17. Adjudication in Debate

Objectives

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• Understand the key criteria used to adjudicate debates, including argumentation, delivery, and strategy.
• Learn how to make fair and objective decisions during judging.
• Develop skills for providing constructive, actionable feedback to debate

1. Introduction (5 minutes)

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• Welcome participants and introduce the topic of adjudication.
• Explain the importance of objective decision-making and constructive feedback in debates.
• Share the session objectives and what participants can expect to learn.

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2. Discussion: Key Judging Criteria (15 minutes)

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• Facilitate a group discussion on the key criteria for judging debates:
  
  • Argumentation: Quality, clarity, and relevance of arguments.
  • Rebuttal: How well debaters address opposing arguments.
  • Delivery: Clarity, engagement, and persuasive delivery.
  • Strategy: Use of time, overall structure, and decision-making strategy.
• Write key points on a whiteboard or flip chart for reference.
• Encourage questions and share examples of each criterion in action.

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3. Activity 1: Judging Criteria Breakdown (20 minutes)

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Step 1: Provide a Debate Video (3 minutes)

• Show a 3-4 minute video clip of a debate (can be pre-recorded or live).

Step 2: Judging Exercise (12 minutes)

• Instruct participants to evaluate the debate using the following categories:
  
  • Argumentation
  • Style 
  • Strategy
• Participants should rate each category from 1 to 5 (1 being poor, 5 being excellent).
• Provide them with a Judging Criteria Worksheet to complete as they watch the video.

Step 3: Group Reflection (5 minutes)

• After watching the video, discuss with the group:
  
  • What criteria were most challenging to assess?
  • Did everyone rate the debate the same way? Why or why not?

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4. Activity 2: Providing Constructive Feedback (25 minutes)

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Step 1: Review Feedback Templates (5 minutes)

• Introduce the Feedback Template that participants will use to give constructive feedback.
• Discuss how to provide balanced feedback (positive, improvement areas, suggestions).

Step 2: Feedback Exercise (15 minutes)

• Have each participant write feedback for a debater from the video using the Feedback Template.
• Ensure that feedback addresses each of the following:
  
  • What was done well.
  • Areas for improvement.
  • Suggestions for improvement.

Step 3: Share Feedback (5 minutes)

• Participants share one point from their feedback with the group.
• Discuss the importance of positive reinforcement and actionable suggestions in feedback.

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5. Practice Judging in Pairs or Small Groups (15 minutes)

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Step 1: Pair or Group Participants (2 minutes)

• Split participants into pairs or small groups of 3.

Step 2: Mini Debate (8 minutes)

• Have each pair/group conduct a mini-debate on a provided motion (e.g., “This House believes that schools should eliminate exams.”).
• Each participant should take turns acting as the debater and the judge.
• Judges will use the Judging Criteria Worksheet to evaluate the debate.

Step 3: Debrief (5 minutes)

• After each mini-debate, the judges provide feedback to the debaters.
• Discuss the feedback process, focusing on how to deliver constructive and fair assessments.

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6. Wrap-Up and Q&A (10 minutes)

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• Summarize the key points of the session:
  
  • The importance of clear, objective judging.
  • How to structure constructive feedback.
  • The impact of feedback on debater improvement.
• Open the floor for questions.
• Encourage participants to practice judging and providing feedback in future debates.

Assessment

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• Formative Assessment: Continuous observation of participants' ability to apply the judging criteria and provide constructive feedback during exercises.
• Peer Review: After the mini-debate, peers will evaluate each other’s feedback and judging, helping to reinforce learning and highlight areas for improvement.
• Self-Reflection: At the end of the session, participants will fill out a self-assessment to reflect on their understanding of the judging process and feedback techniques.

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Tips and tricks

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• Be objective: Always separate personal opinions from your judgment. Focus strictly on the content, structure, and delivery of arguments.
• Stay calm under pressure: As a judge, you may face debates where emotions run high or arguments seem intense. Always stick to the criteria and avoid getting caught up in the drama of the debate.
• Use specific examples: When providing feedback, give clear, specific examples to illustrate your points. This helps debaters understand exactly what to work on.
• Balance positive and constructive feedback: Ensure that feedback is motivating and fair. Acknowledge what went well while also suggesting concrete ways to improve.
• Practice makes perfect: The more you practice judging debates, the better you'll become at evaluating arguments and delivering feedback quickly and effectively. Consider watching debates outside of workshops to sharpen your skills.

Appendix 1

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Appendix 2

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Feedback Template

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What Was Done Well:

[Provide specific examples of strengths in argumentation, delivery, or strategy.]

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Areas for Improvement:

[Provide constructive criticism about specific aspects, such as rebuttal quality, clarity of delivery, or argument development.]

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Suggestions for Improvement:

[Offer actionable steps for improvement, such as practicing rebuttals, working on body language, or developing stronger evidence.]