Adjudication Guidelines
Adjudicators will assess each speech as a whole paying particular attention to relevance to the topic in relation to both impact on the intellect and impact on the emotions.
Impact on the Intellect
(50% of the total marks)
This rates the ability of the speaker to achieve a clear purpose using relevant material presented in a logical order.
Material – scope, accuracy, clarity, relevance, logic, adequacy
Arrangement – introduction, body, conclusion, general construction
Progression – cohesion, timing, logic, development, evidence of research and preparation
Language – words, sentences, phrases, grammar, word pictures, figures of speech
Appeal – imagination, originality, wit, illustrations, highlights
Impact on the Emotion
(50% of the total marks)
This rates the ability of the speaker to present material so as to affect or influence the audience.
Visual Impact – appearance, stance, gesture, notes, use of eyes, aids
Vocal Impact – quality, clarity, variety, volume, pitch, use of pause, pace, pronunciation
Empathy – contact, understanding, acceptance, audience involvement
Mood – feeling, emphasis, enthusiasm, sincerity, speaker’s involvement
Appeal – credible, entertaining, memorable, motivating, convincing