Guide for Judges
Judges will use criteria similar to that used by Toastmasters, International when that organization conducts its international speech contest. Below is a breakdown of the criteria:
Content
Speech Development (structure, organization, support material).
A good speech will be:
- Easy to understand
- Focused (has a purpose)
- Structured (clear beginning, middle, and end)
- Engaging (gets audience attention and drives them to a purpose)
- Supported with relevant examples, facts, etc.
Topic (achieves purpose, holds interest)
- Was the speech subject appropriate for this particular audience?
Delivery
Stage presence
- Professional appearance
- Body language should support speech through gestures, expressions, posture.
- Speaker moves appropriately
- Speaker exhibits enthusiasm and confidence
Voice
- Different pitches, rate, and volume add to richness of speech.
- Words heard and clearly understood.
Language
- Word choices appropriate for audience.
- Language is precise and promotes clear understanding of thoughts
- Use of words is correct in terms of grammar and pronunciation.
- Speaker uses few or no filler words.