Transcript Judging Congressional Debate Harvard National Congress Presented by Adam Jacobi, NFL [email protected] At a Glance Evaluate every speech by each speaker - writing comments as students.

Judging Congressional
Debate
Harvard National Congress
Presented by Adam Jacobi, NFL
[email protected]
At a Glance
Evaluate every speech by each speaker
- writing comments as students speak.
Rank-order the eight (8) best legislators
at the end of the session
Evaluate the presiding officer
How Speeches Work
All speeches = up to 3 minutes
Sponsor/Author - introduces legislation;
establishes need.
Fields 2 minutes of questions.
First Negative - “ground” for opposition;
2 minutes of questions.
Other Speeches - 1 min. of questions
Frequently Asked...
Not necessary to recite legislation students + judges have copies.
Judges do not time speeches. This is
the student presiding officer’s job.
Do not ask students to write names on
the board. Use seating chart/roster
(time is of essence).
Argumentation
Speeches should argue - to make
substantive claims, to support those
claims with credible evidence, and to
show impact on people/society.
After the sponsor/author speech,
students should respond to other
speakers, building or refuting.
Questions & Answers
Listen to speakers’ answers to
questions – do they show a firm working
knowledge of issues beyond their own
speeches?
There is a space on the evaluation
sheet to note any issues with questions
asked by the student.
Delivery
Congress is more an exercise in
spontaneously reacting to others’
viewpoints, rather than polished oration,
though some oratorical flourishes
(rhetorical devices) may be present.
Delivery
Extemporaneous delivery is preferred
(sparse use of notes, but not a word-forword manuscript).
Take effective movement, eye contact
and audience engagement into account.
Note distracting bad habits.
Priorities?
Pay more attention to the content of
students’ speeches (what they say)
than delivery (how they say it).
It isn’t necessary to note all arguments
students make; rather comment on
specific arguments that were
questionable or spot-on.
Constructive Critiques
Avoid generalizations like “good,”
“weak,” “work on...”
Use specific comments that describe
exactly what you found fault or strength
with. If you were the student, would you
know exactly what the judge was
looking for, and how to fix it?
Johnny Appleseed
2
3-038
x
38
H3
x
Be cautious when trying Slow down! You hit us w/
to explain nuances of
several statistics, without
economic theory-you
providing analysis to help
talked yourself in circles. us understand the
You are reading too much significance of those stats.
off your notepad. Just write When you reference another
short bullets that prompt speaker, please use her name.
All that said, a solid speech!
you to say more.
Please
write
legibly
in blue or
black ink.
George Washington
Don’t be too aggressive. Wait for
their response before interjecting.
Shermer HS
Awarding Points
1 = Disgraceful behavior/mockery
Spoke on the wrong side
So brief, there was no substance
2 = Minimal effort; little substance
3 = Mediocre (not well organized or
substantive in information
offered)
Awarding Points
4 = Proficient - meets expectations,
but isn’t particularly original or
skillful in advancing debate
5 = Excellent - solid, although there
may be some minor flaws, or
fluency of delivery is lacking.
Awarding Points
6 = Superior – not necessarily perfect,
but flaws were so minor, they did not
detract from the impact of the speech.
Minor pauses in fluency are acceptable.
Presiding Officers
Separate rubric of standards: fairness of
speaker recognition, handling questions
and motions, command of procedure
and ability to hold decorum.
2
Johnny Appleseed
3-038
38
H3
Communicate your approach to speaker recognition more clearly when you
begin the session, so there are fewer questions later. Remember, it’s better to
be methodical (and even a bit slow), than to make an unfair speaker selection.
...
George Feeney
3
15
Shermer HS
Overall PO Performance
Facilitate debate in assertive but not
aggressive manner?
Were motions/votes handled efficiently?
“Crutch phrases,” or word economy?
Considering the PO’s aggregate performance,
how would it compare to a speaker’s
performance based on your expectations?
Holistic Ranking
Rank-order the eight (8) best legislators
at the end of the session
Account for the “whole legislator” –
skills, knowledge, disposition.
Use seating chart and alphabetized
roster to keep notes as you go.
Quality and quantity (but +Quality)
A Word about Laptops
Students may use laptops as per NFL
rules.
Scorers can monitor use from back
Students may not CONNECT. They
may access files stored on it.
Watch for games/distractions.
Thank you!
Scorers may report to chambers
Parliamentarians, please stay
(anyone wishing to learn how serving as
a parliamentarian works may stay!)