OVERALL

CONTENT: Consider topic, ideas, thesis, structure

1 - Beginning: Vague, general topic. Inadequate content or support for assertions.

2 - Developing: Interesting topic/thesis and ideas. Unclear links from thesis to content.

3 - Capable: Engaging topic/thesis and creative ideas. Generally clear and sufficient support for assertions.

4 - Proficient: Engaging, relevant topic/thesis. Strong ideas developed through well-reasoned analysis.

5 - Excellent: Compelling or timely topic/thesis that informs. Robust content aided by rich language. Outstanding variety and depth of support and examples, indicative of great thought and/or research.

Organization & Citations: Consider clarity of organization, including sources

1 - Beginning: Confusing or little structure. Missing many verbal citations for supporting material or mostly unclear citations.

2 - Developing: Some structure with transitions. Confusing links from material to verbal attributions for examples, research, and other supporting material.

3 - Capable: Clear thesis, engaging introduction/conclusion and distinct, relevant points. Acceptable use of citations for examples, research, or other material.

4 - Proficient: Clear structure with smooth transitions between introduction, balanced points, and conclusion. Consistent and clear use of citations for supporting material.

5 - Excellent: Elegant structure that brought clarity to the content. Elegant use of clear citations for supporting material.

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.

Impact: Consider mind, emotion, relevance, connection, speaker

1 - Beginning:  Minimally informed through an engaging delivery, significant topic, well-reasoned analysis, or sincere conviction.

2 - Developing: Somewhat informed through an engaging delivery, significant topic, well-reasoned analysis, or sincere conviction.

3 - Capable: Generally informed through an engaging delivery, significant topic, well-reasoned analysis, or sincere conviction.

4 - Proficient:  Consistently informed through an engaging delivery, significant topic, well-reasoned analysis, or sincere conviction.

5 - Excellent: Memorably informed through an engaging delivery, significant topic, well-reasoned analysis, or sincere conviction.

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.