COM 1010

Goldstein

Persuasive Speech Rubric

Introduction and Conclusion / Organization and Transitions / Content, Research and Evidence / Physical and Vocal Delivery
A / Introduction uses a creative and highly engaging attention-getter, provides strong reason for this specific audience to listen, clearly establishes speaker credibility, conveys the specific purpose of the speech, and provides a clear preview statement.
Conclusion clearly signals the speech is coming to an end, concretely reviews main points, and ends powerfully, avoiding cliché. / The body paragraphs follow a logical progression, with necessary background information conveyed before going into more detail.
Transitions between body paragraphs are clear, and internal transitions are used. Transitions incorporate style (avoiding bland “now let’s talk about such-and-such). / Topic is significant, not overdone, and content goes far beyond common knowledge. Content includes ideas with complexity, demonstrating superior understanding of the topic.
Body of speech effectively conveys the need for change, a clear plan for change, and the benefits and practicality of this plan. There is effective use of logos, pathos and ethos.
Verbal citations make it clear where all information comes from. At least five strong, varied sources are cited.
There is effective use of rhythmic or figurative language. / Vocal delivery is well paced, smooth, and expressive, using vocal variety in a natural-sounding manner. Few vocal fillers.
Eye contact is frequent and direct, addressing the whole audience.
A strong stance is used, with engaging gestures, and very few distracting gestures.
Delivery is extemporaneous, with notes used primarily for reference.
Speaker conveys strong energy, conviction, and ownership of the material.
B / Introduction uses a somewhat successful attention-getter, attempts to provide a general reason to listen, establishes credibility but somewhat weakly, conveys specific purpose of the speech, provides at least a general preview statement.
Might not clearly signal end of speech, generally reviews main points, and attempts to use a powerful closing device. / Body paragraphs are mostly logically ordered, with an attempt at conveying relevant background information.
Transition statements are discernible, but might be bland. / The speaker demonstrates clearly that a problem or need for change exists, but might not successfully demonstrate the severity or significance of the problem. There is a plan for change, but it lacks specificity and elaboration.
There are attempts at logos, pathos and ethos.
Verbal citations usually demonstrate where information comes from, but some necessary information might be missing. / Vocal delivery is well paced, reasonably smooth with some stumbling, unnecessary pauses, or vocal fillers.
Eye contact is frequent, but might ignore some parts of the audience.
Posture is decent, with some fidgeting, a few strong gestures, and some distracting gestures.
Delivery is somewhat extemporaneous, but the speaker reads from the index cards somewhat frequently.
Speaker conveys some energy and partial ownership of the material.
C / Introduction starts abruptly, lacking a clear attention-getter. Does not establish credibility or provide a reason for listening. Conveys a general purpose, and provides a general preview statement.
Conclusion does not clearly signal the end of the speech. Generally reviews main points. Ends abruptly, without a clear closing device. / The logic of body paragraph grouping is unclear, and necessary background information is not conveyed.
Transition statements between body paragraphs are missing or largely indiscernible.
In general, the relationship between ideas in the speech is not clear. / Topic might be unclear or clichéd. The speech skims the surface of the topic, asking few thoughtful questions. Content includes a lot of common knowledge and/or unfounded assumptions.
Demonstrates a problem and presents a general plan for change. Does not make sufficient use of logos, pathos and ethos.
Few verbal citations are used. It is frequently unclear where information comes from. / Vocal delivery is hard to follow, with pace or volume problems and a good deal of stumbling or fillers.
Eye contact is infrequent. Speaker is very dependent on notes.
Posture lacks confidence, effective gestures are not used, distracting gestures might be overwhelming.
Little energy is displayed, and the speaker does not seem to “own” the material.
D / Introduction is missing or does not convey the general purpose of the speech. Preview statement is missing.
Conclusion is missing or ends abruptly without reviewing main points. / An organizing pattern is not discernible, and the speech lacks transitions. / The speech conveys very superficial information about a topic. Information may be largely common knowledge.
A general problem is presented, and a plan is suggested, but there is little elaboration.
Clear sources are not used, and little or no variety of evidence is used.
Sources are not cited. / Vocal delivery is ineffective, with major problems with pace, volume, stumbling, fillers, monotone, etc.
Speaker reads entirely from notes, does not speak extemporaneously or make eye contact.
Body language is distracting and lacks energy.
Speaker does not seem to “own” or care about the material.

*In addition to these categories, your grade will take into account:

·  Meeting the time requirement for the speech (7-8 minutes).

·  Incorporating an effective use of visual aids during the presentation.

·  Formal attire.