Congressional Debate
Overview:
Students in this event participate in a simulation of Congress. They debate affirmative and negative on legislation that has been placed on the docket for their chamber. A student Presiding Officer is elected by this body to manage the parliamentary procedure of the round. The goal of students is to give persuasive speeches that contain strong argumentation supported with evidence. They also participate in a questioning period after they speak when they must answer probing questions from their colleagues. As judge you will score each speech according to the rubric, and rank participants from first to last at the end of the round.
How to Judge Congress
PF Judge Training from National Speech and Debate Association
Showcase: Congressional Debate
An event overview with clips from NSDA Nationals Final Rounds
Navigating Congressional Debate Judging
A few tips from Students
Congress Judge Instructions
Judging Advice from Harvard's Congress Summer Workshop Director, Adam Jacobi
Parliamentarian Instructions
Parliamentarian advice from Harvard's Congress Summer Workshop Director, Adam Jacobi
Scoring Rubrics
Rubric: Speaking
Use these guidelines to score each speaker.
Rubric: Presiding
Use these guidelines to score the presiding officer.
Helpful Tools
Precedence App
Grab this helpful app to keep track of precedence
A chart for understanding the basics of parliamentary procedure.
Judge Tip
If you are given paper ballots, you may wish to lay them out in an array in alpha order so you can quickly access the ballot of the speaker. Students will often ask the judge to give a nod when ready, so being able to quickly grab the correct ballot helps keep things moving. Keep the ballot for the PO (Presiding Officer) handy to one side since you will likely make comments about their skills throughout the session.