How to Evaluate a Speech and Give Constructive Feedback at The Fordax Public Speaking Your Club

How to Evaluate a Speech and Give Constructive Feedback at The Fordax Public Speaking Your Club

Public speaking isn’t just about talking — it’s about connecting, influencing, and growing. And one of the fastest ways to improve as a speaker is through structured, supportive evaluation. 

At Fordax, evaluation is not just for the speaker — it also helps the evaluator become a better listener, leader, and communicator.

Note that in Fordax, we refer to the selected individuals who will take care of scoring a speaker’s performance as Scribes. These individuals are often selected by the club coach or club leader so they can assist with more in depth study, observation and analysis of a speaker while they are speaking. 

Below is a guide to help you confidently evaluate any speech, whether you’re a beginner or advanced club member.

1. Purpose Alignment (Track-Based Delivery)

Every Fordax speech follows a specific Track (storytelling, persuasion,media, business, etc). As an evaluator make sure to know what track the speaker is on, and ask:

• Did the speech match the goal of the assigned Track?
• Was the speaker trying to inspire, inform, or persuade — and did they do it well?
• Was the main message clear and easy to follow?
  

Tip: If the goal was storytelling, check if the story was engaging. If it was persuasion, did the speaker make a strong case?

NOTE: 

Purpose alignment is about how well the speech fits its assigned Track or objective—whether it’s to persuade, educate, inspire, inform, or entertain. A speech should stay focused on its purpose, using content, tone, and delivery that support the desired impact. If the goal was storytelling, did it have emotional appeal and a relatable story arc? If it was a motivational speech, did it uplift and inspire? This criterion ensures the speaker is intentional, structured, and aligned with the Fordax curriculum.

Scoring Guide:

• 1: The speech was confusing or off-track; purpose unclear or wrong for the assignment.
• 2: Some effort, but weak alignment with the track; message not clearly tied to objective.
• 3: The speech met the goal, though tone or delivery could have been better matched.
• 4: Strong match between message, tone, and purpose; effective and well-focused.
• 5: Excellent and purposeful delivery; fully aligned and impactful for the intended track.
  

2. Clarity, Voice Projection & Articulation

• Could everyone hear the speaker clearly?
• Were words pronounced properly and spoken at a good pace?
• Did they use too many filler words (e.g., “uhm,” “like,” “you know”)?
  

Tip: Note if the speaker was too fast, too slow, or had an uneven rhythm. Encourage natural pauses.

NOTE:

Clarity, Voice Projection & Articulation focuses on how well the speaker’s voice carried, and whether words were spoken clearly and understandably. Good articulation makes it easy for the audience to follow and absorb the message. A speaker must control volume, pace, and pronunciation to ensure effective delivery. If people strain to hear or misunderstand words, the message is lost—regardless of content quality.

Scoring Guide:

• 1: Hard to hear; mumbled, slurred, or full of filler words.
• 2: Voice inconsistent; moments of clarity but often too fast, soft, or unclear.
• 3: Audible and understandable, with some slips or rushed sections.
• 4: Clear, confident, and well-paced voice; only minor issues.
• 5: Outstanding clarity and projection; captivating, controlled, and confident voice.

3. Body Language, Gestures & Appearance

• Did the speaker stand confidently, or fidget nervously?
• Were hand gestures purposeful or distracting?
• Was their appearance neat and suitable for the occasion?
  

Tip: Body language should support the message, not steal attention from it.

NOTE:

Non-verbal communication supports the spoken word. Body language includes posture, hand movements, and facial expressions. Speakers who stand tall, move intentionally, and gesture naturally appear confident and trustworthy. Appearance also matters—dressing appropriately for the audience and event builds credibility and respect.

Scoring Guide:

• 1: Distracting or poor posture; gestures or appearance take away from the message.
• 2: Some attempt, but stiff, fidgety, or unprofessional look.
• 3: Acceptable body language and appearance, with occasional mismatches.
• 4: Confident posture, useful gestures, and proper presence.
• 5: Excellent use of body and appearance; added power and presence to the speech.

4. Audience Engagement & Responsiveness

• Did the speaker connect with the audience emotionally or intellectually?
• Did they use questions, humor, or relatable stories?
• How did the audience respond — smiles, laughter, silence, attention?
  

Tip: A speaker should feel the room and adjust accordingly.

NOTE:

This checks how well the speaker connected with listeners. Engaged audiences react—smiling, nodding, laughing, or focusing intently. Did the speaker make the audience feel included with questions, stories, or humor? Did they respond to the energy in the room or ignore it? This shows emotional intelligence and communication mastery.

Scoring Guide:

• 1: No connection, no interaction; audience disinterested or disconnected.
• 2: Weak attempts to engage; limited interaction or energy.
• 3: Some connection with the audience; occasional interaction or reaction.
• 4: Strong, visible engagement; speaker adjusted based on audience cues.
• 5: Fully captivating; speaker held the audience throughout with clear connection.

5. Eye Contact & Connection

• Did the speaker look at different parts of the audience?
• Were they glued to their notes or looking down often?
• Did their eye contact show confidence and sincerity?
  

Tip: Natural eye contact builds trust. Avoid robotic or random gaze.

NOTE:

Eye contact builds trust and makes each listener feel involved. A strong speaker makes natural, sweeping eye contact across all areas of the room. Looking only at notes, the floor, or one person breaks connection. This element shows confidence, sincerity, and connection to the audience.

Scoring Guide:

• 1: Rare or no eye contact; reading or looking away most of the time.
• 2: Limited or mechanical eye contact; avoided real connection.
• 3: Good eye contact, but missed some areas or became repetitive.
• 4: Natural, confident eye contact across audience.
• 5: Deep, sincere connection through purposeful, engaging eye contact.

6. Content Structure, Value & Originality

• Was there a clear introduction, body, and conclusion?
• Did the content feel insightful, fresh, or unique?
• Did they use examples, stories, or data to support points?
  

Tip: A well-structured speech helps the audience remember the message.

NOTE:

A well-structured speech has a clear beginning, middle, and end, with logical flow and original ideas. Did the speaker use personal stories, statistics, or real-life examples to make their point? Was the message valuable or just surface-level talk? Structure and substance are critical to leaving an impact.

Scoring Guide:

• 1: Disorganized or vague; lacked a point or value.
• 2: Some structure, but unclear flow or weak supporting content.
• 3: Clear enough message with decent points; some originality.
• 4: Strong structure and value; unique approach.
• 5: Well-crafted, insightful, and original; message was compelling and relevant.

7. Time Management & Pacing

• Did the speaker finish within the time limit?
• Were parts of the speech rushed or stretched unnecessarily?
• Was the time balanced across all sections?

 Tip: Time control is a mark of preparation and professionalism.

NOTE:

Speakers should stay within time limits and use their time wisely. Did they rush through parts or speak too slowly? Did the intro, body, and conclusion feel balanced? Good pacing ensures the speech lands well without feeling rushed or dragged.

Scoring Guide:

• 1: Major overrun or rushed badly; poor time use.
• 2: Inconsistent pacing; intro too long or conclusion rushed.
• 3: Mostly balanced time, but minor pacing issues.
• 4: Good time use and flow; no major delays.
• 5: Excellent pacing; each section timed well and felt just right.

8. Stage Movement & Spatial Awareness

• Did they move purposefully or pace without reason?
• Were movements linked to points in the speech?
• Did they stay visible to everyone?
  

Tip: Movement should reflect emotion, energy, or structure.

NOTE:

Movement should match meaning. Good speakers use the stage to emphasize transitions, express emotions, and build connection. Wandering aimlessly, staying frozen, or turning away from the audience weakens the message. Movement done right adds energy and visual engagement.

Scoring Guide:

• 1: Distracting or robotic movement; confused or aimless.
• 2: Some movement but lacked purpose or made audience uncomfortable.
• 3: Adequate use of space with a few awkward moments.
• 4: Controlled and intentional movement; helped message delivery.
• 5: Excellent use of stage; movement flowed with speech naturally.

9. Emotional Expression & Vocal Variety

• Was the speaker expressive or monotone?
• Did they use changes in volume, tone, or speed to add interest?
• Were emotions genuine and fitting?
  

Tip: Emotions make a message relatable. Don’t fake it, feel it.

NOTE:

This refers to the speaker’s tone, pitch, speed, and emotional energy. A monotone speaker loses the audience, but one who varies their voice and shows emotion keeps people engaged. Speakers should live their message—showing joy, passion, concern, or urgency when needed.

Scoring Guide:

• 1: Monotone or flat; no emotional variation.
• 2: Occasional emotion, but mostly dull or inappropriate tone.
• 3: Some vocal variation and feeling, though inconsistent.
• 4: Good expression; tone matched meaning.
• 5: Dynamic and authentic delivery; speaker “lived” the speech emotionally.
  

10. Memorability & Call to Action

• Did the speech end with impact?
• Was there a call to action, a powerful line, or lasting message?
• Would the audience remember the speech tomorrow?

Tip: Great speeches end strong. Remind speakers not to fade out.

NOTE:

Was the speech memorable? Did it leave the audience thinking or feeling something strong? A good conclusion drives home the message. Whether it’s a call to action, a final story, or a powerful quote, the ending should stay with the audience long after it’s over.

Scoring Guide:

• 1: Forgettable; no real ending or unclear message.
• 2: Weak ending or message lost in delivery.
• 3: Clear ending, but lacked power or uniqueness.
• 4: Strong conclusion that supported the message.
• 5: Powerful and unforgettable finish; clear, inspiring, or thought-provoking.

SCORING THE SPEAKER (1–5 SCALE)

When scoring, keep this scale in mind:

• 1 = Needs Major Improvement
• 2 = Below Average
• 3 = Meets Expectations
• 4 = Very Good
• 5 = Outstanding
  

Give comments to support your score. Be honest, encouraging, and specific.

Giving Constructive Feedback

Good Evaluation = What Worked + What Can Be Improved

Structure your feedback like this:

• Start with a positive: “What I liked most was…”
• Give one or two areas for improvement: “One thing you could improve is…”
• End with encouragement or praise: “Overall, this was a great effort. Keep it up!”
  

Speak to uplift, not to criticize. Your job is to help the speaker grow.

Why Evaluation Matters

At Fordax, we believe in “learning by doing” — and part of that is learning by listening and evaluating others. When you evaluate, you sharpen your judgment, boost your leadership, and become more aware of what makes a great speaker.

So take your role seriously. Evaluate with kindness. And remember — the best evaluators help others become their best selves.