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.
Reading Ballot Patterns
Competitors who collect and review ballots across a season start to notice patterns — a judge who consistently comments on pacing, or one who rewards strong significance sections — and use those patterns to adapt future speeches and delivery choices.
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?
2. True or False?
"Judges in Info rounds typically ask the speaker follow-up questions after the speech."
3. What is a strategic benefit of reviewing multiple past ballots over a season?
Answer all 3 to check.
A round is a quiet, orderly sequence of memorized speeches judged on a written ballot — professionalism between speeches counts too.