·
Levels of Achievement
Criteria
Exceeds Expectations
Meets Expectations
Approaches Expectations
Minimally Approaches
Expectations
Does Not Approach
Expectations
Purpose and
Audience
5 Points
The topic is well-suited to the
purpose, time constraints, and
audience. Speaker communicates a
thesis that is exceptionally clear.
Engages audience completely.
4 Points
The topic is appropriate for the
audience, time constraints and
purpose. Speaker communicates
a thesis that is adequately clear.
Engages audience.
3 Points
The topic is appropriate for
purpose, time constraints or
audience. However, it is not
appropriate for all of these
factors. Speaker communicates
a thesis, but it lacks clarity.
Speech does not fully engage
audience.
2 Points
There is a considerable lack of
clarity. The topic is not appropriate
for purpose, time constraints, or
audience. Speaker does not
communicate a thesis. Speech lacks
interest for audience.
1 Points
The topic is not
appropriate for purpose,
time constraints, or
audience. Speaker does
not communicate a thesis.
Demonstrates no
awareness of audience.
Speech discourages
audience interest.
Development
and Use of
Sources
5 Points
Incorporates evidence with excellent
focus and reasoned explanation.
Orally cites a variety of credible
evidence (anecdotes, quotes,
description, examples, etc.) with very
clear, accurate and appropriate
attribution. Quotations are smoothly
integrated and their relevance is
thoroughly explained. Demonstrates
outstanding skill in the elements of
summary, paraphrase, and quotation.
Presentation aids enhance speech, are
smoothly integrated into the speech
body and the significance is
thoroughly examined.
4 Points
Incorporates evidence with
adequate focus and explanation.
Adequate oral citations of
credible evidence with
appropriate attribution are
apparent. The writer uses
sources effectively. Quotations
are integrated, and their
relevance is adequately
explained. The speaker
competently uses a mix of
summary. Presentation aids are
appropriately integrated into
speech with some attention to
significance or connection to
speech.
3 Points
Incorporates some evidence,
but with inconsistent focus
and/or explanation. Cites
evidence, although oral
citations contain errors in
attribution and/or accuracy that
occasionally cause confusion.
Quotations are not always wellintegrated, and their relevance
is not consistently explained.
The speaker has an inconsistent
use of a mix of summary,
paraphrase, and quotation.
Presentation aids are
incorporated into the speech.
2 Points
Attempts to incorporate some
evidence, but has little focus or fails
to explain. Errors in attribution or
accuracy, and/or incomplete oral
citations, cause frequent confusion.
Ideas are not developed, including
missing supporting details and
examples from the reading where
they would be appropriate.
Quotations are not integrated into
sentences, and their relevance is not
explained. The speaker fails to use a
mix of summary, paraphrase, and
quotation. Presentation aids distract
from speech, are not integrated
and/or have no clear relevance or
connection to speech.
1 Points
Does not incorporate
evidence or the evidence
provided does not support
the speaker’s ideas. Does
not orally cite evidence,
and errors of attribution
and accuracy, resulting in
incoherence. Presentation
aids are not incorporated
into the speech
whatsoever.
Organization
and
Coherence
5 Points
Organizational pattern is
exceptionally clear, and well-suited
for purpose. Transitions are thorough
and include review and preview,
along with signposts. Each main
point is clearly developed, thorough
and balanced.
4 Points
Organizational pattern is clear,
and suited to the audience and
purpose. Transitional devices
are present. Main points are
generally clear, developed and
balanced.
3 Points
Organizational pattern lacks
clarity. Transitions include
signposts, but lack review and
preview. Main points are
unclear, unbalanced or
undeveloped at times.
2 Points
An ineffective organizational pattern
prevents main points from being
distinct, balanced or developed.
1 Points
There is no discernible
organizational pattern.
Transitions are not
present and ideas are not
logically sequenced. Main
points are imbalanced,
underdeveloped, and
unclear.
5 Points
4 Points
3 Points
2 Points
1 Points
Delivery
Introduction
and
Conclusion
Language
The speech is enhanced by vocal
variety. Articulation, pronunciation
and grammar are well suited to the
audience, and enhance the speech.
Non-verbal communication (eye
contact, posture, facial expressions,
movement) considerably enhance the
speech. The delivery is
extemporaneous and conversational.
Articulation, pronunciation and
grammar are appropriate for the
audience. Non-verbal
communication is appropriate
for the speech, but could be
refined. The speech is largely
extemporaneous and
conversational.
There are some issues related to
articulation, pronunciation and
grammar that reduce the
speech’s effectiveness. Some
non-verbal communication may
detract from the speech. The
student may rely on a notecard,
or the speech may feel recited.
There is a considerable lack of
clarity. There are considerable issues
related to articulation, pronunciation
and grammar that detract from the
speech. In general, the speaker’s
non-verbal communication detracts
from the speech. The speech may be
read to the audience rather than
extemporaneously delivered.
The speaker does not
meet expectations for
non-verbal
communication,
articulation,
pronunciation, or
extemporaneous delivery.
5 Points
Introduction includes a thorough
preview of the speech body, an
outstanding attention-getter, reveals
topic and establishes speaker
credibility or connection to topic.
Conclusion provides
closure, resonates strongly with
audience and thoroughly summarizes
main points.
4 Points
Introduction includes a preview
of the speech body, an attentiongetter, and explains speaker’s
credibility. Conclusion provides
a memorable ending, and
summarizes main points.
3 Points
Introduction and/or conclusion
lack some elements, and may
not capture or sustain attention.
Preview of the speech body
may be missing.
2 Points
Introduction and conclusion lack
most of the necessary elements.
1 Points
Introduction and
conclusion are cursory
and ineffective.
5 Points
Language choices are imaginative,
memorable, and compelling, and
enhance the effectiveness of the
presentation. Language is appropriate
to the audience and occasion.
4 Points
Language choices are thoughtful
and generally support the
effectiveness of the speech.
Language is appropriate to the
audience and occasion.
3 Points
Language choices are
commonplace and partially
support the effectiveness of
the presentation.
2 Points
Language choices lack
imagination, impedes
understanding or may rely
heavily on jargon, euphemism
or slang.
1 Points
Language choices are
unclear and do not
support the effectiveness
of the presentation.