ŇSyllabus

ŇSemester Outline

Persuasive Critique Form - 50 points

(Please familiarize yourself with this form.  It outlines how your presentation will be evaluated.)

Nonverbal Delivery – _____ points earned   /12 points total

   Eye Contact _____ points earned / 5 points possible

               You made a direct, visual connection with everyone in the audience throughout your speech. (add 5 pts)

                You need to "visually bond" with your audience.  Make sure you look at everyone to insure that your

                 audience knows you are addressing them.  You'll attract their attention more if you talk with everyone.

                   ˝ of the time you read your notes and the other ˝ was directed toward your audience.  Make sure you practice enough

                   and know your notes well enough so you use them only as a guide. (subtract 2 ˝ pts)

                  You predominantly looked toward the center/left/right of the room. (subtract 1-2 pts)

                  When addressing your audience, try not to let your eye contact drift into space or toward the floor.  Keep constant

                 eye contact with your audience to keep their full attention. (subtract 1-2 pts)

                You need to use a key-word outline.  A key word outline would help you maintain eye contact with your audience.

                You were very note dependent. (subtract 5 pts)

   Facial and Body Expressions_____ points earned / 3 points possible

               You maintained good posture throughout the speech. (add 1 pt.)

     ____ You created a vivid & dramatic presentation by incorporating appropriate gestures, facial expressions, and body

               movements. (add 1 pt.)

     ____ You avoided fidgeting during your speech. (add 1 pt.)

                Don't lean on the lectern.  You may stand behind it, but leaning on it is a distraction. (subtract 1 pt.)

                You needed to create a vivid and dramatic presentation by incorporating nonverbal communication.

                  Your hand gestures/facial expressions/body movements/posture all expressed a disinterest for your ideas. (subtract 1-3 pts.)

   Vocal Delivery_____ points earned / 4 points possible

               You varied your pitch throughout your speech.  (add 2 pt.)

               The volume at which you spoke projected around the room. (add 1 pt.)

     ____ Your rate was easy to understand and complimented your ideas. (add 1 pt.)

                You needed to vary the pitch in your voice more to emphasize ideas.  You spoke with a habitual pitch. 

                Develop variations in your voice to create vividness of your ideas.  Try thinking about the meanings of

                the ideas you are presenting to the class.  Then allow your feelings to express these ideas. (subtract 2 pts.)

                You needed to speak up a little.  At times, I had a hard time hearing you. (subtract 1 pt.)

                You needed to slow down your rate of speech to ensure you are conveying meanings with the words you

                are using.  When speaking quickly, you loose sincerity and the interest of your audience. (subtract 1 pt.)

     _____You needed to vary your rate of speech to ensure you are conveying meanings with the words you are

                using.  When speaking deliberately, you lose sincerity and the interest of your audience. (subtract 2 pt.)

                Watch using those vocal fillers.  You frequently said, "uh", “like”, “ok”, and/or "uhm" throughout your

                presentation.  It’s more effective to pause for a second, gather your thought and then continue.

Organization - _____ points earned / 28 points total

   Attention Step _____ points earned / 1 point possible

                The attention step stimulated the audience’s attention and helped them focus on the topic (add 1 pt)

                You needed to strengthen your attention step.  It wasn't as powerful, as it should have been to attract the audience's

                attention. (subtract 1 pt)

   Need Step – _____ points earned / 12 points possible

     _____ The problems associated with the current status quo were clearly presented.  You outlined at least three

                arguments why the audience should be concerned about the status quo. (add 6 pts.)

     _____ Each argument in your Need Step was supported with two pieces of evidence. (add 6 pts.)

     _____ You needed to outline more problems associated with the status quo.  You needed to answer the

                audience's question, "why should I be concerned about this issue?" (subtract 2 - 6 pts.)

     _____ The arguments in your Need Step were not supported with sufficient evidence. (subtract 2 pts. for each

                argument insufficiently supported)

   Satisfaction Step _____ points earned / 2 points possible

               Your proposition clearly defined the controversy, which helped the audience understand your point of

               contention. (add 2 pts)

                You proposition was unclear.  A clear proposition outlines the essence of the controversy, which helps

                the audience identify with your point of contention. (subtract 2 pts)

   Visualization Step – _____ points earned / 12 points possible

               The benefits of your proposition were clearly presented.  You clearly presented evidence why your plan

               for change would improve the current status quo. (add 6 pts.)

     ____ Each argument in your Visualization Step was supported with two pieces of evidence. (add 6 pts.)

     ____ You needed to emphasize more benefits associated with your proposition.  You did not offer enough

              arguments as to why the audience should support it. (subtract 2 pts. for each argument insufficiently supported)

                The arguments in your Visualization Step were not supported with sufficient evidence.  Evidence

                supporting the benefits you outlined would have made your arguments more convincing because experts

                and studies agree with what you purposed. (subtract 2 pts. for each argument insufficiently supported)

   Action Step – _____ points earned / 1 point possible

               You specifically outlined what we need to do to support your proposition. (add 1 pt.)

                You needed to strengthen your conclusion.  You should have specifically outlined what we need to do to

                support your proposition.  Your action step was too vague. (subtract 1 pt.)

   Transitions

                You needed to work on your transitions when linking one idea to the next.  When switching ideas, you

                abruptly went on to a new idea without relating it to your next point. (subtract 2 - 3 pts.)

Outline  – _____ points earned / 7 points possible

          The outline was typed, neat, and complete. (add 2 pts.)

____ You used proper labeling, coordination, and subordination of main and subordinate points. (add 3 pts.)

____ Your bibliography is typed, follows the MLA format, and is included with the outline. (add 2 pts.)

____ The lack of a typed outline will equate to a ten-point deduction in your score.  Hand written outlines are not acceptable.

Credibility  – _____ points earned / 3 points possible

          You earned credibility by demonstrating your knowledge of the topic. (add 1 pt.)

____  Your speaking style was charismatic.  Your conviction could be seen and heard through your nonverbal

          communication. (add 1 pt.)

          You used simple language that was clear, precise, and appropriate for your audience (non-offensive, proper grammar,

           and no slang/jargon). (add 1 pt.)

           You needed to practice more.  Your delivery was hesitant throughout your presentation. (subtract 2 pts.)

Research

_____ You needed to conduct more thorough research.  You did not address many common arguments associated

            with this topic.

          Within your presentation, you were to quote at least 5 sources.  You needed to provide             additional

               sources to substantiate your claims.  Subtract 3 points for each missing source.

____ You needed to include the author’s name, publication title, and dates when quoting your sources.  You

          had _____ incomplete source citations in your speech.  Subtract 1 pt. for each incomplete source citation in your speech.

Timing

          You needed to practice more timing yourself.  Your presentation was short.  The time frame for this speech was 7-9 minutes.

         You spoke for __________.  For each 15 seconds under 5 minutes, two points will be   deducted from your presentation's score.

          You needed to practice more timing yourself.  Your presentation was to long.  The time frame for this speech was 7-9 minutes.            You spoke for __________.  For each minute you spoke over time, two points will be deducted from your presentation's score.

____/50 Total