Designates a Clearly Excellent speech. Focus: the thesis is very clearly stated; the topic is narrowed sufficiently; the specific audience has clearly been taken into account when delivering the speech
Organization: the speech has a clear introduction that catches the audience’s attention effectively and is connected to the whole; effective transitions recap each main point; the conclusion effectively summarizes the speech and is related to the whole
Development: all main points begin with a clear topic sentence; all main and supporting points are supported by specific and highly effective examples/evidence; the main and supporting points all relate to each other
Delivery: eye contact is effectively established with the audience; gestures and paralinguistic cues are used to reinforce particularly important ideas; no excessive use of vocalized pauses (e.g., “ah, um”); student is extremely articulate
References: outside sources and incorporated logically, insightfully, and elegantly; sources are documented accurately
SCORE 5
Designates a Still Impressive speech. Focus: the thesis is clearly stated; the topic is limited; the specific audience has clearly been considered when delivering the speech
Organization: the introduction catches the audience’s attention and is connected to the whole; transitions signal movement to another point; the conclusion is clean and related to the whole
Development: almost all main points begin with a clear topic sentence; the main and supporting points include concrete, specific evidence/examples; almost all the main and supporting points relate to each other
Style: most language is memorable; language usage is accurate; tone is appropriate
Delivery: eye contact is established with the audience; gestures and paralinguistic cues are mostly used to reinforce particularly important ideas; some vocalized pauses are used; student is articulate
References: source material is used logically and proficiently; sources are accurately documented
SCORE 4
Designates an Adequate speech. Focus: the thesis is clear or clearly implicit; the topic is partially limited; it is implied that the specific audience has been considered when delivering the speech
Organization: the introduction and conclusion are clear and somewhat related to the whole; some transitions are used
Development: some main points begin with a clear topic sentence; some main and supporting points include specific evidence/examples; most main and supporting points relate to each other
Style: most language is somewhat memorable; language usage is correct; tone is usually appropriate
Delivery: eye contact with the audience is somewhat established; gestures and paralinguistic cues are sometimes used to reinforce particularly important ideas; several vocalized pauses are used; student is somewhat articulate
References: source material is incorporated logically and adequately; sources are documented accurately for the most part
NON-MASTERY SCORES
SCORE 3
Designates a Developing speech Focus: the thesis is unclear; the topic is only partially limited; the specific audience has been partially considered when delivering the speech
Organization: the introduction and conclusion may be ineffective and not related to the whole; the logical plan must be inferred, as no transitions are used
Development: some main points have stated or implied topic sentences; some main points are supported by specific evidence/examples; some main and supporting points relate to each other
Style: language is not very memorable; language usage is generally accurate; tone is often inappropriate
Delivery: eye contact with the audience is hardly established; gestures and paralinguistic cues are seldom used to reinforce particularly important ideas; vocalized pauses are used frequently; student is not very articulate
References: source material is incorporated but sometimes inappropriately or unclearly; sources are documented accurately only occasionally
SCORE 2
Designates a Rudimentary speech. Focus: the thesis is unclear; the topic is not limited; the specific audience has been considered vaguely when delivering the speech
Organization: the introduction and conclusion are ineffective and not related to the whole; the logical plan must be inferred, as no transitions are used
Development: few main points have stated or implied topic sentences; few main points are supported by specific evidence/examples; supporting material is imprecise, unclear, or redundant; few main and supporting points relate to each other
Style: language is not memorable; language usage is inaccurate; tone is inappropriate
Delivery: almost no eye contact with the audience; gestures and paralinguistic cues are seldom used to reinforce particularly important ideas; vocalized pauses are used frequently; student is not very articulate
Designates an Incoherent speech Focus: the topic and thesis are unclear; no apparent attempt has been made to limit the topic; the specific audience has not been considered at all
Organization: no attempt has been made to compose an effective introduction or conclusion; these is no logical plan to the speech
Development: main points contain no topic sentences; main points are not supported by specific examples/evidence; little or no supporting material is used; main and supporting points do not relate to each other
Style: language is not memorable or is confusing; language usage is inaccurate; tone is inappropriate or distracting
Delivery: no eye contact is made with the audience; gestures and paralinguistic cues are not used to reinforce particularly important ideas; vocalized pauses are used in abundance and distract from the overall message
References: source material is never incorporated or incorporated inappropriately or unclearly; documentation is inaccurate