Extemporaneous Speech Rubric

Speaker’s name:____________________________________

Criterion 5 4 3 2 Score
Introduction (1) Gets Meets any Meets any two Meets only  
attention   three of the of the four one of the
(2) Clearly four criteria criteria four criteria
identifies
topic
(3)
Establishes
credibility 
(4) Previews
the main
points
Body Main points Main points Main points Main points
are clear, are need clarity are not clear
well somewhat and support and have no
supported, clear, lack of support
and some support, sources and and no
sources are and documentation sources or
documented some documentation
documentation
Conclusion (1) Reviews Reviews main Brings Does not  
main points points , closure bring
(2) Brings brings closure; the
closure closure audience is
(3) Memorable left hanging
Eye Contact Eye contact Eye contact Eye contact Little or no  
with audience with audience with audience eye contact
virtually all less than 80% less than 75%
the time of the time of the time
(except for
brief glances
at notes)
Use of Use of Use of Use of Use of  
Language language language does language language is
contributes not have causes inappropriate
to negative potential
effectiveness impact, and confusion,
of the vocalized and/or
speech, and pauses vocalized
vocalized (um uh er pauses
pauses etc.) (um uh er
(um uh er not etc.)
etc.) distracting are
not distracting
distracting
Body Body Body Body Body  
language language, language, language, language,
gestures, and gestures, and facial gestures, and
facial facial expressions facial
expressions expressions and gestures expressions
adds greatly compliment lack variety are lacking
to the message and or
message spontaneity inappropriate

Clarity Speaks Speaks Speaks Often mumbles  

clearly and clearly and clearly and or can not be
distinctly distinctly distinctly understood
all the time nearly all most of the with more
with no the time with time with no than three
mispronounced no more than more than two mispronounced
words one mispronounced words
mispronounced words
word

Topic is Topic is Topic is Topic lacks No specific

specific, specific, clear clarity purpose--
follows appropriate appropriate and focus inappropriate
assignment and and needs for
Adapted to adapted somewhat adapting to audience or
audience adapted audience occasion
Time Within Within 5 Within 3 Not within 1  
allotted time minutes of minutes of minute of the
 the allotted the allotted allotted time
time time

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Evaluator’s Signature over Printed Name