When you are an Evaluator
· The
purpose of the evaluation is to help the speaker become less
self-conscious. This requires that you
become fully aware of the speaker’s skill level, habits and mannerisms as well
as his or her progress to date. If there
is a technique that speaker uses or some gesture made that receives a good
response from the audience, tell the speaker so he or she will be encouraged to
use it again. Keep in mind if the
speaker repeated this speech, how could your evaluation comments help the
speaker get his/her point across better next time (regardless whether you agree
or disagree with the content of the speech).
Prior to the
meeting:
· Review carefully the Effective Speech Evaluation manual which you will receive in your new member packet from World Headquarters.
· Talk with the speaker to find out the manual project he or she will be presenting. The interview should include the goals of the speech and what the speaker hopes to achieve. Find out exactly which skills or techniques the speaker hopes to strengthen through the exercise.
· Evaluation requires exacting preparation if it is to be of value to the speaker. Study the objectives of the project as well as the evaluation guide in the manual. Remember, the purpose of evaluation is to help people develop their speaking skills in various situations, including platform presentations, discussions and meetings. Achievement equals the sum of ability and motivation. By actively listening and gently offering useful advice, you motivate members to work hard and improve. When you show the way to improvement, you’ve opened the door to strengthening their ability.
When you enter the
meeting room:
· Look for the speaker and obtain his or her manual. Confer with the speaker one last time to see if he or she has any specific things for you to watch for during the talk.
During the meeting
(re: written evaluation)
· Record
your impressions of the speech in the manual along with your answers to the
evaluation questions. Be as objective as
possible. Remember that good evaluations
may give new life to discouraged members and poor evaluations may dishearten
members who tried their best. Remember
to always leave the speaker with specific methods for improving his or her
speaking.
During the meeting
(re: oral evaluation)
· Though
you may have written lengthy responses to manual evaluation questions, don’t
read the question or your responses during the oral evaluation report. Throughout your oral evaluation use words
such as: “In my opinion...”, “I heard…”, “I felt…”
· Your
oral evaluation time is limited. You
will receive a green light at 2 minutes, yellow light at
· When introduced, stand and give your oral evaluation report. Begin and end your evaluation with a note of encouragement.
· Areas to point out strengths or weaknesses: Vocal variety, facial expression, demeanor, gestures, eye contact. Possibly one point on organization, one on delivery effectiveness, and one of attainment of purpose with a statement about the greatest asset and a suggestion for future improvement.
· Praise a successful speech and specifically tell why it was successful. Don’t allow the speaker to remain unaware of a valuable asset such as a smile, a sense of humor, a good voice. Don’t allow the speaker to remain ignorant of a serious fault or mannerism; if it is personal, write it but don’t mention it aloud. Give the speaker the deserved praise and tactful suggestions in the manner you would like to receive them when you are the speaker.
After the meeting:
· Return
the manual to the speaker. Add a verbal
word of encouragement to the speaker, something that wasn’t mentioned in the
oral evaluation.