Judging Speech & Debate

Judging is one of the most important ways parents and community members support our team and the broader Speech & Debate community. Every tournament depends on generous volunteers who are willing to listen, evaluate, and provide thoughtful feedback to students.

Why judging matters:

• Helps students improve: Constructive feedback from judges is one of the most valuable parts of learning.

• Keeps tournaments running smoothly: Every round needs a judge, and your participation allows more students to compete.

• Builds community: Judges connect with other parents, educators, and students while contributing to a positive tournament experience.
  
  

No prior experience? No problem!

• You don’t need to know debate jargon or have public speaking experience.

• Judges are provided clear instructions and training.

• Our team values creating a friendly, supportive judging environment—you’ll feel confident and prepared from the start.
  
  

Resources for judges:

• Step-by-step guides for different debate and speech events

• Sample ballots and scoring sheets

• Tips for giving helpful feedback
  
  

How to get started:

1. Review the judging resources linked below.

2. Sign up for the tournament you’d like to help with.

3. Attend a brief judge orientation (usually 15–20 minutes) before the tournament begins.
   
   

Your time and support make our tournaments possible—and our students thrive because of it. Thank you for being a part of the Lincoln Speech & Debate community!