Outline Grading Criteria
The superior outline (grade A):

•  Topic is creative, appropriate, and original.
•  Name, general purpose, specific purpose, and thesis statement (central idea) are included.
•  Constitutes a genuine contribution by the speaker to the knowledge or beliefs of the audience.
•  Remains audience-centered throughout outline.
•  Content fits the assignment.
•  Contains elements of vividness and special interest in the use of language.
•  Language is clear, concise, memorable, and easy to follow.
•  If sources are required, high quality sources are used.
•  If sources are required, adheres to quantity of sources rule (one source per minute for total amount of sources).
•  If sources are used, a reference page is included.
•  Outline is in complete sentences.
•  Standard subdivisions are used.
•  Transitions are advanced and included in proper places.
•  In-text citations are present.
•  Various sections and components of the outline are labeled.
•  Main points are declarative sentences.
•  Main points are logical.
•  Appropriate number of main points is included.
•  Support material is appropriate.
•  All components of the introduction, body and conclusion are included and well-developed.
•  Organizational pattern is clear.

The above average outline (grade B):

•  Creative topic.
•  Audience analysis is evident.
•  Fulfills all major functions of a speech introduction, body and conclusion.
•  Displays clear organization of main points and supporting materials.
•  Exhibits proficient use of transitions.
•  Effective use of language.
•  Overall structure apparent but may need to develop ideas more effectively.
•  Properly labeled and formatted.
•  Clearly identifies sources of information and ideas in the speech.

The average outline (grade C):

•  Conforms to the kind of speech assigned (i.e., informative, persuasive, special occasion etc.).
•  Has a clear specific purpose and thesis statement (central idea).
•  Lacks audience-centeredness.
•  Has an identifiable introduction, body, and conclusion.
•  Missing transitions or contains weak transitions.
•  Language is appropriate but could be more memorable or creative.
•  Missing some of the components of an effective speech.
•  Minor errors in grammar, pronunciation, and word usage.
•  Does not contain enough quality source material.

The below average outline (grade D or F)

•  Topic does not conform to speech purpose.
•  Audience-analysis is not evident.
•  Unorganized.
•  Contains incomplete sentences or phrases.
•  Is based entirely on biased information or unsupported opinions.
•  Uses fabricated supporting material or deliberately distorted evidence.
•  Uses bullet points or paragraph form.
•  No references present.
•  Is plagiarized.