SPEECH RUBRICS

4 pts 3 pts 2 pts 1 pts

Point Value (Excellent) (Good) (Fair) (Poor)
Introduction Intersecting and engaging Appropriate and reasonably Topic is appropriate but Lacks focus
Appropriately focused topic focused. lacks some focus.
Understand the purpose for the speech Audience shows some Vague sense of the purpose Audience shows lack of
Gain the interest of the audience. interest. of speech. interest.
Audience shows little
interest.
Objectives Easily identified Partially identified General or not well-defined Poorly stated or absent.
Clearly stated, precise, well-defined Some minor points were not Objectives hinted, but not Confusing and incomplete.
stated. addressed.
Organization Clearly organized Shows attempt at No logical sequence of No logical sequence of
Speech has introduction, body, and organization. information. information.
conclusion Attempts to cover important Lack of planning.
points.
Content Presented clearly and effective Uses relevant concepts Superficial and/or incorrect. Concepts were not
Concepts are relevant, clear, and logical related to the topic. presented entirely.
which help illustrated speakers ideas.
Language Word choice is concise and effective. Uses appropriate language Word choice used may be Frequent pronunciation
Conveys appropriate tone. and word choice with less unsuited to the speech. errors.
Uses sophisticated and varied language sophistication.
according to the topic and audience. Appropriate tone Lacks originally. Inappropriate word choice.
Stylist Devices Uses skillfully various devices such as Uses at least two stylistic Shows an attempt to use No attempt to use stylistic
repetition, analogies, and others to devices such as repetition, one stylistic device such as devices to enhance speech.
enhance speech. analogies, and others to repetition, analogies, and
enhance speech. other.
Delivery Uses a combination of body language. Speakers show some Tone is inconsistent. Mumbles or speaks too
Eye contact to capture the audiences enthusiasm. Uses eye contact only half softly.
attention virtually all the time. Eye contact with audience is the time. Little or no eye contact.
Voice projection is effective. not entirely present. Voice projections are either Little or no body language
Gestures are not exaggerated yet Voice projection is clear. too soft or slow. was observed.
significantly enhance the speakers word. Body language sometimes Body language seems Tone is inappropriate
conveys enthusiasm and contrived or interrupts the
interest. flow of the speech.
Overall Evaluation Speaker exhibits great knowledge of the Maintains the attention of Speech shows limited Presentation is mostly
speech. the audience most of the enthusiasm. incomprehensible.
Speaker maintains audience attention. time. The purpose of the speech
The purpose of the speech is achieved. The purpose of the speech is was not entirely achieved.
achieved.

Prepared by Dr. Lourdes Encarnacin for the Reading and Writing Center, Universidad del Turabo
Sponsored by USDE Title V Funding Grant #P031S080071, October 2008 September 2013