Debate Competition (Std 3-10) Rules and Marking Scheme

RULES : 

• Upper time limit must be followed by each speaker. The speaker will have to stop immediately when the timer rings.

• It is not mandatory for every team member to speak, but time forfeited by one speaker cannot be passed on ahead to another in the same team.

• Students are allowed to consult with their parents etc. in the break time only

• Students can refer to any gadgets in the break but they are only allowed to carry the paper given to them (with whatever notes they may write on that paper only) at the beginning of the debate when break time is over. Students are allowed to refer to that paper even during their speaking time. They can exchange these note papers within the team. 

• Language of the debate is ENGLISH only

MARKING SCHEME

Points will be given based on the following criteria :

• Was the content of the speech relevant to the round?

• Were the speakers able to stay within the time limit? (Consider Min - Max time, the points should not just be repeated over and over to stay within this time)

• Were the speakers speaking confidently? (Consider body language, no shaking of voice, no random looking at the floor or ceiling, only occasional glancing at notes)

• Were the speakers speaking fluently? (consider no umms and aahs, gulps etc. Grammatical mistakes or pronunciation mistakes are ok but the speakers should go ahead without stalling and speak in a good tone trying to make the audience understand)

• Was the team able to present the argument as a continuous pitch? (Were their pitches connected, was the flow good, no repetition of points, a good beginning and conclusion within their team pitch)