A form used to evaluate a single speaker.
The categories for evaluating the speech have been arranged similarly to those in a Speech Contest Judge’s Guide. Note that here, as in a speech contest, it is assumed that a separate Speech Timer will determine if the speech length falls within the stated limits, therefore obviating the need for the Evaluator to do so.
Content[]
Speech Development[]
- Topic selection (suited speaker, audience, time available)
- Structure
- Opening—immediately engaging, interesting
- Body—easy to follow and understand, well constructed
- Conclusion reinforces body; climactic
- Organization (clear, simple) & support material (examples, etc.) directly contributed to the message. Key ideas were few in number and introduced systematically. Logically written and presented.
- Smoothness of transitions
- Showed research of topic
- Employed personal experience
- Well-prepared and well-rehearsed
Speech Technique[]
- Spontaneity
- Flexibility
Speech Value[]
- Original ideas and material are used and portrayed
- Is it a speech to remember?
Effectiveness[]
- Spoke to the topic, purpose, or objectives, and achieved them
- Overall message was clear and called the audience to an action
- Creation of excitement, suspense, twist
- Speech Types
- If informative, left the audience with a small number of clear ideas
- If a persuasive speech, called the audience to an action
- If an inspirational speech, engaged the audience’s fervor
Audience Response[]
- Held audience’s attention—audience was interested and well-informed of new ideas
- The speech evoked a reaction—inspire, conviction, entertainment, satisfaction
- Easy to relate to audience’s everyday lives and showed how it can help
Delivery[]
Physical[]
- Dress—appropriate, confident
- Posture and stance—confident, relaxed
- Gestures—natural, meaningful, lively, precise, enhanced message
- Body movements—animated, graceful, purposeful, any distracting or repetitious movements
- Facial expressions—friendly, natural, appropriate to speech content
- Eye contact—no set pattern, established bonds with listeners, encompassed everyone
- Confident—nervousness is under control
- Use of notes and lectern—appropriate, unobtrusive
- Use of props/visual aids—effective, added to content
- Use of stage or speaking area
- Addressed the Toastmaster at start and close appropriately
Voice[]
- Volume—good projection, vibrant
- Pitch—varied
- Quality—agreeable, enthusiastic, passionate
- Articulation—clear, crisp, controlled
- Rate—smooth, deliberate
- Vocal variety—conveys emotion, natural, animation) & voice control
- Use of pauses—for effect, to allow listeners to digest information
Manner[]
- Positive—directness, assurance, and enthusiasm
- Engaging—interest in the audience, confidence in their reaction
Language[]
Appropriateness[]
- Word selection and the explaining of technical terms or jargon
- Used descriptive language
- Used word-pictures (effectively, memorable)—selecting the right words for communicating the message
- “Um”, “Ah”, Hesitation—kept under control
Correctness[]
- Grammar
- Pronunciation
Feedback[]
Strengths[]
Describe the strengths manifested in the speech.
Improvements[]
Describe the aspects in which the speaker showed improvement over previous speeches.
Room for improvement[]
Describe what aspects of the speech manifested room for future improvement.
Suggestions[]
Enumerate some concrete things the speaker could do when working on the next speech.
Credits[]
Based on work of Sarah Tennent. Otumoetai Toastmasters (#3511, District 72) March 2008
Resources[]
- File:Speech Evaluation Form.pdf—A printable form embodying the concepts of this article.
- Individual Speech Evaluation Form (Item 251D, pad of 30: $1.50)—Speech evaluation forms used in The Art of Effective Evaluation program.