Welcome to JudgeTraining.org, a free online resource for those who are new to the world of judging Speech & Debate. Here you can learn how to sign up for Tabroom, how to judge different events, and how to provide effective feedback and advice for the students you judge. We provide our service to the Speech & Debate community for those who are new to judging because we know that fair and informed adjudication is the key to the educational value of a learner's experience at a tournament.
Digital ballots are becoming the expectation at more and more Speech & Debate Tournaments, so your 1st Step as a judge is to create an account. This will allow the tournament to send info to your phone, tablet or laptop.
*Note: If the tournament you are judging is using paper ballots, you may skip this step.
A paradigm, in debate, is a statement about your beliefs and predispositions regarding how you will judge the debate round. Students will often ask about your paradigm before the debate begins so that they can adapt to your preferences during the round. If you are new to judging, it is preferred that you share this with debaters either in an oral comment before the round, or by creating a paradigm on Tabroom. If you are new to judging, let the debaters know. A few helpful comments might include:
It can be very educational to read the paradigms of other debate judge who have posted a paradigm on Tabroom. After you've judged a few rounds and begun to develop your own viewpoint, you should post your paradigm as well. It is most important that your paradigm gives an equal chance for both Affirmative and Negative to win, and is focused on creating an educational experience for all debaters.
The Reason for Decision is an important part of educational feedback. Please articulate the specific arguments and areas of clash that you focused on when choosing the winner so that any student or coach could understand your rationale.
Comments to individual debaters or teams can be helpful for improvement. You might include feedback about specific skills, delivery style, ability to adapt to your paradigm or encouraging compliments. Debaters and their coaches can read this information to improve.
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.
At every debate tournament there is a centrally-located Ballot Table (sometimes called a Judge Table, Info Table or Registration Table) where all judges check in, confirm details, obtain maps or schedules. Once you arrive at your venue, look for signs (or ask the kids in suits) and locate this table. If you arrive early, you may wait in the Hospitality Room where food and drinks are often provided.
Casual and comfortable clothing is the norm for most judges. Many are college students with jeans and t-shirts, some are debate coaches dressed for a long weekend. Debate Tournaments are a reversal of typical roles where the students are dressed professionally, and most adults are dressed casually.