I. GENERAL:

 A.  You are performing an important service for the students; therefore, never apologize for "lack of expertise."  If you cannot understand a speaker, the fault is the speaker's, not yours.

 B.   A good judge is a quiet judge.  SAY NOTHING TO ANY STUDENT other than a greeting that you extend to all the speakers.  Do not give special praise, do not give helpful suggestions, do not criticize verbally.  Do not ask the school of a student.

 C.  A good judge is an efficient judge.  Make your decisions quickly, fill out the ballot correctly, and get it to the Tab Room quickly.

II. BEFORE THE CONTEST:

 A.  Report to the judges' meeting before the contest.  It is usually near the area where breakfast is served.

 B. You should have received a judge code from your school's speech coach.  If you have not received it, check with the coach.

 C.  After the meeting, you should check ALL speech schedules to see where and if you are judging in each of the three preliminary rounds.  To do that, you must know your judge code.

 D.  When you determine where you are judging in Round I, make sure you have ONE all-purpose ballot and the appropriate number of the appropriate critique sheets.  You can determine the number from the schedule -- take as many as there are student codes in your room.  Take the same critique sheet as the event you are judging.

 E.  Read the critique sheet for each event carefully.  It contains the rules and procedures for each event.

 F.  If your judge code is NOT listed for a particular round, REMAIN in the judges' room; you may be asked to replace a missing judge.

III. JUDGING:

 A.  When you get to your Round I room, you should find the same number of students as are listed on the schedule.  If all are there, draw for speaker order.  Tear a sheet of paper into enough pieces so that every student can pick one.  Put a number on each (1, 2, 3 etc.  up to the number of contestants in the room).  The number the student picks will determine who speaks first, second, etc.  At this time, the students will put their speaker order, code, and title of speech on the board.  You should copy this information onto your ballot in the proper spaces.

 B.  Next, ask for the first speaker.  Before the speakers begin, ask they if and how they would like you to show them the passage of time.  If the speaker does not wish it to be shown, you nevertheless keep time -- just don't show it.  The speaker may ask you to show the amount of time remaining.  Try to accommodate all speakers' requests for timing.  (Time limits are on the ballot; note that the time for Extemp is different from that of the other events).

 C. During the speech, make comments on the critique sheet for each speaker.  Try to make POSITIVE suggestions on how the speaker can improve.  Do not simply say "good" or "weak."  Instead, explain HOW or WHY a student is doing well or poorly.  If you give a student a poor score (see below), make sure to indicate the problem with the presentation.  DO NOT WRITE THE CRITIQUES AFTER EACH SPEECH OR AFTER THE ROUND.  You may use lunch time to finish writing your critiques.

 D. After all the speakers are finished, thank them.  They should leave the room.  At this time, complete the ballot.  Determine the best, second best, etc. and rank them accordingly.  The best in the room receives a rank of "1," the second best a "2," etc.  NO TIES.  Be sure to transfer this rank onto the student's critique sheet after you have completed the ballot.  Next, assign percentages.  The #1 speaker receives the highest, etc.  The maximum % is 100 and the lowest is 75.  Return the ballot to the Tab Room immediately.  DO NOT HOLD ON TO IT. NEVER INDICATE THE RESULTS TO ANY STUDENT AT ANY TIME.

 E. At the Tab Room, you will receive a ballot and appropriate critique sheets for Round II.  This round follows IMMEDIATELY.  Repeat for Round III.  After Round III, report to the judges' room for lunch.

 F.  After lunch, the officials will announce the finalists; some judges will be asked to judge the Final Rounds.  Do not leave until after the Final Round judges have been announced.  If you have not completed your critique sheets, you can do them at this time.  Turn them in to the Tab Room when you are finished.