national christian forensics and communications association

National Christian Forensics and Communications Association“…address ing l i fe i ssues f rom a b ib l ica l

wor ldv iew in a manner that g lor ifi es God…”

Welcome to Judge OrientationFor NCFCA Debate!

We appreciate your time!

You are making an investment in the lives of our students.

You are helping young people across the country to learn communication skills.

Thank You for

Coming!

This is a communication activity. It is the student’s job to communicate with you.

You are Qualified to Judge You have already been

judging communication.

We will give you the tools to evaluate the students.

In This Orientation

What is NCFCA debate?

How to l isten to or “fl ow ” a debate round

How to make a decis ion

How to fi l l out the bal lot

Guidel ines to remember

What is NCFCA debate?

Respectful argumentation between two teams on opposing sides of an idea

The affirmative team argues for the topic

The negative team opposes the topic or the affirmative’s position

Debate teams will alternate sides over the six preliminary rounds of the tournament

NCFCA Styles of Debate

Lincoln Douglas Value (LD)

About 45 minutes

One person teams (one on one debate)

Deals with a clash of values

Team Policy (TP)

About 90 minutes

Two person teams (two on two debate)

Deals with a change in policy

2 0 1 3 - 2 0 1 4

Debate Topics

The topics or “resolutions” for this year: Lincoln Douglas Value Debate

Resolved: National security ought to be valued above freedom of the press.

Team Policy DebateResolved: That federal election law should be significantly reformed in the United States.

In Your Judge Packet…

Ballot

Flow Sheet – note-taking system for debate

Debate Rules and Ethics Guidelines

Speaker Point Guide

What To Expect

Debaters will introduce themselves.

You will record their names on the ballot.

John Doe Jan Smith

Jane Doe Jeff Gray

What To Expect

Timekeeper will sit near you and give hand signals to the debaters.

There will be one (1) judge in each preliminary round.

Before the round begins, debaters may ask if you’d like to share a little bit about yourself or if you have any judging experience.

Debate Communication

Real world, conversational-style communication is valued.

The burden of communication is on the debater.

Debaters are responsible for clarifying any terminology they use in the debate round.

Set aside personal bias. Listen to the debate and take

notes. Evaluate the debate round using

the same judgment you use to make normal, everyday decisions.

Judge the round based upon issues entered into and refuted in the round.

Decide which team best supports their position.

How to make your

decision

Team Policy Flow Sheet

This is a Team Policy debate note-taking system, called a flow.

It helps you keep track of the arguments.

FOR YOUR EYES ONLY!

Lincoln Douglas Flow Sheet

This is a Lincoln Douglas Value debate note-taking system, called a flow.

It helps you keep track of the arguments.

FOR YOUR EYES ONLY!

Structure of Debate

Each wide column represents a speech given by a debater.

A=Affirmative N=Negative

Constructive Speeches

The Constructive Speeches “construct” or build the arguments in the debate round.

Cross Examination

Follows each constructive speech

One debater asks a series of questions of his opponent

Debaters will face the judge – not each other

There is no space for cross-examination notes on your flow

Rebuttal Speeches

The Rebuttal Speeches respond to arguments already introduced in the Constructive Speeches.

Lincoln Douglas Flow

Flowing 101

Point 1a.Blahb.Blab

Point 2c.Yakd.Yak-yak

Point 3e.Blip

a.Blabb.Blabbity

a. Yak, yakb. Yackety-Yak

c.Blip-blop

a.Blahb.Blah blab

a. Yip-yapb. Yackety-yak

c.Blippety-blop

Did the debaters use. . .?

Now That You’ve Taken Notes

Sound logic and analysis Compelling and respectful

argumentation Adequate support Academic integrity Effective communication

These are things you might consider as you make your decision.

Let’s look at the ballot. Here is where you will record your decision and write feedback for the students.

The Ballot

The Ballot Highlighted portion

is where you record which team won – affirmative or negative.

Double Loss is a disciplinary action only (for both teams) – not a tie.

John Doe Jan Smith

The Ballot Record the reason

for your decision.

Suggestions on how to improve argumentation are helpful.

John Doe Jan Smith

2. Speaking Well

John Doe Jan Smith

Jane Doe Jeff Gray

1. Winning Debates

The Ballot

Debaters are judged for two things:

Evaluating the Speakers

John Doe

This is an individual speaker box from the ballot.

Each individual debater will receive feedback here.

Evaluating the Speakers

1. Rate the speakers in each of the six categories.

John Doe

Helpful Comments and Feedback

3. Write helpful comments.

21

2. Circle & total speaker points.

Evaluating the Speakers

John Doe

Helpful Commentsand Feedback

21

1. Speaker point total determines rank. Comparing all speakers in

the round, highest point total gets first rank, etc.

If speaker point totals are tied, break ties with rank.

2. Win/Loss decisions are not determined by speaker points. Team with lower speaker

points may win round

Don’t ask questions of the debaters, or give verbal feedback.

Do stay in the competition room for the duration of the round.

Don’t use your phone during the round.

Do monitor distractions in the competition room.

Guidelines

Debate is primarily a verbal activity. Please do not request written material directly from the debaters before, during, or after the round.

In the rare instance that you have a question about the evidence presented, you may request to review it for clarification or accuracy at the end of the round by speaking with a Judge Orientation staff member.

Questions?

When the round is over…

Immediately following the round, take your ballot to the designated Judge Area for completion.

Please do not mark your decision in view of the competitors.

Submit completed ballot to Ballot Return as soon as possible.

If you have questions, please see a member of the Judge Orientation staff.

Please do not consult anyone else about your decision.

Please keep your decisions confidential throughout the tournament.

Final Thoughts

We appreciate your time!

Please enjoy the Judges ’ ref reshments!

Thank you!