1. Team Policy Debate Orientation

2. Volunteers make it Happen!
We can’t do this without you.
You are making an investment.
You are performing a teaching role in the
lives of our students.
You make it possible for young people to
learn these skills.
Thank You!

3. You are Qualified to Judge!
You already participate in communication activities.
It is the speaker’s job to communicate with you.
It is not your job to be a debate expert before coming.
Our goal is for our students to speak to
“the thinking man and woman on the street”
That’s You! 

4. What is Debate? Two opposing teams argue an idea: The Resolution
Affirmative (upholds the resolution)
Negative (refutes Affirmative position)
Debaters alternate sides during the course of the tournament.

5. Debate Resolution
Resolved: The United States Federal Government should substantially reform its electronic surveillance law.

6. Role of the Judge DO: Listen to the debate.
Decide which team best supports their position.
Reach a conclusion and cast a vote for the team
that best supports their position.
Provide written feedback.

7. Role of the Judge DON’T:
Request or accept written material offered by debaters before or during the round.
Interrupt or question the debaters.
Leave the room or take phone calls during the round.
Extend a debater’s speaking time.

8. Debater’s Role
The debaters are responsible for making their ideas clear to the judge, including:
Debate Theory
Organization of the ideas and
arguments in the round
Details of the Topic

9. What to Expect Number of judges: Timekeeper Greeting
1 in preliminary rounds
Possibly more in elimination rounds
Always an odd number
Timekeeper
To give verbal signals during prep time and hand signals during speaking time. (Sometimes the debaters will time.)
Greeting
Debaters will introduce themselves
May ask your judging philosophy

10. Before the Round Begins
Check to make sure:
You have not judged either of these teams in this event at this tournament
Find the room number
Make sure the tournament knows which ballot you have
Fill in your name (if needed)

11. Before the Round Begins
The ballot has space for the four names of the debaters:
If these are already filled in, verify the speaker positions
If these are not filled in, write them in before the round starts! (Debaters will be happy to help.)
Now, the debate may begin and you are ready to listen and take notes.

12. Constructive vs. Rebuttal
Constructive speeches are for building arguments.
This is where new arguments are presented.
Rebuttals are for refuting arguments that have been presented.
Answering arguments
Strengthening a position with deeper analysis
May present new evidence
No new lines of argumentation

13. 1AC – the First Speech Purpose:
Presents a problem with the current system
Why is it a significant issue?
Offers a plan for solving the problem or making the current system comparatively better
Provides evidence to support position

14. Cross-Examination Cross-Examination: Three minutes
Follows each constructive speech
Only direct interaction in the round
One-on-one question and answer
Debaters face you

15. Flowing/Note-Taking Flowing: Organizes the ideas in a round
Use flow sheet or plain paper
Just a tool to help you
Not to be turned in
The right note-taking system allows you to:
Absorb the presentation
Reach a conclusion and cast a vote
Give the debaters written feedback

16. TP – Round Structure 1AC 1NC 2AC 2NC 1NR 1AR 2NR 2AR
First Affirmative Constructive
1NC
First
Negative Constructive
2AC
Second Affirmative Constructive
2NC
Second Negative Constructive
1NR
Negative Rebuttal
1AR
First Affirmative Rebuttal
2NR
Second Negative Rebuttal
2AR
Second Affirmative Rebuttal
Cats are better than dogs.
Cats are adorable and soft.
Dogs are superior to cats.
Cats scratch a lot.
Dogs are loyal.
Dogs protect people.
Dogs scratch too and bite.
Dogs run away.
There is not a column provided on the flowsheet for cross examination, however, you may use the back for notes. It is blank. You do not need to turn in your flow sheet or any notes. They are yours to keep & we do not need to see them.

17. Other Key Considerations
Time Limits
Once the time is expired at the end of a speech, a debater may complete a sentence, but should not start a new thought.
Once time has expired, judges are free to discard additional comments or speech content when evaluating the round.
Debater Communication
Debaters may communicate and pass notes discretely
at the table.
Debater Prep time
Each team has a total of 5 minutes for preparation between speeches. The timekeeper should state start and end of this prep time, and any time remaining.

18. When the Round is Over
You may request to review evidence for clarification or accuracy.
Please return any evidence you review before leaving the room.
Do not ask the debaters for clarification of evidence or arguments.
Do not disclose your decision!
Do not solicit opinions about the round from other observers in the room.
Immediately following the round, take your ballots to the designated area for completion.
Put positive before negative

19. Filling Out the Ballot Two Independent Decisions:
Decide which team wins the round
Reward individual speaking ability
Set aside personal bias/opinion

20. Helpful Terms
You might hear some of these terms as the debaters argue the resolution:
Topicality – Are we on the topic?
Significance (Harms) – Is the problem significant enough to require action?
Inherency – Does the Affirmative plan exist right now? If not, why doesn’t it?
Solvency – Will the plan work?
Advantages – Benefits of the Affirmative plan.
Disadvantages – Undesirable effects of the affirmative plan.

21. The Student Ballot Vote AFF or NEG Evaluate the Speakers:
Write comments
Circle and total the Speaker Points
Rank speakers
NOTE to presenters: only orient the ballot(s) that YOUR TOURNAMENT IS USING

22. The Ballot – Speaker Points/Rank
Total Speaker Points
1 = poor…5 = excellent
Speaker points may be tied, break ties with rank
Lower speaker points may win round
Speaker Rank
Ranks speakers by high points 24 21 24 26

23. The Speed Ballot
This form is for early handoff to TAB, no RFD or comments please!
Vote AFF or NEG
Provide speaker points
Rank speakers
Instructions are on the bottom half of this ballot
NOTE to presenters: only orient the ballot(s) that YOUR TOURNAMENT IS USING

24. The Student Ballot
AFTER you have turned in your Speed Ballot, you are encouraged to write additional comments on the Student Ballot.
NOTE to presenters: only orient the ballot(s) that YOUR TOURNAMENT IS USING

25. The Ballot: Reason For Decision
Provide Written Feedback to the debaters
Your investment in and encouragement for our students
Judge round based upon issues discussed in the round
Set aside your personal bias/opinion
Be prepared to vote for a position you do not personally hold
Once you’ve cast your vote:
If you heard ideas or assertions you don’t agree with, or you have insights to share, use the ballot to explain this to the debaters
Double Loss = disciplinary only
The purposes of the ballot: To encourage the students, whenever possible tell the losing team what they could have done to earn your ballot.

26. Rules Judge Orientation Staff Available Written Rules Available
If you have questions concerning the round or your ballot, staff will be available to answer your questions.
Written Rules Available
The written rules will be available to you in the judge’s area.

27. Thank You