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Speech Evaluator

Role Overview

As a Speech Evaluator, you provide valuable feedback that helps speakers grow. Your constructive evaluation is one of the most important elements of the Toastmasters experience, offering speakers insights they can't get anywhere else.

The Art of Evaluation

Good evaluation requires:

  • • Active Listening: Full attention to the speaker
  • • Analytical Thinking: Identifying strengths and opportunities
  • • Empathy: Understanding the speaker's perspective
  • • Communication: Delivering feedback effectively

Before the Meeting

Contact Your Speaker

Reach out 2-3 days before the meeting:
  • • Ask about their speech objectives
  • • Inquire about specific feedback requests
  • • Understand their experience level
  • • Note any project requirements

Prepare Your Framework

Create a structure for note-taking:
  • • Speech opening effectiveness
  • • Organization and structure
  • • Content and message
  • • Delivery and presence
  • • Conclusion impact

During the Speech

What to Observe

Content

  • • Clear purpose and message
  • • Logical organization
  • • Supporting evidence
  • • Audience engagement
  • • Time management

Delivery

  • • Voice variety and pace
  • • Eye contact
  • • Body language
  • • Use of stage
  • • Gestures

Language

  • • Word choice
  • • Grammar and syntax
  • • Rhetorical devices
  • • Clarity

Don't try to catch everything. Focus on 2-3 major strengths and 2-3 areas for improvement.

Structuring Your Evaluation

The CRC Method

Commend: Start with genuine praise Recommend: Suggest improvements Commend: End with encouragement

Sample Evaluation Structure

"Fellow Toastmasters and guests, what an engaging speech about climate change!
Sarah, your passion for the topic was evident from your opening question that immediately grabbed our attention. Your use of the shocking statistic about ocean temperatures set the perfect tone. The three-part structure made your argument easy to follow, and your personal story about visiting the Great Barrier Reef added emotional weight to the data.
To make your next speech even stronger, consider varying your pace more during transitions. You have a lovely speaking voice, and adding more pauses would give us time to absorb your powerful points. Also, moving to different parts of the stage during your three main points could visually reinforce your structure.
Your conclusion beautifully circled back to your opening, and your call to action was specific and achievable. You've clearly put tremendous work into this speech, and it shows. Congratulations on a powerful presentation!"

Evaluation Techniques

The GLOVE Method

  • • Gestures: How effectively were they used?
  • • Language: Was it appropriate and impactful?
  • • Organization: Was the structure clear?
  • • Voice: Was there variety and clarity?
  • • Enthusiasm: Did the speaker engage the audience?

Being Specific

Instead of: "Good eye contact" Say: "Your sustained eye contact with different sections of the audience made everyone feel included, especially when you held that pause after your rhetorical question."

Avoid personal criticism. Focus on the speech and performance, not the speaker's character or personality.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

The Whitewash

Don't give only praise without constructive feedback. Speakers need honest input to grow.

The Demolition

Avoid overwhelming criticism. Even challenging speeches have positive elements.

The Rewrite

Don't explain how you would have given the speech. Focus on helping the speaker improve their approach.

The Vague

Avoid generalities like "good job" or "needs work." Provide specific, actionable feedback.

Advanced Evaluation Skills

Reading the Room

  • • Consider the speaker's experience level
  • • Adjust your tone to the speaker's confidence
  • • Be more encouraging with nervous speakers
  • • Challenge experienced speakers appropriately

Cultural Sensitivity

  • • Respect different speaking styles
  • • Understand cultural communication norms
  • • Avoid imposing single cultural standard
  • • Celebrate diverse approaches

Your Growth as an Evaluator

Each evaluation helps you:

  • • Improve analytical skills
  • • Enhance your own speaking
  • • Develop empathy
  • • Build leadership capabilities

The best evaluators are those who genuinely want to help others succeed. Your supportive feedback can transform someone's speaking journey.

Quick Reference Checklist

✓ Did I commend specific strengths? ✓ Were my suggestions actionable? ✓ Did I provide examples? ✓ Was my tone supportive? ✓ Did I stay within time? ✓ Did I end positively?

Remember: Your evaluation might be the encouragement someone needs to keep improving, or the insight that takes them to the next level. Make it count!

Pro Tips

  • •Use the sandwich method (positive-constructive-positive)
  • •Be specific with examples from the speech
  • •Focus on the most impactful improvements
  • •Remember you're evaluating the speech, not the speaker