Rubrics for Grading Informative Speech

Opens with Impact [5 marks] [3-4 marks] [1-2 marks]

Effective use of attention getting Attention getting strategy, but did not No attention getting strategy was strategy (quote, statistics, question, seem to adequately capture audience evident. No clear or relevant story, etc.) to capture listeners’ attention and/or lead to desired connection to topic and/or speech attention and to introduce topic. outcome. purpose Attention getter is relevant and meaningful and seemed to gain the desired response from audience.

Thesis Statement [5 marks] [3-4 marks] [1-2 marks]

Speaker clearly formulated and stated Thesis is clearly implied, although not No thesis statement (implied nor thesis statement during the speech explicitly stated. Topic is clearly explicit). Main points are not clearly introduction. Thesis statement identified, but main points are not identified, audience unsure of identifies topic and clearly previewed. direction of the message. encompasses/previews main points.

Connection with [5 marks] [3-4 marks] [1-2 marks] Audience Relevance of topic to audience needs Topic seems somewhat relevant to Topic seems irrelevant to audience and interests. Thoughtful audience audience, but not explicitly stated. needs and interests. No attempt made analysis reflected through choice of Vague reference to audience needs to connect topic to targeted audience topic and supporting evidence. and/or interests.

Preview [5 marks] [3-4 marks] [1-2 marks]

Introduces main ideas and follows States main ideas but does not present No preview statement to allow sequence in body of speech. in order nor follow logical sequence. audience to follow ideas being presented in place or incoherent.

1 Organization & [5 marks] [3-4 marks] [1-2 marks] Subject Knowledge Uses effective organizational pattern General structure/organization seems Lack of structure. Ideas are not for speech purpose. Main points are adequate but some blurring between coherent and transitions are forced or clearly distinguished from supporting main points and supporting details. blurred. Difficult to identify details. Signposts are effectively used Logical flow, but no clear signposts introduction, body, and conclusion. for smooth and coherent transitions. for smooth transitions. Provides some Provides irrelevant or no support. Depth of content reflects knowledge support for main points, but needed to Explanations of concepts are and understanding of topic. Main elaborate further with explanations, inaccurate or incomplete. Listeners points adequately substantiated with examples, descriptions, etc. Support is gain little knowledge form timely, relevant and sufficient support. relevant, but not timely. presentation. Provided accurate explanation of key concepts.

Credibility [5 marks] [3-4 marks] [1-2 marks]

Sources of information Most sources are clearly cited, but Fails to identify and cite sources. No are clearly identified and properly fails to effectively establish attempt is made to establish cited. Establishes credibility and credibility and authority of sources credibility and authority of sources authority of sources presented. presented. presented.

Delivery: Eye [5 marks] [3-4 marks] [1-2 marks] Contact Consistently and effectively used eye Conspicuous use of speaker notes. Reads speech from notes/manuscript. contact to establish rapport with Seems disengaged from audience for Avoids eye contact with audience. audience. Inconspicuous use of noticeable periods of time. Only occasional and sporadic speaker notes and effective use of glances. scanning to establish an expanded zone of interaction.

2 Delivery: [5 marks] [3-4 marks] [1-2 marks] Movement/Gestures Expressive, dynamic, and natural use Stiff or unnatural use of nonverbal Body language reflects a reluctance of gestures, posture and facial behaviours. Body language reflects to interact with audience. Distracting expressions to reinforce and enhance some discomfort interacting with movement and/or use of self- meaning. Body language reflects audience. Limited use of gestures to adaptive behaviours. comfort interacting with audience. reinforce verbal message.

Delivery: Vocals [5 marks] [3-4 marks] [1-2 marks]

Natural variation of vocal Limited variation of vocal Inappropriate variation of vocal characteristics (rate, pitch, volume, characteristics. Use of rate, pitch, characteristics. Inconsistent with tone) in Standard English to heighten volume and tone seemed inconsistent verbal message. Excessive fluency interest and match message at times. Few noticeable errors in errors interfered with message appropriately. Appropriate pronunciation, enunciation and comprehension. Excessive use of pronunciation, enunciation, and articulation. Minimal use of vocalized vocalized fillers such as um, uh, ah, articulation. Lack of noticeable fillers such as um, uh, ah, you know, you know, etc. vocalized fillers such as um, uh, ah, etc. you know, etc.

Delivery: Language [5 marks] [3-4 marks] [1-2 marks]

Use of clear, correct, and appropriate Few noticeable syntax and Excessive grammar and syntax errors language for target audience and grammatical errors and some use of diminished perceived competence. speech goal. Speaker uses a variety of vague language, but generally clear Some sentences are incomplete rhetorical devices (analogies, and appropriate for speech goal and and/or vocabulary is limited or repetition, alliteration, etc.) to enhance audience. inappropriate message.

3 Presentational Aids [5 marks] [3-4 marks] [1-2 marks]

Verbal message was effectively Verbal message was supported and Poorly or not supported nor clarified supported, clarified and enhanced with clarified with appropriate presentation with appropriate presentation aids. appropriate presentation aids. aids. Presentation aids are adequate, Presentation aids were inadequate or Demonstrates ability to use a variety of but not always utilized at the inappropriate. Technical presentation presentation strategies. Speaker uses appropriate time. Speaker seemed problems (visibility and clarity) appropriate and respectful presentation uncomfortable with presentation interfered with message aids and is able to adapt to unexpected media/ technology. comprehension. circumstances.

Close: Summary [5 marks] [3-4 marks] [1-2 marks]

Effectively summarizes main ideas Reviewed ideas but not as presented No noticeable summarizing of main following from preview statement. or incoherently. ideas.

Close with Impact [5 marks] [3-4 marks] [1-2 marks]

Effective use of leaving the speech Use of relevant closing strategy, but No effective closing with impact in memorable. Closing is relevant and did not seem to adequately capture place leaving audience without meaningful and seemed to gain the audience attention and/or lead to memorable conclusion. desired response from the audience. desired outcome.