Judge with us
Our tournaments require dozens of judges! Please follow our Instagram at @omssdl_ or our website to keep up to date on tournaments, and come judge for us!
Note: We unfortunately cannot do rigorous judge training. To provide our middle schoolers with as much support as possible, we ask for high schoolers with at least half a year of competitive experience, or adults with background in the debate community.
There are different events at the middle school level, and we use different times, too! Please see the below judging manual for details.
Congress (External)
Students simulate a legislature by debating pre-prepared bills, following parliamentary procedure as they deliver speeches and question each other. Judges look for well prepared arguments and respectful, convincing engagement.
Times: 3 minute speech, back and forth between Affirmation & Negation. Defer to parliamentarian on authorships and questioning blocks
Public Forum (Pattern A: Debate)
Rules are identical to the high school level, including the coin flip and pre-prepared topic. Speaker points are 25-30. Try not to enter low point wins. We allow mavericking. Please talk to Tab if you do not feel able to judge this event.
Times:
2 minutes running prep anytime
Team A S1 Constructive: 3 min
Team B S1 Constructive: 3 min
2 minute S1 crossfire
Team A S2 Rebuttal: 3 min
Team B S2 Rebuttal: 3 min
2 minute S2 crossfire
Team A S1 Summary: 2 min
Team B S1 Summary: 2 min
3 minute grand crossfire
Team A S2 Final Focus: 2 min
Team B S2 Final Focus: 2 min
Parliamentary (Pattern A: Debate)
Rules are identical to the high school level, including questioning. Speaker points are 25-30. Try not to enter low point wins. We allow mavericking. Please talk to Tab if you do not feel able to judge this event.
Times:
10 minutes prep granted
Aff S1 Constructive: 3 min
Neg S1 Constructive: 4 min
Aff S2 Rebuttal: 4 min
Neg S2 Rebuttal: 4 min
Neg S1 Final Summary: 2 min
Aff S1 Final Summary: 3 min
Tall Tales (Pattern B: Speech)
This is an event unique to the middle school level similar to impromptu!
Students receive a set of three random words, and tell a story that incorporates all three words. Judges look for creativity, clarity, and quality of integrating the prompt.
Times: 1 minute preparation,
3 minute speech
Poetry & Prose (Pattern B: Speech)
At the middle school level, poetry and prose competitors compete in the same, combined event. Students should focus on storytelling with inflection and emotion.
Poetry: Student chooses to read from a pre-prepared collection of poetry. This is a 5:30 speech with no minimum time.
Prose: Student reads an excerpt from a short story or novel. This is a 5:30 speech with no minimum time.
Sales (Pattern B: Speech)
This is an event unique to the middle school level! Students draw a random object and give a sales pitch for why the judge should buy that object. Judge by creativity, clarity, and persuasion.
Times:
1 minute preparation,
3 minute speech
Impromptu (Pattern B: Speech)
Student draws a set of 3 random prompts, and from there chooses a topic to speak about. Judge on clarity, organization, and effect.
Times:
1 minute preparation,
3 minute speech + 30 sec grace period
Oratory (Pattern B: Speech)
Students pre-prepare an informative or persuasive speech about a chosen issue. Students are not required to be memorized, but this can be factored in. They should explain the problem and end in a call to action.
Times
Speech between 3:30 and 4:30
Reminder: Turn in your ballots immediately after you make your decision! We are waiting on your ballots to start the next round, and waiting on ballots delays tournaments. You can continue to edit feedback after your decisions are in until 8:00 pm.
