ORAL COMMUNICATION STANDARDS
Adapted from the AAC&U VALUE Rubrics and acknowledged with thanks. See Assuring Graduate Capabilities
Definition: Oral communication is a prepared, purposeful presentation designed to increase knowledge, to foster understanding, or to promote change in the listeners' attitudes, values,
beliefs, or behaviors.
Novice to Expert
categories
Expert
Proficient
Competent
Novice
Beginner
Graduates as experienced
professionals can
Graduates as new professionals
can
Graduates of this course can
Students in the middle stages
can
Students in the early stages
can
Organization
The skilful use of structure makes The skilful use of structure makes the
the content of the presentation
content of the presentation cohesive
cohesive and is fine tuned to the and appropriate for the genre and
range of learning styles of the
audience
audience
The presentation is generally
well structured and appropriate
for the genre and audience (eg a
talk for professionals, a talk for
carers, a research presentation,
an inter-professional
presentation)
The presentation may lack key
structures (e.g. clear introduction,
summary/conclusion) and
coherence (e.g. linking points)
The presentation lacks
structure (specific introduction
and conclusion, sequenced
material within the body, and
transitions)
Language
Vocabulary and grammatical
structures enhance the
effectiveness of the presentation
and extends the learning of the
audience e.g. may introduce new
words and concepts
Vocabulary and grammatical
structures enhance the effectiveness
of the presentation. Language in
presentation is appropriate to
audience.
Vocabulary and grammatical
structures are appropriate to the
audience and context and
generally support the
effectiveness of the presentation
Vocabulary and grammatical
structures are not consistently
appropriate for the audience and
context and do not consistently
support the effectiveness of the
presentation
Vocabulary and grammatical
structures are at times not
appropriate for the audience
and context and may detract
from the
effectiveness of the
presentation
Delivery
Delivery techniques (posture,
gesture, eye contact, and vocal
expressiveness) result in a
presentation which is compelling
and inspiring to the audience.
Speaker appears polished and
confident.
Delivery techniques (posture,
gesture, eye contact, and vocal
expressiveness) result in a
presentation, that is engaging and
speaker appears polished and
confident.
Delivery techniques (posture,
gesture, eye contact, and vocal
expressiveness) result in a
presentation that is interesting.
The speaker appears
comfortable.
Delivery techniques (posture,
gesture, eye contact, and vocal
expressiveness) result in a
presentation that is
understandable. The speaker
may appear tentative.
Delivery techniques (posture,
gesture, eye contact, and
vocal expressiveness) may
detract from the presentation.
The speaker may appear
uncomfortable.
Supporting Material
A broad range of supporting
materials (explanations,
examples, illustrations, statistics,
analogies, quotations from
relevant authorities) are used to
emphasise key points and
engage the audience
A broad range of types of supporting
materials (explanations, examples,
illustrations, statistics, analogies,
quotations from relevant authorities)
are used to enhance the presentation
Adequate range of supporting
materials (explanations,
examples, illustrations, statistics,
analogies, quotations from
relevant authorities) are
consistent with and support the
presentation
Adequate range of supporting
materials (explanations,
examples, illustrations, statistics,
analogies, quotations from
relevant authorities) are used and
partially support the presentation
Insufficient range of
supporting materials
(explanations, examples,
illustrations, statistics,
analogies, quotations from
relevant authorities) are used
in the presentation
The supporting materials are
drawn from a range of high
quality credible sources which
reflect current evidence and
theory
The supporting materials are
usually drawn from a range of
credible sources which reflect
current evidence and theory
The supporting materials are
drawn from a wide range of high
quality credible sources which
reflect current evidence and
theory
The supporting materials are drawn
from a range of high quality credible
sources which reflect current
evidence and theory
The supporting materials are
often not drawn from credible
sources
Central Message
Exemplars
Central message is compelling.
Supporting material is used to
emphasise key points and
engage the audience.
Central message is clear. Key points Central message is clear and
are emphasised, strongly supported consistent with the supporting
and memorable. Supporting material material.
is consistent with and adds to the
presentation.
EXAMPLE
A graduating student can
prepare and present a talk for
carers about communication
needs following a stroke. The
slides, handouts and any media
clips will be organised and
contain information at a level
appropriate for the audience who
will be engaged in the
presentation and learn from it
Central message is
understandable but key points
lack emphasis . Supporting
material not well integrated into
overall message.
EXAMPLE
A novice student can prepare
and present a presentation to
peers about EBP for the
treatment of a given
communication disorder.
Effectiveness of the presentation
as a whole is limited by: some
key structures of the
presentation missing,
inconsistent use of appropriate
delivery techniques and
vocabulary. Slides, handouts
and media clips are used
however are not well organised
and or referred to throughout the
presentation.
Central message can be
deduced. Some key points
identified. Inconsistent use of
supporting materials