Narrative Speech Outline/ Expectations
Congratulations! You are about to deliver your first major speech on SEPT. 5. Your topic is:
Tell a story (narrative) about an embarrassing experience.
This story will include at least one onomatopoeia (swoosh!, zzzip!, boom!, slash!), two similes/
metaphors, and a creative moral to the story. These items will be color-coated on a final copy in
MLA format the day of your presentation. You may use index cards to give your speech, but do not
rely on the cards as a crutch. Use them as an aide if you HAVE to. Since you already know the story
that you are telling, you should be able to tell it and not read it word-for-word.
On the back is my grading rubric. You will turn this rubric in on the day that you give your speech. It
will be stapled to your typed, final hard copy. Make sure you consider these areas as you prepare
for your presentations! Also remember my policy for late major grades… bottom line, be here, and
be prepared to speak.
Expectations:
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3-5 minutes in length (practice timing in class and outside of class—in the mirror at home,
for your parents, etc.)
Eye contact, gestures, facial expressions, movement, etc. (work on your verbal and
nonverbal communication skills; remember your audience! Captivate them.)
Use of figurative language and onomatopoeia and moral of story (you will type a final copy
of your speech to me once you have edited the rough draft in class; you will then highlight
these items in different colors, leaving a key at the top of the page)
Stay on topic (you need to make sure you are telling one story, that it has a moral/what you
learned from this particular embarrassing experience at the conclusion of your speech, and
that it makes sense! Do not talk about football stats or salute your favorite team in the
middle of your speech; be creative, but keep it relevant!)
Listen to others and offer constructive criticism.
Speak clearly (if you are nervous, that is okay. But do not allow your nerves to control you.
Take control of your nerves; speak with confidence; act like you know what you are talking
about, because guess what? YOU DO!)
Oral Presentation Rubric : Narrative Speech Presentation
Teacher Name: Ms. Whitaker
Student Name:
CATEGORY
________________________________________
4
3
2
1
Has at least one
Onomatopoeia
and two similes/
metaphors and moral
color-coated on
speech.
Has one
Onomatopoeia
and one simile/
metaphor and moral
color-coated on
speech.
Has one highlighted
Onomatopoeia
and no metaphor/
simile and no moral.
Has no
Onomatopoeia
or figurative
language and no
moral. There is no
highlighting.
Facial expressions
and body language
generate a strong
sometimes generate a
interest and
strong interest and
enthusiasm about the enthusiasm about the
topic in others.
topic in others.
Facial expressions
and body language
are used to try to
generate enthusiasm,
but seem somewhat
uninterested.
Very little use of
facial expressions or
body language. Did
not generate much
interest in topic being
presented.
Time-Limit
Presentation is 3-5
minutes long.
Presentation is 2:50
minutes long or
longer than 5
minutes.
Presentation is 22:30 minutes long.
Presentation is less
than 2 minutes OR
more than 6 minutes.
Listens to Other
Presentations
Listens intently. Does
not make distracting
noises or movements.
Gives appropriate
feedback.
Listens intently but
has one distracting
noise or movement.
Gives feedback.
Sometimes does not
appear to be listening
but is not distracting.
Does not give
appropriate feedback.
Sometimes does not
appear to be listening
and has distracting
noises or movements.
Does not give
constructive
feedback.
Speaks Clearly
Speaks clearly and
distinctly all (10095%) the time, and
mispronounces no
words.
Speaks clearly and
distinctly all (10095%) the time, but
mispronounces one
word.
Speaks clearly and
distinctly most ( 9485%) of the time.
Mispronounces no
more than one word.
Often mumbles, or
cannot be understood
OR mispronounces
more than one word.
Stays on Topic
Stays on topic all
(100%) of the time.
Stays on topic most
Stays on topic some
(99-90%) of the time. (89%-75%) of the
time.
Onomatopoeia
And Figurative
Language And
Moral- Final
Draft
Enthusiasm, Eye Facial expressions
and body language
Contact
It was hard to tell
what the topic was.