SKILLS 4 3
Clear and convincing
command of facts and
information with insightful
explanations that help to
illustrate the speaker’s ideas
and arguments. At least six
sources are incorporated
into the speech. All six
sources are used to
Research strengthen the persuasive
Analysis argument.
Clearly and logically
organized speech with an
engaging introduction, a
logically sequenced body
with appropriate transitions,
and a clear and convincing
Organization conclusion.
Uses sophisticated and
varied language that is
suited to the topic and
audience; word choice is
concise, original, and
effectively conveys the
appropriate tone given the
Language purpose of the speech
Artfully incorporates at least
six different tropes or
Tropes and schemes to persuade the
Schemes target audience. Tropes and
2 1
Partially clear use of
Clear use of facts and facts and information Confusing or incomplete
information with with limited or facts with little and/or
partially developed incomplete confusing explanations
explanations in support explanations to support as to how the facts
of the speaker’s ideas the speaker’s ideas or support the speaker’s
or arguments. At least arguments. At least five ideas or arguments. At
six sources are sources are least four sources are
incorporated into the incorporated into the incorporated into the
speech. speech. speech.
A lack of organization
Some inconsistencies in makes it difficult to
an organization and/or follow the speaker’s
A clear attempt at the a lack of sustained ideas; speech may be
organization with a focus throughout the too conversational and
beginning, middle, and speech with may ramble without a
end and an attempt to inconsistently used clear beginning, middle,
use transitions transitions or end
Use words that may be
unsuited to the topic, Inappropriate use of
Uses appropriate audience or purpose of language distracts the
language and word the speech; word choice audience because it is
choice, but with less lacks originality and too informal or too
sophistication, fails to convey an imprecise given the
expressiveness and/or appropriate tone for topic and purpose of
originality the speech the speech
Incorporates at least six Incorporates at least Incorporates four or
different tropes or five different tropes or fewer tropes or schemes
schemes to persuade schemes to persuade to persuade the target
the target audience the target audience. audience.
 schemes are fluidly and
naturally scattered
throughout the speech and
aid in the persuasive
argument. Usage does not
feel forced.
All three appeals are fluidly
and naturally scattered
throughout the speech with a
balance that effectively
aids in your persuasion
without making it feel
Appeals forced or contrite
No spelling, punctuation,
capitalization, grammar or
usage errors. Written in an
artful style with sentence
Grammar and variety. No MLA formatting
Conventions errors.
An attempt at using all
All three appeals are three appeals is made,
clearly used throughout although there may be
the speech to some imbalance or the Either not all appeals
effectively persuade persuasion may be are obvious or they are
your audience slightly ineffective used ineffectively
Multiple spelling,
Some minor spelling, punctuation, Numerous spelling,
punctuation, capitalization, grammar punctuation,
capitalization, grammar or usage errors; capitalization, grammar
or usage errors; some mechanical errors do or usage errors distract
sentence variety; a few not disrupt the flow of the reader. Numerous
errors in MLA ideas. Some errors in errors in MLA
formatting. MLA formatting. formatting.