Florida International University

Department of Biological Sciences

Scoring criteria for an oral presentation Scoring: 7 questions times 4 points maximum x number of student evaluations= 100%

Presentation content

[ 4 ]   Background is relevant and thorough.   Significance of topic is explained, content is focused.   Conclusions are well supported.

[ 3 ]   Background relevant, but limited.   Significance of topic is mentioned, content occasionally unfocused.   Conclusions are mostly supported.

[ 2 ]   Background is sketchy or unrelated.   Content is disjointed.   Conclusions are poorly supported.

[ 1 ]   No background information.   Does not address the significance of topic, content is unfocused.   Conclusions are either not offered or unsupported.

Logical organization

[ 4 ]   Presents information in logical sequence, at an appropriate level for a scientific audience, and holds audience interest.

[ 3 ]   Presents information in a mostly logical sequence, at an appropriate level for a more general audience.

[ 2 ]   Student's presentation is somewhat disjointed.   Student has difficulty maintaining audience attention.

[ 1 ]   Information is not presented logically or is presented at an inappropriate level.

Use of biological terms and concepts

[ 4 ]   Excellent grasp of biological terminology and concepts.

[ 3 ]   Generally correct application of biological terminology and concepts.

[ 2 ]   Some incorrect applications of biological terminology and limited understanding of biological concepts.

[ 1 ]   Incorrect use of biological terminology, poor understanding of biological concepts.

Body language and voice

[ 4 ]   Speaks clearly, projects voice, varies modulation, uses pauses effectively.   Faces the audience, maintains eye contact, does not use notes.

[ 3 ]   Generally speaks well, stumbling occasionally.   Mainly faces the audience, maintains eye contact most of the time, refers frequently to notes.

[ 2 ]   Speaks in a low voice, many audience members cannot understand.   Occasionally makes eye contact but mostly reads from notes.

[ 1 ]   Voice inaudible, speaks in monotone, reads entire presentation, faces the projection screen with no eye contact.

Presentation technology

[ 4 ]   Appropriate number and type of graphics, easily readable, with the appropriate amount of information.   Graphics reinforce and explain oral presentation.

[ 3 ]   Reasonable number and type of graphics, that can be read.   Graphics related to oral presentation.

[ 2 ]   Imbalance in number and type of graphics, many are difficult to read.   Graphics are somewhat related to oral presentation.

[ 1 ]   Too many or too few graphics, illegible, poor contrast, too much information.   Graphics not related to points made orally.

Effective use of time

[ 4 ]   Balanced, finishes on time, leaving time for questions.

[ 3 ]   Generally balanced, finishes on time, but little if any time for questions.

[ 2 ]   Somewhat unbalanced, rushes to finish on time, no time for questions.

[ 1 ]   Too long, stopped by instructor, or too short (10 minutes or less).   Devotes too much or too little time to each component of the presentation.

Subject knowledge and spontaneous reasoning ability

[leave blank if talk was too long for questions]

[ 4 ]   Fully explains and elaborates subject matter.   Able to provide cogent answers to questions.

[ 3 ]   Adequately explains subject matter.   Can answer questions, but does not elaborate.

[ 2 ]   Inadequately explains subject matter.   Able to answer only basic or obvious questions.

[ 1 ]   Does not have a grasp of the subject matter and cannot understand or answer questions.