Public Speaking Week 4 Assignment

Peer Critique Speech

Peer evaluations have proven to be one of the most beneficial and impactful methods of improving one's public speaking. It is also one of the hardest things to do, as a peer evaluation walks a thin line between constructive criticism and harsh opinion. Nevertheless, it's a mainstay for a Public Speaking course, and you might be surprised at how helpful the advice of your classmates can be.

This week there are two parts to your assignment. Please submit both by the due date for full credit.

Part 1:

For this assignment, you are to evaluate the Week 3 Recitation Speeches of two different classmates, and also provide a critical analysis of your own recitation speech presentation. Then submit this in video form in the week 4 submission area (set up as a discussion). To find these speeches, please return to the week three discussion to select your classmates’ speeches for your review. Once you have completed your reviews (note the directions below), please post them to this forum.

Part 2:

Then, in the discussion message area, in 75 words or more, write the names of the two classmates you decided to critique and the names of the speeches they gave. Then share your own critique of your speech (briefly, save most of this for the speech itself) and what you’ll be working on for next week’s sales pitch speech.

A Few Parameters

         Use the grading criteria that your instructor uses for speeches (see the table below).  Take notes as you view the two selected speeches.

         Evaluations should be constructive and include things that were done well, and areas that can be improved. Be honest but respectful. Incorporate topics or concepts from our textbook or required readings as you evaluate the components of the performance.

         Remember, constructive criticism is meant to be helpful advice. If you learn from each other, you might be surprised at how much and how quickly you improve.

         You should only create one video containing all three critiques; you do not need to create three separate videos.

         Your evaluation shall be delivered via webcam as a single video. Refer to your notes as you deliver your evaluation. Each evaluation (including your own self-analysis) should be 1 minute each.

         I want everyone to be able to find their own critiques, so please include your name and your classmates’ names in the title of your evaluation. Example: "George Jetson Evaluation of Homer Simpson and Fred Flintstone."

         Submit the speech in the Week 4 Assignment submission area (set up as a discussion) either as an uploaded video or a hyperlink to the video you uploaded to YouTube. Don’t forget to include Part 2, the information about all three critiqued speeches and preview of your sales pitch speech.

Note: Be sure to view your peers’ evaluations of your own “recitation speech.”