Okay......there are many different ways one can grade a speech, but the most important aspect is the overall effect of the speech. This means there are no aspects which can be ignored in giving a speech; they all count to some degree. No matter what you have had lecture on so far, the other aspects still count. Here is a general grading criteria for speeches:

To receive a C, you must meet the following standards:

1. The speech must be original
2. The type of speech presented must be appropriate to the assignment
3. The topic must be appropriate for the audience and sufficiently focused
4. The speech must fit the time requirements of the assignment
5. The speech must be presented on the day assigned
6. The speech must be supported with facts and figures, appropriate testimony, examples, or narriatives
7. The speech must have a clear sense of purpose
8. The speech must have a clearly identifiable and appropriate design, complete with an introduction and conclusion
9. The speech must be presented extemporaneously
10. The speech must satisfy any specific requirements of the assignment, such as number of references, formal outline, or use of visual aids
11. The speaker must use language correctly

To receive a B on your speeches, you must meet the following standards:

1. Satisfy all the requirements for a C speech
2. Select a challenging topic and adapt it appropriately to your audience
3. Reflect a greater depth of research (e.g., if three references are required for a C, then the B speech would have five, or the depth of each references is greater, or the type of references cited are of greater scholastic or research use)
4. Clearly identify sources of information and ideas
5. Create and sustain attention throughout the speech
6. Make effective use of transitions, previews and summaries
7. Use good oral style
8. Present the speech with poise

To receive an A on your speeches, you must meet the following standards:

1. Satisfy all requirements for a B speech
2. Demonstrate imagination and creativity in topic selection and development
3. Develop and sustain strong bonds of identification among the speaker, audience and topic
4. Consistantly adapt information and supporting material to the experiential world of your audience
5. Reflect an even greater depth of research (see #3 in B speech standards)
6. Demonstrate artful use of language and stylistic techniques
7. Make a polished presentation that artfully integrates verbal and nonverbal communication skills

A D speech does not meet one or more of the standards for a C speech and/or:

1. Is obviously unrehearsed
2. Is based entirely on biased information or unsupported opinions

An F speech does not meet three or more of the standards for a C speech, reflects either of the problems associated with a D speech, and/or:

1. Uses fabricated supporting material
2. Deliberately distorts evidence
3. Is plagierized

Now....go back over your speech critiques I sent to you and see how your speech fits together with these criteria. See how your grade and your speech fit into this and if you have questions, ask me! I will review your speech critique. Also, as you prepare your next speech, keep this criteria in mind.

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