Speech Contest JudgesSpeech Contest JudgesTraining Training WorkshopWorkshop

March 27, 2005March 27, 2005Akira Saito, ATM-S/CLAkira Saito, ATM-S/CL

Den-en Den-en ToshiToshi Toastmasters Club Toastmasters Club

Contest ParticipantsContest Participants

ChairmanChairman

ContestantsContestants

TimersTimers

CountersCounters

Chief judgeChief judge

Tiebreaking judgeTiebreaking judge

JudgesJudges

Contest ChairmanContest Chairman

Responsible for entire speech contestResponsible for entire speech contest

Appoint committeesAppoint committees

Select venue, arrange room, etc.Select venue, arrange room, etc.

Order materialsOrder materials

Oversee contestOversee contest

Pay the bills, etc.Pay the bills, etc.

ContestantsContestants

Active Toastmaster in good standing ofActive Toastmaster in good standing ofa Club in good standinga Club in good standing

Have completed at least six projectsHave completed at least six projectsin C & L Program manualin C & L Program manual

Exception: A charter member of a Club chartered sinceException: A charter member of a Club chartered sincethe previous July 1 is eligible to competethe previous July 1 is eligible to compete

Ineligible To CompeteIneligible To Compete

Incumbent district officersIncumbent district officers

Immediate past district governorImmediate past district governor

District officers elect or announcedDistrict officers elect or announced

candidates for the next termcandidates for the next term

Compete inCompete inMore Than One ClubMore Than One Club

A Toastmaster can compete in moreA Toastmaster can compete in morethan one Club of which he/she is athan one Club of which he/she is amember, butmember, but

He/she can represent only one Club atHe/she can represent only one Club atthe Area Level contest - even if Divisionthe Area Level contest - even if Divisionis differentis different

Originality of SpeechOriginality of Speech

Must be substantially original (as selfMust be substantially original (as self

certified in writing)certified in writing)

Any quoted material must be soAny quoted material must be so

identified during the speech presentationidentified during the speech presentation

Originality claim may be challenged in the form of appeal

Your speech

JokesAnecdotes

Stories

Sources not creditedPublished workCredited sources

In public domain

Timers and CountersTimers and Counters

Two timersTwo timers

One to timeOne to time

One to operate indicator lightsOne to operate indicator lights

Three countersThree counters

To count ballotsTo count ballots

Chief JudgeChief Judge

Appoint and counsel timers, counters andAppoint and counsel timers, counters andtiebreaking judgetiebreaking judge

Provide judges with a brief pre-contestProvide judges with a brief pre-contestorientationorientation

Oversee countersOversee counters

Give the name of the winners to theGive the name of the winners to thecontest chairmancontest chairman

Tiebreaking JudgeTiebreaking Judge

Selected by the chief judge andSelected by the chief judge andknown only by himknown only by him

Rank all speakers, not just top threeRank all speakers, not just top threespeakers on a special ballotspeakers on a special ballot

Seal the ballot and give it to the chiefSeal the ballot and give it to the chiefjudge who opens it only in the eventjudge who opens it only in the eventof a tie by the contest judgesof a tie by the contest judges

JudgesJudges

Have been members in good standingHave been members in good standingsince the previous July 1since the previous July 1

Have completed at least six projects inHave completed at least six projects inC & L Program manualC & L Program manual

Should be selected from a Club or AreaShould be selected from a Club or Areanot represented by the contestantnot represented by the contestant

Judges Have ObligationsJudges Have ObligationsTo the contestantsTo the contestantsBe fair, unbiased and impartialBe fair, unbiased and impartial

To Toastmasters InternationalTo Toastmasters InternationalKeep up Keep up TITI’’ss reputation for excellence reputation for excellence

To the audienceTo the audienceNot to get the audience disappointed with poor judgingNot to get the audience disappointed with poor judging

To YourselvesTo YourselvesDemonstrate your commitment to self-improvementDemonstrate your commitment to self-improvement

Judging vs. EvaluationJudging vs. Evaluation

Pick a winnerPick a winner

JudgeJudge’’s decision iss decision isconfidentialconfidential

Appraise a speechAppraise a speechagainst speechagainst speechobjectivesobjectives

Advise theAdvise thespeaker how tospeaker how toimproveimprove

Good Judges Are -Good Judges Are -

AccurateAccurate

FairFair

TrustworthyTrustworthy

KnowledgeableKnowledgeable

Good listenersGood listeners

Art of JudgingArt of JudgingJudging is a subjective processJudging is a subjective process

Panel of Judges

Achieve objectivity

Barriers To ObjectivityBarriers To Objectivity

First or lastFirst or lastspeaker is bestspeaker is best

LetLet’’s help thes help theunderdogunderdog

Halo effectHalo effect

Reverse haloReverse haloeffecteffect

Second time aroundSecond time around

Give someone elseGive someone elsea chancea chance

Prejudice andPrejudice andpersonal preferencespersonal preferences

Unfamiliar judgingUnfamiliar judgingformsforms

First Or Last Speaker Is BestFirst Or Last Speaker Is BestBarrier to Objectivity

Treat each speaker the same

Last speakerLast speaker’’s impression lingerss impression lingers

Sandwiched speakers ???Sandwiched speakers ???

First speaker is remembered as First speaker is remembered as he/she provides a reference edgehe/she provides a reference edge

LetLet’’s Help The Underdogs Help The Underdog

We are inclined to give a sympathy vote to -We are inclined to give a sympathy vote to -

A new ToastmasterA new Toastmaster

One who has overcame a handicapOne who has overcame a handicap

etc.etc.

Don’t let feeling influence your judging

Barrier to Objectivity

Halo EffectHalo EffectShe dresses wellShe dresses well

Her pronunciationHer pronunciationis goodis good

She is an EnglishShe is an Englishteacher, etc.teacher, etc.

Her speech content must be good!Resist giving speakers high marks for anything otherthan good performance

Barrier to Objectivity

Reverse Halo EffectReverse Halo Effect

He is a sloppy dresserHe is a sloppy dresser

His grammar is poorHis grammar is poor

etc.etc.

His speech content must be weak!

Don’t down grade performance in one categorybecause of unfavorable performance in a differentcategory

Barrier to Objectivity

Second Time AroundSecond Time Around

““He gave this speech at the DivisionHe gave this speech at the Divisioncontest, and it sounded better then.contest, and it sounded better then.””

Judge the speech as if it werethe first time you’ve heard it

Barrier to Objectivity

Give Someone Else A ChanceGive Someone Else A Chance

““He won at the Area contest last year,He won at the Area contest last year,but lost at the Division contest. Letbut lost at the Division contest. Let’’s lets letsomeone else go forward this yearsomeone else go forward this year””

Never consider past successes or failures

Barrier to Objectivity

Prejudices and PersonalPrejudices and PersonalPreferencesPreferences

Tastes, preferences, beliefs andTastes, preferences, beliefs andprejudices are the most prevalentprejudices are the most prevalentbarriers to unbiased judgingbarriers to unbiased judging

Set aside likes and dislikes by asking yourself:- What do I like or dislike about this speech?- Is what I like or dislike relevant?

Barrier to Objectivity

Unfamiliar Judging FormUnfamiliar Judging Form

If you are not familiar with the judgingIf you are not familiar with the judgingform you will be distracted fromform you will be distracted fromspeeches while you are studying it.speeches while you are studying it.

Study the forms thoroughly beforehand andconcentrate on the contestants’ performances

Barrier to Objectivity

JudgeJudge’’s Guides Guide

Score

50

30

20

Content

Delivery

Language

Speech DevelopmentSpeech DevelopmentDid the speech have a purpose?Did the speech have a purpose?

Structured around the purpose?Structured around the purpose?

Opening - Body - ConclusionOpening - Body - Conclusion

Immediately engaged audienceImmediately engaged audience’’s attentions attention

and move toward a significant conclusion?and move toward a significant conclusion?

Effective transition from thought to thought?Effective transition from thought to thought?

Facts, examples and illustration relevant?Facts, examples and illustration relevant?

Content

Speech EffectivenessSpeech Effectiveness

Was I able to determine speakerWas I able to determine speaker’’s purpose?s purpose?

Did the speech relate directly to that purpose?Did the speech relate directly to that purpose?

Was audienceWas audience’’s interest sustained?s interest sustained?

The subject matter relevant to the audienceThe subject matter relevant to the audience

and to the occasion?and to the occasion?

Content

Speech ValueSpeech Value

Did the speaker convey somethingDid the speaker convey something

meaningful and important to you?meaningful and important to you?

Was speakerWas speaker’’s thoughts original ors thoughts original or

rehash of old ideas?rehash of old ideas?

Was speech thought-provoking?Was speech thought-provoking?

Content

PhysicalPhysical

Did speakerDid speaker’’s appearance (attire and posture)s appearance (attire and posture)complement or detract effectiveness?complement or detract effectiveness?

Are gestures and body movement effective orAre gestures and body movement effective ordistracting?distracting?

Do facial expressions support or betrayDo facial expressions support or betrayemotions the message carries?emotions the message carries?

Is eye contact sharp and direct or cursory?Is eye contact sharp and direct or cursory?

Delivery

VoiceVoice

Is it firm to show confidence and pleasing to winIs it firm to show confidence and pleasing to winthe audience?the audience?

Were pitch, rate and volume flexible forWere pitch, rate and volume flexible foremphasis and to show feeling and emotion?emphasis and to show feeling and emotion?

Was it clearly heard so you understand wordsWas it clearly heard so you understand wordseasily?easily?

Delivery

MannerManner

Did the speaker convey enthusiasm andDid the speaker convey enthusiasm andassurance for his message?assurance for his message?

Did the speaker show interest in theDid the speaker show interest in theaudience and confidence in theiraudience and confidence in theirreactions?reactions?

Delivery

AppropriatenessAppropriateness

Was speakerWas speaker’’s choice of words compatibles choice of words compatible

with the speech purpose and audience?with the speech purpose and audience?

Did speakerDid speaker’’s use of language promotes use of language promote

clear understanding of thought?clear understanding of thought?

Language

CorrectnessCorrectness

Were grammar and pronunciationWere grammar and pronunciation

correct, so your attention was directedcorrect, so your attention was directed

toward what the speaker said, not how ittoward what the speaker said, not how it

is said?is said?

Language

JudgeJudge’’s Code Of Ethicss Code Of Ethics

Avoid bias in selecting winnersAvoid bias in selecting winners

Do not time speeches or consider theDo not time speeches or consider thepossibility of under-time or overtimepossibility of under-time or overtimewhen making selectionswhen making selections

Support contest rules and do not revealSupport contest rules and do not revealscoresscores

Enjoy Your Judging!

Enjoy Your Judging!