Resources for Assessing Communication Activities

Types of Rubrics

Analytic Rubrics

Some Guidelines for Evaluating Oral Presentations

1. Assessment criteria for oral presentations must be tied to assignment descriptions

   Clarify the situation/expectations for your oral presentation assignment. Here are some questions your students may need answers to before they prepare to speak:

   • Who is the audience? (real or fictitious?)
   • What level of knowledge can be expected?
   • How careful do I need to be with technical language?
   • What level of engagement will they bring to the presentation?

Introducing Yourself to an Audience: A Basic Evaluation

Common Speaking Problems

• High levels of nervousness (offer reassurance that they can do this and that it will get easier as they learn more). If their big problem is rushing, they need to know that.
• Physical speaking challenges (physical issues that affect articulation, heavy accents). Best advice: encourage them to slow down especially at first so that they give the audience time to adjust to the accent. Do feel free to compliment their strengths - Everyone has some.

Five Approaches to Oral Evaluations

Effects Criterion

Did the presentation accomplish its goal? Did it sell the product/plan? Can the audience successfully answer questions about the material presented?

Pros:

• students may agree that it is like real life
• can be combined with other approaches

Cons:

Team Evaluation Form

For more information on this Point System Grading, read a summary of pros and cons of this method.

Small Group Oral Presentations Evaluation

For more information on this Modified Point System Grading, read a summary of pros and cons of this method.

Introduction (20 Points)

• Captured attention in opener
• Introduced group members
• Background information (including importance of topic)
• Introduced “topic” and content to follow (preview)
• Effective transition into body
• Effective delivery

Body (30 Points)