INTERNATIONAL ACADEME OF ENSCIEMA School Year 2020-2021

Subject: Public Speaking Grade Level: Grade 10 First Quarter

Lesson 1 Elevator Speech

Elevator Speech
An elevator speech is a clear, brief message or “commercial” about you. It communicates who you are, what you’re looking
for and how you can benefit a company or organization. It’s typically about 30 seconds, the time it takes people to ride from
the top to the bottom of a building in an elevator. (The idea behind having an elevator speech is that you are prepared to
share this information with anyone, at anytime, even in an elevator.)

This elevator speech is:

•absolutely not longer than 25 to 30 seconds
•or - in words - approximately 80 to 90 words
•or - in sentences - 8 to 10 sentences

Key Points
An elevator pitch is a brief, persuasive speech that you can use to spark interest in what your organization does. You can
also use one to create interest in a project, idea, or product.

It needs to be succinct, while conveying important information.

To craft a great pitch, follow these steps.

1. Identify your goal.
2. Explain what you do.
3. Communicate your Purpose.
4. Engage with a question.
5. Put it all together.
6. Practice.

Try to keep a business card or other takeaway item with you, which helps the other person remember you and your
message. And cut out any information that doesn't absolutely need to be there.

ACTIVITY

Instructions: Deliver an elevator speech. Each person is given a time limit which corresponds to the amount of time that people
usually consume when riding an elevator (30 seconds).

Rubric for the Elevator Speech/Elevator Pitch

5 4 3
Evaluation/
Exceeds Expectations Meets Expectations Needs Improvement Comments
Performance Speech looks rehearsed Speech looks somewhat Speech does not look
(Appearance, confidence, and they maintain eye rehearsed and rehearsed and makes no
posture, speaks clearly) contact with the maintains eye contact eye contact.
audience. most of the time.

Presentation Clearly explains the Somewhat describes the Doesn’t describe at all
(clear, concise, expected content of the expected content. the content of the pitch.
understandable) pitch.
Expectations Describes why they are Somewhat describes Doesn’t describe why
(states their goals, captures unique and different. why they are unique they are unique and
attention, persuasive, and different. different.
realistic)
Timing Within time limit. Goes 5 seconds over or Goes 10 seconds over or
(appropriate time length) under time limit. under time limit.
Overall Overall, exceeds Overall, meets most Overall, elevator pitch
expectations for an expectations for a good needs improvement
excellent elevator pitch elevator pitch