JUDGING RESOURCES
Thank you for volunteering your time to support high school speech and debate — your presence makes this activity possible. Whether you're a first-time judge or a seasoned supporter, this page is designed to give you everything you need to feel confident, prepared, and informed.
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Inside, you’ll find event descriptions, judging guides, sample ballots, and training videos. Our goal is to make your judging experience as smooth and enjoyable as possible — because your feedback doesn’t just decide rounds; it helps students grow.
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Listed below is the Capital Classic Handbook. This is a helpful tool that can inform you about our specific competition.
JUDGING DEBATE EVENTS
At its core, debate is a structured conversation where students present arguments either in favor of or against a topic chosen by the National Speech and Debate Association. The unique challenge? Students don’t choose which side they’re on — they’re assigned a position and must be ready to defend either side with clarity, logic, and respect.
As a judge, your role isn’t to decide who’s “right” based on your personal views. Instead, it’s to evaluate which student or team did a better job persuading you with their reasoning, organization, and delivery.
No prior debate experience is required — if you can follow an argument and make a fair decision, you can judge. Just listen carefully, take notes, and vote for the debater(s) who built the strongest case. We trust your instincts, and so do our students. Below are the three types of debates you may hear.
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POLICY DEBATE
Policy Debate is a 90-minute evidence-heavy format where two teams of two debate a yearlong topic focused on government policy. One team advocates for a specific plan to change current policy, while the other argues against it. Debaters present detailed research, cross-examine each other, and focus on real-world impacts. Judges should look for which team best supports their position with logic, clarity, and well-organized evidence.
PUBLIC FORUM DEBATE
Public Forum Debate is a 45-minute two-on-two event centered around current events and public policy. Topics change every month and are written to be accessible to the average citizen. Debaters aim to persuade a general audience by using clear logic, real-world examples, and effective communication. Judges should evaluate which team presented a more compelling and understandable argument — no specialized knowledge required. Because this is only 45-minutes, judges will judge two debates in the course of one round...this is called "flighting". So you will see a flight A debate and a flight B debate in one round. Judge both flights before returning your ballots.
LINCOLN DOUGLAS DEBATE
Lincoln-Douglas Debate is a 45-minute one-on-one format that emphasizes values, ethics, and philosophy. Topics often focus on questions of morality, justice, or societal principles. Debaters aim to prove why their value or framework should guide your decision, and they clash over how their arguments fit within that structure. Judges should look for well-reasoned arguments, logical consistency, and persuasive delivery. Because this is only 45-minutes, judges will judge two debates in the course of one round...this is called "flighting". So you will see a flight A debate and a flight B debate in one round. Judge both flights before returning your ballots.
JUDGING SPEECH EVENTS
Speech events give students the platform to inform, persuade, and inspire — all through the power of their voice. Unlike debate, speech competitors don’t argue against one another. Instead, each student performs their own original or researched speech, and your job as a judge is to evaluate how effectively they communicated their ideas.
Each event has its own style and rules, but at the heart of every speech round is the same goal: connect with the audience. Students are judged on their organization, clarity, delivery, and how well they engage you with their content. No technical expertise is required — just listen, reflect, and rank based on who made the strongest impression.
Speech rounds are often uplifting, thought-provoking, and surprisingly entertaining. Just sit back and let these young voices show you what they care about — and how powerfully they can express it.
ORIGINAL ORATORY
In Original Oratory, students deliver a memorized, self-written persuasive speech on a topic they are passionate about. The goal is to change minds or raise awareness through strong argumentation, emotional appeals, and clear organization. Oratories often include personal stories, statistics, and rhetorical devices. Judges should consider the strength of the message, the clarity of structure, and the effectiveness of delivery — all while remembering that the speech is entirely the student’s original work. The time limit is 10 minutes. Students going over the ten minutes may be penalized in their ranks if the judge decides to.
Example Student Performance
INFORMATIVE SPEAKING
Informative Speaking is a memorized, self-written speech designed to teach the audience something new. The student may use visual aids (like posters) to enhance understanding. Topics range from cutting-edge science to social trends to historical events. Judges should evaluate how clearly the speaker explains the subject, how well they keep the audience engaged, and the effectiveness of their visuals, if used. Creativity, clarity, and educational value all matter here. The time limit is 10 minutes. Students going over the ten minutes may be penalized in their ranks if the judge decides to.
Example Student Performance
EXTEMPORANEOUS SPEAKING
Extemporaneous Speaking is a limited-preparation event where students are given 30 minutes to prepare a 7-minute speech on a current event question.
United States Extemp (USX) focuses on domestic political, economic, and social issues.
International Extemp (IX) focuses on foreign affairs and global topics.
Students are expected to analyze the question, support their answer with evidence, and organize their thoughts clearly — all without a script. Judges should look for clarity of argument, depth of analysis, and smooth delivery, even if students occasionally refer to their notes.
Example Student Performance
JUDGING INTERPRETATION EVENTS
Interpretation events are where performance meets literature — and where students bring characters, emotions, and stories to life using only their voice, facial expressions, and body language. These are not speeches the students write themselves, but rather published works that they cut, craft, and perform to showcase their storytelling skills and creative expression.
Each performance is a solo event (except DUO), and students use only their physicality — no costumes, props, or sets — to transform into multiple characters, shift scenes, and capture emotion. Whether it’s something hilarious, heartbreaking, or powerfully poetic, Interp gives students the chance to connect with the audience on a deeply human level.
As a judge, you don’t need a theater background. Just look for clear character distinction, strong emotional impact, physical and vocal control, and how well the performer engages you in the story. Let yourself enjoy the ride — it might just leave you laughing, crying, or both.
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HUMOROUS INTERPRETATION
Time Limit: 10 minutes
In HI, students perform a comedic piece of literature — from plays to books to film scripts — edited into a solo performance. The goal is to entertain using vocal variation, facial expressions, physicality, and clear character distinction. While the tone is comedic, strong performances still have structure, pacing, and emotional range.
Note: Students may be ranked down at the judge’s discretion if they exceed the time limit.
Example Student Performance
PROSE & POETRY INTERPRETATION
Time Limit: 8 minutes
In this event, students perform a published work of either prose (like a short story, novel excerpt, or memoir) or poetry (a single poem or a thematic program of poems). Students use a small black binder to hold their script but should still maintain strong eye contact, expressive delivery, and emotional connection with the audience.
Whether the selection is narrative or lyrical, the goal is to interpret the text in a way that brings it to life.
Note: Students may be ranked down at the judge’s discretion if they exceed the 8-minute time limit.
Example Student Performance
DRAMATIC INTERPRETATION
Time Limit: 10 minutes
DI features a serious, emotional piece of literature. Students often portray multiple characters while tackling powerful themes such as loss, identity, or injustice. The goal is to create an emotional connection with the audience through character work, tone shifts, and controlled movement. This event is likely to contain messages that may be triggering to some audiences.
Note: Students may be ranked down at the judge’s discretion if they exceed the time limit.
Example Student Performance
PROGRAM ORAL INTERPRETATION
Time Limit: 10 minutes
POI is a unique event where students combine selections from multiple genres — prose, poetry, drama, news, etc. — around a central theme or message. Using a small black binder, students shift between tones, characters, and moods to create a layered, message-driven performance. Judges should evaluate cohesion, transitions, and emotional impact.
Note: Students may be ranked down at the judge’s discretion if they exceed the time limit.
Example Student Performance
DUO INTERPRETATION
Time Limit: 10 minutes
In DUO, two performers work together to deliver a cutting from a published play, book, or movie script. The piece may be dramatic, humorous, or a mix of both. Performers cannot look at or touch each other, so they must use synchronized movement, staging, and voice to create dynamic interaction. Strong DUOs feel seamless, creative, and emotionally in sync.
Note: Students may be ranked down at the judge’s discretion if they exceed the time limit.
Example Student Performance
STORYTELLING
Time Limit: 8 minutes
In Storytelling, students retell a story (often a folktale, children’s story, or fable) using their own words and delivery style. The focus is on engaging the audience through expressive voice, gestures, and pacing. Students may not move more freely in this event. They must remain seated during the performance. The only time they MAY stand is during the introduction. The performance should be entertaining and clear.
Note: Students may be ranked down at the judge’s discretion if they exceed the time limit.
Example Student Performance
JUDGING CONGRESS
Congressional Debate can feel a bit overwhelming at first — it mimics the structure of the U.S. Congress, with students debating proposed legislation in a large group setting. But at its core, your role as a judge is simple: observe, evaluate, and recognize the students who contribute most effectively to the debate.
In each session, students deliver speeches in favor of or against bills and resolutions on the docket. They are expected to engage with each other, respond to arguments made earlier, and speak with clarity, respect, and purpose. In addition to speeches, students participate in cross-examinations and are also evaluated on how well they follow parliamentary procedure.
As a judge, you’ll keep track of speeches, assess their organization, argument quality, evidence, delivery, and interaction with others, and rank the top performers based on overall participation and impact.
It’s okay if you don’t catch every policy detail — focus on who made thoughtful arguments, who engaged respectfully and constructively, and who demonstrated leadership in the chamber. Your feedback matters and helps these young leaders grow.