Exemplary

Voice is strong and clear. Enunciation is precise. Speaker is polished, expressive and uses voice effectively with minimal use of filler words. Speaks with energy and enthusiasm.

Proficient

Speaker sounds somewhat polished. Volume is good, speaker generally enunciates well. Minor use of filler words (ums, likes). Expresses some energy or enthusiasm.

Developing

Speaker may speak quickly or quietly. Uses filler words (ums, likes) or has odd pauses. Expresses little energy or enthusiasm for the topic.

Limited

Speaker speaks quickly or quietly. Uses a lot of filler words (ums, likes) or has many odd pauses. Lacks energy or enthusiasm.

Exemplary

Looks very comfortable, strong and confident, used presentation space effectively as a ‘stage.’

Proficient

Looks mostly comfortable; body language is generally strong and confident.

Developing

Looks somewhat uncomfortable or occasionally has distracting movement.

Limited

Looks uncomfortable. Has a lot of distracting movement.

Exemplary

Visual aids are strong, professional, polished, and use the right amount of text and visuals.

Proficient

Visual aids are generally effective, not too text-heavy, and use visual information generally well.

Developing

Visual aids are marginally prepared (slides a bit too wordy or lack helpful visual information); do not support the presentation well.

Limited

Visual aids are weak. Slides are too wordy or lack visual information. Slides do not support the presentation. Slides are distracting.

Exemplary

Maintains eye contact throughout presentation; seldom looks at screen except to reference material on it.

Proficient

Mostly maintains eye contact, but returns to notes or looks at screen, computer or professor occasionally.

Developing

Makes occasional eye contact, but too frequently looks at notes, screen, computer, back wall, floor or professor.

Limited

Barely makes eye contact. Frequently looks at notes, screen, computer, back wall, floor or professor.

Exemplary

Responds to all questions clearly and accurately. Audience responds well to speaker. Team dynamics present and team is well rehearsed; seamless transitions and team is conscientious of each other’s speaking turns (if applicable).

Proficient

Responds to most questions clearly and accurately. Audience gets involved. Works cohesively as a team; adequate transitions between presenters with one person speaking at a time (if applicable).

Developing

Responds to some questions clearly and accurately. Audience gets minimally involved. Works somewhat cohesively as a team; includes transitions between presenters with one person speaking at a time (if applicable).

Limited

Often answers questions superficially or long-windedly. Rarely engages the audience. Team is disjointed with no intra-team dynamics; awkward transitions between presenters and more than one person speaking at a time (if applicable).

Exemplary

Abundance of material; points clearly made; evidence supports; listeners gain insight.

Proficient

Sufficient information; many good points made; some areas lacking; listener gains adequate insight.

Developing

Information is confusing in places; too much or too little information; listener gains a few insights.

Limited

Information is confusing throughout; too much or barely any information; listener gains little insight.

Exemplary

Presentation is smooth, polished and organized; flows well. Pacing is steady throughout; presentation ends within specified parameters.

Proficient

Presentation flows smoothly with occasional confusion or rough patches between ideas. Pacing is adequate; presentation ends within, or very close to, specified parameters.

Developing

Presentation takes some effort to follow, is confusing and disorganized in a number of places; disconnected or choppy. Pacing is a bit awkward and unsteady; ends before or after specified parameters.

Limited

Presentation takes a lot of effort to follow, and is confusing and disorganized. Information is disorganized and choppy. Pacing is very awkward. Ends much before or after specified parameters.

Exemplary

Involved audience; made points in a creative way; held attention throughout.

Proficient

Some interesting twists; held attention most of the time.

Developing

Mostly presented information with little imagination; audience frequently bored.

Limited

Presented information with no imagination; audience left bored throughout.