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Iesa Speech

IESA JUDGE REPRESENTATIVE'S INSTRUCTIONS TO JUDGES and CHECKLIST

The IESA Judge Representative conducts the mandatory judges' meeting prior to the IESA State Speech Contest and is the final authority in resolving any and all disputes or interpretations of judges' decisions with regard to IESA rules and regulations.

PLEASE REVIEW THE FOLLOWING POINTS WITH THE JUDGES PRIOR TO CONTEST

Welcome the group and make introductions, including the contest manager. Thank everyone for coming. 2. Inform the group that you are the IESA Judge Representative for this speech contest. Explain your role and let the judges know where you will be located in the building during the contest should they have questions. 3. Remind judges that this is the IESA’s contest. The IESA has specific rules that must be followed when judging. No other contest rules are applicable. -Briefly explain Division I, II, and III ratings,

It is acceptable to ask the contestants their names before they begin. 5. No penalty is issued if an event is in the wrong category. However, note this on your adjudication sheet. 6. Encourage judges to take control of their rooms—arrange it how they wish, making sure they have a clear view of the contestants. Make sure they remove any potential hazards. Remind them to demand quiet of their audience members and to remind the audience to turn off cell phones. 7. Review the events, placing special emphasis on the newest events. -2007: Storytelling 8. Explain the newest rule changes. -2007: Storytelling will now be its own event with the following adjudication criteria: understanding of selection, characterization, stage presence, body and facial expression, articulation, pronunciation, fluency, audience interaction, and eye contact. The story should have a clear beginning, middle, and end. The story should creatively present the sequence of events. The ending should have a sense of closure. 9. Some students may have tight scheduling. Allow performing out of order with the host’s permission. In instances such as this, ask if everyone the participant is expecting is present prior to beginning the presentation. 10. In case of cancellation or if the judge is ahead of schedule, take a break. Do not ask a contestant to perform early. 11. Note the instructions on the adjudication sheets. These are areas that the IESA wants you to consider when judging the particular category. NOTE TO REP: Review special instructions on judging with the judges. 12. Review excessive prompting: The rule of thumb is more than one prompt is considered excessive. 13. Remind judges to please pay attention to the performer’s age and year in contest on the entry card. Also, the judges should check with their host to see if any of their performers have special disabilities, as well. 14. In judging realize that these are children. . . scared, nervous. In some cases, this may be their first attempt at public speaking. Most coaches have little training and were asked to do this job. They all need specific, concrete comments they can use to improve. Your comments to the students are probably the same things their coaches have been saying for weeks, but today they will mean so much more. 15. There are no disqualifications. 16. Justifications for a “No Ranking” (participants may perform): Insufficient number in duet, small group, or chorale. Justifications for lowering by one ranking: Excessive prompting, over/under time limit (done in office) Justifications for lowering final ranking to third: Third character in duet, use of props including any type of costume, use of same selection in two consecutive years, directing a chorale presentation of 7th or 8th graders, chorale group using only one selection. 17. Explain props: the wall, a real watch, etc. 18. Explain and encourage oral comments. However, remind judges to put the major reasons for a given ranking on their adjudication sheet. 19. Begin with a kind word to set the contestants at ease. 20. Tell your doorkeeper to shut the door at the beginning of each speech or round and open it only when the speaker is finished. As a judge, don’t hesitate to go into the hallway yourself to quiet the noise. 21. Most common complaints regarding judges: -A low rating coupled with nothing but good comments on the adjudication sheet -disagreeable judges -too few comments -judging the piece and nor the performance -running late -not consulting the Judge’s Representative before making a decision 22 Review timing procedures with the judges. The judges must be aware of these whether they are doing their own timing or the timing is being done by a contest helper. The event is timed from the first spoken word. This may be the introduction to the piece. 23. Ask the judges for any questions. 24 Begin the contest on time. 25. Remind judges of where you will be during the contest. Make sure that they understand that you are there to answer any questions or solve any problems that may occur during the contest.

IESA Speech Events and Limits

Event

of Participants

Time Limit

of Selections

Props Individual

Solo Acting 1 5-10 minutes 1-2 Single chair Poetry 1 4-7 minutes 1+ Single chair Impromptu Speaking 1 0-8 minutes

Original Script 1 5-10 minutes 1+ Single chair

Duet

Duet Acting 2 5-10 minutes 1 2 chairs/ 2 stools/ 1 chair and 1 stool/ 1 table and 2 chairs/ 1 table and 2 stools/ 1 table and 1 chair/ 1 table and 1 stool/ 1 table, 1 stool, and 1 chair Improv Duet 2 0-8 minutes

Original Duet Script 2 5-10 minutes 1 2 chairs/ 2 stools/ 1 chair and 1 stool/ 1 table and 2 chairs/ 1 table and 2 stools/ 1 table and 1 chair/ 1 table and 1 stool/ 1 table, 1 stool, and 1 chair

Small Group Acting 3-5 5-10 minutes 1 1 table and 4 chairs

Chorale Reading 9-20 6-10 minutes 2+ No props allowed