PA F.E.A.
Impromptu Speech Competition Scoring Rubric
CRITERIA 20-18
Exceptional
CONTENT
Topic/Purpose Fully focused topic with
clearly communicated
understanding of the
speech’s purpose
Preparation and Commanding grasp of
Organization related ideas within full
development of points;
clearly and logically
organized with distinct
introduction, body and
conclusion with
appropriate transitions
linking the sections
Use of Language Use of sophisticated and
(includes varied language suited to
appropriateness and topic and audience;
factualness) language is well-chosen
concise and grammatically
correct.
DELIVERY
Verbal and Combination of
Nonverbal appropriate and effective
eye contact, vocal clarity
and projection, tone, pace
and gestures serve to
enhance speaker’s words
OVERALL EFFECT
Speaker displays
professionalism, maintains
enthusiasm and audience
attention throughout;
purpose is clearly achieved
17-14 13-10 9-6 5-1 SCORE
Innovative Commendable Competent Emerging
Appropriately focused Focused topic with some Some sense of topic with a Lacks focus on either topic
topic with understanding understanding of the vague sense of the or general purpose
of the speech’s purpose speech’s purpose speech’s topic
Clear use of related ideas Ideas relate to topic, but Ideas loosely connect with Ideas questionable at best;
with development of explanations lack topic; however, explanations lacking; little
major points, organized connections and explanations are limited or if any sense of
with a sense of beginning, organization falters incomplete; poorly organization
middle and end. Some organized.
transitions used.
Use of appropriate, varied Use of appropriate Use of language Use or inappropriate,
and somewhat language yet lacks a level unsuitable to topic, imprecise and/or incorrect
sophisticated language, of sophistication, audience and purpose; language mars effective
well chosen and originality and word choice does little to communication on topic
grammatically correct. expressiveness; few, if convey an appropriate
any, grammatical mistakes tone; noticeable errors
Good use of combination Some use of eye contact; Inconsistent use of eye Lack of eye contact, vocal
of appropriate eye vocal clarity and contact, vocal clarity and clarity and projection;
contact, vocal clarity and projection adequate; projection; poor pacing poor pacing and awkward
projection tone pace and pacing and gestures and awkward gestures gestures make the speech
gestures add to speech’s somewhat contrived interrupt the flow difficult to follow
effect.
Speaker shows some Speaker seems Speaker lacks enthusiasm Speak fails to display
professionalism and professional, shows around topic and no clear minimal interest in topic
enthusiasm; audience limited enthusiasm; purpose emerges; seems or speech; unprofessional
interest is maintained audience interest falters at somewhat unprofessional
most of the time; purpose times; purpose of speech
of speech is achieved only partially achieved
 PA F.E.A. Impromptu Speech Competition Scoring Rubric

TIME
Length of Speech (min:sec) Points deducted
_______ Minutes 5:01 (stop speech) -5
3:00 – 5:00 0
_______ Seconds 2:30 – 2:59 -10
2:00 – 2:29 -15
1:30 – 1:59 -20
0:31 – 1:29 -25
0:01 – 0:30 -30
TOTAL

Judges Initials: ____________

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