Peer Workshops 1
Peer Workshop Evaluation for Informative Speeches
Speaker: Keat
Evaluator: Daniel
Topic: The Hidden Depths of Pothos Plants
Evaluators: 1) Read through the outline. 2) Write responses to each of the questions below. Be sure to explain your
answers—the more you write, the more your comments will help the speaker. If you need more space, write on the
back. When you are finished, discuss your suggestions and return this sheet and the outline to the speaker.
Is the topic specific enough to be adequately covered in 4-6 minutes? Should it be more narrow or broad?
There are too many sources in the second and third points. There also should only be really three points
(maybe 2 supporting statements to each) for a six minute speech.
For point two the A/B points are just one “how does flowing work, well some reasearchers at _____
attempted to answer that question by studying _____ about the plant”. Then a follow-up statement that they
were looking at horomones to see why areum was not flowering. The second subpoint would reference the
method they used. The third subpoint would be regarding what conclusion they came to, (first they saw it
flower that was shocking, and now they know gibberellin was the culprit (reference to method from before
of how they knew)”
Point three is fine but it reads more like a manuscript than an outline. This is good for practice but less
good for memorization and improvisation (in my experience, but do what works for you).
Is this speech informing you about something new? Is it focused on analyzing (how or why), rather than
listing (what)? What else would you like to know about this topic?
This is informing me about something new. It does a good job of introducing me to a pretty foreign subject
and then walking me through a story of the subject.
Does the attention getter catch your attention? How can it be made better? Are there ways to help
maintain audience interest more throughout the speech?
I don’t know from the intro what the houseplant is exactly and what it looks like. I do like the humor and I
think it will keep the audience engaged. It is also important during verbal delivery to make sure to be
emotive with tone to engage the audience.
Has the speaker established the significance of the topic, both for the world and for the specific audience?
How could the speaker make you care more?
Im interested in the story as an informative. This topic is not “useful” so to say but I like that the speech
says what it says. TLDR: its good and I care about it for reasons beyond what this question asks for.
Peer Workshops 2
Does each main point clearly support the thesis? Are all main points clear and separate? How can they be
better?
The thesis does not clearly demonstrate to me what the main points will be. It needs to mor e directly
address what I will expect from the speech.
What sources have been cited? Do the sources include a scholarly journal and a popular press article? Do
you think they are credible and relevant to the point being made? Why or why not? How can this be
better?
4/5 are scholarly or have high credibility. The only one that doesn’t isn’t making claims that are scientific
or require a high burden of authority and proof so its fine. The sources are fine and relevant.
I think the Encyclopedia Brittanica is not necessary and the claim made with the article is one that isn’t
necessary to the speech or is believable from the speaker alone. For example: instead (Many plants clone
themselves like when a tree trimming falls on the ground and can grow roots) (btw I have seen this in my
own vineyard and it’s a believable claim to the average city-dweller)
Have a variety of support materials (facts & statistics, definitions, examples, narratives, testimony, and/or
analogies) been used? How can the speaker strengthen his/her points even more?
Likely a visual aid with diagrams of the reproductive processes will be necessary. It would be useful to
have more sensory words in the speech to tie the audience experience to the research and cocntent.
What are your two favorite parts of this speech? Why? Can you think of a way to make them even better?
1.
My favorite line was the apocalyptic nightmare description about reproduction. It was really
funny.
2.
Another part I like about the speech is it really humanizes the scientific process, making it
digestible to the audience.
What are two ways you think this speech could be improved? How? Why?
1.
The speech can be simplified and reduced to essential parts so that it can assuredly make time
requirements.
2.
I wish there was a stat as to how many homes have this plant, or more clarity on the plant itself for
households.
Peer Workshops 3