My Fundamental Basic Tips while Evaluating A Speech.

The Speech Opening

1. How did the speaker begin his speech?
2. Was it memorable or was it boring / monotonous?
3. Did the speaker use a joke, short story, statistic, controversial statement, show something or do something?
4. Did the speaker state his / her premise in the first minute?

The Speech Body

1. Did the speech show oneness to the central theme / message?
2. Were the stories, examples, statistics and quotes used reinforcing the central message?
3. Were simple and easy to use words / sentences used?
4. Did the speaker create vivid & descriptive pictures with his / her words?
5. Was the speaking giving only theories or did he make it interesting with other tools of story telling?
6. Was there a logical or chronological sequence?
7. Were there smooth transitions from one point to another?

The Speech Conclusion

1. How did the speaker close his / her speech?
2. Was the conclusion memorable?
3. Was there a call-to-action?
4. Did the speaker reinforce his theme / message in the end?
5. Did the speaker wrap up key points in a nutshell?
6. Did the speaker complete the speech as a full circle connecting what was stated in the beginning?

Visual Aids

1. Did they overshadow the presentation or did it compliment the presentation?
2. Did the speaker look like he was hiding behind his presentation or was the speaker still the primary focus?
3. Did the visual aid show preparedness, creativity & was it memorable?
4. Was it timed well?
5. Was it visible clearly?
6. Did it add value to the central message?
7. Was it used well?

Physical – Body Language / Eye Contact

1. Were the gestures natural, appropriate, timely and in sync with the speech?
2. Were the gesture appropriate to the size of the audience?
3. Did the speaker have powerful body language of confidence and poise?
4. Was he able to connect to all parts of the audience through eye contact?
5. Did he / she have any distracting gesture or any gesture that added more value or reinforce his / her message?

Vocal Variety

1. Was the speaker clearly and pronounce the words audibly?
2. Did the speaker have a pleasing voice?
3. Did the speaker use the contrasts of high, low, soft, loud, and smoothly slide between the variations of pitch, rate, tempo and volume?
4. Was the power and effect of the pause used to create impact, add value, heighten excitement and provide suspense?

Language

1. Was the language appropriate for the audience?
2. Was it simple and easy to understand?
3. Did the speaker articulate clearly?
4. Were sentences short and easy to understand?
5. Were the sentences constructed properly?
6. Did the speaker use smart editing to ensure the key points were brought forward?
7. Was the rule of the three used?
8. What rhetorical devices were used? e.g. repetition, alliteration, metaphors, similes used?

Extras

1. Was the speech conversational?
2. Did the speech touch the head and heart?
3. Did the speaker use humor?
4. Did the speech have depth?
5. Was the speech interesting?
6. Did the speech reflect research & preparation?
7. Did the speaker connect to the members of the audience?
8. Was the message powerful? Did it have depth?
9. Was appropriate humor used?
10. Did the speaker use the power of a well placed pause?
11. Did the speaker use the speaking area properly?
12. Did anything the speaker do which distracted you from the presentation?
13. Did the speakers looks add value to the presentation?
14. Did the speaker pin up his Audio / Visual Equipment properly?
15. Did the speaker get in touch with his mentor?
16. Did the speaker believe in his / her message?
17. Did the speaker involve your visual, auditory and kinesthetic senses?
18. Do you think the speaker is better as a entertaining speaker, informative speaker, educative speaker or persuasive speaker?
19. Would you want to listen to the speaker ever again?