######## ![](media/image1.jpeg){width="8.9375in" height="11.0in"}FREDERICK DOUGLASS

######### ORATORIAL CONTEST

##### JUDGING AND RATING CRITERIA

1.  Did the speaker establish the desire atmosphere early? (5 points)

> Did the speaker set the tone and mood for the presentation right from
> the beginning? Did the speaker effectively provide the type of
> atmosphere needed based on the dialogue that was to follow?

2\. Was the voice strong and projected? (5 points)

> Frederick Douglass was a forceful and dynamic speaker. His voice was
> powerful and could be heard in all parts of the room. Did the speaker
> exemplify this?

3\. Was the tempo in harmony with the desired effect? (5 points)

> Did the contestant's entire presentation have a pace and cadence that
> matched the desired effect of the selected speeches, talks or quotes?

4\. Was the material accurate and well organized? (5 points)

> The contestants are choosing various portions of Mr. Douglass's
> speeches. Sometimes, the transition between the different talks is
> awkward and confusing. Sometimes Mr. Douglass can be quoted
> incorrectly and finally there are times when the contestant will fail
> to commit portions of his presentation to memory. Were these mishaps
> apparent?

5\. Did the speaker show an understanding of the material? (10 points)

> Some speakers can recite the words verbatim and with little meaning or
> significance. It is important that contestants understand the true
> meaning of what Mr. Douglass was saying at the time he was saying it.
> You can tell by the speaker's facial expressions, body language and
> vocal tones if that person truly understands what was being recited.

6\. Was there a good speaker-audience relationship? (10 points)

> Did the speaker capture the audience's attention and maintain a
> special rapport with them? Was there a unique quality that enabled the
> audience to be connected and truly involved with the speaker?

![](media/image1.jpeg){width="8.9375in" height="11.0in"}7. Did the
speaker exhibit poise, control, good posture and a commanding stage
presence? (10 points)

> Frederick Douglass had a presence about him when he spoke. Was the
> contestant's manner direct and dignified? Did the speaker slouch or
> did the speaker stand tall? Was the speaker assertive, confident and
> composed or was the speaker nervous and timid?

8\. Were the physical actions (gestures, body movement, eye contact,
facial expressions) appropriate throughout the presentation? (10 points)

> A good speaker will effectively utilize physical actions to enhance
> the message. Did the speaker effectively utilize various physical
> actions during the entire presentation?

9\. Did the vocal variety (voice pitch, rate, tone, duration, quality,
expressiveness, etc.) enhance the presentation?

> The key to great speakers is their ability to use various sounds from
> their speaking voice to capture the audience's attention and intensify
> their message. The speed at which words are spoken, the various ways
> that the voice can define moods and feelings, the quality of the
> voice, the highness and lowness of sounds and the way words are
> articulated and enunciated are some examples of how a person can use
> vocal variety to be a more effective speaker. Frederick Douglass was
> definitely the type of person who utilized the speaking voice to his
> advantage. How well did the contestant perform in this category?

10. Was the overall presentation effective? (20 points)

> The contestant may have been strong in some categories and weak in
> others or he or she may have been strong or weak in others or he may
> have been strong or weak in all of the categories. Regardless, how
> would you rate the contestant's overall presentation? Was it
> impressive, convincing, and forceful? Was the contestant prepared? Was
> the overall presentation fantastic, persuasive and magnificent? Was
> the contestant prepared? On a scale from one to twenty, how would you
> rate this contestant's overall performance?