OVERALL

CONTENT: Consider topic, ideas, thesis, structure

1 - Beginning: Vague, general topic. Inadequate content. Confusing or little structure. Contact Tournament Administration for concerns regarding content not aligned with the NCFCA mission.

2 - Developing: Interesting topic, thesis, and ideas. Unclear links from thesis to content. Some structure with transitions.

3 - Capable: Noteworthy topic and creative ideas. Fulfills the event’s description with clear thesis, engaging introduction/conclusion and distinct, relevant points.

4 - Proficient: Edifying, relevant topic/thesis. Strong ideas developed through well-reasoned analysis. Clear structure with smooth transitions between introduction, balanced points, and conclusion.

5 - Excellent: Compelling or timely topic/thesis that supports the event’s description. Robust content aided by rich language. Elegant structure. Memorable impact.

Academic Integrity: Consider credibility through the ownership of ideas

1 - Beginning: Inadequate support and/or citations. Missing many verbal citations for supporting material or mostly unclear citations.

2 - Developing: Areas of weak support for assertions or topic. Confusing links from material to verbal attributions.

3 - Capable: Generally clear and sufficient support for assertions. Acceptable use of citations for examples, research, or other material.

4 - Proficient: Consistent use of supporting material, examples, and clear verbal citations when needed.

5 - Excellent: Outstanding variety and depth of support, examples, and clear citations, indicative of great thought and/or research.

Vocal Delivery: Consider articulation, pronunciation, volume, rate, pitch, style, tone

1 - Beginning: Mumbling, halting, or lack of vocal energy. Mispronunciations. Minimum vocal variation or inappropriate volume, rate, pitch or tone.

2 - Developing: Some mumbling, mispronunciation, or halting speech. Inconsistent effectiveness of volume, rate, and/or articulation that needs continued practice.

3 - Capable: Generally accurate articulation and pronunciation. Sincere style with vocal variation appropriate for the content. Minimal distractions.

4 - Proficient: Overall command of energy, volume, rate, and articulation that enhances the content. Winsome, conversational style, without distractions.

5 - Excellent: Powerful, memorable. and/or highly impactful vocal style. Expert vocal variation and control that magnifies the message.

Physical Delivery: Consider poise, professionalism, movement, gestures, eye contact, face

1 - Beginning: Nervous or stiff manner. Distracting, habitual movements (e.g. tapping, pacing, swaying). Minimum eye contact.

2 - Developing: Inconsistent physical control or poise. Moments of distracting movements with the face, hands, body, or use of space.

3 - Capable: Poised, effective use of body and space. Good posture and energy. Generally appropriate gestures, eye contact, and facial expressions.

4 - Proficient: Confident, professional control of posture, gestures, eye contact, and facial expressions to engage the audience.

5 - Excellent: Compelling, masterful use of space, movement, gestures, and expression that enthrall the audience.

Note: In an actual tournament, you will rank the competitors in your room. While the system automatically assigns rankings based on the scores you give, ties may occur. In those cases, you are responsible for breaking the ties and assigning a clear ranking order.