Public Speaking Adjudication Criteria

There are 4 key components to a successful speech.

• The subject matter for the prepared speech should be persuasive in some way;
  NOTE: impromptu speeches may be descriptive rather than persuasive
• The subject matter should be well constructed;
• The delivery must be convincing and engaging; and
• The words of the speech should be concise, precise, and accessible to the audience

Our sub-criteria are matter and manner.

Matter involves:

• Subject matter of the speech
• Does it aim to be persuasive?
• Is it well-reasoned?
• Is it engaging?
• Is there a clear sense of “message” in the speech?
• Structure of the speech, inasmuch as it refers to logical development of the speech
• Does the speech make its purpose clear at the start?
• Does the speech have a clear structure? Does the speech develop its ideas logically?

Manner involves:

• Style of speaking:
• Fundamental tools of persuasiveness: clear speech and eye contact
• Voice
• Body language
• Does the speaker tailor his/her speaking style to their content?
• Is the speech varied enough to hold the audience's attention?
• Cues: notes are allowed, but shouldn't interfere
• Props are not allowed
• Microphones and lecterns are not allowed
• The speech should be delivered with conviction and emphasis, but the delivery should not distract from the content.