Speech Evaluation
Function:
Speech Evaluators have the important responsibility of evaluating individual prepared speakers.
Evaluators are usually experienced speakers who will have completed at least three speeches from the Communication and Leadership manual.
Preparation:
If this is your first evaluation, review the advice given in “Effective Speech Evaluation” (which should have been received with your new member kit and Manual) and ask more experienced members for advice and help.
Whenever the opportunity arises, you should also attend an Evaluation Workshop that the club will run from time to time.
Before the meeting:
If you already know the speaker, some reflection on their past performances may assist with your evaluation.
Find out the speech number/title from the speaker and discuss the objectives of the speech including any specific points the speaker may wish you to look out for.
At the meeting
Borrow the speaker’s manual for your written evaluation and review the evaluation guidelines therein.
Listen carefully to the speaker and record your immediate impressions - consider the questions set out in the evaluation guidelines and try to answer them while the speech is in progress.
Complete the written evaluation while the speech is fresh in your mind.
In your oral evaluation, try to begin and end with encouragement and praise. The spirit of an evaluation is not one of criticism but it is important to make positive recommendations where there is obvious room for improvement.
The general format of evaluation used in Toastmasters Clubs has become known as the “CRC” formula:
COMMEND-RECOMMEND-COMMEND
Your commendations should be addressed to the audience in general but we normally address the recommendations for improvement to the speaker personally.