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Speaking Assessment Traits
Ideas & Content Organization Voice
Score 5-The speech is clear and holds the listener's attention.
*The speaker seems in control of the topic and its development.
*The speech is often enlivened by spontaneity and a fresh perspective.
*The speaker selects supportive, relevant details.
*The speech has a sense of balance.
Score 3- The speaker's purpose is reasonably clear, but the overall result may not be as captivating.
*The control of the topic seems inconsistent or uncertain.
*The speaker seems to have considered ideas, but not thought things through.
*Supporting details tend to be skimpy, general, predictable, or repetitive.
*The speech sometimes lacks balance.
Score 1-The speech lacks a central idea or purpose.
*Information is very limited or simply unclear.
*The speech lacks balance.
*The development of ideas is minimal.
*The speech tends to go nowhere or to wander aimlessly.		 Score 5-Ideas, details and examples are presented in a way that enhances the listener's understanding.
*The speaker provides a clear sense of beginning and ending.
*Details seem to fit where they are placed.
*Verbal and nonverbal transitions work well.
*The speech shows unity and cohesion.
Score 3- The speaker attempts to organize ideas and details cohesively, but the pattern may be unclear, ineffective, or awkward.
*The introduction and ending are there, but one or both may be weak.
*The speaker may miss some opportunities for verbal or nonverbal transitions, causing, confusion.
*Some details may seem out of place. Too much extra, unneeded information may get in the way of important ideas.
*The order may not be a graceful fit with the topic.
Score 1-Organization is haphazard and disjointed.
*There is no sense of beginning or ending.
*Transitions are very weak or absent altogether.
*Arrangement of details is confusing or illogical.
*There are noticeable information "gaps".
*The speech lacks unity and solidarity.
 Score 5-The speaker speaks directly to the listeners and seems sincere and committed to the topic. The effect is expressive and engaging.
*The speaker varies the rate, loudness, and pitch of voice.
*The speaker uses adequate projection to be heard.
*The speaker speaks distinctly and pronounces words correctly.
*The rate of delivery is suitable and the vocal pitch is pleasant.
Score 3-The speaker makes an honest effort to speak directly to the listener but without a strong sense of commitment or involvement.
*The speaker attempts to vary the rate, loudness, and pitch.
*The speaker attempts projection but may not always be heard.
*The speaker usually speaks distinctly but may occasionally mispronounce words.
*The rate of delivery is not always suitable.
Score 1-The delivery is flat, lifeless, mechanical, stilted, or inappropriate.
*The speaker speaks in monotone or the pitch impairs the delivery.
*The speaker speaks too loudly or too quietly.
*The speaker mumbles or frequently mispronounces words.
*The delivery is too fast/too slow, or the speaker frequently uses vocal pauses
(um's, uh's, and uh's)

 

 

Speaking Assessment Traits

Word Choice

Sentence Structure

Speaking Conventions
Score 5-The speaker consistently selects words to make the message clear in an interesting and natural way.
*Words are specific, accurate, and suited to the subject .
*Lively, powerful verbs give the speech energy, visual appeal, and clarity.
*Expression is fresh and appealing.
*Figurative language if used is effective.
Score 3-The speaker's word choice is adequate, but the language tends toward ordinary. The result is sort of "generic" and sounds routine.
*Language communicates well but without a sense of fullness power.
*Imagery may be weakened by overuse of abstract, general language.
*Some words lack precision or vigor.
*Clichés, redundancies and hackneyed phrases pop up with disappointing frequency.
Score 1-The speaker struggles with a limited vocabulary and has a hard time finding the right words to get the meaning across.
*The speech may contain monotonous repetition or reliance on worn, threadbare expressions.
*Imagery is very weak or absent; the speech lacks sufficient concrete details.
*The words tend to be consistently dull, colorless and trite.
*Word choice may seem careless, imprecise or wrong.

 

 Score 5-The speech flows smoothly from one thought to thought. Sentences have a strong or rhetorically effective structure that makes listening enjoyable.
*Sentence structure clearly conveys meaning, with no ambiguity.
*Speaking or delivery sounds natural and fluent, with effective phrasing.
*Varied sentence structure and length add interest. 
*Fragments, if used, are stylistically appropriate.
Score 3-Sentences are understandable, but tend to be mechanical rather than smooth or graceful. Occasional flaws or awkward constructions may cause questions.
*Sentence structure sometimes clearly conveys meaning, but sometimes not..
*Some sentences lack energy or effectiveness.
*The speaker varies the sentence structure and length some.
*Fragments, if used, may be ineffective or confusing.
Score1-Sentences tend to be choppy, incomplete, or rambling.
*Because of poor sentence structure, the listener questions what is meant.
*Sentences lack fluency and may seem stiffly constructed, disjointed, or endlessly meandering.
* Choppy sentences, monotonous rhythms, or sentence patterns produce a jarring or sing-song effect.
*Fragments are confusing.		 Score 5-The speaker's skillful use of standard spoken conventions (grammar, pause, movement) enhance understanding. There are no glaring errors.
*Grammar is essentially correct.
*Movement and facial expressions enhance meaning.
*Eye contact is maintained and all-inclusive.
*Movement, poise, and clothing work in harmony with the inherent organization of the performance.
Score 3-Errors in grammar are noticeable and begin to impair understanding.
* Occasional problems in grammar disrupt the flow of the ideas.
*Eye contact is occasional but not consistent.
*Movement is attempted and sometimes ineffective.
*Some usage problems may be evident.
Score 1-Numerous errors in usage, grammar, and movement consistently distract the listener.
*The speaker shows very limited understanding of or ability to apply conventions.
*Errors in grammar and usage are frequent and very noticeable.
*Eye contact is seldom used.
*Movement is illogical or arbitrary (never seems to be in right places).