Outline Grading Criteria
The superior outline (grade A):
- Topic is creative, appropriate, and original.
- Name, general purpose, specific purpose, and thesis statement (central idea) are included.
- Constitutes a genuine contribution by the speaker to the knowledge or beliefs of the audience.
- Remains audience-centered throughout outline.
- Content fits the assignment.
- Contains elements of vividness and special interest in the use of language.
- Language is clear, concise, memorable, and easy to follow.
- If sources are required, high quality sources are used.
- If sources are required, adheres to quantity of sources rule (one source per minute for total amount of sources).
- If sources are used, a reference page is included.
- Outline is in complete sentences.
- Standard subdivisions are used.
- Transitions are advanced and included in proper places.
- In-text citations are present.
- Various sections and components of the outline are labeled.
- Main points are declarative sentences.
- Main points are logical.
- Appropriate number of main points is included.
- Support material is appropriate.
- All components of the introduction, body and conclusion are included and well-developed.
- Organizational pattern is clear.
The above average outline (grade B):
- Creative topic.
- Audience analysis is evident.
- Fulfills all major functions of a speech introduction, body and conclusion.
- Displays clear organization of main points and supporting materials.
- Exhibits proficient use of transitions.
- Effective use of language.
- Overall structure apparent but may need to develop ideas more effectively.
- Properly labeled and formatted.
- Clearly identifies sources of information and ideas in the speech.
The average outline (grade C):
- Conforms to the kind of speech assigned (i.e., informative, persuasive, special occasion etc.).
- Has a clear specific purpose and thesis statement (central idea).
- Lacks audience-centeredness.
- Has an identifiable introduction, body, and conclusion.
- Missing transitions or contains weak transitions.
- Language is appropriate but could be more memorable or creative.
- Missing some of the components of an effective speech.
- Minor errors in grammar, pronunciation, and word usage.
- Does not contain enough quality source material.
The below average outline (grade D or F)
- Topic does not conform to speech purpose.
- Audience-analysis is not evident.
- Unorganized.
- Contains incomplete sentences or phrases.
- Is based entirely on biased information or unsupported opinions.
- Uses fabricated supporting material or deliberately distorted evidence.
- Uses bullet points or paragraph form.
- No references present.
- Is plagiarized.