Persuasive Speech Rubric

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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.