Spelling Bees are conducted in rounds in which all contestants compete against each other, although there are some team competitions. Traditionally, there is a written round that is marked and contestants score points for correct answers. The oral round that follows pits contestants against each other as they must correctly spell one word in each round to progress. Incorrect spellings will result in elimination until a winner is declared.
The pronouncer is the person on stage that reads the words to the spellers from the specified words list that is to be used in the competition. The list consists of words found in books approved by Scripps National Spelling Bee, such as Webster's Third New International Dictionary.
Before attempting to spell a word, spellers can ensure that they have heard the word correctly by asking the pronouncer for the definition and for the word to be used in a sentence. The speller is also encouraged to pronounce the word before and after they spell it.
If there are several homonyms for a word, the pronouncer will indicate which word is to be spelled. If the requested homonym is not properly identified by its definition or by using it in a sentence, then any correct spelling of any homonym of the word will be accepted.
In some spelling bees, if a contestant spells a word incorrectly, he will be eliminated. The rules vary for different spelling bees, but some allow the speller a second or even third chance at each word. He must pronounce the word, however, when he is finished spelling and once it has been pronounced, no further attempts at the word can be made.
Other regulations will enable spellers to stop and start over, retracing the spelling from the beginning. However, there can be no changes in the letters or sequence from the initial spelling.
The elimination procedure changes when the contest is reduced to a few remaining spellers. In some spelling bees, the last speller remaining must spell a 'championship word' before she is declared the winner, even if she was the only contestant to spell correctly in the previous round.
When two spellers reach the final round another variation applies. When one speller misspells a word, the other speller is given an opportunity to spell that same word. To be declared the champion, the second speller must spell that word correctly, plus the next word on the list.
The judges have ultimate control of the competition. They can correct errors as soon as they see them if they believe the rules have been breached, or that the pronouncer has made errors in his pronunciation or definition of a word.
Appeals can be made from the spellers as well as their parents or teachers, but they must be done so immediately. Appeals are handled at the end of each round and the judges' decision is final.