8/7/2019 Grading Standards - Speeches (LA101)

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Grading Standards (Speeches) The A speech:

• Significantly contributes to the audience’s understanding of the importance andnovelty of the topic and of the information presented. In other words, the audiencelearns something valuable.

• Has a varied, flexible tone that adapts to the thoughts and feelings demanded by thespeech’s content/purpose.

• Has an organizational pattern—chronological, categorical, cause-effect, etc.—that isappropriate for the purpose and subject of the speech.

•  The introduction uses creativity to gain audience attention and to favorably orientaudience members toward the speaker, topic, and purpose of the speech.

•  The body of the speech develops the topic in such a way that it resolves initialaudience uncertainty, ignorance, or opposition as the speech progresses.

•  The conclusion does more than merely restate the topics covered; rather, it draws outthe central ideas that should be understood and retained by the audience.

• Illustrates skillful mastery of internal transitions and of emphasis in presentation of the speaker's ideas.

• Uses delivery that demonstrates the speaker’s mastery of the material. It alsodemonstrates a “lively sense of communication” and a relationship with theaudience.

 The B speech:

• Exhibits an authentic style that is vivid, interesting, and appropriate for the topic orsituation.

• Is of above average quality in challenging the audience to think or in arousing depthof response.

• Skillfully helps the audience understand unusually difficult concepts or processes; or,wins agreement from audience members initially inclined to disagree with thespeaker's purpose.

• Establishes significant rapport through language and delivery that achieves agenuinely reciprocal response from the audience. In other words, the speaker

successfully engages the audience, to some degree.

 The C speech:

• Conforms to type assigned (problem, policy, etc.) and time limit; ready on dateassigned

• Exhibits sound organization: a clear purpose adequately supported by main ideas thatare easily identified.

• Fulfills any special requirements of the assignment, (sources/visual aids/etc)

• Is intellectually sound in developing a worthwhile topic with adequate anddependable information/evidence. Worthwhile topics have some exigence, providenew information or a fresh perspective, and are appropriate for the audience andoccasion.

• Exhibits reasonable directness and communicativeness in delivery. In other words,the speaker attempts to “connect” personally with the audience.

 The D speech:

• attempts to follow the requirements of the assignment, but demonstrates littleawareness of the rhetorical situation, including awareness of the speaker’s position,the audience’s existing knowledge of and interest in the topic, the purpose of thespeech, or the physical setting. Examples include:

• Over- or under-estimates (or simply ignores) the audience’s prior knowledge,assumptions, or beliefs concerning the topic

• Demonstrates little sense of purpose or direction; has no clear thesis

8/7/2019 Grading Standards - Speeches (LA101)

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• Omits obvious evidence and relevant information, or evidence may be inadequatelyinterpreted

• Has deficient organization (introductions or conclusions not clear when spoken, mainpoints not clear, topic not developed clearly or logically)

• Delivery reflects inadequate preparation by the speaker and/or a significant lack of “connection” with the audience

 The F speech:

• Is inappropriate in terms of the purpose of the assignment and the demands of the

rhetorical situation• May relate vaguely to the assignment, but has no clear purpose or direction

• Either falls significantly shorter or goes significantly longer than the specified timelimits for the assignment

• Demonstrates no coherent organizational pattern or main ideas, and it exhibits littleor no understanding of the demands of the situation

• Has delivery that is so unpolished as to show inadequate preparation/rehearsal