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
Earn recognition as a trusted judge. Cited in tournament programs.
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 — formats vary 15–60. 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 on six criteria
1–5 stars per category. Same rubric every event so debaters learn what to expect.
Add written notes
Optional but high-value. Tell them what worked, what to fix, and why it matters.
Try scoring a debate
Move the sliders. See what a balanced ballot looks like 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 criteria
Each weighted equally. 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
Learn about other roles in the SuperDebate community
Become a judge
Quick onboarding. The first round teaches you more than any book.
Must have: basic understanding of debate structure, ability to stay impartial. Nice to have: prior debate experience, subject expertise.