Informative Speech Scoring Guide
Category
4
3
2
1
Body language
and rate of
speech
Uses positive body
language including
movement and
gestures to aid in
understanding. No
hands on hips or in
pockets and no
distractions like gum or
other behaviors.
Rate of speech is
natural.
Uses positive body
language almost the
entire speech including
movement and
gestures to aid in
understanding. No
hands on hips or in
pockets and no
distractions like gum or
other behaviors.
Rate of speech is
natural.
Uses positive body
language almost the
entire speech including
movement and gestures
to aid in understanding.
Uses some negative
behaviors as well.
Rate of speech may be
a little rushed or too
slow.
Not all speech is clear.
Uses more negative
than positive behaviors.
Rate of speech may be
a little rushed or too
slow.
Not all speech is clear.
Audience
Demonstrates a clear
understanding of the
potential listener and
uses appropriate
vocabulary and
arguments. Anticipates
reader’s questions and
provides thorough
answers appropriate for
that audience.
Demonstrates a
general understanding
of the potential listener
and uses vocabulary
and arguments
appropriate for that
audience.
Demonstrates some
understanding of the
potential listener and
uses arguments
appropriate for that
audience.
It is not clear who is the
intended audience.
Attention-getter
The first sentence
captures the audience’s
attention in a creative
and appropriate way for
the topic to be
discussed.
The first sentence
attempts to capture
the audience’s
attention in appropriate
way for the topic to be
discussed.
The first sentence does
not capture the
audience’s attention, but
it does introduce the
topic in a logical way.
The first sentence does
not capture the
audience’s attention,
and it does not
introduce the topic.
Supporting
details
Includes 3 or more
reasons (facts,
statistics, examples,
real-life experiences)
that support the topic.
The writer anticipates
the reader’s concerns,
biases, or arguments
and has provided at
least 1 counterargument.
Includes 3 or more
reasons (facts,
statistics, examples,
real-life experiences)
that support the topic.
Includes 2 reasons
(facts, statistics,
examples, real-life
experiences) that
support the topic.
Includes 1 or fewer
reasons (facts,
statistics, examples,
real-life experiences)
that support the topic.
Organization
and Sequencing
There is a logical order
that makes it easy to
follow. Sentence and
paragraph structure is
complete and wellwritten.
Support is provided in
a fairly logical order
that makes it
reasonably easy to
follow the author’s train
of thought. Sentence
and paragraph
structure is generally
correct.
A few of the support
detail are not in an
expected or logical
order, distracting the
reader and making the
speech seem a little
confusing. Sentence
and paragraph structure
problems are present.
Many of the support
details are not in an
expected or logical
order, distracting and
confusing the listener.
Sentence and
paragraph structure
problems are present.
Mechanics and
grammar
Contains no spelling,
punctuation, or
grammatical errors.
Contains several errors
in punctuation, spelling,
or grammar that do not
interfere with meaning.
Contains many
punctuation, spelling,
and/or grammatical
errors that interfere with
meaning.
Contains many
punctuation, spelling,
and/or grammatical
errors that make the
piece confusing.
Closing
The closing sentence
leaves the reader with
something important to
think about regarding
the topic. It does so in a
creative way.
The closing sentence
leaves the reader with
something important to
think about regarding
the topic.
The closing sentence is
not special; instead it is
just another fact about
the product.