COMPETITION JUDGING CRITERIA
Judges evaluate each contestant individually based on the total presentation. At the end of the runoff, contestants are ranked in order of the quality of the presentations: Best is first, second best is second, and so on. All contestants are ranked. There can be no ties.
The following criteria are of equal importance in evaluating the speaker:
STRUCTURE (40 POINTS)
Introduction (10 points)
• Did the speaker get attention?
• Was the topic clearly stated?
• Did the speaker preview and give focus to the key ideas?
Body (10 points)
• Were divisions clear and appropriate to the topic?
• Did the speaker make effective use of signposting, internal summaries, and transitions?
• Was adequate time devoted to each division within the 15-minute time limit?
• Was there a logical progression of ideas?
Conclusion (10 points)
• Did the speaker tie the speech together?
• Was the answer to the question clear?
• Was there a note of finality?
Overall (10 Points)
• Was the talk planned and rehearsed?
QUESTIONS FROM AUDIENCE (10 POINTS)
Did the speaker answer questions clearly and show they understood the topic well?
DELIVERY (30 POINTS)
Language Style (10 points)
• Was the language suitable to inform the audience?
• Was the language precise, grammatically correct, and vivid?
• Was the delivery natural and spontaneous?
• Did it reinforce the ideas of the speech?
Vocal Delivery (10 points)
• Was enunciation clear?
• Was volume appropriate?
• Was there sufficient variety in rate, pause, and pitch?
Physical Delivery (10 points)
• Effective use of body language: especially eye contact, gestures, and voice.
• Created a positive atmosphere: friendly attitude towards the audience and a sincere approach.
• If note card was used, was it an unobtrusive part of the delivery?
ANALYSIS AND CONTENT (20 POINTS)
Content (10 points)
• Original, technically sound and logical; recommendations were relevant, and message was clear.
• Was the information adequately documented?
• Relevance to industry: potential benefits
Analysis (10 points)
• Was there sufficient use of logic, facts, examples, and/or expert opinion?
TIMING (20 MINUTES ALLOWED FOR MAIN PRESENTATION – NOT INCLUDING QUESTIONS)
• Minus 5 points per 5 minutes over time
• Minus 1 point per 5 minutes under time.