Evaluation - Toastmasters 2016.

Hello again!

       Eventually I am here not to analyze myself, but to evaluate other speakers! To be more objective I am going to use an evaluation chart from my textbook, you can use it and analyze somebody’s speech too!

       Evaluation is very important. It helps us to become better listeners and better speakers, because every speech we give is evaluated.

      The speakers I am going to write about are the winners of Toastmasters 2016.

№	“Outsmart, Outlast” by Darren Tay	Max	Given
I	Speech Content	45	38
	Organization (comment on effectiveness of introduction; clarity of body, including both major divisions and support points; and efficacy of conclusion)	20	17
	Support (comment on speaker's use of facts, stories, illustrations, examples and/or logic to expand, explain, defend, inform the audience)	15	13
	Cohesion (comment on the speaker's ability to unify the speech and keep clear focus through use of transitions, summaries, and other unifying elements)	10	8
II	Speech Delivery	40	31
	Vocal presentation	20	14
	1) volume
	2) tempo
	3) pitch
	4) emphasis
	5) clear articulation
	Physical presentation	20	17
	1) eye contact
	2) gesturing
	3) posture
	4) facial expression
	5) movement
	6) dress
III	General Effectiveness	15	15
	Amount of time used (8 mins)
	Adherence to time requirements (comment on whether or not the speaker made good use of time, including whether the speech was too short or too long)	5	5
	Creativity (comment on art/uniqueness/individualized nature of the speech)	10	10
	TOTAL POINTS:	100	84

№	“I will be there” by Josephine Lee.	Max	Given
I	Speech Content	45	40
	Organization (comment on effectiveness of introduction; clarity of body, including both major divisions and support points; and efficacy of conclusion)	20	16
	Support (comment on speaker's use of facts, stories, illustrations, examples and/or logic to expand, explain, defend, inform the audience)	15	15
	Cohesion (comment on the speaker's ability to unify the speech and keep clear focus through use of transitions, summaries, and other unifying elements)	10	9
II	Speech Delivery	40	32
	Vocal presentation	20	16
	1) volume
	2) tempo
	3) pitch
	4) emphasis
	5) clear articulation
	Physical presentation	20	16
	1) eye contact
	2) gesturing
	3) posture
	4) facial expression
	5) movement
	6) dress
III	General Effectiveness	15	14
	Amount of time used (8 mins)
	Adherence to time requirements (comment on whether or not the speaker made good use of time, including whether the speech was too short or too long)	5	5
	Creativity (comment on art/uniqueness/individualized nature of the speech)	10	9
	TOTAL POINTS:	100	86

№	“Leave a lasting memory using as few words as possible and strive with every fiver of your being to avoid being the type of person who rambles on and on with no end in sign more likely than not causing most listeners to sit and think to themselves oh my goodness can somebody please make this stop” by Aaron Beverly.	Max	Given
I	Speech Content	45	42
	Organization (comment on effectiveness of introduction; clarity of body, including both major divisions and support points; and efficacy of conclusion)	20	18
	Support (comment on speaker's use of facts, stories, illustrations, examples and/or logic to expand, explain, defend, inform the audience)	15	14
	Cohesion (comment on the speaker's ability to unify the speech and keep clear focus through use of transitions, summaries, and other unifying elements)	10	10
II	Speech Delivery	40	38
	Vocal presentation	20	20
	1) volume
	2) tempo
	3) pitch
	4) emphasis
	5) clear articulation
	Physical presentation	20	18
	1) eye contact
	2) gesturing
	3) posture
	4) facial expression
	5) movement
	6) dress
III	General Effectiveness	15	13
	Amount of time used (8 mins)
	Adherence to time requirements (comment on whether or not the speaker made good use of time, including whether the speech was too short or too long)	5	5
	Creativity (comment on art/uniqueness/individualized nature of the speech)	10	8
	TOTAL POINTS:	100	93

  1. Aaron Beverly
  2. Josephine Lee 
  3. Darren Tay

       I enjoyed all of the performances, no wonder that these people are the winners. Such speeches draw your attention and don’t let it go till the very end. The speakers were confident, self-possessed, very humorous and friendly. All of them were quite emotional and devoted to the topic, because the things they spoke about really mattered for them. Beautiful stories and funny examples from real life persuade the listener, help to learn more about the speaker. And certainly, I was amazed by the body language and effectiveness of the voice! They were not just the speakers, but actors, performers, probably even artists! I enjoyed the content of the speeches, most of all, the metaphorical parallel between the warning lights in a car and in friendship.

       But the number of scores does not necessarily show what speaker you like most. Even if I like some particular features in other performances, in general Aaron’s performance is the one I am going to remember.

      Aaron’s speech started while he was not even there. The name of the speech – ironical and very humorous draws your attention and prepares for something funny and interesting. Proving the point by the title of the speech is something very effective and unique. When he appears everybody already likes him. And then? There is a long pause, which gives you and him some time, then a sudden joke, laugh (the joke would be less funny, if it was used without a pause).

      I like that Aaron is calm and is not gesticulating or changing postures too much. He makes very suitable pauses, pronounces more important phrases more slowly, his speaks distinctly, his voice is loud, but it varies. Aaron tells us that he isn’t a talkative person and people tell him, that he should change, and this where we learn about him as a person and start to trust him. I am also concerned with this problem, so I was happy to hear that somebody shares my opinion.

       Then Aaron tells very interesting stories, using funny face expressions and jokes, which make everybody laugh. While he is telling us about a young lady, he uses the repetition (10 seconds passed, 20 seconds passed…), which is a very effective stylistic device. He is also speaking in a low, sad and quiet voice to express the mood of that moment. In the end of the speech he makes a conclusion by repeating his statement and slows down again, pronouncing the last words: «a few words» with a dramatic intonation. I personally prefer such way of ending a speech that is why it impressed me.

       Aaron’s speech is also very helpful in our course, because it is vital for a speaker to use less words, but use them effectively. Let’s make the words we do say count!