ABSH RUBRIC FOR SPEECH Name of Student ______________________________________
Item
Diction
5
Speaker speaks clearly
throughout the speech; the words
are pronounced clearly and
correctly
The flow of the speech is natural
and normal; the speaker
obviously is comfortable
speaking; there are no stops or
awkward pauses
Speaker uses various tones when
speaking that engages the
audience; the vocal quality is
pleasant, natural, and easily
understood
Speaker’s body expresses the
content and words; gesticulations
enhance the speech, providing
more clarity or meaning; there
are no signs of anxiety
4
The majority of the speech
was clear and
understandable
3
Some words were
mispronounced or not
used correctly
There were no stops or
awkward pauses
There were a few stops
and awkward pauses
Speaker uses good tone
that is natural and pleasant
Variation
Emotion
Flow
Tone
Body
Language
Content
Time
Name of School _____________________________________
2
Many words were
mispronounced or not
understood; incorrect
words were used
There were some stops
and awkward pauses
1
Most of the speech
was unclear and
unintelligible
Speaker uses ordinary
tone but does not elicit
excitement or
engagement
Speaker uses same
tone with no variation;
speech sounds boring
Speaker uses
inappropriate tone
with no variation
Speaker’s body conveys
the message well
Speaker’s body expresses
the message; there are a
few inappropriate
movements
Speaker’s body
sometimes expresses
the message well; there
are some inappropriate
movements
Speaker rarely moves
or moves
inappropriately
(leans on podium,
puts hands in
pockets, etc)
Speaker varies the tone, cadence,
and volume of the speech so as to
be exciting and add meaning
Speaker varies in tone,
cadence, and volume
throughout speech
There is often variation in
tone, cadence, and
volume
There is some variation
in tone, cadence, and
volume
There is little
variation in tone,
cadence, and volume
Speaker emotes well so that the
audience feels appropriately;
speaker is enthusiastic and
passionate
The content of the speech is
engaging and exciting; figurative
language is used expertly; the
message is clear with no rambling
or unnecessary words
The speech was within the
established time (3-5 minutes)
Speaker emotes well with
enthusiasm
Speaker emotes normally
(as in a conversation);
little passion
There is some emotion
There is little
emotion
The content of the speech
is engaging and exciting;
figurative language is used
The content of the speech
is entertaining and uses
some figurative language
The content is
appropriate with few
unnecessary words
The content is basic
The content is
inappropriate for
a contest
The speech was up to 30
seconds over or under the
established time.
The speech was up to 1
minute over or under the
established time.
The speech was up to 1
minute 30 seconds over
or under the
established time.
The speech was up to
2 minutes over or
under the
established time.
The speech was
up to 2 minutes
30 seconds over
or under the
established time.
Total points _________________
There were many
stops and awkward
pauses
0
The majority of
the speech was
unintelligible and
unclear
There was no
natural flow,
many stops, and
awkward pauses
The tone of voice
was inappropriate
or unpleasant
throughout the
speech
Speaker seems
frightened by
public speaking;
speaker does not
move in a manner
appropriate for a
speech
There is no
variation; speaker
speaks in
monotone
throughout
speech
There is no
emotion