PERSUASIVE SPEECH RUBRIC

Speaker: ______________________________ Topic: _____________________________

Criteria Exceptional/Skilled Proficient Developing/Inadequate

Attention Effective use of attention-getting strategy (quote,
Grabber statistic, question, story, etc.) to capture listeners’
attention and to introduce topic. Attention getter is
relevant and meaningful, and it seems to gain the
desired response from audience.
Topic & Topic is clear and argumentative. Thesis is strong
Thesis and well supported; calls on audience to take
Statement specific action.
Use of relevant attention-getting strategy,
but did not seem to adequately capture
audience attention and/or lead to desired
outcome.
Topic is clear and argumentative. Thesis is
recognizable and supported; calls on
audience to take action.
No attention-getting strategy was evident.
No clear or relevant connection to topic
and/or speech purpose.
Topic lacks clarity or focus. Thesis is
unclear or lacks sufficient support; call to
action may be indiscernible.

Subject Depth of content reflects knowledge and
Knowledge understanding of topic. Main points adequately
substantiated with timely, relevant and sufficient
support. Provided accurate explanation of key
concepts.
Provides some support for main points, but Provides irrelevant or no support.
needed to elaborate further with Explanations of concepts are inaccurate or
explanations, examples, descriptions, etc. incomplete. Listeners gain little knowledge
Support is relevant, but not timely. form presentation.

Rhetorical Makes excellent use of all three rhetorical appeals, Makes use of all three rhetorical appeals Makes use of rhetorical appeals but may be
Appeals interweaving multiple examples throughout the and has at least one example of each. missing one of the three, OR does not make
(Ethos, speech. good use of rhetorical appeals.
Pathos,
Logos)

Conciliation Puts audience members (including opposing side) Puts audience mostly at ease. Offers Some of audience may be at ease, OR no
& Rebuttal at ease and offers respectful, well-supported respectful, supported disagreement to conciliation. Refutes only weak opposing
disagreement to reasonable opposition. reasonable opposition. opinion or none.

Organization Uses effective organizational pattern for speech General structure/organization seems Lack of structure. Ideas are not coherent and
purpose. Main points are clearly distinguished adequate but some blurring between main transitions are forced or blurred. Difficult to
from supporting details. points and supporting details. follow speaker’s points.

Credibility Sources of information clearly identified and Most sources clearly cited but fails to Fails to identify and cite sources. No
properly cited. Establishes credibility and effectively establish credibility and attempt is made to establish credibility and
authority of sources presented. authority of sources presented. authority of sources presented.
Eye contact Consistently and effectively uses eye contact to
establish rapport with audience. Inconspicuous
use of speaker notes and effective use of scanning
to established an expanded zone of interaction.
Body Expressive, dynamic, and natural use of gestures,
Language posture and facial expressions to reinforce and
enhance meaning. Body language reflects comfort
interacting with audience.
Voice Natural variation of vocal characteristics (rate,
pitch, volume, tone) in Standard English to
heighten interest and match message
appropriately.
Fluency Appropriate pronunciation, enunciation, and
articulation..
Final Draft Draft of speech is nearly flawless. Works Cited
& Works lists all sources and is free from most errors.
Cited Page Follows MLA format completely.
SPEECH SUBMITTED TO TURNITIN.COM: _____ YES
Conspicuous use of speaker notes. Seems
disengaged from audience for noticeable
periods of time.
Stiff or unnatural use of nonverbal
behaviors. Body language reflects some
discomfort interacting with audience.
Limited use of gestures to reinforce verbal
message.
Limited variation of vocal characteristics.
Use of rate, pitch, volume and tone seemed
inconsistent at times.
Few noticeable errors in pronunciation,
enunciation and articulation.
Draft of speech may contain some errors
with spelling, punctuation, or grammar.
Works Cited contains all sources but may
have minor errors. Follows MLA format.
Reads speech from notes/manuscript.
Avoids eye contact with audience. Only
occasional and sporadic glances.
Body language reflects a reluctance to
interact with audience. Distracting
movement and/or use of self-adaptive
behaviors.
Monotone or inappropriate variation of
vocal characteristics. Inconsistent with
verbal message.
Excessive fluency errors interfered with
message comprehension.
Draft of speech contains frequent errors
with spelling, punctuation, and/or grammar.
Works Cited does not contain all sources.
Partially follows MLA format.
Score: ____________ / 100