Imagine this: you’ve been preparing for a big speech competition for months.
The big day arrives and you confidently deliver your well-rehearsed speech, pouring your heart and soul into every word.
As you step off the stage, you feel a mix of relief and anticipation.
But then the results are announced and your name isn’t called.
You’re left wondering what went wrong.
Sound familiar? We’ve all been there.
Wanting to improve but not knowing exactly what the judges are looking for can be frustrating.
That’s where this guide comes in.
Asking judges the right questions can provide invaluable insights to help you up your speech game.
In this article, you’ll discover:
- The 10 most important questions to ask judges after a competition
- Tips on how to approach judges politely and professionally
- What the judges’ answers can reveal about your strengths and areas for improvement
- How to apply the feedback to become a more impactful speaker
Are you ready to unlock the secrets to wowing judges and audiences alike?
Let’s dive in.
Vital Questions to Ask Judges
1. What was your overall impression of my speech?
Kicking things off with this open-ended question allows the judge to share their honest thoughts. You might say something like, “I’d love to hear your overall thoughts on my speech if you have a moment.”
This question is important because it gives you a general sense of how your speech was perceived. Did it resonate with the judge? Did they find it engaging and well-structured?
If the judge says they found your speech compelling and memorable, that’s a great sign. It means your message struck a chord. However, if they mention that your speech fell a bit flat, don’t get discouraged. This is valuable information that you can use to make improvements.
Perhaps you need to work on injecting more passion into your delivery or creating a stronger emotional connection with your audience. Take note of any specific points the judge brings up, as these will give you clues on where to focus your efforts.
Asking about their overall impression breaks the ice and sets the stage for more targeted questions. It’s a chance for the judge to share their honest feedback, which is gold for any speaker looking to improve their craft. Be open to whatever they have to say – both the good and the constructive.
2. How well did I engage the audience?
Audience engagement is key to delivering a memorable speech. To broach this topic, you could say, “I’m always looking for ways to better connect with my audience. How well do you think I engaged the crowd during my speech?”
Judges often have a keen eye for how well a speaker captures and holds the audience’s attention. They can tell if the audience is hanging on to every word or if their minds are wandering.
If the judge praises your ability to engage the audience, that’s fantastic. It means you have a knack for drawing people in and keeping them interested. Perhaps you used relatable stories, asked thought-provoking questions, or employed humor effectively.
On the flip side, if the judge mentions that your audience engagement could use some work, don’t take it personally. This is an opportunity to fine-tune your skills. Maybe you need to make more eye contact, vary your tone and pace, or use more dynamic body language.
Audience engagement is an art that every great speaker must master. By asking the judge for their insights on this aspect of your speech, you’re demonstrating your commitment to improving and connecting with your listeners on a deeper level.
3. Were my main points clear and well-supported?
Clarity and credibility are essential for any persuasive speech. You might ask the judge, “I tried to make my key points as clear and well-supported as possible. How did I do in that regard?”
This question gets to the heart of your speech’s content and structure. You want to make sure your message is coming across loud and clear and that your arguments are backed up by solid evidence.
If the judge confirms that your main points were indeed clear and well-supported, give yourself a pat on the back. This means you did your homework and presented a logical, well-reasoned speech. Your arguments likely flowed smoothly and your evidence was convincing.
However, if the judge suggests that your points were a bit muddled or lacked adequate support, don’t despair. This feedback is a gift. Perhaps you need to work on streamlining your message, providing more concrete examples, or better explaining the connection between your evidence and your claims.
Remember, even the most experienced speakers are constantly refining their content and delivery. By asking the judge about the clarity and credibility of your speech, you’re showing that you’re committed to crafting messages that truly hit home with your audience.
4. How was my pacing and time management?
Pacing is a crucial yet often overlooked aspect of public speaking. To get the judge’s thoughts on this, you could say something like, “Pacing is something I’ve been working on. How did I do in terms of managing my time and maintaining a good flow?”
Judges are always on the lookout for speakers who can deliver their message within the allotted time while maintaining a natural, engaging pace. They can tell if you’re rushing through your points or dragging things out.
If the judge compliments your pacing and time management, that’s wonderful. It means you have a good sense of how to allocate your time and keep your speech moving at a comfortable clip. You likely used pauses effectively, avoided filler words, and knew when to speed up or slow down for emphasis.
On the other hand, if the judge points out some pacing issues, don’t let it get you down. This is a chance to fine-tune your delivery. Maybe you need to practice with a timer, work on transitioning more smoothly between points, or be more mindful of filler words like “um” and “like.”
Mastering pacing and time management is a skill that will serve you well in any speaking situation. By asking the judge for their feedback on this aspect of your speech, you’re showing that you understand the importance of delivering your message in a way that keeps your audience engaged from start to finish.
5. Did my body language and vocal delivery enhance my message?
Your words are only part of the equation when it comes to delivering an impactful speech. To get the judge’s take on your nonverbal communication, you might say, “I’ve been working on using body language and vocal variety to enhance my message. How effective was I in that area?”
Judges pay close attention to how a speaker’s body language and vocal delivery contribute to (or detract from) their overall message. They notice things like eye contact, gestures, posture, tone, and inflection.
If the judge praises your nonverbal communication skills, that’s something to celebrate. It means you have a natural ability to use your body and voice to add depth and meaning to your words. Perhaps you used expansive gestures to convey openness, made direct eye contact to build trust, or varied your tone to evoke different emotions.
However, if the judge suggests that your body language or vocal delivery could use some refinement, don’t beat yourself up. This is an opportunity to take your speaking skills to the next level. Maybe you need to work on standing tall and projecting confidence, using more purposeful gestures, or adding more vocal variety to keep your audience engaged.
Remember, the way you say something is just as important as what you’re saying. By asking the judge for their insights on your nonverbal communication, you’re demonstrating your commitment to becoming a well-rounded speaker who can captivate an audience on multiple levels.
6. What were my strongest points in the speech?
It’s important to know what you’re doing well so you can continue to leverage those strengths. You could ask the judge, “I’d love to know what you thought were the strongest aspects of my speech. What really stood out to you?”
This question invites the judge to highlight the parts of your speech that made the biggest impact on them. Maybe it was a particularly compelling story, a well-crafted argument, or a moment of authentic emotion.
If the judge praises specific aspects of your speech, take note of what those are. These are the elements that are working well and resonating with your audience. Perhaps you have a gift for storytelling, a knack for breaking down complex ideas, or a way of connecting with your listeners on a personal level.
Understanding your strengths as a speaker is incredibly valuable. It allows you to lean into those areas and continue to develop them. It also gives you a sense of what sets you apart from other speakers and makes your message memorable.
However, be open to the idea that your perception of your strengths may differ from the judge’s. That’s okay. Everyone connects with speeches in their way. The key is to gather a range of perspectives and look for common threads.
Asking the judge about your strongest points not only provides valuable insights but also shows that you’re open to feedback and eager to build on your successes. It’s a sign of a confident, growth-oriented speaker.
7. What areas could I improve for future speeches?
Growth is an essential part of any speaker’s journey. To get the judge’s perspective on areas for improvement, you might say something like, “I’m always looking for ways to grow as a speaker. What suggestions do you have for things I could work on for future speeches?”
This question demonstrates humility and a willingness to learn. It shows that you understand that even the best speakers have room for improvement and that you’re committed to refining your craft.
If the judge offers specific suggestions for improvement, receive them with an open mind. Maybe they recommend working on your enunciation, strengthening your transitions, or incorporating more audience interaction.
Remember, this feedback is not a criticism of you as a person. It’s a roadmap for growth. The judge is sharing their expertise to help you become the best speaker you can be.
If the judge struggles to come up with areas for improvement, don’t assume that means your speech was perfect. Instead, ask follow-up questions to get more specific feedback. For example, you might say, “I’m glad you enjoyed the speech. If you had to nitpick, what’s one tiny thing I could do to take it to the next level?”
Actively seeking out areas for improvement shows that you’re a lifelong learner who is always striving to be better. It’s a quality that will serve you well not just in public speaking, but in all areas of life.
8. Was there anything I said or did that confused or turned off the audience?
Connecting with your audience is key. You could ask the judge, “Was there anything in my speech that may have turned off or confused my listeners? This could be in my content, delivery, or visual aids.”
This insightful question helps identify any “blind spots” in how your message is coming across. Sometimes, in an effort to be clever or profound, speakers can lose their audience.
If the judge did not notice any confusing or off-putting moments, that’s great news. It means your message was clear and engaging from start to finish. Your content was likely well-organized, your delivery was smooth and natural, and your visual aids (if used) enhanced rather than distracted from your message.
However, if the judge points out any moments of confusion or disconnection, take heart. This feedback is invaluable for refining your speech. Maybe a certain analogy fell flat, a joke didn’t land, or a visual aid was hard to read from the back of the room.
Use this information to fine-tune your content and delivery. Clarify any muddled points, rework any jokes or stories that didn’t resonate, and make sure your visual aids are legible and relevant.
Remember, even the most seasoned speakers don’t always hit a home run with every line. What sets great speakers apart is their willingness to learn from missteps and continuously improve.
By asking the judge about any potential moments of audience disconnection, you’re showing that you prioritize your listeners’ experience and are committed to delivering a speech that truly resonates.
9. How well did my speech fit the theme or purpose of the event?
Context matters in public speaking. A speech that’s perfect for one event might fall flat at another. To gauge how well your speech fit the occasion, you might ask the judge, “I tried to tailor my message to the theme and purpose of this event. How well do you think I succeeded in that?”
Judges often have a good sense of whether a speech aligns with an event’s intended focus and tone. They can tell if a speaker has done their homework and crafted a message that’s relevant and appropriate.
If the judge confirms that your speech was a great fit for the event, give yourself a round of applause. This means you did your due diligence in researching the event and its audience. You likely wove in relevant themes, used appropriate language and examples, and struck the right tone.
On the other hand, if the judge suggests that your speech wasn’t quite in sync with the event, don’t get discouraged. This is a chance to sharpen your skills in tailoring your message. Perhaps you need to do more research on the event and its audience beforehand, work on aligning your content more closely with the theme or adjust your delivery style to better match the occasion.
Remember, a speech isn’t just about what you want to say. It’s about what your audience needs to hear at that particular moment. By asking the judge about how well your speech fit the event, you’re demonstrating your understanding of this key principle and your dedication to crafting messages that truly resonate with your listeners in the context at hand.
10. Is there anything else you’d like to share?
As the conversation winds down, it’s always a good idea to give the judge an open floor. You might say something like, “I appreciate you taking the time to chat with me. Before we wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share about my speech or public speaking in general?”
This question serves two important purposes. First, it shows that you value the judge’s time and insights. You’re not just there to get feedback and run; you’re genuinely interested in what they have to say.
Second, it gives the judge a chance to share any final thoughts or pieces of advice that might not have fit neatly into the previous questions. Maybe they want to emphasize a key point, offer a resource for further learning, or share a personal story about their speaking journey.
Be open to whatever the judge wants to share. Even if it’s not directly related to your speech, it could offer valuable insights into the craft of public speaking or inspire your journey.
If the judge doesn’t have anything else to add, that’s okay. Thank them sincerely for their time and feedback, and let them know how much you appreciate their insights.
Remember, asking this final open-ended question demonstrates your humility, curiosity, and commitment to growth. It shows that you’re not just going through the motions of seeking feedback, but that you’re truly invested in becoming the best speaker you can be.
The Power of Thoughtful Questions
Asking judges the right questions after a speech competition is a powerful way to gain insights into your strengths, areas for improvement, and overall impact as a speaker.
By approaching judges with curiosity, humility, and a growth mindset, you open the door to valuable feedback that can help you refine your craft and connect with audiences on a deeper level.
Remember, every piece of feedback – whether positive or constructive – is a gift.
Use it to celebrate your successes, identify areas for growth, and continuously evolve as a speaker.
With each speech and each round of feedback, you’ll become more confident, more skilled, and more capable of crafting messages that truly resonate.
So the next time you step off that stage, don’t just wait for the results. Seek out those judges and start asking questions.
Your future audiences will thank you.