Brattleboro Arts Initiative
Spell Check! A Spelling Bee for Grown Ups
Official Competition Rules
The MC will pronounce the word. Then, the Bee Keeper (timekeeper) will pronounce the word and read the definition. Next, the MC will use the word in a sentence. The Bee Keeper will then say the word one more time and start the time.
Team members may collaborate on the spelling of a word. Each team will have 15 seconds to spell the word by writing it on the white board distributed to each team at the beginning of the Bee. All teams should have a Team Captain who will write the response on the white board.
When the Bee Keeper calls time, all markers must be put down. Any team continuing to write after time is called or attempting to change the word as written on the board will be disqualified. The Judge will then ask each team to show its board and will rule whether the word is correctly spelled. If the word as written is illegible or if letters are ambiguous, the word will be treated as misspelled.
Upon missing the spelling of two words, a team is eliminated. A round is over when all but one team is eliminated. The winner of each round will go on to compete in the Semi-Final Round, and finally three or four teams remaining will go onto the Championship Round.
In the event of a tie between two teams, the MC shall give additional words to the teams that have tied until a winner emerges from the round.
If all teams misspell a word, they each must put down a check mark. If this would result in all teams being out with no winner for the round, then another word will be given until there is a winner for the round.
The Championship Round will be conducted like the other rounds, with one difference. The MC will give words until all but two teams are eliminated. If a word results in the elimination of all but one team, that word will not count. The team that spelled the word correctly shall be allowed to replace a check mark if it has only one remaining. The MC shall give additional words until two teams are remaining. The final two teams shall compete to determine the winner of the Bee. The winner will be declared after one of the two teams spells one word incorrectly.
Webster's Third New International Dictionary (Unabridged), the official Bee dictionary, is the source for spelling and pronunciation. Spelling includes the correct placement of any additional characters such as hyphens, accent marks, or apostrophes.
The judge will make the final decision on all questions, including disputes concerning pronunciation. There will be no appeal.
The following additional procedures must be followed by all teams:
1. Do not erase your white board until you have been told whether your spelling is correct. If a team erases its word too soon, it may be disqualified. If a team attempts to rewrite the word on the board, the team will be disqualified.
2. If you have spelled the word correctly, please prepare for the next word.
3. If you have spelled the word incorrectly, please lower one of your check marks and prepare for the next word. If you spell a word incorrectly and it is your second incorrect spelling, your team is eliminated. When this happens, please lower your second check mark.
4. If your team is eliminated, please wait until the end of your round before leaving the stage as prompted.
These procedures and the official rules will govern at Spell Check. Any disputes shall be resolved by the judge per his instructions. There will be no appeals. The judge may resort to whatever remedies are necessary, as the situation demands.
GOOD LUCK!
