PERSUASIVE TEXT
CRITERION Rating
Excellent
Points 10-9
Introduction (1) Gets attention   Meets any three of the
(2) Clearly identifies topic
(3) Establishes credibility 
(4) Previews the main
points
Body Main points are clear,
well supported, and
sources are documented
Conclusion (1) Reviews main points
(2) Brings closure
(3) Memorable
SPEECH DELIVERY
CRITERION Rating
Excellent
Points 10-9
Eye Contact The student uses eye
contact to communicate a
clearer message by looking
at audience members
directly to highlight a
point.
Voice volume and clarity The speaker uses the
volume of his or her voice
to emphasize points and to
add meaning to the
presentation.
Pace The speaker varies the
pace in order to emphasize
points and add meaning.
Poise Due to practice and
familiarity with the speech,
the speaker makes only
the smallest of errors like
an unnecessary hesitation.
Body Language The speaker's appearance
is professional in dress,
stance, and gestures. The
student uses their body to
emphasize points or add
meaning.
Voice Intonation The speech is delivered
with enthusiasm and the
speaker uses intonation in
order to emphasize points
and add meaning.
Rating Rating
Good Satisfactory
Points 9-8 Points 8-7
Meets any two of the four
four criteria criteria
Main points are Main points
somewhat clear, need clarity
some support, and and support
some documentation lack of
sources and
documentation
Reviews main points , Brings closure
brings
closure
Rating Rating
Good Satisfactory
Points 9-8 Points 8-7
The student makes eye Student looks up from
contact with all sides of their speech a few times,
the room and looks up generally making contact
repeatedly. with only one area of the
room.
The audience can always Once or twice, the
hear the speaker clearly. audience cannot
understand an insignificant
detail because the speaker
speaks too quietly or
mumbles.
The pace of the speech is The speaker maintains a
easy to follow, but may not good pace that may be a
vary. tad too slow or too fast,
but may not vary
understandable to the
audience.
While the student may The student makes
stumble, he or she pronunciation errors or
continues on in a become befuddled at one
professional manner. point. May use words like
"um" or "like."
The speaker's appearance The speaker's appearance
is professional in dress, may lack formality because
stance, and gestures. he or she is fidgeting, not
standing up straight, or
seems insecure.
The speech is delivered The speaker sounds
with enthusiasm. uninterested in what he or
she is presenting.
Rating
Needs Improvement
Points 7-6
Meets only one of the four
criteria
Main points
are not clear
and have no support
and no sources or
documentation
Does not bring closure; the
audience is left hanging
Rating
Needs Improvement
Points 7-6
Student reads their speech
and never looks at the
audience or hides behind
their speech.
It is difficult the audience
to make out important
details because the
speaker speaks to quietly
or mumbles.
The speaker's pace makes
it difficult to understand
the speech because it is
too fast.
The speaker seems
unprepared and
unpractised because he or
she stumbles over many
words, cannot read the
words, or has a
conversation with him or
herself in front of the class.
The speaker's gestures are
distracting. The speaker
looks depressed or
apathetic.
The speech is delivered in a
monotone or apathetic
voice.