Judges Training

Judges Training

District 26 Toastmasters

Part One

Contest Roles

Contest Chair

Responsible for the entire contest Make room arrangements Make sure you have all materials needed to

run a contest Know the contest rules

Contestants

Prepare and deliver a speechParticipate in Evaluation and Humorist

(Fall) or Table Topics and International (Spring) Contests.

Chief Judge

Appoint and brief timers, counters and tie breaking judge

Brief the judgesProvide the names of the winners to the

contest chairKnows the contest rules

Chief Judge

Brief judges by reviewing the judges guide ballot

Remind judges that their decision is confidential

Brief timersBrief counters

Chief Judge

Explains to the audience that… The contestants have been briefed The judges have been briefed The timers and counters have been briefed

Chief Judge

Explains to the audience… Contestants know where the timing lights are No photography during the speeches Turn all cell phones off Announces the speaking order

Toastmaster

Briefs contestants Verify their presence and name pronunciation Review rules Review timing protocol Review speaking area Draw for speaking order

Toastmaster

No opening remarks about any contestantAnnounce each contestant by name,

speech title, speech title, nameObserve one minute of silence between

speakers

Toastmaster

After the contest… Conduct brief interview Have each contestant give club name and

area Present certificate of participation Announce any disqualifications without

naming any contestants names

ToastmasterAnnouncements from Area, Division and

District OfficersAnnounce winners

Contest with five or more contestants announce 1st, 2nd and 3rd place (in reverse order)

Contest with four or fewer contestants announce 1st and 2nd place (in reverse order)

Toastmaster

The announcement of contest winners is final unless the list of contest winners is announced incorrectly

If the list of winners is announced incorrectly…

The chief judge or counters may immediately interrupt to correct the error

Judges

Use the judges ballot to select a 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winner

All information is confidential

Tiebreaking Judge

Rank all the speakers numerically on the tiebreaking judges ballot

Ballot is given only to the chief judgeBallot is only opened in case of a tie

Timers

To record the duration of each speechSubmit the information to the chief judgeAll times are confidential

Counters

Collect and count all ballotsAll information is confidential

Sargent at Arms

Opens meetingIntroduce the ToastmasterEnsures that no one enters or leaves

during a speech

Part Two

Judging

What is the purpose of a Judge?

To Pick A Winner!!

To Select the person who has given the best speech

What is the difference between judging and evaluating?

Evaluating:Is a speech appraisalMeasures presentation against purposeOffers improvement advice

What is the difference between judging and evaluating?

As a Judge:You do not EvaluateYour decision is confidential

Don’t explain your decision Don’t offer contestants suggestions for

improvement

What makes a good judge?

Fair Completely impartial Set aside - friendship, age, race, gender, etc.. Don’t let anything including disapproval of

speech topic get in the way of your decision

What makes a good judge?

Accurate Dedicated to making the correct decision Filling out the judges form correctly Adding points carefully

What makes a good judge?

Trustworthy Understand that the contestants, contest

officials and Toastmasters International is counting on you to select the best speaker

What makes a good judge?

Knowledgeable Know the current contest rules Be familiar with the judging form

What makes a good judge?

Good Listener Listen carefully to each speaker Don’t become distracted Don’t daydream

Barriers to Objectivity

Speaker position People tend to remember the first and last

contestant May hold a slight advantage

Barriers to Objectivity

Champion for the underdog Normal to want to give a break to someone

with a handicap or has overcome a hardship As a judge you do not

Barriers to Objectivity

Halo effect Attributing a favorable trait because of

another favorable traitExample: “Joe’s delivery is dynamic so his

content is really good”

Barriers to Objectivity

Reverse halo effect Attributing a non-favorable trait to another

non-favorable trait Example: “Jane has questionable grammar,

therefor her speech is weak”

Barriers to Objectivity

Second time around Longer you are in Toastmasters the more

likely you are to see a speaker more than once

Imagine you are hearing the speaker for the first time

Barriers to Objectivity

Give someone else a chance Betty won last year, let’s give Bob a chance

this year Never let past performance effect your

decision

Barriers to Objectivity

Not the norm Social behaviors that are not common to you Behaviors differ from club to club

Common Misconceptions

Speeches must to be serous Contestants can use humor

Speeches must be motivational or inspirational Contestants can give any kind of speech they

wish

Common Misconceptions

Contestants CAN use props, visual aids or music As long as they are in good taste Must place them on the stage and clean up

right after the speech

Disqualifications

Contestants can only be disqualified for Eligibility Timing Originality

Disqualifications

Eligibility Member of good standing in a club of good

standing Maintain eligibility at ALL levels Check eligibility with Word Headquarters prior

to the contest

Disqualifications

Timing 30 second grace period Clock starts with the first definite verbal or

non-verbal communication with the audience

Disqualifications

Originality No large amounts of quoted material Properly cited sources No plagiarizing

Disqualifications

Protest For originality only Must protest in writing to the chief judge

before the winners are announced Only contestants or judges can protest

Part Three

Judges Guide and Ballot

Judges Guide and Ballot

Is laid out in two parts Top portion to help you pick a winner Is not given to the counters

Judges Guide and Ballot

The bottom portion is the official ballot Will be given to the counters and must be

complete Three different names for 1st, 2nd and 3rd

Must signed by the judge Chief Judge will throw out if not filled out

correctly

Judges Guide and Ballot

Not only one way to fill out the ballotUse a notebook to take notes then fill in

ballotThis way you are focused on the speech

not the ballotYou must break your own tie

Judges Guide and Ballot

Three main categories Content Delivery Language

Judges Guide and Ballot

Content Worth 50% of the speech points Determines the quality of the speakers

message

Judges Guide and Ballot

Content Speech development

• Structure – defined opening, body and conclusion• Organization – purpose clear and defined• Support material

Judges Guide and Ballot

Content Effectiveness

• Achievement of purpose – Subject matter clear to audience

• Audience interest – Subject relevant to the audience

• Reception – How does the audience react

Judges Guide and Ballot

Content Speech Value

• Ideas – Does the speaker have something to say• Logic – Have a clearly defined message• Original Thought – Stimulate listeners thinking

Judges Guide and Ballot

Delivery Worth 30% of speakers points The way the content of the speech

represented Delivery is both verbal and physical

Judges Guide and Ballot

Delivery Physical

• Appearance – Does the speaker look neat and appropriate

• Body Language – Gestures have purpose, facial expression match the message

• Speaking Area – How well the area is used

Judges Guide and Ballot

Delivery Voice

• Flexibility – Good quality, modulate to show feeling and emotion

• Volume – adequate for the room, words clear, easy to understand

Judges Guide and Ballot

Delivery Manner

• Directness – Does the speaker believe in their message

• Assurance – Clear and confident in sharing the message

• Enthusiasm – Speak with enthusiasm conveying the message

Judges Guide and Ballot

Language Counts for 20% of the speech points Is about the speakers word choice and

grammar

Judges Guide and Ballot

Language Appropriateness

• To speech propose – Does the language fit the speech

• To audience – Promote understanding of the speakers message

Judges Guide and Ballot

Language Correctness

• Grammar – Is the speakers grammar good • Pronunciation – Enunciation good• Word Selection – diction and word choice effect,

show study and preparation

Judges Training

You are now ready to confidently judge the contest!

Have fun and enjoy