Techniques for Effective Speech Evaluation
| Show Interest |
Let the speaker know that you are interested. Make eye contact. Smile. Review the evaluation form before the meeting so that you know what to observe during the speech. |
| Consider Objectives |
First, know the objectives of the speech project. Keep those in mind as you prepare your evaluation. Also check ahead of time with the speaker to see if he/she has any specific areas for you to evaluate beyond those that the speech project specifies. |
| Personalize Language |
By personalizing your feedback language, you can take ownership of your comments and acknowledge that your viewpoint is not the only one. Here are some examples:
- It appeared to me that ...
- My reaction was ...
- I noticed that ...
- A technique I have found helpful is ...
- One thing that I think could improve your next speech is...
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| Evaluate the Performance |
Avoid commenting on whether or not you agreed with the speaker's point of view. Focus on the project objectives and what the speaker did to accomplish those. |
| Promote Esteem |
Give the speaker credit for what he/she did well. State this in specific terms, giving examples if possible. Give a suggestion for improvement that is specific, feasible, and helpful. End on a positive note. |
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