Instructions to Toastmasters Judges

  1. SIGN YOUR BALLOT andprint your name clearly on designated line. Your ballot will only be counted if properly signed.
  1. If possible, do not sit next to another judge; spread out in the room. It is suggested that judges sit close to the contest area in case of an outside disturbance or malfunction of the sound system.
  1. Use the judging form to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the speech.

Start on the right side of the form to list the speakers and either cover or fold back the form so the points for the previous speaker(s) do not show. This is a suggested system. When judging, it is important to ensure that the criteria and their relative value is considered.

When the speaker has finished, add the total points.

After all the contestants have finished, rank them. Tie votes are not allowed. If you find you have a tie, break your tie!

Enter your choice for first, second, and third on your judge’s ballot. (NOTE: If you are the Tiebreaker judge, you must list ALL contestants in order on your ballot.)

  1. After you have completed judging the contestant, signal (eye contact) the contest master – the ballot counters will collect the ballots (the Tiebreaking Judge’s ballot will be collected by the Chief Judge not the Ballot Counter).
  1. If you believe that a speaker should be disqualified due to lack of originality, write your comment on your ballot for the chief judge. Only contestants and judges may file protests.
  1. Do not discuss your vote with anyone except the Chief Judge. The judges’ decision is final even if you disagree with it.
  1. If you have any questions, ask the Chief Judge.
  1. The Tiebreaking Judge’s ballot will not be counted unless there is a tie. For the tied position, the contestant ranking highest on the Tiebreaker Judge’s ballot will be awarded that place, Tiebreaking Judge must rank all contestants.
  1. Take the top part of your judges form home and destroy it. Do not throw it away at the contest or where someone might pick it up.
  1. Pay not attention to timing lights/cards. You are to judge the speeches according to the guidelines of the Judging Form.

Deborah Darbee, DTM

District 38 Chief Judge 2010-2011

District 38 Program Quality Director 2016-2017

District 38 Director 2017-2018

8 COMMON PITFALLLS OF JUDGING

1. FIRST OR LAST SPEAKER IS BEST

Don’t use the fist speaker as a standard for other speakers. Instead, rate all speakers against the standard criteria, not against each other. Judges should come to the contest with their own standards for speakers.

2. LET’S HELP THE UNDERDOG

“Give poor Joe a break. He keeps trying but never wins.” A brand new Toastmaster

should not be given more credit than an experienced speaker. New Toastmasters, experienced Toastmasters, and even professional speakers must be judged by the same criteria.

3. “HALO” EFFECT

“Sam was great last year…he’s bound to win this year.” “Good delivery…therefore, good contest.” Don’t allow one area of judging to influence the other. The past record of achievement of a speaker should not be considered in judging the current contest.

4. REVERSE “HALO” EFFECT

“Bad grammar…therefore, bad speech.” Don’t allow poor performance in one area to affect judging in another area.

5. GIVE SOMEONE ELSE A CHANCE

“He won last year; let someone else have a change this year.” “He blew it at the contest last year; let’s give someone else a chance.” All judging should be based on current presentation and following the guidelines and rules for judges.

6. JUDGES NOT FAMILIAR WITH JUDGING FORMS

Judges should be familiar with judging form. The contest should not be the first time the judge has seen the form. Judges must be familiar with the full use of the forms, including completing the bottom portion properly.

7. PREJUDICES AND PERSONAL PREFERENCES

A judge’s personal agreement or disagreement with the speaker’s point of view should not influence the judging. Individual preferences for the types of speeches and style of delivery should not influence the objectivity of judging the speech.

8. 2ND TIME AROUND SYNDROME

“He gave this speech a lot better at the previous contest.” Speeches must be judged with a fresh viewpoint, as if they are being heard for the first time.