How to Judge the Debates

First of all, lets be clear about two things: 1. We are not judging the accuracy, efficacy, political strategy, or substance of the content. We are judging the candidates communication style and rhetorical effectiveness. 2. These are not debates. They are basically interviews, question and answer sessions. Simply giving these exchanges time limits does not qualify them as debates. Debate itself has not only time limits but also many rules and a judge who awards points for specific behavior on the part of the debaters. There are designated affirmative and negative teams, and the topic is clearly stated and agreed before the debate. While we recognize the critical value of judging the content of the debate. The intent here is to bring our company's 44 years of experience in coaching and critiquing "how" a speaker delivers the message to voters as an aid in making voting decisions. It is also important to note that we are judging speakers who appear on a TV screen. The live audience may perceive different nuances that do not show on a TV screen. We will be at the mercy of directors, camera angles and TV operations. Our reviews will judge: Facial Expression - Vocal Variety - Language - Speed - Clarity Cooperation - Body Language - Listening - Presence - Gestures Overall Effectiveness Of course, these judgments are subjective. Each reviewer will have his/her interpretation of the elements being evaluated. The judgments of our reviews will be based on both the formal training of our Speech Coaches as well as our 40 years of coaching these elements to speakers worldwide. The questions referring to each element of communication are intended to stimulate thought and critique. There may be others. Please feel free to adapt them freely.

Elements Being Judged

Facial Expressions: A - Are they appropriate to the moment? B - Are they recognizable? In other words, does the speaker hold them long enough. Speed: Speed is divided into parts, rate and pace. Rate is the speed at which the speaker produces one word after another. For instance, an average business presentation is delivered at 170-180 words per minute. Pace is the speed at which the speaker puts thoughts together. There is no specific number to be assigned here. Pace is created by pausing - silence. A - Was the rate appropriate to the message? B - Did the rate impede or improve overall effectiveness? C - Was the rate too consistent and repetitive or appropriately varied? D - Did the speaker allow appropriate pace-pause time between thoughts? E - Did the speaker use rate & pace to aid emphasis? F - Did the speaker use rate & pace to aid understanding? Body Language: This element of communication refers to the movement of the body both in parts and in entirety. A - Did the speaker look comfortable? B - When applicable, did the speaker move to and from the camera, audience, other candidate? C - Did body movement seem stiff, rehearsed or repetitive? Gestures: We are separating these from body language to allow focus on hands, arms, head, and shoulders. Most of the camera visibility will involve these. A - Did they match the message? B - Did they seem strong enough? C - Were they big enough to be easily connected to the message? D - Was one or more too repetitive? Language: Here we are concerned with both the accuracy of use in the context of the message, and the effectiveness of word choice to clarify/reinforce the point. Grammatical construction is also part of this element of communication. A - Does word choice seem appropriate for clarity? B - Is sentence structure simple or convoluted? C - Are the questions and answers easily understood? D - Does the speaker organize and express ideas clearly? Vocal variety: This element of communication refers to whether the speaker "sounds" boring or not. After listening for a few minutes, do the speakers remarks all "sound" the same despite the emotion in the message. Vocal Variety is expressed through volume, pitch, and inflection. A - Does the speaker sound interesting? B - Does the speakers use of voice match the message? C - Does the speaker sound natural and comfortable? D - Does the speaker emphasize particular words to highlight points? E - Does the speaker sound interested in the topic? Clarity: Unlike Vocal Variety which refers to the speakers use of voice, clarity refers to the speakers use of speech. Here we are listening to articulation, pronunciation, and mumbling. In addition, Clarity also includes the ability to organize thoughts. Clarity of thought helps listeners follow a logical line of explanation or argument. A - Can you clearly understand the speakers articulation and pronunciation? B - Does the speakers articulation of sounds or pronunciation of words interfere with your ability to follow the message? C - Does the speakers emphasis of words or sounds help you to understand the context of the message? D - Are you able to follow the speakers line of thinking? E - Does the speaker exhibit the ability to discuss complex issues in a simple manner? Listening: This element of communication may be one of the most difficult to judge. Frequently, the act of listening provides little or no outward signs even though the person may be listening very intently. In short interludes of speaking and listening, such as in these debates, it can be difficult to truly evaluate whether someone is "listening". A - Are the speakers remarks directly relevant to the questions or comments that were made? B - Does the speaker look as though he is listening? Is he making eye contact, for instance? C - Does the speaker show expressions of listening such as nodding, smiling, etc.?