I. Clarity & Interest of Standpoint

Is the speaker's standpoint clearly related to the day's issue?

Does the position developed go beyond generalities with which almost everyone would agree?

Does the wording and development of the speaker's standpoint reflect that s/he has given thought to the particulars of this audience?

II Quality of Critical Thinking Displayed

Are key terms ideas adequately explained or defined?

Is a variety of evidence used (examples, testimony, statistics or studies, analogies, personal experiences, etc.)?

Are pieces of evidence appropriate to the point they are used to support?

Are alternative positions recognized and dealt with reasonably?

III Organization

Does the speech have an introduction that gets listeners' attention, previews the main ideas, and makes the presenter's standpoint clear?

Does the speech have a conclusion (summary & memorable ending)?

Is the body of the speech well-organized (e.g., problem-cause-solution, problem-comparative advantages of alternate solutions, Monroe's motivated sequence, etc.)?

Are transitions between main points adequately cued?

IV Attention to Delivery & Presentation Principles

Delivery is extemporaneous.

Reasonable attention to vocal factors (e.g., speed, loudness, pausing, variation in pitch).

Gazes at audience appropriately.

Use gestures in ways that add to interest and avoids distracting behaviors.

Visual aids are used if they add to the argument.

Speech attends to time limits (7 minutes, no shorter than 6 minutes and no longer than 8).

V. Adequacy of Outline

There is a full sentence outline that overviews the introduction, the main points in the body of the speech and the conclusion.

The outline is typed and has been proofread.

There are at least 5 sources and the sources are in the appropriate APA format.