Name: ___________________________________________ Topic: _____________________________________________________________________
Exemplary
(10 pts.)
Introduction
Speech Purpose
Speech Suitable to
Special Occasion
Genre
Organization
Support
Language
Competent
(8 pts.)
Intermediate
(6 pts.)
Developing
(4 pts.)
Inexperienced/Weak
(0-2 pts.)
 Speech opens powerfully
and commands the audience’s
attention. The topic is skillfully
and creatively introduced.
 Opening comments fulfill
the functions of an
introduction and do so
smoothly and comfortably.
 Opening comments fulfill
the functions of an introduction
(getting audience’s attention,
introducing the topic, and
giving audience reason to list),
however introduction sounds
“choppy” and lacks polish.
 Opening comments fail to
meet one or more of the
functions of an introduction
(getting the audience’s
attention, introducing the
topic, and giving audience
reasons to listen).
 Introduction is missing (i.e.,
speech opens with the thesis).
 Speech incorporates
elements of praise and/or
blame creatively. Thesis is
smoothly but clearly integrated
into the speech.
 Speech contains some
elements of praise and/or
blame. Thesis establishes
purpose of speech.
 Thesis sentence is present,
but is not worded clearly.
Speech lacks praise and/or
blame or seems to lose
focus/purpose at times.
 Main idea of speech is
mentioned but is unclear and
confusing. Speech lacks
praise and/or blame. Overall,
speech lacks focus.
 Speech topic is unsuitable
for special occasion or
ceremonial speech
assignment. Thesis is
missing.
 Speaker meets the
expectations of the speech
genre (i.e., the audience’s
expectations) in an
exceptionally creative, unique
manner.
 Speaker meets the
expectations of the audience
genre (i.e., the audience’s
expectations). Speech
reflects creativity and
uniqueness.
 Speaker has made an
effort to identify audience’s
expectations. Parts of the
speech reflect creativity and
uniqueness.
 Speaker has made an
effort to identify audience’s
expectations, but speech
sounds cliché and unoriginal.
 Speech does not reflect
speaker’s understanding of the
genre. Speech is more
informative or persuasive than
suitable for a ceremonial
speech.
 Speech is clear, logical, and
organized. Ideas are grouped
into appropriate main points;
transitions are smooth but clear.
Speech has distinct introduction,
body, & conclusion.
 Overall, speech is clear
and well-organized, although
there are occasional lapses.
 Speech is generally wellorganized, although preview
and/or summary may be
missing; transitions may be
too smooth or missing, or
organization may wander
occasionally.
 Listener can follow speech
only with effort. Material is not
grouped into main points or
can only be identified with
effort.
 Speech organization is
nonexistent. Speaker rambles.
 Speaker uses a variety of
relevant and memorable
supporting materials
(quotations, examples,
narrative, statistics,
descriptions, etc.) to
strengthen speech purpose
and to lengthen speech to
appropriate time limit (3-5
minutes).
 Speaker uses a variety of
supporting materials
(quotations, examples,
narrative, statistics,
descriptions, etc.) to
strengthen speech purpose.
Supporting materials are
adequate, though not
particularly memorable.
Supporting materials lengthen
speech to appropriate time
limit (3-5 minutes).
 One of the following:
(1) Speaker relies on limited
variety (i.e., one or two) kinds of
supporting materials
(quotations, examples,
narratives, statistics,
descriptions, etc.) to strengthen
speech purpose; (2) some
supporting materials are not
relevant to speech purpose; (3)
additional supporting materials
are needed to lengthen speech
to appropriate time limit (3-5
minutes).
 Two of the following:
(1) Speaker relies on limited
variety (i.e., one or two) kinds of
supporting materials
(quotations, examples,
narratives, statistics,
descriptions, etc.) to strengthen
speech purpose; (2) some
supporting materials are not
relevant to speech purpose; (3)
additional supporting materials
are needed to lengthen speech
to appropriate time limit (3-5
minutes).
 Three of the following:
(1) Speaker relies on limited
variety (i.e., one or two) kinds of
supporting materials (quotations,
examples, narratives, statistics,
descriptions, etc.) to strengthen
speech purpose; (2) some
supporting materials are not
relevant to speech purpose; (3)
additional supporting materials
are needed to lengthen speech
to appropriate time limit (3-5
minutes).
 Word choice is appropriate
for the audience and speech
setting. Language is
descriptive, creative, and
memorable.
 Word choice is appropriate
for the audience and speech
setting, though not particularly
memorable or creative.
 Overall, word choice is
appropriate for the audience &
speech setting, with minor
exceptions (when language
may be too informal or overly
technical). Speaker relies on
 Word choice is repeatedly
inappropriate for the audience
or speech setting (too informal
or overly technical). Much of
the speech relies on “inside
humor” that the audience
doesn’t understand.
 Speaker uses language
that is extremely inappropriate
or offensive to the
audience/speech setting.
“inside humor” that audience
doesn’t understand.
Audience Adaptation
Physical Delivery
Vocal Delivery
Overall Effectiveness
Comments:
 Speaker connects to the
audience using creative, wellplanned verbal & nonverbal
identification strategies.
Speaker helps audience
members connect to the
speech subject through skillful
use of magnification and other
creative strategies.
 Speaker connects to
audience using verbal &
nonverbal identification
strategies, and uses
magnification & other
strategies to encourage
audience members to connect
to the speech subject.
 Speaker makes effort to
connect to audience using
verbal & nonverbal
identification strategies,
although efforts are not
consistently successful
throughout the speech.
Speaker makes effort to use
magnification and other
strategies to help audience
connect to the speech subject,
although efforts are not
consistently successful
throughout the speech.
 Speaker provides little
evidence of audience adaption
or audience analysis.
 Speaker provides no
evidence of audience adaption
or audience analysis.
 The speaker appears
confident and comfortable
throughout the speech.
Posture, movement, gestures,
and eye contact all enhance
the message. Speaker
exhibits an appropriate energy
level and is engaged with the
audience.
 Speaker presents the
speech using effective
physical delivery overall, but
demonstrates very rare
weaknesses in one of the
following areas: poor eye
contact, no gestures or
distracting gestures,
distracting pacing/swaying,
poor posture, and sloppy or
distracting appearance. As a
whole, speaker appears
confident and interacts easily
with the audience.
 Speaker presents the
speech using effective
physical delivery overall, but
demonstrates occasional
weaknesses in one or more of
the following areas: poor eye
contact, no gestures or
distracting gestures,
distracting pacing/swaying,
poor posture, lack of
confidence, and sloppy or
distracting appearance, etc.
 Speaker is clearly aware of
physical delivery and is
making an effort to present the
speech as effectively as
possible. Speaker struggles
with one or more of the
following physical delivery
issues for the majority of the
speech: poor eye contact, no
gestures or distracting
gestures, distracting
pacing/swaying, poor posture,
lack of confidence, and sloppy
or distracting appearance, etc.
 Speaker demonstrates no
awareness of physical
delivery. He/she exhibits
multiple problems with
physical delivery throughout
the speech such as poor eye
contact, no gestures or
distracting gestures,
distracting pacing/swaying,
poor posture, lack of
confidence, and sloppy or
distracting appearance.
 Speaker uses
conversational style to
connect with the audience.
Speaker is fluent and uses
appropriate word choice.
Rate, pitch, and volume do not
detract from the presentation.
 Speaker uses
conversational style to
connect with the audience.
Speaker presents the speech
using effective vocal delivery
overall, but demonstrates very
rare weaknesses in one of the
following areas: rate, pitch,
volume, dysfluencies, or word
choice.
 Speaker presents the
speech using effective vocal
delivery overall, but
demonstrates occasional
weaknesses in one or more of
the following areas: rate,
pitch, volume, dysfluencies, a
stilted or memorized style of
speaking.
 Speaker struggles with one
or more of the following vocal
delivery areas throughout the
majority of the speech: rate,
pitch, volume, dysfluencies, a
stilted or memorized style of
speaking.
 Speaker exhibits multiple
problems with vocal delivery
throughout the speech such
as rate, pitch, volume,
dysfluencies, and a stilted or
memorized style of speaking.
 Speaker engages the
audience in the topic. Speech
content is memorable for a
long period of time. The
praise/blame elements of the
speech are exceptionally
strong.
 Speaker engages the
audience in the topic. Speech
content is memorable for
several days. The speech
emphasizes elements of
praise/blame.
 Speaker connects to
audience for majority of
speech. Some speech
content is memorable.
Speech meets the
expectations of a ceremonial
speech.
 Speaker connects to
audience some of the time.
Moments in the speech are
memorable and meet the
expectations of a ceremonial
speech.
 Speaker fails to connect to
audience and/or does not
meet the expectations of a
ceremonial speech.
Total: _____________