Public Speaking Rubric
Speaker: ______Date: ______
Topic: ______
Criteria/Level(specific expectations) / Level 1 / Level 2 / Level 3 / Level 4
Writing
How well is your speech written?
State the purpose
I have identified the topic, purpose and audience in my writing. (1.1) / The purpose and audience of the speech is not evident. There is no hook. / The purpose and audience of the speech is somewhat evident. There is an attempt at a hook. / The purpose and audience of the speech is apparent and developed. A hook is evident and effective. / The purpose of the speech is clear and the hook captures the audience’s attention.
Organize the content
I have identified and ordered the main ideas and supporting details in a way that makes sense. (1.3, 1.5) / The content of the speech has little organization; the transitions are abrupt and distracting to the audience. / Some of the content is organized; transitions are not fluid; the audience is not very engaged with the speech. / The content is well organized with many fluid transitions; the audience’s attention is held for most of the speech. / The content is organized logically with fluid transitions to capture and hold the audience’s attention throughout the entire speech.
Develop & support idea
I have generated and gathered information to support ideas for my speech writing.
(1.2, 1.3) / The majority of the ideas are unsupported by additional information or explanation. / The speaker provides the basic details necessary for the audience to understand the main ideas behind the speech; ideas may lack supporting evidence. / Many important details are provided and supported within the speech. / Important details add to the interest and depth of the speech; details and evidence are provided that connect the audience to the speech.
Fluency & word choice
I have used a variety of sentence types and vivid language choices.
(2.3, 2.4) / Sentence structure and word choices are basic and do not engage the audience. / There is some variety of sentence structure and word choice allowing the audience to be somewhat engaged; repetition of ideas. / Sentence structure and word choices are varied to avoid monotony and repetition of ideas. / Variation of sentence structure and word choice keep the audience interested and provides multiple engaging examples and descriptions.
Effective Conclusion
I have united the main points of my speech in an effective and engaging conclusion.
(1.5) / The speech ended without a summary, / The conclusion of the speech summarizes some of the main points, ideas or supporting evidence. / The conclusion effectively summarizes the main idea and/or core message. / The conclusion unites all of the important points of the presentation (core message) and encourages future discussion by the audience.
Criteria/Level
(specific expectations) / Level 1 / Level 2 / Level 3 / Level 4
Oral Communication
How well has your speech been delivered and how did the audience receive it?
Vocal Skills
I have appropriately used some vocal effects; including tone, pace, pitch, and volume.
(2.5) / Vocal skills are used in a limited manner; speed and volume are inappropriate for a speech presentation. / Adequate use of either/some of tone, pace, pitch and volume to present the speech. / Good use of tone, pace, pitch and volume to emphasize ideas in the speech. / Uses tone, pace, pitch and volume effectively to emphasize important ideas and hold the audience’s attention.
Non-verbal skills
I have used appropriate facial expressions, gestures and eye contact.
(2.6) / No eye contact with the audience. Gestures and/or facial expressions are missing or are not effective. The speaker depends heavily on the use of cue cards. / Some eye contact, facial expressions or gestures are used. The speaker refers to the cue cards with frequency. / Eye contact, facial expressions and gestures are natural, fluid and make sense. Cue cards are used as needed and do not interfere with the flow of the presentation. / Eye contact, facial expressions and gestures demonstrate the speaker’s energy and interest, guiding the audience through the speech presentation. Minimal use of cue cards.
Clarity & coherence
I have communicated in a clear and coherent way and made my information understandable.
(2.3) / The overall speech has limited engagement for the audience. It is difficult to understand due to the organization and/or communication of information. / The overall speech has some interesting, descriptive or engaging parts. The organization and/or communication of thoughts is sometimes awkward or difficult to follow for the audience. / The overall speech has many interesting, descriptive and/or engaging parts. It is communicated clearly and coherently. / The overall speech is enthusiastic, interesting, descriptive, and engaging for the audience and is communicated in a clear manner that makes the information completely understandable.
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