Judging Guidelines

Judging Guide

Judges must be familiar with the rules of all forensic categories as well as TFL tournament procedures. Make sure you get copies of Critique Sheets, Master Ballot , and Overview of TFL Categories.
Judges must arrive for the TFL tournament no later than 3:30 p.m., and the judging of Round 1 begins at 4:00 p.m. Upon arrival look for the forensic coach for whom you are judging. This forensic coach should have a pairings packet, a school map, and a stopwatch for you.
All judges must promptly report to the tab room prior to Round 1 to pick up the "Master Ballot" for that round. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES MAY YOU CHANGE JUDGING ASSIGNMENTS WITH ANOTHER JUDGE,NOT EVEN WITH ONE FROM YOUR OWN SCHOOL. Such a change can cause significant problems in the tournament.
Go to the room listed on the "Master Ballot." Once in the room, the judge must collect critique sheets from all students competing. If a student does not have a ballot, please secure one from the tab room. All contestants should fill in their codes, names, and titles/authors of pieces on the critique sheet before handing them to the judge
The judge MUST call on students to speak in the order in which their codes are listed in the pairings packet
Comment about student performances in writing, only---NO ORAL CRITIQUES, PLEASE! In a student's written critique make sure you politely describe weaknesses and show-off your forensics expertise with plenty of "how-to-improve" suggestions. Always include at least one positive comment---total negative critiquing can and will destroy student self-esteem REMEMBER, the students will use your written comments as indicators of their oratorical growth, success, OR failure! (Please proofread your written critiques keeping in mind that they must be legible, clear, and concise, and free of spelling/grammatical errors!
All judges are required to use a stopwatch for timing in a round. NO GRACE PERIOD IS ALLOWED! Any contestant who goes over the time limit, MUST be dropped ONE rank. NOTE: If there is no timer in the extemp room, then the judge must time this event. Please DO NOT drop a student in rank, if you have NOT used a stopwatch for timing, OR you have NOT used clear, constant time signals for extemp contestants. Notify a TFL officer in the tab room of any drop in rank
After all contestants in your room have been heard, it is then time to rank/score them. RANK the contestants in the order of excellence, with #1 as the best, #2 as second best, etc. THE LOWEST RANK GIVEN IS A 5, even if there are more than 5 contestants in the round. For example, 7 students have competed in your round, 3 of the contestants will receive the rank of 5. There CANNOT be any ties in rank except for 5th place. Assign an exact numerical SCORE for each contestant, with the contestant ranked as #1 receiving the highest score, etc. SCORES RANGE FROM 100 - 85. There may be no ties in score. (NO students can receive a score below 85!!) Make sure that the rank and score given coincide with your written critique.
Indicate the appropriate RANK, SCORE, and TIME on each student critique sheet AND on the "Master Ballot.

Properly completed critique sheets and the "Master Ballot" must be taken to the tab room as quickly as possible AT THE CONCLUSION OF EACH ROUND. Please do NOT penalize a student for a rules violation without first checking with a TFL officer in the tab room

Check at the tab table at the beginning of each round to see if you are judging that round. If you are free during a round, please remain available (preferably in the coaches' lounge), and cheerfully offer to judge when an emergency occurs (and they always do)

ROUND SCHEDULE

Round 1 begins at 4:00 p.m.
Round 2 begins at 5:15 p.m.
Round 3 begins at 6:30 p.m

*After picking up the "Master Ballot," a judge must immediately go to his/her assigned room in order that each round will begin promptly. THE ROUND CANNOT BEGIN WITHOUT A JUDGE!; It becomes necessary for a judge completing critique sheets or "Master Ballot" from a previous round to vacate a room, if this judge's presence is delaying the start of the next round.

The judge is responsible for the decorum the competition room. (The classrooms used for TFL competition must be left just as they were found!) Remember to close the door before the start of the round competition. If noise from the hall is distracting to you or any contestant, then the judge must step into the hall between speakers, and try to stop the noise. The judge also has the right to remove any person from the room whose behavior is distracting to you or any contestant
Videotaping, audio tape recording, and taking pictures ARE NOT ALLOWED during the round competition

General Judging Considerations

Language clarity grammar variety diction pronunciation use of dialects	Voice volume/projection vocal variety in pitch, tempo, and tone effective use of pauses appropriate emphasis consistent vocal characterization smooth delivery on introduction strong, final ending fluency (no unnecessary breaks in the flow of speech; use of tag lines)
Body posture/stance appropriate use of gestures and facial expressions lack of distracting or nervous movement handling of script or notecard consistent physical characterization appropriate movement for the category	Eye Contact directness variety frequency consistency focal points
Miscellaneous originality and creativity sincerity and believability energy and animation poise and confidence preparation appearance performing within the time limits audience appeal

Judging Considerations for Specific Categories

Original Oratory Time Limit: 10 minutes choice/appropriateness of subject analysis of subject effective introduction and conclusion logical organization development/ supporting information persuasive/ inspirational purpose clear central point memorization no movement restraints sincerity creativity use of two 3x5" cards (optional) use and identification of quoted materials	Extemporaneous Speaking Time Limit: 7 minutes knowledge/ analysis of material clever, effective introduction inclusion of exact question definite stand on issue explicit organization/ transitions logic adequate supporting information strong conclusion development/ length no movement restraints persuasive purpose citing of sources use of one 3x5" note card (optional)
Prose/ Poetry Reading Time Limit: 10 minutes choice/ appropriateness of selections memorized, clever, and effective introduction comprehension of ideas and style appreciation/ communication of meaning and moods creation of vivid images limited movement--gestures, but NO walking consistent, distinct characterization (vocal and physical) use of and visual contact with script	Dramatic/ Humorous Interpretation Time Limit: 10 minutes choice/ appropriateness of selection clever, effective introduction comprehension/ communication of meaning and moods consistent, distinct characterization (vocal and physical) consistent focal points limited movement--gestures and body movement, but NO walking memorization believability no costumes or props
Storytelling Time Limit: 10 minutes choice/appropriateness of selection clever, effective introduction appeal to children/believability coherence of story cutting appreciation/ communication of meaning & moods consistent, distinct characterization (vocal & physical) limited movement--gestures and body movements, but NO walking memorization no costumes or props	Duo Interpretation Time Limit: 10 minutes choice/ appropriateness of selection believability memorized, clever, and effective introduction used of and visual contact with script comprehensive communication of meaning and moods portrayal of the characters consistent off-stage focal points no physical or eye contact between characters except during introduction response/ interplay between characters (verbal and nonverbal) limited movement--gestures and body movements, but NO walking no costumes or props