Informative Speech Grading Rubric Objective/Criteria Performance Indicators Effectively Accomplished Partially Accomplished Not Accomplished Opens with Impact Effective use of attention-getting strategy (quote, statistic, question, story, etc.) to capture listeners’ attention and to introduce topic (5) Attention-getting strategy used but did not seem to adequately capture audience attention and/or lead to desired outcome (3) No attention-getting strategy was evident (0) Thesis Statement Speaker clearly formulated and stated thesis statement to identify topic and encompass main points of presentation (5) Thesis was clearly implied but not explicitly stated (3) No thesis statement; main points are not clearly identified and audience is unsure of the direction of the message (0) Connection with Audience Thoughtful audience analysis reflected through choice of topic and supporting evidence (5) Topic seems somewhat relevant to audience; vague reference to audience needs and/or interests (3) Topic seems irrelevant to audience needs and interests; no attempt made to connect topic to audience (1) Organization & Subject Knowledge Main points are clearly distinguished from supporting details; depth of content reflects knowledge and understanding of topic; main points adequately substantiated with timely, relevant and sufficient support (25) General structure/organization adequate but some blurring between main and supporting details; logical flow but no clear transitions; further explanations needed to support content (20) Lack of structure; ideas not coherent and transitions are forced or blurred; difficult to identify beginning, middle, end; no support for ideas; little knowledge gained by audience (10) Credibility Sources of information are clearly identified and establish credibility (10) Most sources are identified but fail to effectively establish credibility (5) Failed to identify sources; no attempt to establish credibility (0) Delivery: Eye Contact Consistently and effectively used eye contact to establish rapport with audience; inconspicuous use of notes and effective scanning (10) Conspicuous use of notes; seemed disengaged from audience for noticeable periods of time (5) Read speech from avoids eye contact; only occasional sporadic glances (1) Delivery: Body Language Expressive, dynamic and natural use of gestures, posture and facial expressions; body language reflects comfort (10) Stiff or unnatural use of nonverbal behaviors; body language reflects some discomfort; limited use of gestures to reinforce verbal message (5) Body language reflects a reluctance to interact with audience; distracting movement or other behaviors (1)
Delivery: Vocals Natural variation of vocal characteristics (rate, pitch, volume, tone); appropriate use of English language, pronunciation, enunciation, and articulation; lack of fillers (ums, uh, ah, you know, etc.) (10) Limited variation of vocal characteristics; few noticeable errors in pronunciation, enunciation, or articulation; minimal use of fillers (5) Inappropriate variation of characteristics; excessive fluency errors interfered with message comprehension; excessive use of fillers (1) Closing/Summary Effectively summarizes main ideas; closing is relevant, memorable, and meaningful to audience (5) Ineffectively summarizes main ideas; closing did not seem to adequately capture audience attention (3) Did not summarize main ideas; no memorable conclusion (1) Visual Aid Adequately enhanced presentation (10) Did little to enhance presentation (5) Props/Visual Aid were inadequate or inappropriate and interfered with the message (0) Total Points (95 pts.) Name: ____________________________________________________ Speech Rubric (95 pts.) _________ Sources (5 pts.) _________ Topic: ____________________________________________________ Comments: TOTAL (100 pts.) _________