When you are the Individual Evaluator
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| 1. Well-prepare before hearing the speech | |
| Be familiar with the objective of the speech we are going to hear. Also, take into consideration the individual needs, goals, sensitivities and experience level of the speaker. (Call or email GE to tell him/her how to introduce you.) | |
| 2.Reach a helping hand | |
| Read the script for the speaker before hearing the speech and offer some suggestions, which will help the speaker to have more confidence in delivering his or her speech. | |
| 3.Be constructive and helpful | |
| Overly kind evaluation is not the best choice; the “middle ground” is helping and encouraging. That is, give a couple of suggestions with a smooth tone, which will help the speaker to improve. An evaluation is only an opinion, nothing more. We can't change a speaker's behavior to accept our ideas. The decision to accept our suggestions is the speaker's alone. The evaluator is not a judge or an authority on speaking. | |
| 4.Build and maintain self-esteem | |
| As evaluators, we have the power to influence, but we should never be given total credit—or responsibility—for a person's subsequent speaking performance. Instead, consider the evaluator a catalyst for change. Evaluators' suggestions only provide the basis for future modifications. But whether or not the speaker acts upon their advice is up to that person. | |
| 5.Personalize our language | |
| The purpose of evaluation is to stimulate improvement, so be sure to use proper words. For example, don't say “You don't’…” “You should have…” “You failed to…” Instead, we had better use “I believe…” I suggest that…” | |
| 6.Use “sandwich” method | |
| During the evaluation, praise the speaking in the beginning and the end. Only give a couple of suggestions in the middle of the evaluation for the good feeling of the speaking. | |
| 7.Evaluate the speech, not the person | |
| As evaluators, always keep our main purpose in mind; to support, help and encourage the speaker. So, focus on the speaker's delivery rather than on the speaker as a person. | |
| An evaluator is a supporter, encourager and helper. Give positive, constructive evaluations that will motivate and genuinely help the receiver. | ||||
| A. | A few days before the meeting: | |||
| Call the speaker to learn his speech objectives. Be aware of the speaker's general goals and of specific areas in which he would like help and feedback. Answer him any questions he may have. Help him and encourage him. Remind him of bringing the manual to the meeting and give it to you before the meeting begins. | ||||
| B. | During the meeting: | |||
| 1. | Listen attentively--not only with ears, but also with eyes. Take notes. | |||
| 2. | After the speaker finishes the speech: | |||
| (1). | Complete the evaluation guide, but remember that you need not comment on every question. You may use the manual guide as a base for your evaluation, but your evaluation need not be limited to those points. | |||
| (2). | Drafting the content of the evaluation--focus on the most important points. You won't have time to cover everything. | |||
| (a). | Mention the presentation's effect on you. | |||
| (b). | Mention what the speaker did well--the speaker's effort and strength | |||
| (c). | Mention where the speaker could improve, and specific recommendations for improvement. | |||
| (d). | Conclude on a positive note that helps the speaker build self-esteem and self-confidence. | |||
| C. | During the intermission: | |||
| Maybe you can ask opinions of the speaker himself and of other audience. | ||||
| D. | Presenting the evaluation | |||
| Giving the speaker your personal opinion in a friendly, direct, non-threatening manner. | ||||
| 1. | Comment sincerely, friendly, directly and honestly. | |||
| 2. | Look at the speaker. | |||
| 3. | Give your personal opinion. | |||
| (1). | Describe your own reactions to the speaker, not other people’s reaction. For example, say, “I liked it when” or “I was confused about..” Avoid saying “The audience didn’t understand….” | |||
| (2). | Suggest the speaker: “You could..”; do not say “You should…” or “You must”. | |||
| (3). | Avoid judgmental words and phrases, such as “good speakers always…” | |||
| E. | After the meeting: | |||
| 1. | Give the manual with your written evaluation back to the speaker. | |||
| 2. | Talk with the speaker one on one. | |||
| (1). | Give more comments to him. | |||
| (2). | Learn from him his feedback to your evaluation. | |||
| PS: All the other audience can be volunteer evaluators, too, and write to or tell the speaker | ||||
| 1. | something he did well, and | |||
| 2. | specific recommendation for improvement. | |||
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