Primary Competencies
The speech should be 8 minutes in length, plus or minus 1 minute. The 7-9 minutes time range is strictly enforced; speeches under or over this range will not pass. [Time signals will not be provided.]
Invention
Provides supporting material appropriate to the audience and occasion.
Competent
The speaker uses supporting material that is appropriate in quality and variety (i.e., a minimum of four sources are clearly cited within the delivery of the speech; supporting material is logically linked to the thesis of the speech, and is of such quality that it adds a measurable level of interest to the speech.)
Unsatisfactory
The speaker uses supporting material that is inappropriate in quality and variety (i.e., sources are not cited within the delivery of the speech, supporting material is only vaguely related to the thesis of the speech, and variety is either too great or too little to do anything but detract from the effectiveness of the speech.)
Organization
Uses an organizational pattern appropriate to the topic, audience, occasion, and purpose.
Competent
The speaker uses an appropriate introduction and conclusion and provides a reasonably clear and logical progression within and between ideas. (i.e., the introduction clearly engages a majority of the audience in an appropriate manner, the body of the speech reflects adequate clarity in organization, and the conclusion clearly reflects adequately the content of the speech and leaves a majority of the audience with an undeniable message or call to action.)
Unsatisfactory
The speaker fails to use an introduction or conclusion and fails to provide a reasonably clear and logical progression within and between ideas. (i.e., the introduction fails to engage even a majority of the audience in an appropriate manner, the body of the speech reflects lack of clarity in organization, and the conclusion fails to reflect adequately the content of the speech and fails to leave even a majority of the audience with a clear message or call to action.)
Delivery
Uses vocal variety in rate, pitch, and intensity (volume) to heighten and maintain interest appropriate to the audience and occasion. Uses pronunciation, grammar and articulation appropriate to the audience and occasion. Uses physical behaviors that support the verbal message.
Competent
The speaker makes acceptable use of vocal variety in a conversational mode. (i.e., the speaker shows only occasional weakness in pace, volume, pitch, etc., thereby not detracting significantly from the overall quality or impact of the speech.)
The speaker has acceptable articulation, with few pronunciation or grammatical errors (i.e., most sounds are properly formed, with only minor vocalized disfluencies, and minor errors in pronunciation and grammar.)
The speaker demonstrates acceptable posture, gestures, facial expressions, eye contact and use of dress. (i.e., kinesic [posture, gesture, facial expressions, eye contact] and proxemic [interpersonal distance and spatial arrangement] behaviors and dress generally support the message, with minor inconsistencies that neither significantly distract from the speaker's credibility with the audience nor interfere with the message.)
Unsatisfactory
The speaker fails to use vocal variety and fails to speak in a conversational mode. (i.e., the speaker shows frequent weakness in controlling and adapting pace, volume, pitch, etc., resulting in an overall detraction from the quality or impact of the speech.)
The speaker fails to use acceptable articulation, pronunciation, and grammar. (i.e., nonfluencies/ disfluencies interfere with the message, and frequent errors in grammar and pronunciation make it difficult for the audience to understand the message.)
The speaker fails to use acceptable posture, gestures, facial expressions, eye contact and dress. (i.e., kinesic and proxemic behaviors and dress are incongruent with the verbal intent and detract from the speaker's credibility with the audience as well as distracting the audience from the speaker's message.)
Secondary Competencies
Topic
Chooses and narrows a topic appropriate to the audience and occasion.
Competent
The speaker presents a topic and a focus that are appropriate for the purpose, time constraints, and audience. (i.e., the speaker's choice of topic is generally consistent with the purpose, is a reasonable choice for the time limitations of the speech, and reflects appropriate analysis of a majority of the audience.)
Unsatisfactory
The speaker presents a topic and a focus that are not appropriate for either the purpose, time constraints, or audience. (i.e., the speaker's choice of topic is inconsistent with the purpose, the topic cannot be adequately treated in the time limitations of the speech, and there is little or no evidence of successful audience analysis.)
Thesis
Communicates the thesis/specific purpose in a manner appropriate for the audience and occasion.
Competent
The speaker communicates a thesis/specific purpose that is adequately clear and identifiable. (i.e., at least a majority of the audience should understand clearly, within the opening minute of the speech, precisely what the thesis/specific purpose of the speech is.)
Unsatisfactory
The speaker does not communicate a clear and identifiable thesis/specific purpose. (i.e., a majority of the audience may have difficulty understanding, within the opening minute of the speech, precisely what the thesis/specific purpose of the speech is.)
Language
Uses language appropriate to the audience and occasion.
Competent
The speaker uses language that is reasonably clear, vivid, and appropriate. (i.e., the speaker chooses language that is free of inappropriate jargon, is nonsexist, non-racist)
Unsatisfactory
The speaker uses unclear or inappropriate language. (i.e., the speaker chooses inappropriate jargon or language that is sexist, racist, etc.)