Welcome to the DAV Website
The DAV is a non-profit association which exists to promote debate. It
is the peak debating body in Victoria and runs large competitions for
adults and for schools across Victoria. It provides training and
resources for debaters, teachers and adjudicators.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR SCORESHEET
The scoring system used by DAV adjudicators is designed to help you understand the adjudication and the reasons for the decision. It should show you where your strengths and weaknesses are as a team and as individual speakers.
Debaters are marked by the average or expected standard for their grade. Obviously, we would expect a higher standard of matter, method and manner from an A Grade speaker than a D Grade speaker. The scoring system is shown below:
Matter Method Manner Total
Average or 30 15 30 75
Expected
standard
Total marks 40 20 40 100
When you get your score sheet, look at the areas that you scored well in, and the areas that you need to improve. Ask your adjudicator how you could improve in those categories where you would like to improve your score. The scoring system is a little hard to get used to – Matter and Manner scores can only be within the 27-33 range and Method scores only range between 13 and 17! Keep this in mind when you are reading your score sheet. If you score below average, try not to take it to heart and see it as a chance to improve your speaking.