Organization / Content / Style/Delivery
  • The speech demonstrates a clear and focused understanding of purpose, audience, and other elements of the rhetorical situation.
  • The organization is based upon that understanding.
  • The introduction performs the functions of (1) gaining attention, (2) establishing expertise of the speaker, (3) building common ground with the audience.
  • The speech developslogically and
coherently.
  • The speech concludes memorably.
/
  • Material is ample, well-chosen, and relevant.
  • It is drawn from credible and appropriate sources.
  • Sources are correctly cited.
/
  • The speaker uses standard, edited English.
  • Delivery is clearly audible, well-paced, and assured.
  • Visual aids (if any) effectively enhance the presentation.
  • Distracting mannerisms of speech or body language are minimal.
  • Tone is completely appropriate to topic, audience, and occasion.

Characteristics of a superior informative speech

Characteristics of an acceptable informative speech

  • The speech demonstrates only a general awareness of purpose and/or audience.
  • The speech is inconsistently organized, or it loses its focus on purpose or audience.
  • No more than one of the standard introductory elements is missing.
  • The speech lacks very few elements of logic or coherence.
  • The conclusion is adequate but does not leave a strong final impression.
/
  • Material could be somewhat more copious, more carefully chosen, or more relevant.
  • Most sources are strongly credible and appropriate.
  • Most sources are cited correctly, or citation is present but not complete.
/
  • The speech is marred by only a few errors in usage.
  • Delivery lacks some elements of assurance but is acceptably clear.
  • Visual aids are adequate but may lack polish or full effectiveness.
  • Few distracting mannerisms are present.
  • Tone is generally suited to at least one element of the rhetorical situation (topic, audience, occasion).

Organization / Content / Style/Delivery
  • The speech lacks a clear and focused understanding of purpose, audience, and other elements of the rhetorical situation.
  • Organization is absent.
  • The introduction fails to (1) gain attention, (2) establish expertise of the speaker, (3) build common ground.
  • The speech does not develop
logically or coherently.
  • The speech ends rather than concludes.
/
  • Material is not ample, well-chosen, or relevant.
  • It is not drawn from credible or appropriate sources.
  • Sources are not correctly cited.
/
  • The speech is marred by many errors in usage.
  • Delivery makes the speech difficult to understand.
  • Visual aids do not effectively enhance the presentation.
  • Distracting mannerisms of speech or body language detract seriously from the presentation.
  • Tone is not appropriate to topic, audience, or occasion.

Characteristics of an unacceptable informative speech: Failure in any category should constitute an unacceptable speech.