Some Questions to Ask When Critiquing a Presentation

Note: These questions are intended as a guide for evaluating oral presentations. Your critique does not need to include every point listed below, and may include other points not listed here.

Content:

• Was the topic focused? Was it too broad? Too narrow?
• Was the topic relevant to and suitable for the audience? Was it too technical? Too trivial?
• Was the research appropriate for the topic? Were primary source used where possible?
• Did the speech convey a clear and interesting thesis?
• Are assertions backed by reasons? Did the stories, examples, and evidence provided effectively support the speaker's claims?
• Did the presenter make effective use of language? Analogies? Imagery? Was there some spark of originality?
• Are the terms clearly defined?
• Did the speaker stay within the assigned time limits?

Introduction:

• Does the speech begin in an interesting way? Did the introduction make you want to keep listening?
• Are the expectations by the introduction fulfilled in the body of the presentation? i.e., does the introduction function effective as a "contract" between speaker and audience?

Organization:

• Was the thesis easy to identify? Were the main points clear?
• Was the overall organization easy to follow?
• Did the presenter have an effective attention getter?
• Were the relationships between ideas clear?
• Were there smooth transitions between main points?
• Were the main points well developed and well balanced?
• Were you able to follow the speaker's reasoning throughout the paper?

Conclusion:

• Did the conclusion summarize the thesis and main points?
• Did it provide a sense of closure?
• Does the presentation have a definite concluding sentence, rather than trailing off or ending abruptly?

Delivery:

• Did the speaker's nonverbals add to or detract from the speech? Consider posture, gestures, bodily movement, dress and facial expression.
• Did the speaker have good eye contact with the entire audience?
• Did the speaker use notes appropriately?
• Did the speaker use visual aids? If so, were they smoothly integrated into the speech?
• Was the rate of delivery too fast? Too slow?
• Was the speaker's voice loud enough for everyone to hear?
• Were the words enunciated so they were clear and comprehensible? Were terms pronounced correctly?

You can use the above critique to review your own work, as well. Come by the Center to have a staff member critique your presentation!