Written Round:
The speller will have 60 seconds to write each word. All 25 words will be repeated at the end of the round. No questions are permitted during this time. At the end of the written segment, all answer sheets will be scored and the qualifying names of spellers announced.
Oral Round:
Notice of rules:
Prior to the start of the spelling bee, all spellers and audience members may receive a complete copy of the rules upon request.
Role of the Pronouncer:
The pronouncer shall dictate words according to the diacritical markings in Oxford English Dictionary.
- NOTE: If a word has one or more homonyms, the pronouncer defines the word to clarify.
Role of the Judges:
- Clarify Misunderstandings: The judges listen carefully to the speller’s pronunciation and attempt to provide clarification if they sense that a word has been misunderstood.
- Correct Pronunciation Errors: The judges compare the pronouncer’s dictation of each word with the diacritical markings in the word list. In case of any mispronunciation, the judge directs the pronouncer to correct his or her pronunciation.
- Disqualifications (for reasons other than clear misspelling):
The judges will disqualify a speller for any of the following reasons:
(1) Refusal to start spelling
(2) The speller does not approach the microphone when it is time to receive the word
(3) Non-compliance with the eligibility requirements
(4) Engaging in unsportsmanlike conduct
(5) In the process of retracing a spelling, the speller alters a letter from their prior attempt
(6) In the process of spelling, the speller utters unintelligible or nonsense sounds
- Activities that do not merit disqualification:
The judges may not disqualify a speller for any of the following reasons:
(1) For failing to pronounce the word either before or after spelling it
(2) For asking a question
(3) For noting or failing to note the capitalization of a word
Role of the Speller:
During the Oral Contest a speller can ask the pronouncer to:
- Repeat the word
- Define it
- Use it in a sentence
- Provide the part of speech
- Provide the language(s) of origin
Once the speller’s questions are answered, they must begin spelling within 60 seconds.
NOTE: The speller cannot retract or change any letter(s) once he/she has begun spelling.
- Interaction with the judges: Seeing the speller’s lip movements may be critical in detecting misunderstandings or misspellings. Spellers are encouraged to face the judges when pronouncing and spelling the word.
- Misunderstandings: The speller is responsible for any misunderstanding of the word unless:
(1) the pronouncer never provided a correct pronunciation
(2) the pronouncer provided incorrect information regarding the definition, part of speech, or language of origin
(3) the speller correctly spelled a homonym of the word and the pronouncer failed to either offer a definition or distinguish the homonyms.
- Misspelling: Upon incorrectly spelling a word, the speller immediately drops out of the competition, unless all spellers in a round misspell (see below).
- If all spellers in a round misspell: If all spellers misspell the word during any round, ALL remain in the competition and a new round begins.
End of Bee Procedure:
- If only one speller in a round spells correctly: If only one speller remains at the end of a round, a new round begins and the speller receives a final (anticipated) championship word. If the championship word is spelled correctly, the speller is declared the winner.
- If an anticipated championship word is misspelled: ALL spellers who spelled (correctly and incorrectly) in the previous round return for a new round. These spellers spell in their original order.
Example: In Round 8 there are three spellers. Speller 12 spells correctly and Spellers 23 and 37 misspell. Round 9—a one-word round—begins, and Speller 12 is offered the anticipated championship word. Speller 12 misspells the anticipated championship word. Round 10 begins and includes Spellers 12, 23, and 37. The rules prescribe that those spellers 12, 23, and 37 spell in their original order; so Speller 12 gets the next word on the list even though Speller 12 misspelled the previous word on the list. Round 10 is not complete until all three spellers have spelled.
Appeals:
The parent or guardian of a disqualified speller may submit an appeal for the speller’s reinstatement. The judges render a final decision on the appeal in accordance with the following reinstatement protocol:
- A written appeal must be hand delivered to the designated official (usually the spelling bee coordinator/director)
- The deadline for delivering an appeal is before the affected speller would have received his/her next word
- To minimize disruptions, appeals should be delivered at the end of the round in which the speller was eliminated.
A written appeal must provide: the speller’s name, the word in question, and the reason the speller should be reinstated.
