The Shape of a Round
Beyond your own speech, you'll compete alongside five to seven other speakers in a panel, judged on a ballot with both a rank and often points. This lesson maps what actually happens from check-in to results.
Before You Speak
Competitors draw or are assigned a speaking order, set up their aid quietly before their turn, and wait for the judge's or timekeeper's signal to begin. Most rounds run continuously with no in-round questions from the audience or judge — the timer starts when you start speaking.
The Ballot
Judges typically fill out a ballot noting strengths, areas for improvement, and a numerical rank (1st through however many speakers) plus sometimes a points score. Comments often focus on organization, use of the aid, delivery, and how well the significance of the topic was established.
A six-person Info round at a Saturday tournament.
Speaker 3 finishes setting up her board while speaker 2 is mid-speech, quietly and off to the side so as not to distract. When called, she places her aid on the provided easel, waits a beat for the judge's nod, and begins her AGD. After her speech, the judge writes 'excellent callback to the opening' and ranks her 2nd of 6.
1. When should a competitor set up their visual aid?
Answer all 1 to check.
A round is a quiet, orderly sequence of memorized speeches judged on a written ballot — professionalism between speeches counts too.