair Table Topics
IF SOMETHING IS NOT RIGHT,
HALT THE CONTEST,
FIX IT IMMEDIATELY

43. TALLYING THE RESULTS Ensure Ballots are collected from All Judges.
Ensure correctness by repeated checks.
Rows (against each Judge) MUST contain 3, 2 or 1 (only!)
Total’s to be done for each contestant
Disqualified contestants to be identified, no Totals for them.
Rank all Contestants
In case of Tie:
Refer Tie-Breaking Judges Ballot
Compare results of only “Tied” contestants.
Higher placed contestant in Tie-Breaking Judges ballot wins!

44. BREAKING THE TIE Scenario 1 Scenario 2 Tally Counters Ranking
Ahmed & Gil Tied
Susan
Yoosaf
Ahmed
Gil
Philip
Scenario 2
Tally Counters Ranking
Philip
Susan & Yoosaf Tied
Gil
Susan
Yoosaf
Ahmed
Susan Yoosaf
Philip Gil
Ahmed

45. MANAGING PROTESTS Protest must be in writing
Prior to Announcement of Winner
Eligibility
Check online for Member / Club status
Check progress through the contest cycle
Contest Chair can take decision on Disqualification
Originality
All Voting judges to be present
Discuss the matter with Judges, including proof
Provide opportunity for Speaker to defend
Judges Vote to decide Disqualification
Majority decision stands!

46. DESTROY ALL SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS AFTER ANNOUNCEMENT OF RESULTS
Notify if there are Disqualifications
Winners:
Five or more Contestants: First, Second and Third place
Four or fewer Contestants: First and Second Place Only
Ranking of “All” qualified contestants to Contest Chair
Announcement is final, unless:
The results are announced incorrectly
In this case, Chief Judge, Tally Counters or Timers can interrupt the announcement.
DESTROY ALL SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS AFTER ANNOUNCEMENT OF RESULTS

47. LIST ALL QUALIFIED CONTESTANTS IN THEIR PLACEMENT ORDER

48. Page 4

49. SHARPEN THE SKILLS LEARNED- WORKSHOP
ARRANGE INTO GROUPS OF
EIGHT MEMBERS
DURING CONTEST
ONE - CHIEF JUDGE
ONE - TIE BREAKER JUDGE
OTHERS – VOTING JUDGES
AFTER CONTEST
TALLY TOGETHER
FILL UP FORMS TOGETHER
SELF ASSESSMENT
FOCUS ON YOUR SELECTED ROLE,
TO GAIN MAXIMUM BENEFIT