Addressing an audience, presenting a project, or giving a speech is something that all of us will encounter at

some point in life, especially throughout our college experience. Even if you are new to public speaking you

have probably been an audience member watching someone give a speech or a presentation. We have all

encountered a public speaker that we would say was $$great$,$excellent$,$ and ultimately $$effective$.$ On the

other hand, we have also encountered the speaker that we would say was $$bad$$ and ultimately $$ineffective$.$

For this activity, I want you to take a step back and reflect on why you label some speakers $$effective$$ and

others are $$ineffective$.$ In other words, what did the speaker do or not do$,$ say or not say, how did the speaker

use their body language, etc. that made you label him$/$her as $$good$$ or $$bad$.$ For this assignment you will

come up with $5$ characteristics of an effective public speaker and describe each trait or quality in detail. Next,

you will come up with $5$ characteristics of an ineffective public speaker and describe each trait or quality in

detail. NOTE: You are NOT listing names of people you consider to be effective or ineffective public

speakers but rather the characteristics that make that speaker effective or ineffective. Do NOT reference

or use outside sources for this assignment. Your list should include only your own thoughts and opinions.

For example, if you list $$eye contact$$ as an effective trait, please give us details of what exactly an effective

public speaker does with his$/$her eye contact. You could touch on why it is important for the speaker to make

good eye contact with the audience and$/$or you could mention why audience members like a speaker who makes

good eye contact, etc. Feel free to reference real life examples that have shaped the way you feel. If you label

poor eye contact as an ineffective trait, you could give us details of what exactly ineffective eye contact

is$/$means$,$ you could share why audience members don$$t like a speaker who makes poor eye contact, or maybe

you want to touch on the conclusions you draw about the reasons why a speaker can$$t$/$won$$t look at the

audience.

While you may use the opposite of your effective characteristics for your $5$ ineffective characteristics, I

encourage you to try to come up with some unique traits that don$$t overlap. Think about ALL aspects of the

speech making process $$ from choosing the topic, preparation, research, analyzing the likely audience,

practicing, etc. necessary before the speech $-$ to the speaker$$s use of voice and use of body, adaptability,

organization of the material, professionalism, use of time, etc. during the speech. There is also the do$$s and

don$$ts when using technology or visual aids during a speech, the speaker$$s words$/$language choices, etc. All of

these aspects shape whether the speaker is ultimately viewed as overall $$effective$$ or $$ineffective$.$ Be creative!

Your critique should be$,$ at minimum, $600$ words long. However, it can be as long as you need it to be$.$ Simply

put your name at the top along with your word count. If you don$$t put your word count it will be $-1$ point off for

directions. Number your answers Effective: $1,2,3,4,$ and $5$ and Ineffective: $1,2,3,4,$ and $5.$ Write in complete

sentences, not just words or phrases. Don$$t re$-$write the questions. Proofread for spelling$/$grammar issues. Refer

to the syllabus for the late work penalty! Please scroll to the next page to see my example template.

Quality $-$ Reflects

understanding of the

material, includes relevant

content, is well organized

and easy to follow.

Quantity Directions $$ Properly formatted paper

according to my specific directions. If you

don$$t include your word count you will lose a

point for directions.

Spelling $/$

Grammar

$3$ Excellent quality $3=600+$ word count $2$ Follows all directions $2$ Free from error

$2$ Good quality $2\mathrm{.}5=599-540/2=539-4801$ Minor issues $1$ Minor issues

$1$ Fair quality $1\mathrm{.}5=479-420/1=419-3600$ Major issues $0$ Major issues

$0$ Poor quality $\mathrm{.}5=359-300/0=299$ & $$