Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Adjudication Guide 2012
Adjudication Guide 2012
ADJUDICATION CHECKLIST
The following is a summary of the adjudication section of our handbook:
x Ensure the following marksheet details are complete & legible: sSHDNHUV¶IXOOQDPHVQDPHV of teams & their
schools;; moot;; correctly added scores. All scores should be within the 60-80 marking band.
x Check whether teams have brought a timekeeper & chairperson ± if not, you will need to do these tasks yourself.
x Timekeeping:
o Junior Open: Speaking time is 5 minutes with 1 bell at 4 minutes & 2 bells at 5. Issue continuous bells at
5.30 if the speaker is still speaking as a signal that they need to sit down.
o Senior Open: Speaking time is 6 minutes with 1 bell at 5 minutes & 2 bells at 6. Issue continuous bells at
6.30 if the speaker is still speaking.
x Chairing:
o Welcome speakers & audience at the start of the debate, then thank them at the end.
o Call each speaker up.
x You control the room & may ask teams or the audience to be quiet if you feel they are disrupting the person
speaking.
x Reaching a decision:
o There are no killer blows: A team will not lose just because 1 of their speakers has not spoken to time.
o Ask yourself which team you were more persuaded by overall: A team will not usually win simply by
giving an amazing 3rd speech or reply.
o 1 team always has to win ± there are NO draws in debating!
x Delivering an adjudication:
o Appear confident & committed to your decision. Your adjudication should be persuasive.
o A useful format can be explaining how you saw the debate, giving the result & then offering specific
feedback to teams & individuals.
o Speakers may approach you after the debate to further explain your decision & you are welcome to do so.
However, in the unlikely event of a complaint, please refer the speaker to a member of the ASD
committee. If a member is not present, ask the speaker to email the committee.
x It is crucial that you hand in your marksheet to the Host School Co-ordinator at the end of the debate.
x Need more tips? Visit www.aucklandschoolsdebating.org.nz or email info@aucklandschoolsdebating.org.nz