Getting Started: Make a Tabroom Account

Word to the Wise

Be gentle in your critiques.  Please remember that when you sit in the judge's seat, you are an educator and your primary goal is to encourage learners. You are often an ambassador of this activity for new speakers and debaters; make them feel welcome.

• Remember, your decision is based upon "who did the better job speaking/debating" not who changed your mind or agreed with your opinion. Seek to remove your personal bias. In our community, we hope judges will reward skills.

• Please don't make any comment or engage in any practice that would make students feel unwelcome in our community.  We all tend to identify with those students who might remind us of ourselves, but a judge's comments regarding race, ethnicity, gender, physical challenges, socio-economic status and other elements beyond a student's control should be avoided.

• As a judge, seek to have a balance of positive comments and constructive critique. Each student should read your ballot and feel that they were judged fairly and encouraged to learn more.

• Be aware of your non-verbal signals. Seek to give each student a smile and avoid any imbalance in attention among the competitors. Treat all with respect and positive regard. In an intense competition, even the appearance of bias can be destructive.