Historic

Figure
Speech

1 pts.

2 pts.

3 pts.

4 pts.

Overall

Speaker has poor command

of the language and content
presented in their speech.
Many words are used
incorrectly, there is no
organization, and there are
more than ten vocalized
pauses.

Speaker has a
mediocre command of
the language with
frequent errors in
pronunciation,
grammar, and/or
articulation. There are
five to ten vocalized
pauses.

Speaker has good

command of the
language, but there
are errors in
pronunciation,
grammar, and/or
articulation. There
are one to five
vocalized pauses.

Speaker uses correct

pronunciation,
grammar, and
articulation. There are
no vocalized pauses.

Content

No relevant information is
shared in presentation.

One or two facts about

subject are shared in
presentation.

At least three facts

are shared in
presentation but
the individuals
most important
contributions are
omitted.

Four or more facts are

shared, including the
information about the
subjects background
and his/her major
accomplishments in
history.

Organization

There appears to be no
clear structure of thoughts.
Ideas lack direction.
Transitions are awkward
and/or non-existent.

Logical progressions
of thoughts, but
transitions are
awkward. An attempt
at structure is present,
but can be illogical or
inconsistent.

Ideas flow
smoothly from
introduction to
conclusion.
Transitions are
generally effective.

Thoughts are clearly

organized, developed,
and supported.
Transitions are
effectively utilized to
create a smooth
transition from point to
point.

Eye Contact

Speaker reads the speech

and/or rarely looks at the
audience, if at all.

Speaker frequently
refers to notes and
makes little eye contact
with the audience.

Speaker maintains
inconsistent eye
contact with the
audience or
focuses on one
person/part of the
audience, ignoring
the rest.

Speaker rarely refers to

notes. Makes sustained
eye contact with all
members of the
audience.

Vocal Delivery

Monotone and/or
mumbling. Not effective in
maintaining the audiences
attention.
Lacking in enthusiasm,
volume, pitch, and/or rate.

Some vocal
expression, but lacking
in enthusiasm, volume,
pitch, and/or rate.

Good vocal
expression
including
appropriate
volume, pitch, and
rate.

Excellent vocal
expression including
appropriate variance in
volume, pitch, and rate.
Shows enthusiasm
about topic.

Body Language

Speaker sits during speech

and/or fidgets. There is no
gesturing and/or
movement. Tension and
nervousness are obvious
and the speaker has
difficulty recovering from
mistakes.

Speaker or fidgets and

struggles to get
through the speech.
There was very little
gesturing and/or
movement.

Speaker usually
maintains good
posture, but may
sway or lean on the
podium. There is a
small amount of
fidgeting, but the
speaker appears
mostly at ease.
There are a few
gestures.

Excellent posture with

no swaying. Gestures
are smooth and
appropriate. There is no
fidgeting. The speaker
appears completely at
ease.