It's been a while since I have updated the Chatter.  So, please excuse my temporary writer's block.   I have many interesting thoughts bouncing in my head.  I just have a hard time getting my fingers to cooperate with the keyboard. 

One of the striking segments of the meeting was Lynn's evaluation for Connie.  It is one of the best evaluations I've seen at the club, rivaling that of the Evaluation God (I'm not trying to be blasphemous).  The one lesson I learned is how she structured her evaluation so well, just like a speech should be.

1. As an 'introduction', Lynn started out by affirming the value and content of Connie's speech.  Specifically, she summarized the point of the speech, or what Connie wants to leave the audience.  Assuming, of course, that the speaker has done an adequate job of communicating the point, then it is important for the evaluator to acknowledge that.  For the readers (how many are there?) who know me, you understand how much weight I place on 'the point of the speech'.  

2. For the 'Body', Lynn proceded to the evaluation of the purpose of the speech assignment (i.e. a persuasive speech), and first pointed out the main points of how to make the speech persuasive.   

a. Importance of Intro (where it was good, and where it needs improvement)

b.Influence by visual aid: Body language, (Then she talked a bit about vocal variety and stagement/eye contact)

c.Dynamic Language

d. Closing

3.  Closing:  Did Connie achieve the objective?

In hindsight, and after going through the video again, I would evaluate Lynn's evaluation based on this observation, and hopefully use this as a template when I do my next evaluation.  Mind you, that Lynn prepared her evaluation within 15 minutes.  I have gone through the video twice, and twiddle my thumbs for the past hour.   So, how could the evaluation be even better structured? 

First, it might be better if the 4 points of the body were stated earlier in a topic sentence.  For example:  To be persuasive, you should have a powerful introduction, visual aid/body language, dynamic language, and an appropriate closing.   Then in the body, hit each of these 4 points. (I am being quite nitpicky on an outstanding evaluation)

Which leads into point two:  Anything not related to the four points could be excluded.  In this case, the part about vocal variety and the stage movement and eye contact was not tied to "visual aid".   Else, add an additional point to the body to address it.  However, that would be 5 total points in the body--too many in my opinion.  In fact, I would argue that 3 points is more than enough.

It also may be helpful if Lynn could have tied all the points to the elements of persuasion/influence.  She did that for the Intro, and visual aid and dynamic language  But did not mention it for the Dynamic Language and Closing.  How would additional examples in the closing add to the persuasive element?  

Finally, I feel the closing of the evaluation would be even better 'wrapped up' if Lynn had ended with:  You have persuaded me to call my father/mother, or other close relatives.  

Thanks to Lynn for the evaluation.  I will definitely use this template for Chris' evaluation next week.  Watch out Chris.