State of the Nation Address Rubric

Speaker’s name: __________________________________________________________________

Criterion Rating Rating Rating Rating Score

Excellent Good Satisfactory Needs Improvement

Points 10-9 Points 9-8 Points 8-7 Points 7-6

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

Body Body language, gestures, and facial Body language, Body language, Body language,
language expressions gestures, and facial expressions gestures, and
adds greatly to the message facial and gestures facial expressions are
expressions lack variety and lacking or
compliment spontaneity inappropriate
message

Clarity Speaks clearly and distinctly all the Speaks clearly and Speaks clearly and Often mumbles or
time with no mispronounced words distinctly nearly all distinctly most of can not be
the time with no the time with no understood with
more than one more than two more than three
mispronounced mispronounced mispronounced
word words words
Topic is Topic is specific, Topic is clear Topic lacks clarity No specific purpose--
specific, appropriate and appropriate and and focus inappropriate for
follows adapted somewhat needs adapting to audience or
assignment adapted audience occasion
Adapted to
audience
Outfit Outfit is well chosen and presented Minor problems Significant No outfit
with outfit problems with
outfit
Time Within allotted time Within 10% of Within 20% of Not within 20% of
allotted time allotted time allotted time