Evaluation report
2-3 minutes
Objectives
- To inform the speaker what they did well
- To make recommendations for improvement
- To leave the speaker motivated for their next speech
You will gain and practice skills of listening, critical thinking, selecting the most important issues and delivering them effectively within a set time.
Worksheet and template
Print out this notes sheet to make notes during the speech and report template to use during the meeting.
Structure & examples
See the following videos for very good examples speech evaluations:
- Mell’s evaluation of Karolina’s CC2 – 13 Jan 16 [Karolina’s speech]
- Amanda’s evaluation of Hira’s CC2 – 13 Jan 16
- Bob’s evaluation of Richard’s CC2 – 13 Jan 16 [Richard’s speech]
| Section | Note | Max time suggested |
|---|---|---|
| Introduction | name, title, speech objectives | 15 secs |
| Commend #1 | something you liked, and why | 30 secs |
| Commend #2 | something else you liked, and why | 30 secs |
| Recommend #1 | a suggestion for improvement | 30 secs |
| Recommend #2 | another suggestion for improvement | 30 secs |
| Commend #3 | what you liked best and why | 30 secs |
| Summary | finish on a high | 15 secs |
Avoid / Include
Do not report on the speech content unless it’s pertinent to the speech objectives. Spend most of the time reporting on the delivery of the speech; what you liked and how it can be improved.
| Avoid | Include |
|---|---|
| “it was a really good speech” | give actual examples of what made it a good speech: what you liked and why – e.g., “I liked the way Jane used gestures; it really brought the speech to life”, “I liked the way Jane used her voice to convey drama” |
| “Jane kept looking down” | give a recommendation and explain what difference the change will make – e.g., “if Jane moved to the centre of the stage, she could address the whole room equally” , “if Jane put her notes on the lectern, it would free up her hands and make her speech more natural.” |
| ending with a recommendation | end your evaluation what you liked best – leave the Speaker motivated |
| “you spoke eloquently…” | “Jane spoke eloquently” – deliver your report in the third person and address the whole room |
| giving a summary of the speech | give an analysis of the speech according to the project projectives |
How to do the role
1) Read Evaluate to Motivate.
2) Print out this notes sheet to make notes during the speech and report template to help prepare your report.
3) Before the meeting, contact the Speaker and ask them if there’s anything they’d like you to specifically look out for (or ask them on the evening before the meeting starts).
4) Get the Speaker’s Project evaluation form before the meeting starts.
5) When asked by the Toastmaster to give the speech objectives, stand by your chair and face the room. Don’t go up to the front.
Do not introduce the speaker – that’s the Toastmaster’s job.
If you want more guidance
Read Speech Analysis #2: The Art of Delivering Evaluations by Toastmaster by Andrew Dlugan.
Watch this 8 min video on giving evaluations about taking notes and preparing your evaluation.
Anything unclear? Ask the VP Education for help.
