Presenting material with 2-3 minutes per side

5
Engages t he
i nt er es t of t he
audi ence
&f r ames t he
i s s ues
4
Successfully
frames the issues
3
Outlines/lists
arguments &
evidence but does
not generate
interest
2
Minimally
outlines
arguments
1
Does little
more than
state the
position of
team
Total
5
Extremely
thorough, well-
organized
presentation
4
Well-organized
and complete
presentation
3
Organized &
generally complete
presentation
2
Somewhat
organized
presentation
1
Disorganized,
incomplete

5
Demonstrates
sophisticated
understanding of
issues/events/facts
relevant to topic
4
Demonstrates
basic & accurate
understanding of
issues/events/facts
relevant to topic
3
Demonstrates
basic, somewhat
accurate
understanding of
issues/events/facts
relevant to topic
2
Demonstrates
general
understanding
but exhibits
minor
confusion
1
Demonstrates
an inadequate
understanding

5
Demonstrates
ability to make
original
connections
4
Demonstrates
ability to make
general
connections
3
Demonstrates
ability to make
basic connections
2
Seems to
understand
facts but is
unable to
connect them
1
Supports
statements
with vague or
irrelevant

5
Effectively
challenges
arguments
4
Challenges
arguments
generally
3
Offers arguments
but not evidence
to counter
2
Attempts to
challenge
arguments of
opponent
1
Unable to
challenge
opponents
arguments

5
Responds
concisely and
accurately
4
Responds with
accuracy and
generally concise
answers
3
Responds to most
issues with general
accuracy
2
Seems caught
off-guard or is
tentative
1
Unable to
respond
meaningfully



Audience response
5
Responds
concisely and
accurately
4
Responds with
accuracy and
generally
concise answers
3
Responds to
most issues
with general
accuracy
2
Seems caught
off-guard or is
tentative
1
Unable to
respond
meaningfully

5
Closing remarks
leave no
unanswered
issues
4
Closing remarks
summarize
many
statements
3
Closing remarks
do not reflect
debate remarks
2
Closing
argument
briefly restates
the ideas
offered in
opening
statement
1
Closing
statements do
no more than
state position

2.5
Scientifically
sophisticated
rhetoric
2
Scientifically
appropriate
1.5
Appropriate but
not clear
1
Inappropriate
&basic but clear
.5
Overly
simplistic,
unclear or uses
slang terms

2.5
Deliberate &
effective use of
logic, emotion,
and ethics
2
Basic use of
logic, emotion,
and ethics
1.5
Some use
1
Minimal use
.5
Does not use
persuasive
rhetoric

2.5
Exhibits
confidence and
energy and
passion
2
Exhibits
confidence and
passion or
energy
1.5
Appears a bit
nervous yet
confident
1
Lacks
confidence
.5
Demonstrates
no preparation

5
Cites
information
from a variety
of reputable
scientific
sources
4
Cites most
information
from reputable
scientific
sources
3
Cites
information
with most from
dubious
scientific
sources
2
Cites
information
from dubious
sources
1
Cites
information
without sources

5
Provides all
evidence from
personal
experiments
4
Provides some
evidence from
personal
experiments
3
Provide less
evidence from
personal
experiments
2
Provides little
evidence from
personal
experiments
1
Does not
provide any
evidence from
personal
experiments