The Best Seatin the Room
You'll learn more about argument by judging ten debates than by reading a hundred books.
Judges shape the league
Sharper debaters come from sharper feedback. The good ones get remembered.
Learn faster
You'll see structure and strategy in arguments you'd never have noticed otherwise.
Give back
Your scorecard is what debaters remember. The feedback that helped them get better.
Build reputation
Build a judging record debaters trust. The good calls get remembered.
Make it real
Without judges, debates are just arguments. You make the score count.
What happens at the table
A typical debate runs 28 minutes. Events range 15 to 60. Your job is the same regardless.
Watch + listen
Take notes if you want. Track arguments, evidence, and delivery as they happen.
Stay impartial
Score the performance, not the position. Personal politics stay home.
Score the scorecard
1–5 stars per line item. The standard scorecard, so debaters know what to expect. Organizers can adapt it.
Add written notes
Optional but high-value. Tell them what worked, what to fix, and why it matters.
Try scoring a debate
Judges score four core criteria: arguments, evidence, clarity, persuasion. The standard scorecard expands them into six line items, 1 to 5 stars each. Move the sliders and see a balanced ballot before your first round.
Arguments
Logical structure and reasoning used in arguments
Refutation
Effectiveness in addressing and countering opposing arguments
Evidence
Quality and use of facts, examples, and supporting evidence
Delivery
Speaking clarity, confidence, and persuasive delivery
Organization
Structure, flow, and time management of the presentation
Persuasion
Overall ability to convince and engage the audience
The six line items
The standard expansion of the four core criteria, each weighted equally. Organizers can adapt the criteria for their events. Click into a debate to see the full rubric inline.
Argument Quality
Logical structure and reasoning used in arguments
Refutation Skills
Effectiveness in addressing and countering opposing arguments
Evidence & Research
Quality and use of facts, examples, and supporting evidence
Presentation & Delivery
Speaking clarity, confidence, and persuasive delivery
Organization & Structure
Structure, flow, and time management of the presentation
Persuasiveness
Overall ability to convince and engage the audience
Same job, remote
Same rubric, same form. A few extra controls because you're moderating the room.
Room moderator
Your token gives owner permissions: mute, manage, kick if needed.
Run the timer
Start, pause, skip. The countdown syncs to every participant in real time.
Same scoring form
Submit ballots from the Judge Portal exactly like in-person events.
Test your setup
Run the connection test before the event. Camera, mic, browser checks.
Explore more
Become a judge
Quick onboarding. The first round teaches you more than any book.
Need: basic grasp of debate structure, willingness to stay impartial. Helpful but not required: prior debate or subject expertise.