YouTube Rhetorical Review Video Presentation Rubric

This rubric describes expectations for the finalized video recording.

CRITERIA

Background
Info &
Context

Provides specific
background
information about the
speaker and
contextualizes the topic
in a clear and concise
manner. Introduces the
speech using a smooth
transition.
Clearly identifies the
central message.

Analysis of
Speech

Discusses 3+ rhetorical
strategies in a way that
demonstrates a
thorough
understanding of
impact of speakers
choices on the target
audience and the speech
as a whole.
Refers to thoughtful,
specific, and wellchosen quotes that
serve as strong
evidence. Includes
insightful commentary
describing the
significance of using that
strategy.

20

20

Connection
to Sources
and
Current
Issues

19

19

18

18

Smoothly incorporates
references to other texts,
speeches, movies, etc.
Provides a significant
amount of context for
these sources and
articulately describes
their relevance to the
speech.

Provides adequate
background
information about
the speaker and
some context for the
topic. Attempts to use
a transition to
introduce the speech.
Identifies the central
message.

Provides some &

background
information about
the speaker and topic,
but context is vague
or generic. Does not
include a smooth
transition introducing
the speech.
Partially describes a
central message

17

16

Discusses 3+
rhetorical strategies
which demonstrates
a general
understanding of
impact of speakers
choices on the target
audience and the
speech as a whole.
Refers to specific,
and well-chosen
quotes that serve as
evidence. Includes
insightful
commentary
describing the
significance of using
that strategy.

17

16

Directly references
other texts, speeches,
movies, etc. Provides
adequate context for
these sources and
describes their
relevance to the
speech.

Smoothly incorporates
for at least 1 national or
international news story.

References at least 1
national or
international news
story.

Describes what the

sources the news story
suggest about race.

Adequately describes
what these sources
suggest about race.

14

13

Does not accurately

describe the effect on
audience.
Includes quotes that
demonstrate basic
understanding of
strategy, but they may
not all be
contextualized
effectively.

13

May substitute a
simpler task (like
summary) instead of
identifying the
central message

12

Mentions 2-3
rhetorical strategies,
but they may not be
completely accurate
or strongly used in the
speech.

14

Does not provide

accurate context for
the speech.

11

May reference
quotes, but
significance is
missing, vague or
incorrect.
Resorts to summary
or rambling rather
than analysis.

12

Briefly mentions other

texts, speeches,
movies, etc.
Provides some
context for these
sources and attempts
to describe their
relevance to the
speech, with SOME
success.

10

May mention 2-3

strategies but they
are either
1. Incorrect
2. Not connected
to effect on
audience

11

10

May mention other

texts or sources, but
information is
incorrect or vague.
Resorts to summary
or rambling.
Does not reference
other source
or

Briefly mentions a
current issue/new
story.
Does not effectively
describe what the
sources and the news

Does not reference

current issue/ news
story.

story suggest about

race.

20

Conclusion
and Call to
Action

19

18

16

Includes adequate
commentary on the
greater significance of
the speech.

States an insightful
conclusion about race.

States an insightful
conclusion about
race.

Clearly and
convincingly
articulates what the
viewers should consider
and do (call to action)

20

Presentatio
n

17

Includes insightful
commentary on the
greater significance of
the speech.

19

18

Clearly and
convincingly
articulates what the
viewers should
consider and do (call
to action)

17

16

The entire video flows

smoothly. There are
effective transitions and
commentary that
connects ideas without
redundancy.

For the most part, the

video flows smoothly.
There are adequate
transitions and very
little, if any,
redundancy.

All members participate

equitably.

All members
participate.

Body language, eye

contact and volume all
draw in the audience.

Body language, eye

contact and volume are
appropriate.

All members appear

comfortable and
knowledgeable (no reading
notes!).

Most members appear

comfortable and
knowledgeable. (may
only glance at notes
once or twice)

20

19

18

17

16

Bonus points for professional dress and/or props:

14

13

12

Includes some on the

greater significance of
the speech
Mentions a conclusion
about race that may
be vague or generic
or occasionally
rambling.

Attempts to
recommend what
the viewers should
consider and do (call
to action), but it is
vague, unrealistic
or over-simplified.
14

13

12

11

10

Resorts to summary
or rambling rather
than drawing a
conclusion about
significance of the
speech.

Does not offer

recommendation
about what viewers
should consider and
do

11

10

There are some points

where the video is
disconnected or
redundant.

The video does not

flow smoothly. It is
disconnected and
redundant.

There may be
occasional awkward
transitions.

More than 1 member

fails to participate.

1-2 more members

occasionally read
directly from notes,
lose track of thoughts,
speak too quietly or
monotonously or
appear nervous/
Unconfident.

14

+3

13

12

2 or more members
occasionally read
directly from notes,
lose track of thoughts,
speak too quietly or
monotonously or
appear nervous/
Unconfident.

11

+2

+1

Final Score

10