Outstanding Very Good Good Developing Needs Improvement

Criteria Score
(17-20) (13-16) (9-12) (5-8) (1-4)
Speaker clearly formulated Speaker formulated and
and stated thesis stated decent thesis Thesis is clearly implied, No thesis statement. Main
Thesis is lacking, although
statement during the statement during the although not explicitly points are not clearly
stated. Topic is not clearly
Thesis Statement speech introduction. Thesis speech introduction. Thesis stated. Topic is clearly identified, audience unsure
identified, and main points
statement identifies topic statement somewhat identified, but main points of the direction of the
are not clearly previewed.
and encompasses main identifies topic and are not clearly previewed. message.
points. encompasses main points.
Depth of content reflects
knowledge and Depth of content mostly Provides little support for
Provides some support for Provides irrelevant or no
understanding of topic. reflects knowledge and main points, but needed to
main points, but needed to support. Explanations of
Main points adequately understanding of topic. elaborate further with
elaborate further with concepts are inaccurate or
Subject Knowledge substantiated with timely, Main points are addressed explanations, examples,
explanations, examples, incomplete. Listeners gain
relevant and sufficient fairly. Provided accurate descriptions, etc. Support
descriptions, etc. Support little knowledge from
support. Provided accurate explanation of key is irrelevant and not
is relevant, but not timely. presentation.
explanation of key concepts. timely.
concepts.
General structure seems
Uses effective Structure seems lacking Lack of structure. Ideas are
Uses decent organizational inadequate but some
organizational pattern for and some blurring not coherent and
pattern for speech blurring between main
speech purpose. Main between main points and transitions are forced or
Organization purpose. Main points are points and supporting
points are clearly supporting details. Logical blurred. Difficult to identify
quite distinguished from details. Logical flow, but no
distinguished from flow, but no clear signposts introduction, body, and
supporting details. clear signposts for smooth
supporting details. for smooth transition. conclusion.
transition.
Use of clear, correct, and Excessive grammar and
Uses most of appropriate Few noticeable syntax and Distinguishable syntax and
appropriate language for syntax errors diminished
language for target grammatical errors and grammatical errors and
target audience and perceived competence.
audience and speech goal. some use of vague some use of vague
Language Use speech goal. Speaker uses Some sentences are
Speaker uses decent language, but generally language, but generally
a variety of rhetorical incomplete and/or
rhetorical devices to clear and appropriate for clear for speech goal and
devices to enhance vocabulary is limited or
enhance message. speech goal and audience. audience.
message. inappropriate.
Stated most of the
Clearly stated the
relevance of topic to
relevance of topic to Topic seems somewhat Topic seems somewhat Topic seems irrelevant to
audience’s needs and
audience’s needs and relevant to audience, but relevant to audience, but audience’s needs and
Connection with the interests. Thoughtful
interests. Thoughtful not explicitly stated. Vague lacking. Unclear reference interests. No attempt
Audience audience analysis is
audience analysis reflected reference to audience to audience needs and/or made to connect topic to
somewhat reflected
through choice of topic needs and/or interests. interests. targeted audience.
through choice of topic
and supporting evidence.
and supporting evidence.
Ian Paul H. Daug MAELT II

Criteria for Informative Speech