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Duke University School of Law
Moot Court Board
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Oral Argument Scoring Criteria |
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Printable
Version (*.html) |
I:
COMMAND OF
ISSUES (max. 30 points)
| 1 - 6 pts.: |
Superficial knowledge of law and facts |
| 7 - 12 pts.: |
Some knowledge, but uncomfortable with them |
| 13 - 18 pts.: |
Adequate understanding, but hesitant |
| 19 - 24 pts.: |
Good understanding, but misses fine distinctions |
| 25 - 30 pts.: |
Full understanding, including subtleties and fine
distinctions |
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II:
ORGANIZATION (max. 20 points)
| 1 - 4 pts.: |
No organization, confusing, or illogical |
| 5 - 8 pts.: |
Somewhat organized, but clearly below average |
| 9 - 12 pts.: |
More organized, but difficult to follow |
| 13 - 16 pts.: |
Cohesive outline and clear presentation of points |
| 17 - 20 pts.: |
Concise and logical with flowing outline and outstanding
presentation of points |
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III: ANSWERING
QUESTIONS (max. 20 points)
| 1 - 4 pts.:
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Evasive and fails to answer questions
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| 5 - 8 pts.:
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Attempts to answer questions
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| 9 - 12 pts.:
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Gives adequate answers
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| 13 - 16 pts.:
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Gives appropriate answers, but without smooth transition
to argument
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| 17 - 20 pts.:
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Clear and concise answers with smooth transition to
argument
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IV:
PERSUASIVENESS (max. 15
points)
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1 - 5 pts.:
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Monotonous and / or reading from notes
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6 - 10 pts.:
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Adequately persuasive, but overly argumentative or
conversational
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11 - 13 pts.:
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Persuasive, but no true sense of conviction
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14 - 15 pts.:
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Very persuasive and conveys sincere belief in position
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V:
COURTROOM MANNER
(max. 15 points)
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1 - 5 pts.:
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Significant physical signs of nervousness and poor eye
contact
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6 - 10 pts.:
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Some signs of nervousness, but adequate eye contact and
decorum
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11 - 13 pts.:
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Confident, calm, good eye contact, and respectful
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14 - 15 pts.:
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Confident, smooth, exceptional eye contact, and very
respectful
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VI:
FORM (max. - 6 points)
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- 2 pts.:
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No roadmap
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- 2 pts.:
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Failure to ask for relief at least once (Petitioner
need not repeat his or her prayer on rebuttal) |
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Petitioner |
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-1 pt.: |
Failure to begin main argument with, "May it please the
Court." |
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-1 pt.: |
Failure to begin rebuttal with, "May it please the Court." |
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Respondent |
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-2 pts.: |
Failure to begin main argument with, "May it please the
Court." |
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