Checklist

Checklist to evaluate speech making in class

Speaker			Listener
speech variables	in my opinion     √	from audience reaction      √	speaker’s performance        √
topic choice                                                                               1. interesting                                                                                              topic organisation    2. introduction                        3. middle    4. end    5. logical    6. clarity    7. elaboration    8. examples topic treatment    9. sufficient   10. focused                                  (deviating/drifting)            11. thought provoking topic communication   12. audibility   13. normal speed   14. clarity   15. monotone   16. posture                   mannerisms      17. eye contact   18. facial expressions   19. appropriate word choice   20. cohesion (linking devices)   21. coherence (thought)   22. complex thought structure on the whole  performance acceptable

I used this at SVCE where for twenty years I trained students studying for a degree in engineering discipline (including those from regional medium schools) and provided them this checklist for an evaluation of their speech making efforts.

I helped learners understand these criteria—monotone, posture, mannerisms, cohesion, coherence, complex thought structure—so they can apply them along with the others when making a speech or listening to a speech.

Of course, I also commented on their performance: their strengths and weaknesses. They were initially awed by the number of qualifications for a successful speech but recovered sufficiently enough to think of their speeches and their peers’ and did their best to satisfy these parameters.