RESPONSIBILITIES:

To provide feedback on the presentations made by each of the Table Topics Speakers. This should be a concise but constructive evaluation of each speaker (remember that your evaluation is of the speakers, not the Table Topics Master).

PRIOR TO THE MEETING:

If necessary, refer to the evaluation guides in the appendix or in the Effective Speech Evaluation manual to assist you in preparing for the meeting.

AT THE MEETING:

You will be evaluating many speakers and it will help if you have a framework for the basis of your evaluation. You might want to prepare a sheet of paper with columns labeled: “Speaker, What Worked, Points for Improvement”. This will help you to remember positive comments and suggestions.

Record your impressions of the speeches. Be positive but DO NOT WHITEWASH!! The speaker does not benefit if your feedback is not honest and constructive. Start with a positive comment. Then, offer a suggestion for improvement and show how to accomplish it. You may choose to use an example or demonstrate how to be more effective. Be sure to end with a positive comment. COMPLIMENT, RECOMMEND, AND COMPLIMENT.

You may wish to note some distracting speech habits (unnecessary slang, repetitions, etc.) or distracting body language.

Although speakers should speak to the topic assigned, your evaluation should be based on presentation. Content should be looked at only in terms of the organization and construction. Look for a strong opening, an organized body and a close that summarizes the arguments presented.

You have only five minutes to evaluate all the speakers. Don’t waste time with an unnecessary preamble. Explain the areas you are dealing with in your evaluations and then move directly into their evaluations.

Don’t apologize for your evaluation. Your responsibility as an evaluator is to provide your opinion as honestly as you can, based upon your reaction to the presentation.

Return control of the meeting to the Chairperson.