Rubric for Informative/Explanatory Speech
Topic: _______________________
Content –
STANDARDS
Speaker: ____________________
4 – 3.5
3 – 2.5
2 – 1.5
1-0
Exceeds Standard
Meets Standard
Works on
approaching
Standard
Not
meeting/
barely
meeting
Standard
Attention-getter
grabs the audience,
creates information
hunger. A clear
explanation of topic
leads audience
smoothly into the
speech
Attention-getter gets
audience involved
(mentally or
physically).
Explanation of topic
leads us into the
speech.
Attention-getter
is present but
limited. The
explanation of
topic is late,
weak or makes it
harder for us to
follow you into
the speech
Attention
getter isn’t
present.
Topic
statement
isn’t present.
Organization of
complex ideas is
logical, coherent and
relevant which helps
convey message
clearly. Smooth
transitions were
made so that each
new element builds
on the preceding to
create unified whole
Used logical order to
deliver information.
Utilized basic
transitions and
organized ideas,
concepts and
information
The speech
lacked a logical
order, utilized
minimal
transitions, and
only hints at
organized ideas,
concepts,
information.
There is no
discernible
order, no
transitions,
and the
ideas,
concepts and
information
are
unorganized
DEVELOPMENT
OF TOPIC
Developed topic
thoroughly by
selecting most
significant and
relevant facts,
definitions, details,
quotations,
appropriate to
purpose.
Developed topic by
selecting significant
and relevant facts,
definitions, details,
etc. appropriate to
the purpose of the
speech
Topic needs
more
development.
Included
minimal
significant and
relevant facts,
definitions,
details, etc.
Very few, if
any, relevant
facts,
definitions,
details, etc.
included in
speech
CONTENT
You made your topic
interesting to
specified audience,
using appropriate
word choices,
vocabulary,
figurative language
and level of
complexity. Detail
You used appropriate
word choices,
vocabulary, and
examples. Detail
and word choice
were appropriate to
audience.
You used some
appropriate
word choices,
vocabulary,
examples. Need
help to make
detail and word
choice
appropriate to
Very few
appropriate
word
choices,
vocabulary,
examples.
Details and
word choices
not
INTRODUCTION
ATTENTION
GETTER
PURPOSE
ORGANIZATION
TRANSITIONS
RELATIONSHIPS
LANGUAGE
and word choice and
examples were
appropriate to
audience
audience.
appropriate
to audience.
STYLE
You established and
maintained a formal
style and relatively
objective tone while
attending to the
norms of an
informational/
explanatory speech.
You maintained a
formal style and
relatively objective
tone through most of
your speech.
You struggle to
maintain a
formal and
relatively
objective tone.
You become too
informal and
subjective
several times.
You lack
formality in
your tone.
Your
information
is too
subjective.
CONCLUSION
You provided a
concluding statement
that summarized the
main points, referred
back to the
introduction or
supplied a looking
forward statement to
bring speech full
circle and left
audience with lasting
impression.
You concluded the
speech by adequately
summarizing the
main points,
mentioning a
previous anecdote, or
mentioning future
research.
Development of
each main point
is spotty.
Little
development
of main
points.
DELIVERY
Time
Excellent
Good
Fair
Needs
Improvement
Effectively and
appropriately met
the time limit
Less than 30
seconds
over/under time
limit
More than 30
seconds
over/under time
limit
Significantly
failed to meet time
limit
Preparedness
Composure
Polish
You appeared
well-prepared,
practiced,
confident,
comfortable,
which enhanced
your credibility.
You seemed fairly
comfortable,
practiced, and
confident
Your presentation
seemed to need
more practice to
make it polished
and confident
You lack
confidence,
practice,
preparedness,
polish. It was
obvious you were
not well prepared.
SOURCES
_______
OUTLINE
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