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Congressional Debate Rubric: Speaking: Mediocre Good Excellent Superior
Congressional Debate Rubric: Speaking: Mediocre Good Excellent Superior
This table of evaluation standards may be used by any judge who would like assistance in determining scores for speeches. Each scorer
independently (without collaborating) awards 1 to 6 points for each speech. Each speaker has up to three minutes to present arguments
followed by a questioning period.
1 2-3 4-5 6
Mediocre Good Excellent Superior
The speech lacked a While the speaker’s While a clear purpose is Content is clearly and
Content: Organization, Evidence
clear thesis and purpose is present, the apparent, organization may logically organized, and
organizational speech lacks logical be somewhat loose (weak characterized by depth
structure. Claims are organization and/or introduction/conclusion; no of thought and
only asserted with developed ideas. Analysis transitions between points). development of ideas,
generalizations and no of evidence, if present, Diction represents a grasp of supported by a variety of
real evidence. fails to connect its language. Much evidence is credible quantitative
Language use is unclear relevance to the speaker’s presented, but not in a (statistical) and
or ineffective. claims. Use of language is persuasive or effective qualitative (testimony)
weak. manner; or the speaker evidence analyzed
& Language
previous arguments. fails to refute previous or too many new and refutation of
Refutation