Assessment Criteria for Speeches
An “A” speech
“WOW !”
Introduction
and
Conclusion
Content,
Language,
and Visual
Aids
Body
Language,
Facial
Expressions,
Eye Contact,
and Voice
Overall
Appearance
Solid introduction and
conclusion with a creative
attention getter and final
remark, clear topic
statement, relevant
credibility, solid preview and
summary
Great call to action
Excellent inclusion of
resources, citations in speech
when necessary, clear, vivid
language which made me
feel the speech through 2 or
more senses
Professionally appearing
visual aids which were used
wonderfully throughout the
speech
Confident, comfortable
delivery, speaker appeared
natural and conversational
with no verbal pauses
Lively face and facial
expression, matched the tone
of the topic, scanned the
audience well while also
using note cards
appropriately
Energetic, enthusiastic voice
which matched the tone of
the topic a nice volume and
great variation of pitch
Great fluency of speech
Appeared as if they had
rehearsed this speech
enough, polished delivery
Genuine interest, positive
feelings towards topic and
the audience
A “B” Speech
“Pretty Good!”
A “C” Speech
Introduction almost
complete, not as strong as it
could be
Needs improvement on
either (attention getter, final
remark, topic statement,
credibility, preview and
summary)
Deals with a challenging
topic, not all material that
needs to be cited is cited
Speech a bit too
conversational &/or some
usage of slang, sexism, &/or
jargon
Language needed to be a
little more emotive with
more attention paid to the
senses
Proficient use of transitions
Visual aids done
satisfactorily
Delivered in a fluent
confident manner
Seemed natural,
conversational although
slightly nervous &/or uneasy
little movement from the
speaker
Varied eye contact
throughout most of the
speech
Introduction and Conclusion
are identifiable
Preview and summary are in
appropriate places
Attention getter &/or final
remark blend in with the rest
of the speech
Introduction and conclusion
there but hard to distinguish
Preview &/or summary
missing
Conform to the assignment
(narrative, informative,
persuasive)
Speech direct and easy to
understand
Visual Aids are presented
throughout the speech and
presented professionally
Sources are cited in speech
when needed
Not prepared according to
the assignment
Visual aids missing &/or
unprofessional
Visual aids handled in an
unprofessional manner
Reasonable comfort and
confidence
Reasonable amount of eye
contact with the audience
Remain behind the podium
throughout the speech
Little or no movement from
the speaker
Delivered in a matter of fact,
here is what you need to
know, manner
Read from a manuscript or
delivered from memory
No audience interaction and
involvement
Needed at least one more
practice
Skillful delivery with
moderate amount of fluency
throughout the speech
Ready for the assignment on
the assigned day
Conform to the time limit
Prepared any special
requirements (outline,
visuals, sources, etc.)
Needed to rehearse a couple
more times
Clearly unrehearsed and
unprepared for the speech
A “D” Speech
“Keep Trying”
Speech 103
”Maybe Next Time”
Dr. Brewster
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