Persuasive Speech Rubric—Middle School

Created Feb. 7, 2024 by Clarity Innovations

4	3	2	1
Purpose
My speech has a clear purpose that addresses an important and relevant topic. Every part of my speech supports the purpose.	My speech has a clear purpose. Every part of my speech relates to the purpose.	My speech seems to have a purpose, but only some parts relate to the purpose.	The purpose of my speech is unclear.
Introduction
My introduction states the purpose of my speech, explains how I want the audience to respond, and engages the audience in a lively fashion.	My introduction states the purpose of my speech, how I want the audience to respond, and engages the audience.	My introduction refers to the purpose of my speech but does not engage the audience.	I do not have an introduction, or my introduction neither presents the purpose nor engages the audience.
Organization
I organize my major ideas in a logical, persuasive manner that makes my arguments convincing.	I organize my ideas in a persuasive manner.	I try to organize my ideas in a persuasive manner.	I do not organize my ideas in a persuasive manner.
Arguments
I provide thoughtful, convincing arguments for the action I want my audience to take.	I provide reasonable arguments for the action I want my audience to take.	I try to provide reasonable arguments for the action I want my audience to take, but some of my arguments are not very convincing.	I provide few or no reasonable arguments for the action I want my audience to take.
Evidence
I use a variety of credible evidence to support my arguments. I appropriately explain where I found my information.	I use credible evidence to support my arguments. I explain where I found my information.	Some of the evidence I use to support my arguments does not seem credible, or I sometimes do not explain where I found my information.	I use very little or no credible evidence to support my arguments, and I do not explain where I found my information.
Audience
I effectively anticipate and answer my audience’s concerns and counterarguments by including details, reasons, and examples.	I anticipate and answer my audience’s concerns and counterarguments by including some details, reasons, and examples.	I try to anticipate and answer my audience’s concerns and counterarguments.	I neither anticipate nor answer my audience’s concerns and counterarguments.
Conclusion
My conclusion summarizes my main points in an interesting way and emphasizes the action I want my audience to take. I leave my audience with an important idea to think about.	My conclusion summarizes my main points and emphasizes the action I want my audience to take.	My conclusion summarizes some of my main points.	My speech does not have a conclusion.
Delivery
I speak clearly and with confidence, because I have practiced repeatedly. My tone of voice is very persuasive. I consistently maintain eye contact and use body language to persuade and create interest.	I speak clearly. My tone of voice is persuasive. I maintain eye contact and use body language appropriately.	I speak clearly most of the time. My tone is frequently neutral. I sometimes do not maintain eye contact, or I forget to use body language appropriately.	I speak unclearly, or my tone of voice is neutral. I maintain very little or no eye contact with my audience. I do not use body language to help communicate my message.
Language
I speak in Standard English throughout my speech, unless I break conventions to make a point. I use a variety of rhetorical devices, such as repetition, quotations, and metaphors to effectively inform, engage, and persuade my audience.	I speak in Standard English throughout my speech. I occasionally use rhetorical devices, such as repetition, quotations, and metaphors to engage my audience.	I usually speak in Standard English, but I may make a few errors. I try to use rhetorical devices, but they are not always effective.	I make numerous distracting errors in Standard English, and I do not use rhetorical devices.