Persuasive Speech Rubric
Speaker’s name: _______________________
Criterion
Evaluator: __________________________
Rating
Excellent
Rating
Good
Rating
Satisfactory
Points 10-9
- Gets attention of
audience with
grabber such as an
interesting fact,
question, or idea
- Clearly states
position
Points 9-8
-Gets attention of
audience with
grabber such as an
interesting fact,
question, or idea
-States position
Body
-Facts are clear,
well supported
-Sources are
documented.
-Facts are
somewhat clear
some support
-Some sources
documentation
Conclusion
-Reviews position
- Brings closure
-Memorable
-Reviews position
-Brings
closure
Points 8-7
-Attempts to get
attention of
audience with
grabber such as an
interesting fact,
question, or idea
- Position is not
clearly stated
-Facts
need clarity
and support
-Lack of
sources and
documentation
-Brings closure
Eye Contact
-Eye contact with
audience virtually
all the time (except
for brief glances at
notes)
-Use of language
contributes to
effectiveness of
the speech, and
vocalized pauses
(um uh er etc.)
not distracting
-Eye contact with
audience less than
80% of the time
-Eye contact with
audience less than
75% of the time
-Use of language
does not have
negative impact,
and vocalized
pauses
(um uh er etc.)
not distracting
-Use of language
causes potential
confusion, and/or
vocalized pauses
(um uh er etc.)
are distracting
-Use of language is
inappropriate
Body language
-Body language,
gestures, and facial
expressions
adds greatly to the
message
-Body language,
gestures, and facial
expressions
compliment
message
-Body language,
facial expressions
and gestures
lack variety and
spontaneity
-Body language,
gestures, and
facial expressions
are lacking or
inappropriate
Clarity
-Speaks clearly and
distinctly all the
time with no
mispronounced
words
Topic is
specific, follows
assignment
Adapted to
audience
Time
3 minutes or
less
-Topic is specific,
appropriate and
adapted
-Speaks clearly and
distinctly nearly all
the time with no
more than one
mispronounced
word
-Topic is clear
appropriate and
somewhat adapted
-Speaks clearly and
distinctly most of
the time with no
more than two
mispronounced
words
-Topic lacks clarity
and focus
needs adapting to
audience
-Within allotted
time
-Within 10% of
allotted time
Within 20% of
allotted time
-Often mumbles or
can not be
understood with
more than three
mispronounced
words
-No specific
purpose-inappropriate for
audience or
occasion
Not within 20% of
allotted time
Introduction
Use of Language
Rating
Needs
Improvement
Points 7-6
- Begins by reading
speech, no
attention grabber
is used
- Doesn’t state
position on topic
-Facts
are not clear
and have no support
-No sources or
documentation
-Does not bring
closure; the
audience is left
hanging
-Little or no eye
contact
Score
Rubric Seek and Find
Name: _________________
Date: _________
Directions: To understand the rubric more clearly, work with a partner or individually to
answer the following question FROM the persuasive speech rubric:
1) In order to get 9-10 points in this category you must keep eye contact with audience
virtually all the time: _____________.
2) Fill in the blank: Speaks clearly and distinctly all the time with ___________
mispronounced words.
3) Circle True or False: According to the rubric, body language greatly adds to the
speaker’s message. True or False
4) Where should you include well-supported facts in your speech? __________________
How can you document sources throughout your speech?
5) Name three things that should be included in your conclusion:
1236) What are some examples of a “vocalized pause”? ______________________
7) How many points will you score get if your topic lacks clarity and focus needs adapting
to audience? ________
8) What do you think it means to “lack clarity and focus needs adapting to audience”?
9) In your speech, when should you plan on clearly stating your position?
10) What is your goal(s) for this speech? _________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
Writing a Persuasive Speech
Speaker: _____________
Date: _______
Questions to ponder:
How can you make a difference in the way animals are treated?
What do you think animals could learn from humans?
Your task: Prepare a short persuasive speech on the treatment of animals used in research. You
will be choosing a position on the issue and back up your position with facts and reasons. Your
speech can be based on what you learned from The Chimpanzees I Love but you will also be
completing additional research.
Your speech must have the following:
Beginning-Tell your audience what you are going to tell them: Introduce the issue and clearly
state your position.
Grabber to introduce:
Position and why:
Middle-Tell them: At least three facts or reasons to support your position. This MUST be based on research from reputable
sources. ONLY ONE may come from The Chimpanzees I Love or you may choose to use only online resources.
1)
2)
3)
Conclusion-Tell them what you have told them: Restate your position by summarizing the facts.
Review of position:
Make memorable by:
*Remember: It is very important to know your AUDIENCE when giving a persuasive speech. For example, consider how
much the audience already knows about an issue. If the audience knows little, you should provide more background
information.
Persuade Me!
Answer the following questions as you watch a persuasive speech.
Date: ______
Name: ______________
Beginning
Was there a grabber?
What was the speaker’s position and did they tell why?
Middle
What were some of the facts given from the speech?
facts?
Were there reasons to support their
1)
2)
3)
Conclusion
Did the speaker review of position?
How did they make it memorable?
-To whom was the speaker addressing during the speech?
-What do you notice about how they are speaking?
Are they clear or difficult to understand?
Do they use their hands?
How often do they look at their notes?
Is there anything else you noticed?
-How do you feel after hearing the speaker?
Who is the audience?