Evaluator
Time: 2 to 3 minutes, maximum 3.5 minutes
The time allotted for each evaluation is 2 to 3 minutes, which is the Toastmasters International Evaluation Contest time limits. In a club evaluation contest and all other evaluation contests, disqualification will occur if the speaker concludes before 1 minute 30 seconds or after 3 minutes 30 seconds.
Therefore, speech evaluators at each club meeting should be striving to comply with these time limits, as practice for occasions when competing in an evaluation contest. There will NOT be any disqualifications of speech evaluators at club meetings. Disqualifications are only an aspect of contests.
Planning for the evaluation is as essential as planning for the Pathways speech itself. Both require study and preparation. Neither can be left to chance.
The speakers for the evening are not competing with each other, they are only competing with their own previous performance(s). Therefore, the purpose of evaluation is to provide immediate, positive feedback which will point out to the speaker, the strengths of the speech, and one or two suggestions of how to improve. When suggesting a point on how to improve, it’s best to also provide an example demonstrating how it can be improved. This form of feedback will help the speaker improve for the next occasion. Your evaluation should be warm, friendly and helpful. Always finish your evaluation on a note of praise.
The Evaluator’s task is to provide honest reaction to the speech, in a constructive manner. The Evaluator is not a judge, nor an authority on speaking. The evaluator should just simply relate his/her own reaction to the speech and state his/her own opinion, nothing more.
A recommended structure for an effective evaluation is:
- Commend, Commend, Recommend, Commend
Some points to consider
Each speaker should receive an oral and a written evaluation. If time does not allow for an oral evaluation, the evaluator should confer with the speaker later, preferably immediately after the meeting.
Be aware of the speaker’s objectives for the speaking project you are evaluating.
As Evaluator, you should talk to the speaker before the presentation of the speech, and discuss any particular points that the speaker may want you to look for during the presentation. If the speaker wants you to look for such points, be sure to comment on them during your evaluation.
The Evaluator should read and understand the “Note to the Evaluator” section on the Evaluation guide of the speaker’s project. This guide nominates specific areas for the Evaluator to add written comment, which mainly relate to the objectives of the project. The oral evaluation should take a different approach as mentioned above, i.e., commend, commend, recommend, commend. Comment on what you saw, what you heard, and what you felt. In other words, talk about your reaction to the speech and state your opinion. Your evaluation should be just, kind and friendly, generous and constructive.
The best practice is to take notes as the speech is being delivered, and prepare your evaluation from these notes. Some members go to the trouble of preparing their own template for note taking during the speech, which makes it easier to prepare the oral evaluation.
Some points to look for when evaluating a speaker:
Appearance
The speaker’s appearance should be such that it does not distract your attention, but should be pleasantly unobtrusive and appropriate for the occasion.
Opening
The speaker’s opening remarks should capture your attention and arouse your interest. The opening remarks should also lead into the subject of the speech.
Vocal Variety
Voice volume, speaking rate, vocal pitch, voice tone, vocal vitality, and articulation are all areas which can detract from or enhance a speech, and should be considered for the evaluation. Read the project on Vocal Variety in the Competent Communication manual.
Grammar
The phrases and words used throughout the speech should be correct for the context, and spoken in a literate manner.
Visual Aids
The speaker has the option of using a form of visual aid to enhance the presentation, and the speaker’s handling of the visual aid should be considered for the evaluation.
Poise & Gestures
The speaker’s use of body language, facial expressions and hand gestures should add emphasis to the points and meaning of the speech.
Audience Interest
The speaker should be able to attract the attention of the audience, and hold their attention all through the speech. Keep an eye on the audience to see if this is the case.
Organisation
The various points in the speech should be arranged in a logical sequence so that they flow from one to the other. Skipping back and forth, or not relating different points, displays poor organisation.
Word Pictures
The speech should be worded in such a way that will build clear, vivid mental pictures in the minds of the members of the audience. This will help to hold the audience’s attention.
Enthusiasm
The speaker should be enthusiastic about the subject of the speech to win the support of the audience for his views. Without enthusiasm the speaker will be unconvincing.
Sincerity
To convince you, the speaker must be convinced himself. If he is sure of his facts and certain that they are right, he will present his speech with sincerity. Read the project
Information
Where appropriate, the speaker should quote examples and cases, and make comparisons, which support the argument. When presenting facts and figures, the speaker should also indicate the authority of the sources of the information.
Conclusion
The speaker should not introduce any new material during the conclusion. The conclusion should be forceful and confident. Some examples of a good way to conclude are:
- Summarise the points of the speech,
- A specific appeal for action,
- A story, a quotation, or illustration that emphasises the message,
- A rhetorical question or a startling statement.