BFL Judge Training
Presented by
Claire Sagstuen, Fulbright ETA in Lovech, Bulgaria and BFL Co-Founder
Athena Lao, Fulbright ETA in Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria and BFL Co-Founder
Duo Interpretation
 Two people perform a piece from a published play, novel, short story, or
musical for NFL (USA) guidelines
 Cannot touch or make eye contact, except in the introduction!
 Cannot move more than a few steps in each direction
 No use of props or costumes are allowed
 May have introduction at beginning of piece or after the “teaser” (the first
minute or so of the opening), giving the author and title of the piece
 Time limit: 7-10 minutes (30 second grace period)
 They will be evaluated on poise, use of voice, inflections, physical expression,
and their ability to interpret characters correctly and consistently
Examples
 Hello, Herman (intro 1:49):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YpE1Ba46YoE
 The Help:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IsZaSFb7dS4
 The Big Bang: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cHiKFDast8
 Beauty and the Beast:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MC8ZsgNRzHs
Prose Interpretation
 Individual performance with selections drawn from novels,
short stories, plays, movies, or TV shows
 Includes an introduction after the “teaser,” or the first minute
or so of the opening, giving the author and title of the piece
 Can only move a few steps in each direction
 No use of props or costumes allowed
 Time limit: 5-7 minutes (with a 30 second grace period)
 They will be evaluated on poise, use of voice, inflections,
physical expression, and their ability to interpret characters
correctly and consistently
Poetry Interpretation
 Can use classic or contemporary pieces of poetry that are already published.
 Main point: should connect to the audience!
 Can only move a few steps in each direction
 No use of props or costumes allowed
 Style should stem from the author and the interpreter to convey the message
to the audience
 Typically, they create an argument with the pieces of poetry they choose
 May have introduction at beginning of piece or after the “teaser” (the first
minute or so of the opening), giving the author and title of the piece
 BFL time limit is 5-7 minutes (with a 30 second grace period)
Examples
 Sam the Cat (Prose):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQZtw6BgGGU
 Fat Guy Poetry:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_WXh8q7MOE
 Poetry:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qpNiSaW4rpw
Oratory
 Oratory deals with a current problem in society and proposes a
solution. Example: we need to not sweat the small stuff. Bad example:
Love is important. There should be a focus on an argument!
 It is about alerting the audience to a danger, discussing the causes
and creative solutions using evidence throughout, such as
newspapers, journals, books, etc.
 Time limit: 7-10 minutes (with a 30 second grace period)
 Typical format is introduction, 2 problems, 2 causes, 2-3 solutions,
conclusion
 Cannot use props
Overall Rules For Speech Events
 Poetry and Prose Divisions:
 Novice (8th and 9th grades)
 Varsity (10th -12th grades)
 Duo and Oratory Divisions for April Tournament:
 Non-US (not competing for the USA, all grades)
 US-Qualifier (competing for chance to go to America, all grades)
 No excessive vulgar language is to be used and should be penalized on
your ballot
 No use of props in any event
 Must only use a few steps for movement to symbolize their stage
 Memorization is required for Duo and Oratory. In other events, it is up to
you to decide role of memorization in deciding score.
 Trust yourself. If you like a piece, then give it a good score!
Ballot Completion: Speech
 Write in the student’s name and student code and have them tell
you the title and author of their piece
 Give time signals (or ask a student in audience to give signals)
and note times on all ballots!
 Write ranking info on BOTH Master Ballot and Individual Ballots.
 Look on the ballot for some specific things to look for during the
performance
 Give at least 3 positive comments and 3 comments for
constructive criticism.
 Each student/team MUST receive a different ranks!
Karl Popper Debate
 A debate has two teams, an affirmative side (arguing FOR the
topic) and a negative side (arguing AGAINST the topic)
 The topic is only given at the beginning of the round. It must not be
shared until then!
 Students are given 15 minutes of initial prep time after being given
the resolution to make their cases. They may use the Internet
ONLY during this time.
 They are allowed to use pre-prepared evidence that is printed out
or from their own electronic devices.
 Students may use notes during speeches.
What Are The Roles?
Affirmative
 They are responsible for
defining the terms of the
debate
 They must tell you how to
judge the round based on the
value they chose
 Ex. Freedom, Health, Life
 They must give usually 2-3
arguments in favour of the
resolution
Negative
 May argue that the
Affirmative’s arguments do not
support the resolution
 May provide a counter value,
saying that we should value
something else
 In the first Negative speech,
they must give you their own
case, typically 2-3 arguments
against the resolution
Debate Structure
 There are six speakers in a debate, three on each side
 Each speaker will give one speech
 The first and last speakers will participate in “cross
examination,” where they ask questions to try and poke
holes in the speaker’s arguments
 Judge will vote on which team proved their value to be
the most important and who attacked the arguments
better
Typical Structure
Affirmative Opening, Speaker 1 (A1): 6 minutes
Negative Cross Examination Speaker 3 (N3): 3 minutes
Negative Opening, Speaker 1 (N1): 6 minutes
Affirmative Cross Examination, Speaker 3 (A3): 3 minutes
Affirmative Speech, Speaker 2 (A2): 5 minutes
Negative Cross Examination, Speaker 1 (N1): 3 minutes
Negative Speech, Speaker 2 (N2): 5 minutes
Affirmative Cross Examination, Speaker 1 (A1): 3 minutes
Affirmative Closing, Speaker 3 (A3): 5 minutes
Negative Closing, Speaker 3 (N3): 5 minutes
So…Who Does What?
First Affirmative (A1)
 Sets out the case for the
Affirmative
 Defines the resolution
 Sets up a value for the judge
to weigh a round
 They will give 2-4 ways the
resolution is true
First Negative (N1)
 Agrees or Disagrees with the
definitions—Are they abusive?
 Agree with the value A1
provided or give a countervalue
 Respond to all of A1’s
arguments
 Give you 2-3 reasons to
support their side of the
resolution
Second Speakers
Second Affirmative (A2)
 This speech will reiterate the
Affirmative team’s case and
also will respond to the
arguments put forth by the
opposition.
Second Negative (N2)
 This speech will also
reiterate the Opposition
team’s arguments and
respond to the Affirmative
team’s arguments
Third Speakers
Third Affirmative
 Will summarize the main
reasons why the Affirmative
team should win
 May respond to any
arguments made N2 in their
speech
 No new arguments may be
presented
Third Negative
 Will summarize the main
reasons why the Negative
team should win
 No new arguments may be
presented
Timing The Round And Prep Time
 You must keep track of all time used by each debater in the round
 Debaters are given hand signals telling them how much time they
have left to speak. Hold up your hand for the number of minutes
left
 Ex. If a speech is six minutes and they have spoken for two
minutes, hold up four fingers
 Debaters have a total of 8 minutes of prep time that can be used
anytime between speeches until it is all gone.
 Ex. N1 can use three minutes of prep time to organize their
speech following A1’s presentation. Then they have five
minutes left to use later.
Ballot Completion: Debate
 Do not let your personal bias get in the way of your decision.
 Which team won the debate and why? Explain your Reason For Decision
(RFD).
 Tell teams both what they did well and what they can improve on your
ballots. Remember, use constructive feedback.

There will be NO oral feedback at this tournament!
 Independently of who won the debate, you need to assign each debater
speaker points based on their communication and argumentation skills
displayed in the round.
 Scores are out of 30 and it is possible to be the better speakers and
still lose a debate
 Penalize debaters in their speaker points for rude, bullying, or
otherwise abusive behavior.
Sportsmanship Award
 Teams rank each other based on Sportsmanship.
Please make sure to hand out these ballots at the end
of each debate round!
Judging No-Nos!
 NO oral feedback after any speeches. Use your ballots! Time is
limited.
 Be conscious of how you appear to the students. Be mindful of
your own facial expressions or other possible indications of
personal bias.
 Do not let students go against the rules. They cannot use chairs,
run around the room, or touch anything in the room…including
people (yes this has happened).
 No cruel comments on ballots. Never tell a student they aren’t
good enough to be at the tournament or that they look stupid, etc.
We want them to leave here with feedback that is constructive and
makes them want to do better.
Tournament Day Expectations
 Always report the ballot table ten minutes before every round
begins, even if you aren’t scheduled
 Return your ballots promptly after the round is over
 Please tell the staff if you have any trouble with students,
accommodation, etc. We want you to have a good experience!
 Do not leave campus without checking in with BFL staff first.
 If students are Double Entered (DE) in Prose/Poetry and Debate,
they must go to Prose/Poetry first. If DE’d in Oratory and Duo, they
must go to Duo first.