Assessing for Oral Communication Competency

Goals: Elements of effective speeches & presentation Methods for assessing speeches & presentations Preparing students for speeches & presentations

GOAL #1: Understanding elements of effective speeches & presentation

Effective public speaking Topics to Address… Nervousness Speech Making Process Audience Analysis Delivery Preparation & Rehearsing

Dealing with Nervousness Acknowledge Your Fear Focus on Message, not Fear Act Confident Give Yourself a Mental Pep Talk Visualize Your Success Channel Nervous Energy BREATHE Practice, Practice, Practice

Understand the Speech Making Process Choosing Topic Focus Purpose Research Organizing Content Developing an Outline Delivering Speech Rehearsing

Choosing a Topic Consider… Is It Important to You? Is It Important to Your Audience? Will It Hold Audience’s Attention? Is It Manageable in the Time Available? Is It Clear? Can You Support It?

Focus Purpose General Purpose: TO Inform, Persuade, Entertain, Inspire, Pay Tribute, etc. Specific Purpose: What you hope to accomplish EXAMPLE: To inform the audience about the importance of having a college education. Central Idea: Summary of speech content (thesis) EXAMPLE: A college education opens the door to: greater earning potential, more employment opportunities and allows for personal growth.

Researching Topic Current Situation/Info Background Info Supporting Materials

Organizing Content Chronological Topical Spatial Cause-Effect Problem-Solution Comparison-Contrast

Introductions PURPOSE Introduce topic & preview what is to come State purpose & importance Grab Attention Build Credibility TYPES: Story, Rhetorical Question, Quotation, Humor, Allude to conclusion

Conclusions PURPOSE Summarize Speech & Re-emphasize Main Idea Motivate Response Provide Closure TYPES: Summary, Quotation, Story or Rhetorical Question, Refer to Introduction, Challenge

Understand Your Audience CHALLENGES People Think Faster Than Hear Short Attention Span Easily Distracted How to Deal with… Keep Speech Focused Analyze Audience Carefully Adapt to Situation

What Audience most often remembers: #1—Last thing they heard #2—Introduction #3—Topic

Methods of Delivery Manuscript Reading (hard to connect with audience) Memorized (pressure to remember) Impromptu (off the cuff) Extemporaneous (best choice)

Delivering Speech - Use Effective… Use Clear… Be Enthusiastic End Well Eye Contact Gestures & Expressions Volume—project and use variety in pitch & inflection Pace—pause between points Use Clear… Language–appropriate terms and definitions Pronunciation and Articulation Conversational style Be Enthusiastic End Well Be Concise & Memorable Pause before Returning to Seat

GOAL #2: Methods for assessing speeches & presentations

Assessing Speeches Determine whether this is a speech or presentation Is focus on oral content or overall presentation? How important is delivery to overall assessment? Prepare rubrics & assessment criteria Determine what areas student should demonstrate proficiency Review criteria and do a practice assessment. Know in you mind the difference between a 1--5 or A-F etc.

GROUP/INDIVIDUAL PRESENTATION EVALUATION (50pts) -Sample Rubric- GROUP/INDIVIDUAL PRESENTATION EVALUATION (50pts)   Verbal Delivery ______ (5) Stage Presence ______(5) Message Content ______ (5) Message Organization ______ (5) Effective Introduction ______ (5) Effective Conclusion ______ (5) Creativity ______ (5) Kept to Time Frame ______ (5) Overall Presentation ______(10) TOTAL possible 50pts

Category 1 2 3 4 5 Verbal Delivery Message Organization   Verbal Delivery Little or no attempt made to demonstrate skill in this area. Inadequate: Delivery poor. -Volume, rate, pronunciation & enunciation unclear and audience cannot understand most of message. -You have to work to understand the words. Fair: Delivery quality minimal. -Rate too fast or slow -Choppy flow & pauses. -Volume is low or too loud. -Pronunciation & enunciation unclear. -Regular verbal crutches (ex: "ahs," "uh/ums," or "you knows”). -Delivery problems cause disruption to message. Competent: Delivery adequate. -Adequate rate & pauses -Suitable volume & variety. -Enunciation and pronunciation suitable. -Few verbal crutches (ex: "ahs," "uh/ums," or "you knows”). Exemplary: Delivery emphasizes and enhances message. -Good rate & flow. -Good volume & variety. -Clear enunciation -No verbal crutches (ex: "ahs," uh/ums," or "you knows”).   Message Organization Little or no attempt made to demonstrate skill in this area. Inadequate: The message is disorganized and purpose and focus unclear. Fair: Message organization appears random or rambling at points. -Difficult to understand sequence and relationships among ideas. -Ideas disorganized and do not follow a consistent logical pattern. Competent: Message is organized. -Sequence and relationships of ideas are understood. -Basic links made about sequence and relationships of ideas. -Ideas in message follow a logical outline. Exemplary: Message is well organized. -Speaker helps audience understand sequence and relationships of ideas through presentation aids, previews, transition, and summaries.

GOAL #3: Preparing students for speeches & presentations

Preparing Students Clearly outline skills & content to be assessed Explain what an effective speech looks & sounds like Message Organization Delivery Explain Outlines & Speaking Notes Review rubrics & assessment criteria Allow opportunity for practice

Developing an Outline Preparation Outline used to organize research Speaking Outline is actual speaking notes DO NOT WRITE OUT WORD FOR WORD Just enough detail to serve as reminder Include cues (“pause” or “show slide”) Consider transitions

Types of Outlines Preparation Outline Title & Topic Specific Purpose Speaker’s Outline Introduction Main Point Support with Evidence TRANSITION Supporting Point --REPEAT AS NECESSARY-- Conclusion Preparation Outline Title & Topic Specific Purpose Central Idea Introduction Main & Sub-Points Support/Evidence Conclusion

Rehearsing Speech Practice Out Loud Practice Actual Delivery (eye contact , volume, stance) Watch Yourself Keep Track of Time

Sources A Concise Public Speaking Handbook by Steven & Susan Beebe Lecture Notes from SPC 2608 by Heather Elmatti