Helpful Critique Guidelines

Self-Reflection Essay Guidelines for Honors 202

Go to the COMM Lab (Mills 205) and view your VHS-C tape. The tape and your critique sheet will be available 30 hours after giving your speech. Take notes as you watch your speech. Use the evaluation form to guide your note-taking.

Write an essay-format critique of your speech based on your evaluation of your presentation. Your critique should be a minimum of one and a half pages in length (typed, double-spaced, 1” margins). Avoid general observations; support your comments with specific, detailed examples. Detailed and specific examples are the keys to an excellent self-critique. Correct spelling, grammar and style are expected, and mistakes in these areas will result in a loss of points on the critique.

Insightful comments and creative language use will be rewarded.

Self-critiques are due no later than the next class period after you watch your presentation.

Your critique should consist of four distinct parts. Use the following format to write your critique:

a. Introductory paragraph: Creatively begin the paragraph in which you include five specific components: 1) the title and topic of the speech (including the specific purpose and the main points); 2) the date of the presentation; 3) a general assessment of how you felt before giving the speech (nervousness, confidence, preparedness, etc.). In addition, please 4) identify the goals you set prior to giving the speech and the strategies you used prior to the presentation in an attempt to accomplish them. Finally, 5) preview what you will cover in your paper.

b. Second section: In this section focus on the positive aspects of your presentation. Be sure to comment on both your content and delivery. Answer questions such as (but not limited to): Were your oral citations of evidence clear and complete? Was the speech easy to follow in terms of structure? If so, what made following your arguments easy? Did you make...