8th Grade Promotion Ceremony
Student Speech Requirements
8th
Dear
Grade Students,
We are happy to announce a unique opportunity for you as you close out your middle
school years. Each year, we like to include student speakers in the WMS promotion
ceremonies. One student speaker will be chosen per team. Interested students need to
write a speech that is less than two minutes in length. Each speech should be based on
one of two themes: The Most Important Lessons / Practical Wisdom You Have Learned
in Woodland Schools or Upcoming Opportunities, Challenges, Prospects for Success.
You may discuss the theme on a personal level, a more global/societal level, or both.
Students will need to submit a typed copy of their speech from which 5 finalists will be
chosen by the student’s team of teachers. Finalists will present their speech to an alternate
team of teachers (teachers not from that student’s team). They will then choose the
speaker to represent the team.
Criteria:
•
The theme of the speech is: The Most Important Lessons / Practical Wisdom You
Have Learned in Woodland Schools - or - Upcoming Opportunities, Challenges,
Prospects for Success.
•
Each speech must be two minutes or less.
•
Speeches will be evaluated using attached rubric.
Process:
•
Submit your typed speech by the date listed below.
•
Team submissions will be narrowed down to the top 5 by team teachers.
•
Final speakers will be chosen by a panel of teachers not on the team.
Due Dates:
•
Typed final drafts are due to team Friday, May 5, 2017.
•
Team speaker will be chosen by Wednesday, May 10, 2017.
This evaluation rubric will be used by your team of teachers to evaluate your written
speech and determine the team’s five finalists.
Scoring Rubric for Written Speeches
3
Interest
Coherence
Unity
Development
Word Choice
Clear, imaginative;
well-developed
topic; captures
attention
Strongly defined
main idea; clear,
logical organization
Well-chosen,
relevant sentences
with detailed
information
Rich in detail; clear
and easily followed
Specific, figurative
language
2
1
Understandable but Unclear, poorly
unimaginative; topic defined topic; does
adequately defined
not capture attention
Identifiable main
idea, but weak
organization; some
ideas missing or out
of order
All ideas presented
are relative to the
topic
Lack of
organization or
development;
unclear or missing
main idea
Many irrelevant
sentences or details
Details clearly
stated
So lacking in detail
and development
that topic is not
identifiable
Dull, general words,
poorly chosen
Suitable for
audience
This evaluation rubric will be used by a team of teachers other than your own to evaluate
you when you present your speech orally to them speech to determine your team’s
promotion ceremony speaker.
Scoring Rubric for Speeches
3
Interest
Coherence
Unity
Development
Word Choice
Eye Contact
Poise
Voice
Time Limit
Clear, imaginative;
well-developed
topic; captures
attention
Strongly defined
main idea; clear,
logical organization
Well-chosen,
relevant sentences
with detailed
information
Rich in detail; clear
and easily followed
Specific, figurative
language
Eye contact is
maintained with the
audience through
most or all of the
presentation
Appears confident
through most or all
of the presentation
Voice is clear,
strong, and
confident
throughout
presentation
Speech is within the
two-minute time
limit.
2
1
Understandable but Unclear, poorly
unimaginative; topic defined topic; does
adequately defined
not capture attention
Identifiable main
idea, but weak
organization; some
ideas missing or out
of order
All ideas presented
are relative to the
topic
Lack of
organization or
development;
unclear or missing
main idea
Many irrelevant
sentences or details
Details clearly
stated
So lacking in detail
and development
that topic is not
identifiable
Dull, general words,
poorly chosen
No eye contact; the
speech is read
entirely from notes
Suitable for
audience
Eye contact is seen
occasionally, but
many times the
presentation seems
to be read from
notes
Appears confident
less than half of the
time
Voice is clear,
strong, and
confident some of
the time
Does not appear to
be confident
Voice lacks clarity,
strength, and
confidence
Speech exceeds the
two-minute time
limit.