SPEECH REQUIREMENTS
Participants:
Junior Division - Students in grades 7 - 9
Senior Division- Students in grades l0 -12
The Speech: The speech Topic must be taken from the official list compiled by the Department of Religious
Education. Speakers are expected to have prepared their own speech from personal research and experience.
Quotations should be used effectively as supportive material and must have sources identified. No audio-visual
material can be used. The delivery must largely be given from the lectern and should not be a dramatic
presentation.
The Length: Juniors 3-4 minutes; Seniors 4-5 minutes. A l5-second grace period will be given to speakers who
run under or over time. The penalties assessed are one point lost for every five seconds beyond the l5-second
grace period. Such points will be deducted from each judge's "TOTAL" for "Content and Delivery" found at
the bottom of the "Speaker Evaluation Form." The report of the timekeeper will determine if any penalties are
in order.
JUDGES' CRITERIA FOR EVALUATING SPEECHES
CONTENT
Organization: Is there a clear introduction which draws the listeners into the speech? Is the body clearly
organized with supporting information? Is the development of ideas logical and easy to follow? Does the
conclusion draw the ideas together and give clear emphasis to the thesis of the speech?
Language: Did the speaker use appropriate, descriptive and convincing language?
Support of ldeas: Has the speaker analyzed the topic effectively? Was the content supported by research,
personal experience and examples? Was the content theologically accurate?
Adaptation of Topic: Did the speaker use an interesting approach to the topic? Was the subject appropriately
adapted to the speaker's capabilities?
Conclusion: Did the speaker achieve his/her goal?
DELIVERY
Vocal Skills: Was the speaker's voice expressive, easily understood and heard? Did the speaker's voice effectively
express the mood and feeling of the speech?
Expressiveness: Did the speaker demonstrate a desire to communicate his/her thoughts? Were pauses and
phrasing effective?
Physical Movements: Did the speaker exhibit poise via posture, eye contact, facial expression? Was there
effective use or overuse of movements, gestures? Did these emphasize key points?
Effective Use of Manuscript: It is not a requirement for the speech to be memorized. If a manuscript is
used, did the speaker use it discreetly without relying on it throughout or having it become a distraction to the
audience?
Communication: Did the speaker effectively communicate his/her thoughts with the audience by making contact
with them in a conversational style?
SPEAKER EVALUATION FORM
Date:
Topic:
Speaker order number:
Category: (Check one) Junior Division Senior Division
Point Scale: Outstanding, Superior.... ......... 9 - l0 points
Good, better than average....... 7 - 8 points
Satisfactory, fair, average...........5 - 6 points
Below average........................... 3 - 4 points
Ineffective..................................1- 2 points
CONTENT
_____ Effectiveness of content and organization (introduction, body, conclusion)
_____ Effective language choice and use of mechanics
_____ Support of ideas and evidence of research, theologcally accurate, ideas well developed and connected
_____ Adaptation of topic, clear, w ell-defined and supported
_____ Did the speaker effectively arrive at his/her conclusion?
_____ POINTS - Content (50 is a perfect score)
DELIVERY
_____ Effectiveness of vocal skills (diction, volume, quality)
_____ General expressiveness (enthusiasm and desire to communicate)
_____ Physical movements, eye contact, posture, poise and facial expressions
_____ The manuscript or notes were used without being distracting
_____ Did the speaker effectively communicate his/her thoughts with the audience?
_____ POINTS - Delivery (50 is a perfect score)
_____ TOTAL POINTS - (Content and Delivery)
_____ Minus any time penalty
_____ TOTAL POINTS
