What Is the Criteria for Judging Presentations?

By Staff Writer | Last Updated August 4, 2015

When judging a student presentation, the criteria to be evaluated include the student’s introduction, originality while presenting, visual aids used, the organization of the speech and the proficiency in delivering the presentation. The delivery focuses on both verbal and nonverbal components, such as eye contact, tone of voice, body language and enthusiasm.

Judges evaluate student presentations from the onset of the speech, so students must present an introductory statement, scenario, demonstration or actions that capture attention. The originality and creativity of the overall presentation is also an important criteria of the judging. For example, the student must reach beyond common knowledge and provide information that displays critical thinking about the topic or research question within the presentation.

Demonstrations and visual aids used often determine a student’s ability to present with creativity. Judges must evaluate the effectiveness of slideshow presentations, props used to make a point or scenarios acted out during the presentation.

The delivery is one of the most primary components of the judging process, too. For example, successful presenters make eye contact with the judge and the audience, use inflection with their speaking tones, move past the podium to engage the audience and address the audience directly during their presentation.